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Tuesday, May 29, 2012
"While the dew is still on the roses."
Listen
to this
message on
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"Holy Spirit Enabled Boldness"
"Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness" (Acts 4:29). "And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the Word of God with boldness" (Acts 4:31).
This last Sunday was "Pentecost Sunday" when we commemorate the first outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the disciples on the Day of Pentecost. Peter, who just 53 days earlier, had cowered in fear and denied the Lord, now stood up and boldly proclaimed the living Lord, "Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified” (Acts 2:36).
Brooksyne has taught children since she committed her life to Christ in Junior High School. That's over 40 years and she's stored up many funny memories. Once she was teaching on Elijah and she described Elijah as a bold man. Making sure that she was not talking over their heads, she asked her preschoolers, "Who can tell me what the word, 'bold' means?" Little three-year old Mandy quickly raised her hand and with a self-assured smile she quickly answered, "It means he didn't have no hair."
Actually it was Elisha who at one time was mocked for being bald (2 Kings 2:23). But both he and Elijah demonstrated a boldness in living out their life for God, as have millions down through the ages.
I consider a friend named Peter in the Boston area. He’s a
big man, having played college football and working as a “bouncer” in
a Boston bar in his BC days. He lived hard in the worldly ways until he was 25 and he
met Christ. At his conversion he changed dramatically and now bears a
strong, bold witness for Christ. I can still hear his deep booming
voice as he speaks of his faith and dedication to Christ and His cause,
“I’m no moderate”. He lived all out for the world and now he lives all
out for Jesus Christ.
The daily text is from a portion of Scripture when the disciples first faced persecution following the Day of Pentecost. Their petition was not, as we might expect, for a removal of the threat or opposition or an appeal for an easy life. Jesus had made it very clear they would face opposition and they seemed to have accepted this. The heart of their prayer was, "Enable Your servants to speak Your word with great boldness".
That prayer was answered as the Spirit-empowered disciples went forth and "began to speak the Word of God with boldness". The next chapter records continued and increasing persecution and ends with this summary. "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".
Then the focus turns to Stephen, who even as he faced his stoning, boldly proclaimed Christ. And the list goes on through the remainder of the New Testament and throughout the church age; men and women boldly declaring their faith in Christ. That continues today giving you and me a part in it!
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer:
Father, in this depraved generation, darkness is sweeping across the
land. At one time morality and virtuous behavior was applauded,
but we now live in a time where good is called evil and evil is called
good. Those who uphold Biblical truths are seen as archaic,
old-fashioned, unenlightened. May we not be confused by where the
line crosses Your perfect will for our lives. We know in our
hearts that teachings or lifestyles that defy Your holy Word is evil,
not good. Enable us to "speak Your Word with great boldness"
like Peter on the Day of Pentecost. May we not be intimidated or
allow ourselves to be bullied into a position that contradicts that
which is revealed in Your Holy Word. We rely on the power of Your
Holy Spirit to live out our lives in a way that honors You. In
Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Last Friday when I returned from our trip to Washington we had some friends over for a fellowship meal. I heard an outstanding story I will share in tomorrow's message.
Justin and Ashley are a young couple we are mentoring who seek to honor God in their dating relationship.
We regularly visit with Clarence and Alverda in our role as chaplains at a Personal Care home. This month they celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary! I asked them if they did anything special and Alverda told me they didn't need to since just being together was special!
Indeed it is, since few can boast of such a milestone.
Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources
"Come, Holy Spirit" Video Brian Duncan
"Holy Spirit Come and Fill this Place" Video CeCe Winans
"Sanctuary" Video Randy Rothwell
Send
a message
to Stephen &
Brooksyne
<Previous Message Next Message>
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
"While the dew is still on the roses."
Listen
to this
message on
your
audio player."Holy Spirit Enabled Boldness"
"Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness" (Acts 4:29). "And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the Word of God with boldness" (Acts 4:31).
This last Sunday was "Pentecost Sunday" when we commemorate the first outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the disciples on the Day of Pentecost. Peter, who just 53 days earlier, had cowered in fear and denied the Lord, now stood up and boldly proclaimed the living Lord, "Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified” (Acts 2:36).
Brooksyne has taught children since she committed her life to Christ in Junior High School. That's over 40 years and she's stored up many funny memories. Once she was teaching on Elijah and she described Elijah as a bold man. Making sure that she was not talking over their heads, she asked her preschoolers, "Who can tell me what the word, 'bold' means?" Little three-year old Mandy quickly raised her hand and with a self-assured smile she quickly answered, "It means he didn't have no hair."
Actually it was Elisha who at one time was mocked for being bald (2 Kings 2:23). But both he and Elijah demonstrated a boldness in living out their life for God, as have millions down through the ages.
I consider a friend named Peter in the Boston area. He’s a
big man, having played college football and working as a “bouncer” in
a Boston bar in his BC days. He lived hard in the worldly ways until he was 25 and he
met Christ. At his conversion he changed dramatically and now bears a
strong, bold witness for Christ. I can still hear his deep booming
voice as he speaks of his faith and dedication to Christ and His cause,
“I’m no moderate”. He lived all out for the world and now he lives all
out for Jesus Christ.The daily text is from a portion of Scripture when the disciples first faced persecution following the Day of Pentecost. Their petition was not, as we might expect, for a removal of the threat or opposition or an appeal for an easy life. Jesus had made it very clear they would face opposition and they seemed to have accepted this. The heart of their prayer was, "Enable Your servants to speak Your word with great boldness".
That prayer was answered as the Spirit-empowered disciples went forth and "began to speak the Word of God with boldness". The next chapter records continued and increasing persecution and ends with this summary. "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".
Then the focus turns to Stephen, who even as he faced his stoning, boldly proclaimed Christ. And the list goes on through the remainder of the New Testament and throughout the church age; men and women boldly declaring their faith in Christ. That continues today giving you and me a part in it!
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer:
Father, in this depraved generation, darkness is sweeping across the
land. At one time morality and virtuous behavior was applauded,
but we now live in a time where good is called evil and evil is called
good. Those who uphold Biblical truths are seen as archaic,
old-fashioned, unenlightened. May we not be confused by where the
line crosses Your perfect will for our lives. We know in our
hearts that teachings or lifestyles that defy Your holy Word is evil,
not good. Enable us to "speak Your Word with great boldness"
like Peter on the Day of Pentecost. May we not be intimidated or
allow ourselves to be bullied into a position that contradicts that
which is revealed in Your Holy Word. We rely on the power of Your
Holy Spirit to live out our lives in a way that honors You. In
Jesus' name we pray. Amen.Last Friday when I returned from our trip to Washington we had some friends over for a fellowship meal. I heard an outstanding story I will share in tomorrow's message.
Justin and Ashley are a young couple we are mentoring who seek to honor God in their dating relationship.
We regularly visit with Clarence and Alverda in our role as chaplains at a Personal Care home. This month they celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary! I asked them if they did anything special and Alverda told me they didn't need to since just being together was special!
Indeed it is, since few can boast of such a milestone.
Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources
"Come, Holy Spirit" Video Brian Duncan
"Holy Spirit Come and Fill this Place" Video CeCe Winans
"Sanctuary" Video Randy Rothwell
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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version.
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