December 17, 2024 Devo

This past Sunday, I shared a story about our CR leader at Shartel who has an amazing testimony. After a fairly lengthy time of alcohol and drug addiction, she ended up in prison. But during her time there, she met Jesus. She not only started living a different life, she started leading other women to Jesus as well. She eventually got out of prison, but continued her calling to help others find freedom from addiction through Christ. She’s an incredible leader in our church today.
There are a lot of people who “get religion” in prison. Often it’s just a ploy to get reduced time or early release. But you can tell the people who have truly seen Jesus, met Jesus, and been with Jesus. For them, it’s more than a moment or a one-time prayer. They LIVE for Jesus. They leave their old life and walk a different path.
Our Wise Men in the story gave us a great model of Jesus. They followed a star to find out where Jesus was. And when they found Him, they did more than just stare in awe. They WORSHIPPED Him. And somewhere in the process of their time in His presence, their hearts were touched and changed. They didn’t need to follow a star anymore. They heard the voice of God. They OBEYED the voice of God. They walked a different road home than the one they came in on.
Do you know how I can tell when I’ve really been with Jesus as opposed to when I’ve just “put in my time” praying or reading scripture? When I’ve been with Jesus, I come out different. My heart is humbled. My gratitude level is higher. I’m less in wonder of how God puts up with the idiots in this world and more in awe of how He puts up with me. When I’ve been with Jesus my heart is quieter. My soul is more satisfied. I am more attuned to the voice of God, and I am more obedient to that voice. Lots of people have religion, but you can tell those who truly have spent time with Jesus. They walk a different road. That’s God’s Word for you today.