February 4, 2009
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Boldness
The disciples could have been discouraged. Peter and John had been arrested and told to stop talking about Jesus. It appeared certain that opposition and persecution from the political and religious leaders would increase.
The Believers had experienced a mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit, but the obstacles before them must have seemed overwhelming. Facing an uncertain future, they could have retreated, run away, or simply stopped sharing the Gospel.
But instead of backing down, they turned to prayer. They lifted “their voices to God with one accord.” They reaffirmed Him as the Creator, the giver of life, and the sovereign over all the universe. They remembered the promises in His Word and declared that nothing was impossible for Him.
Then they prayed for boldness – that they would see even more miracles as the move of the Holy Spirit intensified. God answered their prayers. The place “was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the Word of God with boldness.”
Today, as many political or media leaders seek to silence Christians, it’s easy to feel threatened, discouraged, or afraid. Some Believers have backed down from their bold testimony, becoming timid, cautious, or worried.
Just like the early Church, we need to seek God, stand firm on His Word, declare His promises to be true in our lives, and become even more bold in sharing the Gospel.
Today, allow faith to rise in your heart. Ask God for a spirit of boldness – in your work and prayer life, as you share Christ with others, and when you face opposition or trials. Believe that God’s Word is true. Take authority over demonic forces. Don’t be defeated or discouraged, but live in victory.
Comments (5)
amen, we all need to be bold in Christ
Yes , it was hard on the early christians and their souls were nourished just like our can be if we believe.
The nuns used to line us up along the chalkboard and said if the communist came in right now or the soviets with rifles and they asked if we believed would we have the strength to say yes? I was like the boy in the room who would say that he would secretly say,”no” because he could then infiltrate them and over take them. I grew up in the age of I Spy and Mission Impossible on t.v.
Good encouraging post that we need to be about our Father’s work! Thanks….Mike
Thanks for the encouragement and exhortation. It does take a supernatural boldness to share the gospel and keep from being discouraged in this sometimes very discouraging world. Thankfully we don’t need to depend on our own strength. I am weak, but He is strong. ~Lynda
I think the day is coming fast when the early churches struggles will look like a walk in the park compared to what is ahead of us before the Second Coming. Be ready! Be prepared! Be on alert!