Jesus Makes The Difference

"Observing the boldness of Peter and John and realizing them to
be uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed and knew that
they had been with Jesus."
(Acts 4:13)

What a powerful statement! The religious elite, having observed
Peter and John's conduct and character, while enduring persecution,
said that they reminded them of Jesus.

Peter and John had just healed a man who was lame from birth,
preached until 5000 men came to Jesus, and immediately thereafter,
were thrown into jail on bogus charges. The following morning they
were brought before a court comprised of some of the same people
who sent Jesus to the cross. In the face of this hostile situation,
they stood boldly imbued with power of God. They did not speak
until they were lead by the Holy Spirit. They said what He told
them to say, and did what He told them to do. They did not allow
their flesh to give occasion to their accusers to find fault with them.

The Bible says that Peter and John's witness was so strong, that
the one's who questioned them, after listening to them speak,
"had nothing to say in response." (Acts 4:14). The ones who
forcible detained them had to set them free - untouched. Peter
and John passed the test with flying colors. Their accusers where
looking for a fight and end up seeing Jesus - again!

Often, when we are faced with conflict or volatile situations we
allow our flesh to govern our conduct. We become part of the
problem instead of allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us through
our problem. We go to church on Sunday and leave Jesus at the
door on our way out to face the remainder of the week. Jesus wants
to come home with you. He wants to go to work with you. He wants
to give you wisdom on how to talk to those who are trying to trap
you. He wants to show you how to relate to those who despitefully
use and don't appreciate you. He wants to be the strength and
wisdom you need to overcome what it is that has mounted an attack
against you. However, you must let Him do the talking. The
prophet Isaiah says that God: "will keep him in perfect peace,
whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You"
(Isaiah 26:3-4, KJV).

Are you stressed out about a current or pending situation? How
do you handle conflict and persecution? When you're going through
what you go through, what do people see? Better yet - "Who do
they see?" Is it you or Jesus? Stand in the power of His might.
For "greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world"
(1John 4:4). Remember, Jesus makes the difference!


By Dr. J.C. Matthews, Senior Pastor of Dunamis Life Ministries and Chancellor of The International Kingdom Institute.