[O Lord, please restore boldness in us to be about the work of the Lord we are to do!]
“They [the high priest] arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. But during the night AN ANGEL OF THE LORD OPENED THE DOORS of the jail and brought them out.” (Acts 5:18-19)
[This was done to increase the confidence of the apostles, by showing them that they were, as we are, UNDER THE CONTINUAL CARE OF GOD; and, to demonstrate to the Jewish rulers that they were fighting against the Lord God Almighty while persecuting his followers, and attempting to prevent them from doing the work of the Lord.]
“Go, stand in the temple courts,” he [the angle] said, “and tell the people all about this new life.” At daybreak, they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people. When the high priest and his associates arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin–the full assembly of the elders of Israel–and sent to the jail for the apostles.” (Acts 5:20-21)
[Go to the temple – the most public place available, and SPEAK to the people – who go there to worship according to the law – THE WORDS OF THIS NEW LIFE – the whole doctrine of salvation from sin and death to the resurrection and eternal life!]
“Then someone came and said, “Look! The men you put in jail ARE STANDING IN THE TEMPLE COURTS TEACHING THE PEOPLE.” (Acts 5:25)
[As I said earlier, please Lord GRANT US THIS SAME BOLDNESS to be powerful witnesses for you!]
“Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage–with great patience and careful instruction. FOR THE TIME WILL COME WHEN PEOPLE WILL NOT PUT UP WITH SOUND DOCTRINE. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. BUT YOU, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, DISCHARGE ALL THE DUTIES OF YOUR MINISTRY.” (2 Tim. 4:2-5)
We must be faithful to KNOW and to DO what the Lord has called us to!
Be blessed as you praise The Lord, knowing that:
WE MUST BE ABLE TO SAY “I HAVE FINISHED THE RACE, I HAVE KEPT THE FAITH”!
-Bill Stockham