Jesus Around You

Mark 9:20 So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.
 
WHEN Jesus is around, everything changes. Is Jesus around your life? He wants to be. Do you let his authority rule your thoughts, your desires, your actions, and your relationships?
   How does a Jesus-is-around-your life happen? Look to the disciples’ journey to become apostles. See how Jesus’ authority became a whole part of their lives. As young men, they may have had some goals, some purpose centered on their own ambitions. Some were as Nathanael, apparently of little purpose: (Jesus said) “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.” (John 1:48)
   But when Jesus came to command, “Follow me.” They began to be around Jesus, and their lives changed under his leadership. As they literally and spiritually walked step-by-step with Jesus, his truth, love, forgiveness and healing became an increasing influence on their lives.
   The Holy Spirit wants us to know following Jesus requires perseverance. That’s why Mark 9 and many gospel accounts illustrate the disciples’ challenges. Alone with the possessed boy, they couldn’t do a heeling Jesus anointed and expected them to do. Jesus had to take control of the healing.
   We praise God that the disciples did come to know a Jesus-is-around-you life. They followed Jesus to his work on the cross and through the wonder of his resurrection. They watched him ascend and followed his instructions to wait for the Holy Spirit. When the Spirit touched them with the fire of God’s renewing power, the disciples became apostles because Jesus was always around them as demonstrated in this markable account:  Acts 3:2 Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. 6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. 9 When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.  
   Know what happens when Jesus is around you. Eagerly the two disciples lived with a Jesus-like purpose to change the world. Their thoughts, desires, actions and relationships were completely based on their faith in Jesus Christ.
    How would your life change if you faithfully know Jesus is around you?