As Peter and John entered the temple one day, a beggar who had been lame since birth asked them for money. Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God (Acts 3:6-8). So many people knew that beggar and were amazed at what had happened to him, and they wondered how it could have come about.

Peter and John boldly declared that the man’s miracle had come from God. Now when they [the people] saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus (Acts 4:13). The people knew that Peter and John were just common fishermen, and some even said they were unlearned and ignorant; but they all had to admit that Peter and John had been with Jesus. So the big question today is, “Have you been with Jesus?” If you can answer yes, then people will know it.

The disciples had been with Jesus, and then they went to the Upper Room and received the Holy Ghost; and people knew they were different. They weren’t hesitant and fearful as they had been in the past but boldly spoke the truth with Heaven’s authority and declared Jesus to be the Messiah.

Peter and John were not afraid to declare that the once crippled man was made whole through the name of Jesus Christ, and that miracle brought 5000 men to the Lord. People knew there was something more to those men than met the eye—it was the presence and the power of the Lord working in their lives. And they [the disciples] went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following (Mark 16:20). The Lord wants to work in unbelievable ways with His children today, too.

The Anointing Makes the Difference

Peter and John had been with Jesus, and they had become just like Him. Jesus didn’t go around speaking big words that only those who were highly educated could understand; He spoke to the common people. Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught. And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned? Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me (John 7:14-16).

Always remember that the doctrine of the Gospel is from Heaven, and even simple people can deliver the Word of the living God because the Lord is the one who gives you the wisdom and knowledge to do it. Don’t consider that you may not have had the education others have because that has nothing to do with your salvation.

When others hear you talk and see your actions, you must want them to admit that you have been with Jesus, that the excellency of the power in your life is of Him and not of you. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us (II Corinthians 4:6,7).

Peter and John did not have a good education or hold high positions in society, yet the anointing and power of God that flowed through them made people marvel. When you have been with Jesus, people will marvel at you, too, because they will see God’s light in you. They may not understand it, but they will know you have something different; and that difference is the presence of God that you carry.

When Jesus was on Earth, He too was just a common carpenter; but He spoke with power and authority because He had been with His Father, and He was anointed of God. Jesus said, The Spirit [the Holy Ghost] of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised (Luke 4:18).

Jesus gives those who live close to Him the same great anointing from Heaven that He used, and it will have the same effect. Like Jesus, we are to live the Gospel and then take it to the whole world.

Be an Example

Just as people will notice when you have been with Jesus, they will also notice when you have not been with Him. You may act as if you are a great person in the Lord and boast about how long you have been going to church, how many times you have read through the Bible or even that you pay your tithes and give in the offerings; but if you are not prayed up and carrying God’s anointing, people will know it.

A person is usually the last one to see himself as he really is. That is why the Bible says, Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves (II Corinthians 13:5). You must want to know from the Lord if there is even one small thing in your life He doesn’t appreciate, and then you must do something about it.

You may never be perfect in the eyes of people, but you can and must be perfect before God. The Bible says, Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace (Psalm 37:37). The Bible also says, Be ye holy; for I am holy (I Peter 1:16). God would never tell us to do something we could not do.

Your life and your actions preach the Gospel, so you must be a living epistle for Christ. Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart (II Corinthians 3:2,3). When you are just like Jesus, people will see Christ in you; and they will know you have been with Him.

Jesus Was Astonishing

The teachings of Jesus astonished people. And when the sabbath day was come, he [Jesus] began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands (Mark 6:2)?

People noticed that Jesus spoke with authority and power. And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority (Mark 1:22). And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power (Luke 4:32).

Jesus came to Earth as a man to show us how to use the power He had brought for us. He said, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth (Matthew 28:18). And Jesus gives that same power to us; but to be able to use it, you have to pay the price through prayer, fasting and living in the Word.

You must work for Jesus and put Him first in your life ahead of family, friends and yourself. Then people will be astonished at you, too—at your doctrine because it is Christ’s doctrine, at the authority with which you speak, at your wisdom and at the works done through your hands. They will be astonished at your understanding, your answers and your knowledge of the Bible; and they will be amazed at the godly contentment you have. But godliness with contentment is great gain (I Timothy 6:6).

