Tag: in Jesus’ name

Categories
Wisdom Prayer

Divine Jailbreak?

Divine Jailbreak?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who know are in jail. In Jesus’ name, amen.

The apostles were arrested because some religious leaders were jealous of them for doing signs and wonders. God sent an angle to the rescue.

Luke tells what happened in Acts 1:17-21 (ESV):

”But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees), and filled with jealousy, they arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison. But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, ‘Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.’ And when they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and began to teach.”

God had plans other than to leave the apostles in jail. In the morning, when a group went to get the prisoners, the prison was secure. God had arranged a divine jailbreak. Amazing! And the apostles were later found in the temple teaching.

Ever doubt God’s sovereignty? God worked in the lives of the apostles.

He can work in your life too.

Tell me what you think below.

Categories
Wisdom Prayer

Lying to God?

Lying to God?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who strive to be honest with God. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Ananias and Sapphira were married, and they were intent on donating money to the Lord’s work. Yet, there was a fatal flaw in their plan.

Luke begins the story in Acts 5:1-2 (ESV):

“But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet.”

Misrepresenting the amount of the funds given to the Apostles had dire consequences. Note what Acts 5:3-5 says:

“But Peter said, ‘Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.’”

The husband and the wife both died for lying about the amount of the sale of their property.

Ever told a lie to God? Confess! Repent! Now!

Tell me what you think below.

Categories
Wisdom Prayer

Standing Before Evil Rulers?

Standing Before Evil Rulers?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who stand before rulers and elders. In Jesus’ name, amen.

After Peter healed a lame man in the temple, Peter, John, and the man who was healed had a divine appointment with the rulers and elders. These were the same rulers and elders who advocated Jesus be killed.

Luke writing Acts 4:8-12 (ESV) says,

“Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, ‘Rulers of the people and elders, if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.’”

Peter explained who did the healing. Instead of taking the credit himself, he acknowledged the source of the healing power. Ever see a modern miracle? Give Jesus the credit.

Tell me what you think below.

Categories
Wisdom Prayer

A Lame Man Healed?

A Lame Man Healed?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who rejoice in the story of Peter and John healing a lame man. In Jesus’ name, amen.

As Peter and John went into the temple they had a divine appointment with a man who was lame from birth. He was asking for money. The account of this divine appointment changed one man’s life. It also had far reaching impact.

Luke writing in Acts 3:6-10 (ESV) explains what happened:

“But Peter said, ‘I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!’ And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God, and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.”

When a miracle of this magnitude happened, it says the people took notice. Read Peter’s speech to the assembled crowd in Acts 3:11-26.

Now. Look for miracles in your own life. Praise God for his mercy.

Tell me what you think in the comments below.

Categories
Wisdom Prayer

Three Thousand New Believers?

Three Thousand New Believers?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who are new believers. In Jesus’ name, amen.

After first hearing the message that Christ fulfilled the criteria of the promised Messiah, people wondered what they should do.

In Act 2:37-41 (ESV), Luke explains the situation and Peter’s response:

“Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’ And Peter said to them, ‘Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.’ And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, ‘Save yourselves from this crooked generation.’ So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.”

The early church experienced this explosive growth due to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. God is in the business of drawing people to himself. Be willing to share about it means to be a believer, and watch how God uses your testimony to impact others.

Tell me what you think below.

Categories
Wisdom Prayer

Dreams and Visions?

Dreams and Visions?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who are coming to faith through dreams and visions. In Jesus’ name, amen.

After the ascension of Christ, on the day of Pentecost, a crowd gathered after hearing a loud noise. They heard people speaking about Christ in their own language.

The story picks up when Peter starts speaking. Imagine the scene as it is described in Acts 2:14-15 (ESV):

“But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:

“‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams…’”

Today, among unbelievers living in countries where Christianity is restricted, there are stories of people who have come to faith because they dreamed dreams and had visions of Jesus. I have heard these accounts. Praise God for people coming to faith in Christ though dreams and visions. Pray for these people.

Tell me what you think below.