Devo Week 50

Entering Their Story -- Show and Tell

'Preach the Gospel at all times and if necessary, use words,' advised St. Francis of Assisi. Truly, there is power in our presence. How we share our presence with others allows the Holy Spirit to come close through our relationships. This is an essential element of the Good News and our testimony.

Key Concept: Power of Presence

More than 700 years before God sent His Son to live with us, Isaiah prophesied His name would be Emmanuel -- God with us. (Is. 7:14) The presence of Christ bears witness that we are His followers. (II Cor. 13:5) Through our presence, we can present Christ or re-present Him.

A relational bond is formed and fashioned when we enter another’s story. The Holy Spirit uses our skills, gifts, talents and the fruit of the Spirit to mark our testimony for Christ. As the Apostle Paul said, 'For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.' (Phil. 1:21) Paul’s life and death exuded the presence of Christ.

The life of Christ in us is real, not virtual. (John 14:6) There is simply no substitute for sharing time and space together. Our presence among people brings the presence of Christ into a specific location and closes gaps which help guard against miscommunication.

As we go to the nations under the leading of the Holy Spirit, a new synergy is created. It is the testimony of the life of Christ in us, affirmed by our presence with others, that is the foundation of this synergy.

Key Word Definition: Synergy (noun)

-- the interaction of two or more agents or forces so that their combined effect is greater than the sum of their individual effects.

Excerpt from Devotional 50 with highlighted word:

"This creates a synergy between the ‘sent one’ and the people. This synergy releases God’s presence with increasing measure, allowing the least, the last, and the lost to experience and be touched by the love of God."

Scripture: John 4:25

“The woman said, ‘I know that Messiah (called Christ) is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.’”