Peter had been imprisoned by Herod and was being detained by 16 guards. His fate was worrisome, so the ordinary Christians began bearing down in prayer for his safety. God heard their prayer and sent His angel to miraculously walk Peter out of the prison right by his guards. When he showed up at the door of a prayer gathering of saints, they could hardly believe what they were seeing.

As Christians, we need to be reminded that God is not weak, nor lacking in energy, nor resistant to our pleas for help. He STILL wants to respond to the earnest, effectual, fervent prayers of His people. He will do His part. We must do ours.

We should always pray and not faint. [Luke 18:1]

READ/LISTEN: Acts 10-12

The Bible exposes persecution of those who love God from cover to cover. In Acts, we find that there was great stress upon the early church because the religious leaders hated Jesus and whomever served Him.

We see this today. What makes you glad makes others mad.

Amazingly, this was the spiritual climate in which Saul (Paul) miraculously came to the Lord and became one of the strongest believers EVER. We should pray and believe for similar conversions NOW.

READ/LISTEN: Acts 8.9

When the pressure was upon him, Stephen gave an anointed, concise defense of the Gospel to the Christ-resistant Jewish religious leaders of his day. Showing a healthy grasp of Hebrew history, he identified their hypocrisy and heretical persecution of Christ and His followers. He obviously loved Jesus more than he did his own life, for they promptly took him outside the city and stoned him to death.

We hereby examine our own lives and testimony. Are we up to Stephen’s courage? Are we full of God’s Spirit likewise? Stephen places a high benchmark of Christian courage and witness for us to emulate.

READ/LISTEN: Acts 5-7

Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to infill His disciples as read in Acts 2. He called it “The Promise of the Father.” He declared that it was made to Abraham’s children and to all who were afar off. That includes us. This baptism of God’s power is given to each believer for the taking. After being filled, Peter and the disciples enjoyed a new boldness to be witnesses to all they came in contact with.

If your boldness to witness is lacking, seek the infilling … the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Christ is the baptizer. We need this power to help bring about a worldwide revival of God’s pres.

READ/LISTEN: Acts 2-4

Acts chapter one states that the early disciples were in constant prayer. Jesus Himself spent MUCH time in prayer. He would withdraw to the garden on the Mount of Olives.

Prayer is a spiritual discipline that seems to increase more and more when a believer goes on to know the Lord more fully and maturely. It becomes a life-blood for a growing spiritual life and staple in maintaining spiritual fitness.

Allow the Lord to designate your “Prayer Garden.” Cultivate a healthy, ongoing habit of bringing to the Lord the needs of those dear to you.

READ/LISTEN: John 20,21; Acts 1

In Christ’s prayer of John 17, he mentions God’s protection multiple times. He saw the Believers as gifts from God, that they were His responsibility. We are now protected by God’s Great Name and cared for by Christ Jesus, The Shepherd of our souls.

READ/LISTEN: JN 17-19

Jesus gave us authority to ask the father in Hiis name. Prayer in the name of Jesus brings complete power and complete Joy. Apart from His name, we are on our own.

READ/LISTEN: 14-16

No doubt Jesus knew that Judas was stealing from their supply of money. How did he handle it? He didn’t blow the whistle but allowed Judas to take his course to ultimate betrayal.

We often wonder why people get away with things. They don’t. The Lord came not to comdemm but to save. He’s the Judge, not us.

READ/LISTEN: JN. 12,13

Scripture makes it clear that Jesus had strong emotions. When Lazarus passed, Jesus was deeply moved. This was another strong indication that Jesus was God and man at the same time.

We find comfort because scripture also says that Jesus is moved with the feeling of our infirmities. He is a loving, compassionate Savior. He experiences the ups and downs of life with us.

READ/LISTEN: JN. 10,11

Even Jesus said He did not glorify Himself. The Heavenly Father glorified Him.

Let another’s lips praise you and not your own. Christ Jesus set the perfect example for us in everything. He carried all the glory, power, and authority of God, yet He was humble.

READ/LISTEN: JN. 8,9