Put God First

When you have been with Jesus, you won’t grumble and complain like Lazarus’ sister Martha did during one of Jesus’ visits. And she [Martha] had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him [Jesus], and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me (Luke 10:39,40). Martha wanted Mary to get in the kitchen and help her.

And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her (Luke 10:41,42). Jesus said that Mary had chosen what was most important, and you must choose the things of God to be most important in your life, too. Then the cares of this world will not cause you to be dissatisfied and complain, and you will be happy for people to work for Jesus.

When you have been with Jesus, it is easy to step from the world of trouble and care into His very presence. You don’t have to get dressed up or drive anywhere to be with Him; you can just step into His throne room by faith and close the door on the world and its cares. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16).

Jesus is there waiting for you all the time; but do you spend enough time with Him, or do you spend more time with people and worldly things? If you are neglecting Jesus, it is no wonder you don’t feel good; and when you don’t feel good, you should check to see why. The Lord will show you if you really want to know.

Let Nothing Extinguish Your Light

If you have not been with Jesus, everything will bother you. And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful (Mark 4:19). Do you allow family, friends or the cares of this world to make the Word become unfruitful in your life?

After Jesus was crucified, many of the disciples allowed the events surrounding His death to choke the light of the Gospel out of their lives. As two of His followers walked along the road on their way to Emmaus, they talked together of all these things which had happened [concerning Christ’s death]. And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. But their eyes were holden that they should not know him (Luke 24:14-16).

The men assumed Jesus was a stranger to the area, and they proceeded to tell Him about Jesus’ crucifixion and burial. They were feeling so hopeless and helpless because they had put all their trust in Jesus, and then He had died.

Then he [Jesus] said unto them [the two disciples], O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself (Luke 24:25-27).

When the men got to where they were going, they pressed Jesus to stay with them because it was getting dark. And it came to pass, as he [Jesus] sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures (Luke 24:30-32)?

The men were so excited to realize that they had been with Jesus that even though they were tired from their journey, they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread (Luke 24:33-35). You must get excited about being with Jesus, too.

God Uses Honest Hearts

God wants to use all of His children; but you may think, “I am just a layperson, so I will never have the same effect on people that an apostle or prophet of God has.” If you believe that, then you need to study Stephen. He was not an apostle or a prophet; he was just one who had been chosen to help look after the widows of the church, but he was indeed a true godly servant.

The Bible tells us that Stephen was a man of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom...a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost…[a man] full of faith and power, [who] did great wonders and miracles among the people (Acts 6:3,5,8).

God worked through Stephen in miraculous ways, and the people knew that he had something greater than himself. And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake. And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel (Acts 6:10,15).

It is not important who you are, what profession you hold, how much education you have or what possessions you own because the only thing that will truly affect the hearts of others is whether or not you have been with Jesus. Then your actions will have a godly effect on people.

You will be criticized, and some people may even put you down; but many times, that is because they are jealous of you—you have true holiness, but they have only man’s fake holiness. The Jesus in you will either stir them up to believe or cause them to fight against you. If they want to fight, don’t pay any attention to them and let God take care of them. Just continue to do His work, and He will be proud of you.

Make a Joyful Noise

When Jesus shines through you, people won’t be able to deny the joy you have. Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of [Heaven’s] joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore (Psalm 16:11). You don’t have to worry about losing your way because the Lord will show you where to step.

The Lord is sending Heaven’s pleasures down to us now, before we even get there; so you can truly have the joy of Heaven while you are still here on Earth. The Bible says, The joy of the LORD is your strength (Nehemiah 8:10); so there is no need for you to walk around depressed. God’s people should be the happiest people on Earth. Yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD (Psalm 144:15).

