I once decided to pay a visit to a friend of mine. I prayed to the Lord before leaving. On my way, I came across a group of children teasing a mentally ill man whom I had never met.
Suddenly he stopped joking with them, stared at me, and shouted with a thunder-like voice: “See! Jesus is coming! Jesus is coming!”
I suddenly felt some heat under my shirt, yet it was December in Burkina Faso where the weather is nice. Sweat started running down my face. I was so scared that I almost took to my heels.
But it would have been disgraceful to run away.
The kids might laugh at me. So I decided to keep advancing, no matter what happened. The mad man kept shouting, “Jesus is coming! Jesus is coming!” I boldly passed by him, not daring to look at his strange face.
He went on repeating the same words until I was far away. At that time, I did not have a deep understanding about my identity in Christ, hence my great fear.
Like a flashlight turning on, the words of Jesus in John 17:23 and Luke 4:34 came to my mind. My fear turned into a tremendous joy and confidence!
Now I understand clearly that the Father, Son, and Spirit are in me. What a privilege to have them all in me! Since then, I know that I am not alone.
As co-laborers for the Kingdom, we should display godly character in whatever we say or do. Are we not created in His likeness?
Our partners, the children we serve, and all those we come across should see Jesus Christ in us. We should know our identity and manifest the life of the one who abides in us. Let us make the difference, for we have been set aside for God! Lord God, help us be like you!
I in them and you in me — so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. —John 17:23, NIV
Prayer: Lord, help us display Your character. Mold us in Your image and let the world see You through our lives. In Jesus’ name, amen!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Abdoulaye Diallo is a Curriculum Specialist for Compassion Burkina Faso.
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23 Comments |Add a comment
Very nice testimony. May God help us to live Jesus live.
Waw, very powerful and inspiring story.
A very inspiring story and a goo lesson learned through it#
I great revelation, I have Jesus in me hence I should radiate him wherever I go.
Truly Jesus in me. Daily prayer to be and live a life worthy of His name.
If we only knew the power He has invested in us, we would not fear anything. Jeremiah 1:10 “See I have this day set you over the Nations and over the Kingdoms, to root out and pull down, to destroy and throw down, to build and to plant”. Brethren, we have the power to root out all sorts of evil from all around us, beginning with ourselves, in our nations, our communities, our work place and in the Church.
That’s a wonderful story. May God shines in my life wherever I’m, like He made that in the life of the author of this story.
Great story! it inspires.
May God bless
Waw, its touching and awakening, May the almighty God always give us the power and courage
Great words of encouragement with high level wisdom
Great Insights, thanks for sharing
my bueno
Inspirational !! I reflect Jesus
Lord you alone can make me what you want me to be. Please help me to reflect you as I engage with the partners, children and their caregivers.
This devotional is very inspiring. I have learnt that Jesus in me is what those around me should see.
It should not be my interests, or anything other than what reflects that He is in me.
I have also learnt that God can use anyone to alert us of the times and seasons.
Thank you for sharing this devotional and God bless you.
Our identity in Christ should be clear. If we know that Jesus is in us we will be confident and no wind of doctrine will shake us or move us here and there. May we know our identity in Christ Jesus, so that those we serve and those around us will see Him in us. May we be like Him.
OH GOD HAVE MERCY ON ME that as I engage with our partners that I am able to represent you.
The demons were able to recognize the presence of God in him even when he was not fully aware of
his identity in Christ. If only we knew how much authority we carry with us, we would not be
intimidated by the circumstances that come our way. Even amidst COVID-19, we shall prevail over
the situation because He who is in us is greater than the one in the world.
Surely, Jseus can use any body to convey his message of salvation to us. The Bible reminds us that God is not respector of person. He can use even the stones, if he used the donkey in the time of Gideon yet Gideon in his ignorance was so used to the obvious. THis also calls us to change our perspectiv and be open minded. What a great sharing and insight.
This story is challenging.
If a mad man can know and even shout that Jesus is coming back how much more should we the Christian know this fact and prepare ourselves and others for the second coming of Jesus.
Great message.
I am the light of the world and wherever i pass there has to be a radiance. thought came to my heart that If my mind is evil then any mad man could easily throw a stone at me instead but if I am right with Christ then my light will make the madman see Jesus
This is a great article.
God’s Word is always refreshing to the soul.
God has invited us to demonstrate His Character and Love to those around us.
Blessings
Thank you for this sharing, I have learned another insight of Jesus in us, brings us to complete unity, to be loved by God just He has loved Jesus Christ, his only son. what a joy to be in that place of sharing with the Lord after he has perfected me to his own likeness.
This story leaves me thinking about the mad man who shouts Jesus is coming; Was he a Christian before? Maybe not, the whole truth here is that God can use anybody to pass on the message of hope & in this case, I see a message of alerting us to remain sober, being reminded of our Lord’s coming back.
God bless you for this sharing,
blessings