God Uses the Simple

Scripture:
Acts 4:13 — Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus.

Observation:
The religious leaders wanted to know how the disciples were able to perform the miracle of healing a lame man. But the more they looked the more they realized there was nothing outstanding about the disciples — they were just average guys — very average guys actually. The Bible says they were untrained and uneducated, they were just country hick fishermen. The religious leaders were amazed the Scripture says. How could these nobodies have such confidence and affect such a miracle? But the closer they looked, the clearer it became as to what set these men apart. The Bible says they “began to recognized them as having been with Jesus.” I wonder how they “began to recognize” this? Did somebody tell them? Was it the way the disciples talked or acted or carried themselves that betrayed the fact that they had been with Jesus so much that His life had marked theirs? Either way, the point seems to be that God can use anybody — even untrained, uneducated, backwoods country boys — if they have the one necessary qualification: they spend quality time with Jesus.

Application:
For me, this is encouragement that I don’t have to worry about the latest fads and trends in ministry. I don’t need to build a resumé to be noticed by men. The one thing that qualifies me and empowers me for ministry is that I spend time with Jesus. That’s what ministry really is — it is what I leave behind me as I follow Christ. My goal and my priority need to be to spend time with Jesus every day. It is because I spend time with Him that my life begins to be noticeably changed. I develop a positive testimony for Him, and I possess the power of God to see miracles happen. I also need to be straight on whom I look to and follow as examples in ministry. What matters is not how much, how many, or how recognized some ministry or minister is. Nor does is it matter that a person has no seminary training or formal education. What matters is if the person has spent time with Jesus.

Prayer:
Father, would you grant me time in Your presence today. As I work, as I drive, as I sit still, would You come to me and spend time with me. I want to learn from you. Father would You grant me confidence to do Your work just like the disciples. Deliver me from ever trying to impress others with my spirituality or credentials. Keep me focused instead on loving and serving You every day for the simple and pure joy it brings. Shape me — my words, my actions, my disposition and attitude so that it is obvious I have spent time with You.

— Chip Henderson, senior pastor