Of course, some people will say that the joy you have is fanaticism, but nobody calls it fanaticism when people go to a ball game and scream their heads off. However, if somebody shouts, “Hallelujah!” in church, people think they are fanatical. The Bible says, Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands (Psalm 100:1). O praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people (Psalm 117:1). The Lord enjoys praises when they come from a pure heart and His Spirit is in them. Our hands can even make music to the Lord when we clap them together in honor of Him.

Do Not Fear Persecution

When people see that you don’t give in to persecutions, they will have to say that you have been with Jesus. The presence of the Lord takes the sting out of persecution, and the Bible even says you can rejoice when you are persecuted for Christ’s sake. But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy (I Peter 4:13). Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:10).

If you stay prayed up and spend time with the Lord, unkind words, trials and tribulations will not hurt you; and they can actually draw you closer to the Lord. Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues (Psalm 31:20).

The devil may send his cruelest demons to try to destroy you, but he can’t do it if you have been with Jesus. The divine anointing in your life can destroy any power of man or the devil, and you have Heaven’s greatest weapon—the blood. When you spray the devil and his demons with the blood, it burns them just like fire burns our skin; and they run.

Jesus was persecuted, and we will be, too, because Satan hates anyone who has the likeness of Christ. But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now (Galatians 4:29). Jesus said, Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also (John 15:20).

Paul was one of the worst persecutors of Christians, but he became one of the persecuted when he became just like Jesus. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness (II Corinthians 11:24-27).

Paul gave himself completely to Jesus, and he let nothing stop him. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me (Galatians 2:20).,

Be Like Jesus

When you spend time with Jesus, all the virtues you receive are like a table spread for others to see. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over (Psalm 23:5). People will see that you are different and that your cup runs over with joy unspeakable and full of glory (I Peter 1:8).

With all that God is making available to His children, we must always walk, talk and act like Jesus. Stepping in His steps is not impossible, and Jesus Himself said we can do the works that He did. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works [meaning more of them] than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father (John 14:12). You must learn that if God says you can do something, you can do it.

Many people have failed to spend enough time with Jesus, and they have put too much distance between themselves and the Lord because they think they can never be like Him. You must get rid of any such thoughts and take the thoughts of God. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:9).

God sent His Only Begotten Son to bridge the great gulf of separation Adam and Eve created between God and man. Jesus came to make sons and daughters of God and to bring us back into the image of Christ. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons [or daughters] of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God (John 1:12,13).

Being like Jesus first requires that you be born again. Jesus told Nicodemus, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God (John 3:3). Paul told the Colossians to put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him [God] that created him (Colossians 3:10).

You Must Have the Holy Ghost

Being with Jesus will lead you to receive the Holy Ghost, the third person in the trinity of the Godhead; and Jesus sent Him to us. Behold, I [Jesus] send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high (Luke 24:49).

Jesus commanded His disciples to receive the Holy Ghost, and they did that on the Day of Pentecost. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance (Acts 2:4). Next to salvation, receiving the Holy Ghost is the greatest experience you can have.

When Jesus walked on Earth as a man, He had to receive the Holy Ghost. John the Baptist witnessed it when he baptized Jesus in the Jordan River. And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him (John 1:32). If the Son of God needed the Holy Ghost, then so do we because Jesus is our example. Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps (I Peter 2:21).

Many people claim to have the Holy Ghost; but they don’t have the first evidence of Him, which is speaking in other tongues. The Holy Ghost has to have your tongue before He can have the whole you because that is the last thing a person yields to the Lord when seeking for the infilling of the Spirit.

God has told me three definite times that those who are alive when Jesus comes must have the Holy Ghost to make the Rapture. He is power from On High, and it will take that greater power to go to Heaven by air than by way of the grave.

You don’t have to have the Holy Ghost to get to Glory if you are saved and die before the Rapture takes place, but you must have Him to make the one flight out. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you (Romans 8:11).

The Holy Spirit Shows You the Way

The Holy Ghost is the Spirit of truth. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth (John 16:13). Why would anyone who is truly born again reject the Spirit of truth when only He can lead you into the higher ways and thoughts of God? For he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear [from the Father], that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come [with signs, wonders, miracles and healings] (John 16:13).

