~By: Silvana Place~
Immanuel (Hebrew): “God with us.”
The greatest gift we can ever possibly receive is the opportunity of knowing Jesus. He has made a way so that we can be in right standing with Him, and He is with us so we don’t have to walk this life alone.
With that gift, though, comes the great responsibility of sharing Him. He is with us also so that others can know Him and experience Him. He is within us so He can flow through us. Sharing Him can take on many forms, but should ultimately always point others to the cross of Christ.
When people see us, are around us, and hear the words that flow out of our mouths, do they sense that God is with us? In reality, if the Holy Spirit is in us, He should be so evident in our lives. Those closest to us should be able to see characteristics of Christ in our lives. There should be distinct differences in our actions and reactions, our motives, and our language. Our lives should draw others to Him. People are desperate to see and experience God truly with us. I pray that Immanuel, God who is with me, is so evident in my life that others are drawn to Him!
“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.” John 14:16-17 ESV
We need to allow others to see the love of God displayed in our lives (a kind heart that forgives, one that speaks truth and loves others), by meeting tangible needs (as Jesus did when He fed the 5000+), by praying and believing for the miraculous in one’s circumstances and life, and by making time to share and teach God’s Word. These are all things that Jesus modeled when He walked the earth.
Help me Holy Spirit to proclaim your name, to be your witness, to not take for granted or hoard the amazing gift of knowing Christ! Grant me the opportunity and help me to extend this gift to others.
Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Psalm 105:1 NIV
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:8 NIV
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