Whenever I attend a church service where a guest speaker is being introduced, I grow accustomed to hearing a long list of academic and professional accomplishments. Such is understandable, for it lends credibility to the presenter and authority to the words to be spoken.
But what argues for the speaker’s authority in the sight of God? What serves as the calling card of credibility in the opinion of Christ? Mark says that Jesus “appointed twelve – designating them apostles – that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach” (Mark 3:14, NIV).
My authority, my credibility—while preaching, teaching, or writing—comes from the time I spend with God each day. While it is true that God often blesses in spite of, and not because of, me, I still want Christ to work through me for the blessing of others. And I have discovered that the greatest blessings come directly to me as a result of the time I have spent in His presence, not by how many letters are behind my name.