Tag: in Jesus’ name

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Wisdom Prayer

Are You On God’s Side Or On The Side of Men?

Are You On God’s Side Or On The Side of Men?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who are placed in a position where they must decide whether to obey God or men. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Many people find themselves at odds with authority figures. There can be a host of reasons.

The apostles were faced with a choice about testifying to Christ or obeying the edicts of a council made up of men.

Luke tells the story in Acts 5:27-29 (ESV):

“And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, saying, ‘We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.’ But Peter and the apostles answered, ‘We must obey God rather than men.’”

The apostles were clear about their position. God took precedence. Ever been in a position where you are pressed to choose? If and when such a situation arises: Pray! Ask God’s direction about how to proceed.

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Wisdom Prayer

A Divine Jail Break!

A Divine Jail Break!

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

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

Luke tells what happened in Acts 5:17-21 (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 jail break. 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.

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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 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 (ESV) 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!

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Wisdom Prayer

By the Name of Jesus!

By the Name of Jesus!

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 killing Jesus.

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 was by the name of Jesus.

If you ever see a modern miracle, give Jesus the credit.

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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 to the temple gate called Beautiful, 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.

Look for miracles in your own life. When you find them, praise God.

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Wisdom Prayer

Pentecost and the Holy Spirit!

Pentecost and the Holy Spirit!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who rely on the power of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Jesus appeared to his disciples and told them to expect something after he ascended into heaven. When the Holy Spirit came upon praying believers, everything changed.

Luke, writing in Acts 2:1-4 (ESV), reports what happened:

“When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

The faithful began being understood by those who spoke different languages. Some mocked what was happening by saying the faithful were drunk with new wine. But this was denied. Many believed and were added to the church. Lives were changed that day.

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