Daily Devotional from Pastor Mary 4-6-18

April 6, 2018

Acts 4:23-31 New Living Translation (NLT)

In our reading today, the Apostles are learning what it means to live out of the resurrection of Jesus Christ in the power of the Spirit.  They are boldly stepping out in faith and taking authority in Christ.  Through them the Lord has healed a crippled beggar.  Miracles are following the apostles; lives are being changed.  

The religious leaders do not like what the apostles are teaching and they command Peter and John to stop teaching in the name of Jesus.  Do they stop when they are threatened by the elders of the religious council?  On the contrary, they pray and ask God for more courage. What is God’s response?  He fills them with the Holy Spirit and with boldness.

When we go through difficult times and the enemy is trying to snuff out our faith, the Lord promises to be with us.  Whatever your faith is facing today, you are not alone and Christ desires to show himself strong and powerful in you.  Pray for the strength of faith and courage you need.  Jesus will provide.

Acts 4:23-31 The Believers Pray for Courage

23 As soon as they were freed, Peter and John returned to the other believers and told them what the leading priests and elders had said. 24 When they heard the report, all the believers lifted their voices together in prayer to God: “O Sovereign Lord, Creator of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them— 25 you spoke long ago by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David, your servant, saying,

‘Why were the nations so angry?

    Why did they waste their time with futile plans?

26 

The kings of the earth prepared for battle;

    the rulers gathered together

against the Lord

    and against his Messiah.’

27 “In fact, this has happened here in this very city! For Herod Antipas, Pontius Pilate the governor, the Gentiles, and the people of Israel were all united against Jesus, your holy servant, whom you anointed. 28 But everything they did was determined beforehand according to your will. 29 And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. 30 Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

31 After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness.

Prayer:  Father, thank you for the abundance of provision I have in Christ.  When it comes to making a difference in your kingdom or living in the power outflowing your resurrection, I am blessed with an endless supply of spiritual provision.   In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

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