Thursday, October 16, 2008

Title: They Never Stopped / Topic: Persistent Faithfulness

Today’s Reading: Malachi 3; Malachi 4; Psalm 148; Acts 5

Scripture: Acts 5:40-42
40 ...They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. 42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.

Observation: The apostles had been jailed, beaten, and threatened. And what is their response? To go on doing what got them into trouble in the first place: they kept on preaching. What were they thinking? Peter summed it up: "We must obey God rather than men!" They knew they had a Higher Authority that they must follow, and they were willing to accept whatever consequences would come as a result.

Application: What great courage and faith these men showed. How would I respond?

Prayer: Lord help me to be like Peter and the apostles who stood with resolve and faith to declare your Gospel in the face of persecution. Make me the best witness I can be.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.