Friday, April 7

Friday, April 7
Reading:  Acts 4:13-17
Key Verse: Acts 4:13 (NIV) — 13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.

Devotional Thought:  Not only was there no budget for this Great Commission tour, there was also no training.  None of the apostles had formal training.  None appeared to have even been notably successful in their previous lives.  They were ordinary men.

One of the impediments to evangelism is the notion that we have to have some special training or be of a particular personality.  “I’m not smart enough.”  “It’s just not my nature.”  That’s a common and easy cop-out.  Peter and John know too well how “common” they were.  So, what made them such great witnesses for the gospel?

It’s right there – they had been with Jesus.  Hanging around Jesus transforms any personality into an evangelistic one.  Hanging out with Jesus takes our commonness and makes it astonishing.  Actually, it’s even more impressive that ordinary, untrained, common people demonstrate great evangelistic faith.

You’re not smart enough?  You’re too common?  Welcome into the company of great evangelists.

Action:  Instead of complaining that you’re not smart enough or don’t have the right personality to evangelize, instead spend some time with Jesus and allow his life to shine through you.  Make it a habit to read the Gospels and walk with Jesus and trust that just being with Him will take your commonness and make it astonishing.

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