“Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.”
(Zechariah 8:23)
By Bishop Jarod Cruthis
Have you ever found yourself around that person who is so full of anointing and the power of the Holy Spirit that you can’t help but just know? I have. I can name several in my lifetime that have never changed. I’m reminded of this one individual that just to be around them, no words, no interaction, you can sense a mighty presence. Why is this? How can someone like me be so close to God that there need be no introduction? It’s simple…give up! That’s right. Give up!
You see it’s when we surrender all that we have, all that we hope an aspire to be, and all of the baggage that there is then room for more of Him. It’s a very simple picture. If my house, my inner man, is so full of self, the world, or even sin, then how can there be room for God. Again, it’s very simple. There won’t be any room. For others to see Christ in me, there must be fruit, spiritual fruit. But, before the fruit a seed must be planted and soil must be ready to receive that seed. So how do we prepare ourselves to be men and women who are known not by our works but by the presence of God within us?
First, we must prepare the soil. The requires cleaning out the inner man. It means letting go of all hate, bitterness, addiction, and sin. Anything that is taking up space in that soil must be removed. Next, we must seek Him. The Lord longs to be with His people. When we seek His face, He never fails to show up and show out. He wants to be known and known through us. Last, learn to say “Yes!” When He speaks, just say it. Don’t waste time arguing with self-doubt or entertaining the lies of the enemy. A simple “Yes Lord” is all you need. You see when we say yes to God and no to self, that seed begins to grow. The more growth, the more fruit. The more fruit, the more people will know that God is with us.
The Bible gives us a simple test to know if He is with us. It tells us that signs, wonders, and miracles will follow those who believe. It’s not for the faint of heart or those who walk at a distance. Those miraculous signs that say “God is here”, will only manifest through those who have sold out completely to Him. It’s when we give up, that He shows up!
Let us all this day, say no to self and yes to what God has for us. May we begin to show forth His glory so that people will know Him and the power of the resurrected Christ.