Fully persuaded
Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. Acts 10:34
This is amazing and truly demonstrates that Peter who once denied that he even knew the Lord Jesus, was now fully persuaded that He was the Savior of all people of the world. Only a few chapters before this, the apostle Peter and John were forbidden to speak in the name of Jesus ever again. Now he was summoned to the home of a Roman military man and doesn’t even hesitate to share the good news of salvation in the name of Jesus. This is for sure the answer to the prayer that they prayed for boldness after being released from custody.
In Acts 4:29-30 we read the prayer that they prayed: Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.”
Again, I will remind you that the first Christians never prayed for safety, protection or even for the persecution to go away. They prayed that they would proclaim the message of Jesus boldly. It is the way that they were able to spread that good news to the whole world at that time.
It is the same boldness that we need to be praying for today. In this world of comfort and convenience, we need to be stepping up as God’s people and proclaiming the message of the gospel when opportunities are presented. We can begin to pray for people that are searching for the truth to come our way. We can ask God for a stirring inside that will result in the boldness that is needed for this day and age, and we can fill up with His Word and Spirit to be ready to share every chance we get.
Today I want to challenge you to begin to pray for boldness every day. Pray for the opportunity to share God’s unconditional love with the world around you. Tell those who are looking for answers that there is hope and invite people to go along with you to small groups and weekend services. Let’s all take a step of faith and stop praying the safe prayers. Get excited about what God has done in your life and share that with those around you. Take steps out of your comfortable living and into the faith line that you are called to and set the world on fire with the good news of freedom in God’s provision of salvation through the blood of Jesus.
Today’s scripture reading: Acts 10:34-43
34 Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality.
35 But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.
36 The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all—
37 that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached:
38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.
39 And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree.
40 Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly,
41 not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead.
42 And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead.
43 To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.”
The Daily Dose 