Daily Reading: Acts 4
Scripture Focus: For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. (Acts 4:20)
Devotional Thought: Oh, my goodness, Peter! Back in the Gospel of John we see you denying Jesus three times. We all have a tender place in our hearts for Peter because if we are honest, we would have to admit that we, too, have on occasion denied Jesus. Certainly not the same circumstances, but denial nonetheless. And, now in Acts we see a different Peter. Verse 13 says, "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled: and they took knowledge of them that they had been with Jesus."
From where did this boldness come? Well, the author tells us in an earlier verse, "Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost..." (4:8). There you have it. This Peter, who once cowered when faced with questions regarding his relationship with Jesus, is now not only speaking boldly, but refuses to keep quiet when ordered to do so! Yes, he boldly says, "I have to speak the things which we have seen and heard." Wow! No cowering now! He and John did not have a choice - they were compelled to speak!
We, like Peter, can speak boldly when we share the love of Jesus with others. We seek first to be filled with the Holy Ghost before we reach out. We, as believers, have all been with Jesus. Therefore, we should be unable to keep a lid on it! We should be telling and sharing!
Tutti Beasley
Prayer: Lord, fill me with the Holy Spirit that I might be a bold witness for your kingdom. I pray that your goodness and your Presence in my life would compel me to share my faith!
Psalm of the Day: 19 Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation. Selah 20 Our God is a God of salvation, and to GOD, the Lord, belong deliverances from death. 21 But God will strike the heads of his enemies, the hairy crown of him who walks in his guilty ways. 22 The Lord said, "I will bring them back from Bashan, I will bring them back from the depths of the sea, 23 that you may strike your feet in their blood, that the tongues of your dogs may have their portion from the foe." 24 Your procession is seen, O God, the procession of my God, my King, into the sanctuary-- 25 the singers in front, the musicians last, between them virgins playing tambourines: 26 "Bless God in the great congregation, the LORD, O you who are of Israel's fountain!" 27 There is Benjamin, the least of them, in the lead, the princes of Judah in their throng, the princes of Zebulun, the princes of Naphtali. (Psalms 68:19-27)
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