2 Peter 1:16: For we were not making up clever stories when we told you about the powerful coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. We saw his majestic splendor with our own eyes (NLT) – APOSTLE PETER
Acts 26:13-16: About noon, Your Majesty, as I was on the road, a light from heaven brighter than the sun shone down on me and my companions. We all fell down, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is useless for you to fight against my will.’ “‘Who are you, lord?’ I asked.“And the Lord replied, ‘I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting. Now get to your feet! For I have appeared to you to appoint you as my servant and witness. Tell people that you have seen me, and tell them what I will show you in the future. (NLT) – APOSTLE PAUL
Today’s devotional examines the lives of Apostles Peter and Paul.
Why were they able to represent Christ so powerfully during their lives? Why did God do many miracles and signs through their ministry? How come they were able to endure trials, persecution for the Lord’s sake even to the point of death.
The answer is clear from the Bible:
- They had personal encounters with the Lord Jesus Christ. (Peter – Luke 5:3-11: Paul – Acts 9:1-8)
- They had faith in the name of Jesus and Jesus alone (Galatians 2:14-16)
- They were filled with the Holy Spirit (Peter: Acts 2:1-4; Paul – Acts 9:17-18)
- They had a personal daily walk with the Lord. They were dedicated to the word of God, prayer, fasting and fellowship with other believers.
- Because of their close and intimate relationship with the Lord, they were able to learn from Him and experience His hand in their lives and situations, in both big and small issues.
For Peter and Paul, Jesus wasn’t a myth or a God worshipped by their parents, Jesus was real to them.
This is essential to a successful Christian walk. Mental head knowledge of God cannot replace a real encounter with Christ. You must first have an initial encounter with Jesus, and after that encounter your life will never remain the same again.
The encounter with the Lord makes you believe in His name, granting you eternal life. Then you must be filled with the Holy Spirit in order to be able to effectively do the will of God and say no to the sinful human nature.
After this, it is important to continue a close and daily walk with Him in prayer, the study of the word and fellowship with other believers.
Walking daily with Him will help you to learn His ways and be more like Him. As you walk with Him, you also experience His presence and see His power in both little and big situations in your life. His Holy Spirit in you will guide you and make the scriptures real to you. The Holy Spirit will guide you into all truth and empower you to be all that God has called you to be.
PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, I come to you with a humble heart and ask that you give me a personal unforgettable encounter with you. I am tired of knowing about you but not truly knowing you. Please help me to know you Lord, help me to walk with you and be guided into all truth by your Holy Spirit. From today let me experience you in every situation of my life and use me for your glory in Jesus name I pray. Amen.