“When they observed the boldness of Peter
and John and realized that they were
uneducated and untrained men, they were
amazed and recognized that they had been
with Jesus.” Acts 4:13
How interesting the religious leaders could
see the boldness of Peter and John but
because they did not have a formal
education like themselves, considered them
untrained and uneducated. How grossly
mistaken they were. These men had spent
three years and more in the presence of the
Master Teacher. Their training and
experience would be equivalent to a
Master’s Degree in Pastoral Ministry, Bible
Interpretation and Spiritual Formation!
The old maxim: experience is the best
teacher, is still true. What countless things
did the disciples learn being in the presence
of the Lord Jesus day after day? How much
of His personality and habits became a part
of their lives forever? We know from
scripture they turned from the love of self to
loving God and loving others.
We don’t often realize how profoundly
influenced we are by the people we spend
the most time with. I knew one couple who
had joined the church were having an impact
on our lives when I overheard Christy shout
“Yeah Baby” when she got excited. That
became new vocabulary in our home!
Beware of the people you hang around.
Their words just might follow you too!
When we moved to Bellevue, Nebraska,
people asked, “Are you a Husker fan?” My
first response was, “What’s a Husker?” We
soon learned that following the Nebraska
College football team, the Cornhuskers was
akin to a religion! Their devoted fans
traveled near and far to attend games. It
wasn’t until years later that I became a
convert. We were visiting new friends while
the Husker game was on. Christy knew I had
succumbed when she heard me yell “Kill
‘em!” Sports has never been high on my list!
The religious leaders recognized that the
disciples had been with Jesus. What was it
that they saw in the disciples? Was it their
boldness? Their obvious confidence? Or that
they were not being intimidated by the
Sanhedrin? Not only were they not in fear
them, but they also boldly accused them of
killing Jesus!
What do your words, actions, or daily
routines reveal about who you have spent
time with?
“And whatever you do, in word or in deed,
do everything in the name of the Lord
Jesus.” Col 3:17
Blessed by you….Bro. Sherman
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