Distinguishing Marks
Do you have any distinguishing marks? For me it’s my red hair! However, to be fair it’s more grey these days - LOL! As a child I was called many names, the most common ones were, ‘carrot top’ and ‘Duracell’. Because of my hair colour I was ‘known’, mostly that was a good thing!
The book of Exodus in the Bible is a dramatic adventure story of how God miraculously rescued the Jewish people from Egypt. It focusses on Moses, a man called by God who became their leader.
After God had brought them safely out of Egypt, He said to Moses that He would go with them. Moses replied...
“If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?”
Moses knew that it was God’s presence that made all the difference to the Jews – it was their distinguishing mark! For Christians today it’s just the same – God’s presence is what characterizes us! So, what does that look like?
Firstly, it begins within us. It’s knowing that God is with us by His Spirit. It’s this internal presence that transforms our thinking, motives and actions. As we submit to Him, we change on the inside and that then changes the outside, which is visible to others.
So how are you doing? Are you aware of God’s presence in your life? Is He transforming you on the inside? Can others around you see a Godly lifestyle?
Let me encourage you to reflect on this. Ask God to intervene and help so that you will be transformed both inside and out, so that His distinguishing marks will be visible in your life!
Please check out our live stream every Sunday at 10:30am, simply go to www.hopebasingstoke.org/livestream
Stay safe & God bless
Gary Bastin - Hope Community Church leader