The power of the Holy Ghost makes people into great witnesses for Christ. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth (Acts 1:8).

The Holy Ghost becomes your prayer partner and makes intercession for you. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God (Romans 8:26,27).

You have it made because Jesus also makes intercession to the Father for His children. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us (Romans 8:34). The Holy Ghost and Jesus will tell the Father what you need, and it will be done according to the divine will of God. So many people waste prayer because they do not pray for the divine will of God to be done.

Live Free from Sin

We are in the great pouring-out time just before Jesus comes; and soon, He will appear to take His Bride home. She must be spotless and free from all sin, but so many people and even preachers today say that no one can live free from sin. The Bible says, But if we walk in the light, as he [the Lord] is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin (I John 1:7).

Why would Jesus come to Earth to endure great suffering and then give His life’s blood on a cruel cross so we could be cleansed from every sin if we could not stay out of sin? That would be ridiculous! People who don’t live free from sin and then die in that condition will go straight to hell. The soul that sinneth, it shall die (Ezekiel 18:4).

Since the fall of man, all people are born in darkness; but when you are born new, you are to walk as children of light. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light (Ephesians 5:8). There cannot be even one speck of sin in your life when you are a child of God’s light or you will miss Heaven.

After healing a man, Jesus told him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee (John 5:14). Jesus said to a woman who had been caught in adultery, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more (John 8:11). Jesus didn’t come to condemn the world; He came to deliver people from sin and sickness.

Jesus never sinned or shamed the Father in any way; the very appearance of Him was glorious all the time. Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously (I Peter 2:22,23). Jesus committed Himself completely to His Father, who is also our Father; and we can have the same relationship with God that Jesus had when we spend time with Jesus and live like Him.

You Can Overcome

When you have been with Jesus, He will give you all you need to be just like Him. He knows exactly what you need because He lived on Earth as a man. Wherefore in all things it behoved him [Jesus] to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted (Hebrews 2:17,18).

Jesus was tempted just like we are. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15). We must overcome all temptation just as Jesus did and stand as tall as He stood. Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man [or woman], unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ (Ephesians 4:13).

There will be times when you will go through so much hardship that you will think you can’t take any more; but if the deliverance is not yet there for you, the Bible says, God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it (I Corinthians 10:13). God will deliver us when He knows we have reached the point where we can’t take any more.

Come to Jesus

Jesus said, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also (John 14:3). Will you be ready to go when Jesus comes? To be on that one flight out, you must be born again and really living free from sin. If you are not, you can be set free right now if you want to be.

Say this prayer: Oh, God, I am so lost and in the night, but I know I can’t die this way or Heaven won’t be mine. I know you died for me, and I love you for it; so I am coming home. I am repenting of all my sins at this very moment; and you said if I would do that, you would forgive me and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I do believe that, Lord. Come into my heart, Jesus! Come on in!

If you meant that prayer, Jesus is yours; and now you can say, Hallelujah! Jesus is mine. Always yield to Him and serve Him for the rest of your life. Then Heaven will be yours.

Jesus Brought Healing

Now, you can be healed of any disease or affliction. When Jesus was on Earth, He said, Wilt thou be made whole (John 5:6)? God wants to make you whole, but He can’t work with doubt. God works only with faith, and He gives everyone a measure of it. God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith (Romans 12:3). No one can even find Calvary without that measure of faith, and faith is what you must use to be made whole.

I am not the healer; Jesus is the healer, and I bring all who are sick and afflicted to Him. Lord, you have helped and blessed so many multitudes of people through this worldwide ministry. I bring those with AIDS, cancer and heart trouble, those who are crippled or sick and afflicted in any way. I bring them all to you, Lord; and in the name of Jesus, I inject your power from your divine gifts of healing and miracles into their bodies. Heal! in the holy name of the Lord. Heal!

The God of miracles lives, so be thou made whole. Then write or email and tell me what God has done for you. We can be just like Jesus and help people just like He did; but you must always give Him all the praise, the honor and the glory. God bless you today.