Tag: Trust the Name
“Stop the spread!”
Scripture reading for January 27th: Acts 4, Psalm 20, Proverbs 20
Acts 4:17-22 “”But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this Name.” So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the Name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot speak of what we have seen and heard.” And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened. For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.”
Religious people, who are not ‘born again’, have a difficult time with Jesus Christ, miracles, and the gift of eternal life through the resurrection of Jesus. The religious people that had crucified Jesus were upset with these apostles who were preaching Jesus Christ, raised from the dead and eternal life through repentance and faith. They were even upset at a notable miracle, the healing of the forty-year-old man, lame from birth. They wanted to stop the spread of this teaching and the miracles because all the people were excited and praising God. So they forbid these apostles to speak or teach in Jesus’ Name! This would surely stop the spread! But not so fast! Should apostles obey Jesus or these religious fakes?
Psalm 20:6-7 “Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven with the saving might of His right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the Name of the Lord our God.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for opening my ears day by day to hear Your Word and obey Your instructions, no matter what the world may demand. Protect me from the fear of man which would hinder the spread of Your Word. Use me through the authority of Jesus’ Name to show compassion on those who are hurting or bruised by life. Bring notable miracles of healing and deliverance to Your glory!
Proverbs 20: 27-28 “The spirit of man is the lamp of the Lord, searching all his innermost parts. Steadfast love and faithfulness preserve the king, and by steadfast love his throne is upheld.”