It’s Jesus!

Welcome again to another Daily Encouragement from the Our Daily Bread devotional. Our reading was written by Lisa Samra and it's titled, It's Jesus. During an episode of the popular U.S. television talent competition, America's Got Talent, a five-year-old girl sang with such exuberance that a judge compared her to a famous child singer and dancer in the 1930s. He remarked, I think Shirley Temple is living somewhere inside of you.

Her unexpected response? Not Shirley Temple, Jesus. I marveled at the young girl's deep awareness that her joy came from Jesus living in her. Scripture assures us of the amazing reality that all who trust in Him not only received the promise of eternal life with God, but also Jesus' presence living in them through His Spirit. Our hearts become Jesus' home. Jesus' presence in our hearts fills us with countless reasons for gratitude.

He brings the ability to live with purpose and energy. He cultivates joy in our hearts in the midst of all circumstances, in both times of celebration and times of struggle. Christ's Spirit provides hope to our hearts that God is working all things together for good even when we can't see it. And the Spirit gives a peace that persists regardless of the chaos swirling around us. With the confidence that comes from Jesus living in our hearts, we can allow His presence to shine through so that others can't help but notice.

Today's Our Daily Bread devotional scripture reading is from Colossians 1, verses 27-29 and chapter 2, verses 6-10. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. To this end, I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me. And now, chapter 2, verses 6-10. So then, just as you receive Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught and overflowing with thankfulness. See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. For in Christ all the fullness of the deity lives in bodily form and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. Let's pray.