Good day dear friends.
We are praying for those in the path of Hurricane Katrina. Thank God is it no longer a Category 5 storm, but it is still a fierce storm approaching New Orleans with wind speeds of 150. Pray for those who stayed behind. Pray for those security and safety personnel who are on the alert.
We studied boldness as one of the marks of a disciple. My definition not written down, that you must think about is that boldness if timidity's first cousin once removed. Boldness is that conviction that tells us that Christ goes with us and empowers us for those opporunities in which we can give witness to our faith. Here is our study guide for today:
Monday: Read the passage from yesterday again. Notice the words used by the council to describe the actions the disciples were taking: “power,” “authority,” “name?” Notice the reply of the disciples. Also take note of their determination to keep obeying God rather than the authority of the council.
The passage was from the book of Acts 4:5-20:
Acts 4:5 The next day their rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem, 6 with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. 7 When they had made the prisoners stand in their midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, 9 if we are questioned today because of a good deed done to someone who was sick and are asked how this man has been healed, 10 let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that this man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead. 11 This Jesus is “the stone that was rejected by you, the builders; it has become the cornerstone.’ 12 There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.” 13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and ordinary men, they were amazed and recognized them as companions of Jesus. 14 When they saw the man who had been cured standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. 15 So they ordered them to leave the council while they discussed the matter with one another. 16 They said, “What will we do with them? For it is obvious to all who live in Jerusalem that a notable sign has been done through them; we cannot deny it. 17 But to keep it from spreading further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” 18 So they called them and ordered them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in God’s sight to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge; 20 for we cannot keep from speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
I had started to use the passage from Acts 2, the coming of The Holy Spirit and Peter's preaching as an example of boldness, but as I read further into this book I came across this passage thst has always impressed me. Peter and John, filled with the Holy Spirit come across a man in need and heal him. The man had been born lame and forced to beg every day at the entrance of The Temple, but this day he received what he really needed and never expected, his wholeness. This healing pleased the man and his family, but it angered the members of the Jewish Council and Peter and John are arrested and dragged to stand trial for this good deed. It was the Holy Spirit that gave these two men the words they needed to explain who they were and Whose they were.
Being bold for the Lord is having the courage to share your faith with those who need to hear it. And as we discussed yesterday it comes with our knowing the Holy Spirit is with us and if we are truly "companions of Jesus," that relationship allows us to know when, where, and what to share. Being a bold disciple does not necessarily mean one is called to do things on what others might call a grand scale, but it will be an important event. It may be simply taking a step right where we are, doing what we should have done all along, to share our faith in Jesus Christ. It could be with our spouse or with our children, a co-worker, a boss, a friend, etc. God knows and we will know if we trust God.
Peter and John trusted God and were blessed by Him. They shared their faith with all who would listen and do things that only those who were in relationship could do. God blessed them with words in a situation when it could have been worse and even impressed the council of educated men, that these "ordinary, uneducated" men were companions of Jesus.
Imagine the blessings that will be ours if we walk with God and become bold for Him!
PRAYER: Come, Holy Spirit to dwell within me. Fill me with Your love and peace and guide me to service. Open my eyes to those opportunities to share Your love in ways that will bring glory to you. Let me be a bold disciple for You. I pray for those mentioned above who may be in harm's way as this storm approached. Bless and protect them is my prayer. I pray in Jesus' name, Amen.
