by Rev Steve Nickodemus

Tell Tale Signs.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.”
Philippians 4:5

Whenever my two goddaughters are around these three friends show up.  Wherever Stephanie and Valerie go, there are tell tale signs of these soft stuffed animals.

Saint Paul encourages you, and me, to leave tell tale signs of our presence wherever we go.  “Let your gentleness be evident to all.”  Wherever we go the evidence of acts, an attitude of gentleness, and love should be obvious.

Is that because you and I are so filled with a general niceness, goodness, and fluffiness?  No, but there is evidence of gentleness and mercy in our lives because wherever the baptized children of God go there the Lord is near!  Those who are redeemed by Christ Jesus exhibit His character, and acts, because He lives in us.   His Holy Spirit is always with us, leaving evidence of God’s fruit of the Spirit in our lives and words.

You know what I am talking about.  You meet a new person, and within a few sentences you are recognizing that they are a Christian, a follower of the Lord Jesus.  There is something about the way they care, and carry themselves, that gives them away.  The Holy Spirit gives ample evidence that He is working in our hearts and lives.

Go ahead and leave a trail of gentleness, mercy, love, and joy wherever you go.  The One who loved you so very much that He would die upon a cross has stamped you with a permanent mark of His presence.  Let your gentleness be evident to all, for the Lord is near!

Lord Jesus, produce in me the fruit of Your Spirit, that wherever I go all people would see evidence of You.  Amen.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado