Boldly Preach The Gospel

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KJB Daily DevotionFollowing Jesus Through Every Chapter
Date: Friday, November 18, 2016
Chapters: Acts 4-6
Message: Boldly Preach The Gospel

Hello My Friend,

preach-gospelI will never forget the first time I saw a man bow his head and receive Christ while out soul winning, I must have went out with my church for two years before that happened, I was literally walking on clouds, so excited that I dropped everything that was in my hands. Now, I know that it was not by my power that this man got saved, but by the power of the Holy Spirit, but I have to tell you, if I did not have that personal relationship with Christ myself I would have been an affective witness. I have learned that it is not how many people I lead to Christ that counts, it is my faithfulness and willingness to speak the Gospel to all the Holy Spirit places on my heart that does. I have to admit that I have not spoken to everyone that was laid on my heart, this is something that haunts me every time I think of them, which is why have to keep reminding ourselves that people need the Lord. We must get out and speak the Gospel before it is too late, while we are still able to do so.

I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” – II Timothy 4:1-4.

I found something interesting, the more you preach the Gospel the more attacks you get from those who oppose Christ. I swear you can speak about God or your religion all you want, but the second you mention Christ those are fighting words. As you can imagine with the apostles and newly converted people talking about Jesus it did not go over too well with the Pharisees who thought they would never hear that name again. When they saw the lame man walking and stirring up the people, the council gathered together and started asking Peter and John questions about this so called miracle.

And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem. And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this? Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.” – Acts 4:6-10,15-16.

even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.” I will never forget the day I truly understood that Jesus made me whole, all the years of trying to fit in, trying to find the pieces to the puzzle, only to realize He was the piece I was missing. I can even remember having a conversation with one of my co-workers about God as I struggled with issues that were overwhelming me, only to talk to my brother who called out of the blue and told me he went to a church. If that was not a call for God, I do not know what is? The world can try to ignore Christ, but even they cannot deny His power, He does more than heal a broken soul, He completes us. “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:” – Colossians 2:8-10.

Even though the council could not deny that this man was healed that did not stop them from trying to force the apostles and anyone else from preaching the Gospel. An amazing thing happened after the council commanded Peter and John to stop preaching in the name of Jesus, everyone got together and began to pray, in doing so they were reminded of all the people who tried to hinder or stop Christ, but failed.

The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done. And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.” – Acts 4:26-31.

that with all boldness they may speak thy word,” I had a job interview the other day, and this was no ordinary interview, I had eight questions and had to record the answers on video, thank God I was able to review my answer and re-record until it at least sounded decent. At first I was timid and shy, I did not like the way I looked on camera, I hated my voice, and I just did not want to answer questions about my experience. However, I kept going, and after I adjusted the camera the more I spoke the bolder and more confident I got in my answers, I even was able to go back to the beginning and re-answer the first questions. You see, when we have the Holy Spirit on our side there is nothing we cannot conquer, He gives us the boldness to speak, even when people do not agree or we are too timid to even speak one word. As the men continued to fuss and complain about them talking about Jesus, finally a Pharisee stood up and boldly spoke out.

Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space; And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men. For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought. After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed. And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.” – Acts 5:34-39.

ye cannot overthrow it;” It is incredible, but if you are doing anything in the power of Christ, even if it is a job, nothing can stop it from happening. When the people fight with us concerning Christ they are fighting with God, and we do not even have to fight ourselves because God will do the fighting for us. “For the LORD your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.” – Deuteronomy 20:4.

I swear, in all my life I have never seen so many, I dare to say it, wusses in this current generation. People who never voted, whining and crying, having to be comforted and counseled over the election because it was not the result they wanted. All this starts from the home, I had a seven year old tell me that he gets everything he wants, all he has to do is cry. Of course, me being the strong willed person that I am called him on that when he started crying because I took something away from him while was supposed to be studying. This is the way that the kids are being brought up today, no discipline, get everything they want when they want it, and they do not even have to work for it. Really, things are no different from every other generation, they are just speaking out more today. There was a man named Stephen, strong in faith and appointed to be in charge of the first church, as a result many came to the church and was converted, so as you can imagine this was not going over too well with the religious Jews. They pitched a fit, lied, and captured Stephen.

Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen. And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake. Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God. And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council, And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law: For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us. And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.” – Acts 6:9-15.

And they stirred up the people,” This is how stupid protests start, whiners who do not even follow the rules themselves stirring the people up. How do you think the world would react if we as Christians began protesting the very things that go against God? They already make a stink about those who are pro-life. They have to lie to get the people going, and let me tell you their lies will catch up to them sooner or later. You know, a temple did get destroyed, and that was Jesus, He was crucified and died on the cross even for the very people who wanted Him dead, but He also arose and built an eternal temple that can never be destroyed for all who believe in Him.

He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” – I John 5:10-12.

Jesus Christ Magnified: “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” – Acts 4:12.

Today’s Prayer: God, Every bit of good that I am comes from You as the Holy Spirit enables me to make the right decisions. I know I can lose sight of the reason You have me here, but You are faithful and gracious to wait for me to come to my senses and just trust Your judgment. You really do have a reason for the things You do and allow to happen in my life and the main reason is that I go out and preach the Gospel, even when I am timid and shy and just want to hide. Lord, help me to grow each day with You trusting in Your, mercy, grace, forgiveness, patience, and love. Put the power of the Holy Spirit in me so that I boldly speak about Christ, and what He has done on my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,

Christina

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