Did you ever decide to do some very difficult task, but before going too far with it you wondered if you were wise? You doubted your ability to complete it.
In our previous reading Peter and John were setting out on a dangerous course - to disobey a court order! They had been strongly threatened by the priests and elders “not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus”.
“On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. ‘Sovereign Lord,’ they said, ‘You made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. … Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed. They did what Your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. Now, Lord, consider their threats, and enable Your servants to speak Your word with great boldness.’” (verses 23-29.)
These Christians knew they hadn’t the power, or the courage to stand against the popular religion of that day. But they did not give in to their fears. Instead, they asked God to reach out His hand to grant them the power and courage they needed. They wanted to continue to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Saviour God had sent for the world. (Mark 16:15-16. 1stJohn 4:14.)
Could it be that there is something, or someone, or some religion that is keeping you from believing and obeying the clear Word of God today? Do you fear what others might do, or say, if you were to obey what God has said in the Holy Bible - if you were to ask Jesus Christ to be your Priest and Saviour? (Acts 4:12. 5:29-32. 10:42-43. 26:17-18.)
Do not let the “fear of man” keep you from God! (Proverbs 29:25. Matthew 10:28.) God is not only ready to save you, but He is ready to reach out His hand to keep those who will trust in His Son for Salvation. (Isaiah 59:1. Hebrews 7:25.) And He certainly helped those early Christians when they prayed to Him for power for living. “After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.” (verse 31.)
God, by His Spirit, gives power for living into all who will put their trust in Jesus for Salvation and victory. (Romans 8:9-17. 2ndTimothy 1:7-12.)
Have you salvation from your sin, peace with God and assurance of Heaven? Have you victory over sin by the power of God’s Spirit, making you able to live to please God? You can have if you will TRUST JESUS CHRIST, THE ONE GOD SENT, to be your Saviour and Keeper now. (Acts 26:18.)
Read Acts chapter 4, verses 23-31.
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