Boldness
Have you had any gospel conversations this week? Have you told anyone the good news of what the Lord has done for you? It could be with your spouse, your kids, your friends, or your co-workers. How did they respond? I hope it has led you to, Share. Pray. Repeat.
Like I’ve said before, it is easy to talk about things that we either know people will agree with us on, or that we are passionate about. How about the weather? Are you loving the storm? Is anyone else excited about March Madness? Those things are easy to discuss.
This past Sunday, we saw the disciples’ passion for telling people about Jesus. Having been released from outside threats, they return and share with their friends what happened. Their friends then prayed for them. And then they “continued to speak the word of God with boldness” (Acts 4:31).
In application, they gave us an example to follow.
#1 – View the church as your friends. (Acts 4:23)
Do you have a church that you could call ‘friends’ or ‘family’ or ‘your own?’ I would encourage you to find friends in a local church. Friendship is not about you. You were made for friendship. We need a variety of friendships in our lives. Friendship is about love. Some friendships will be deeper than others. Look for ways to further develop those friendships and relationships.
Where do you turn when you are excited, in need, or overwhelmed? I turn to my friends. And I also strive to turn to the Lord in prayer and in Scripture. I would encourage you to do the same.
#2 – Go to the Lord in prayer. (Acts 4:24-30)
The reaction of the church was to turn to the Lord in prayer. And specifically, they prayed, not for deliverance from difficulty but for courage to tell people about Jesus. That’s hard to do. I would have asked the Lord to remove the obstacle. But instead, it’s as though they prayed – “Don’t change my circumstance, but change me in my circumstance. Give me boldness to tell people about Jesus.”
What are the things you pray for? How do you pray for other people? When I pray for my church, I pray that God would give each member strength to be witnesses for Jesus, in whatever circumstance they face!
Friends, let me know how else I can pray for you! Go to the "Prayer Requests" section and fill out the form. It goes directly to me.
#3 – Continue to tell people about Jesus. (Acts 4:31)
The disciples continued to share the good news of Jesus with boldness. God answered their prayers and allowed them to keep spreading the gospel. And they continued, because they understood their mission and their purpose. Do you understand your purpose? We are to join in Jesus’ mission of making disciples.
So, I end where I started. Have you had any gospel conversations this week? If not, I pray that God would give you the ability to see opportunities. If not, start right there in your own home with those you know and love. Tell them what the Lord has done for you.
And if so, SHARE that with your friends. Allow them to PRAY for you. And then REPEAT.
For this week: Read Acts 4:32-5:11
Like I’ve said before, it is easy to talk about things that we either know people will agree with us on, or that we are passionate about. How about the weather? Are you loving the storm? Is anyone else excited about March Madness? Those things are easy to discuss.
This past Sunday, we saw the disciples’ passion for telling people about Jesus. Having been released from outside threats, they return and share with their friends what happened. Their friends then prayed for them. And then they “continued to speak the word of God with boldness” (Acts 4:31).
In application, they gave us an example to follow.
#1 – View the church as your friends. (Acts 4:23)
Do you have a church that you could call ‘friends’ or ‘family’ or ‘your own?’ I would encourage you to find friends in a local church. Friendship is not about you. You were made for friendship. We need a variety of friendships in our lives. Friendship is about love. Some friendships will be deeper than others. Look for ways to further develop those friendships and relationships.
Where do you turn when you are excited, in need, or overwhelmed? I turn to my friends. And I also strive to turn to the Lord in prayer and in Scripture. I would encourage you to do the same.
#2 – Go to the Lord in prayer. (Acts 4:24-30)
The reaction of the church was to turn to the Lord in prayer. And specifically, they prayed, not for deliverance from difficulty but for courage to tell people about Jesus. That’s hard to do. I would have asked the Lord to remove the obstacle. But instead, it’s as though they prayed – “Don’t change my circumstance, but change me in my circumstance. Give me boldness to tell people about Jesus.”
What are the things you pray for? How do you pray for other people? When I pray for my church, I pray that God would give each member strength to be witnesses for Jesus, in whatever circumstance they face!
Friends, let me know how else I can pray for you! Go to the "Prayer Requests" section and fill out the form. It goes directly to me.
#3 – Continue to tell people about Jesus. (Acts 4:31)
The disciples continued to share the good news of Jesus with boldness. God answered their prayers and allowed them to keep spreading the gospel. And they continued, because they understood their mission and their purpose. Do you understand your purpose? We are to join in Jesus’ mission of making disciples.
So, I end where I started. Have you had any gospel conversations this week? If not, I pray that God would give you the ability to see opportunities. If not, start right there in your own home with those you know and love. Tell them what the Lord has done for you.
And if so, SHARE that with your friends. Allow them to PRAY for you. And then REPEAT.
For this week: Read Acts 4:32-5:11
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