Verse of the Day 8/10

Through the Bible - Psalms 79-80, Acts 28

 

Paul's praying for boldness was not unique to him nor should it be unique to his time.  Most of us would have to admit that we need more boldness in sharing our faith.

For today's verse we'll go to Acts chapter 4 where Peter and John, having just been released from jail pray for more boldness to preach the gospel, the very thing that had landed them in jail.

 

Acts 4:29-30  (NKJV) Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, ³⁰ by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus."

 There are a couple things we should notice about this prayer for boldness.  They realized that the power was not in themselves, they were dependent upon the Holy Spirit's power.  Also, their boldness, would be made manifest in healing through the Lord's hand.  Signs and wonders would also be done through His name.

 

The first sign, the first wonder came immediately after their prayer:

 

Acts 4:31 (NLT)   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.

 

In a world with so much strife, hate and war why is it that we are so afraid to share the gospel of peace and hope.  What are we so afraid of?  I was reminded of the Casting Crowns song "Here I Go Again".  I don't know if haunting or daunting are words that can describe the lyrics, they ring so true.

 

Father, hear my prayer
I need the perfect words
Words that he will hear
And know they're straight from You
I don't know what to say
I only know it hurts
To see my only friend slowly fade away

Chorus:
So maybe this time
I'll speak the words of life
With Your fire in my eyes
But that old familiar fear
is tearin' at my words
What am I so afraid of?
'Cause here I go again
Talkin' 'bout the rain
And mullin' over things
that won't live past today
And as I dance around the truth
Time is not his friend
This might be my last chance
to tell him that You love Him

Have you been there?  Do you, do I, have the courage to pray for boldness, to pray for the right words?

 

Blessings,
Mike
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Acts 4:23-31

New Living Translation (NLT)

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