January 28, 2009 Bold Witness
Today’s Bible Reading: Exodus 21–22; Psalm 12; Acts 4
Scripture Focus:
Acts 4:29–31 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. And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
Observation:
I love reading about the boldness of the Apostles to preach the gospel! This is an area of struggle for me, so I admire anyone who shares Jesus easily. I have to remember that it wasn’t always easy for the disciples. They were once scared to stand up for Jesus. What made the difference? Being filled with the Holy Spirit.
This filling didn’t happen just once. Here in these verses, as they prayed for boldness and for miraculous signs, God answered by shaking the house they were in and filling them with the Holy Spirit. The result? Their prayer was answered. They spoke the word of God with boldness!
Application:
If I want to be a bold witness for Jesus, I need to ask God for boldness and for the miraculous confirmation of his power. Then I need to be obedient to speak with boldness to those who need to hear the gospel.
Prayer:
God, I need your power and boldness. I need it today. Please fill me with your Holy Spirit and power so I can share the gospel with boldness.
