Lifejournal: Worthy to Suffer

S: So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name. And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

Acts 5:41-42

O: Simply, I see an epic change in the apostles. The attitude of the apostles went from one of hesitant, bumbling and dense-now, as the church of Acts is established, the apostles are bold, fearless, and passionate for the sake of Christ. I can see Christ in them-such a life change cannot be from any mere man. Cowards and fools do not turn into soldiers overnight; That is, unless God decides it as such.

Anyhow, the disciples were actually rejoicing that they were counted as worthy to suffer for the name of Christ-How many people do I know that would cheerfully and joyfully suffer for Christ? To be truthful, very few. And to examine myself, I'm not even sure if I could cheerfully accept a flogging in many circumstances. But, I would hope I could do so by the same life-changing power of Christ.

Even crazier, not only did the disciples seem to be emboldened by the fact that they were punished-they continued to preach Jesus to be the Christ. I mean, I do not see men like this. Incredibly bold men ready at the forefront of spiritual warfare, putting themselves on the line physically, mentally and spiritually-it's not an easy task, I'm sure of it! But, the model they leave for men is without a doubt one to be followed. They disregarded their entire life, if it meant that they could continue to preach the one truth in their life-that Jesus was the Christ and that salvation was only through Him.

A: Yet again, I know God is teaching me to be bold-like real men changed by Christ. I need to look at life and the suffering it throws my way-and endure it joyfully for my Lord. I need to suffer for the sake of Christ to refine who I am in Him-I cannot merely sit comfortably in one place and expect to make any progress in the faith. I will consider myself to be blessed if only I could suffer for Christ-and I will do just as the disciples do: preach Jesus as the Christ.

P: Father, You alone can gauge my heart and where it stands-I pray that You may count me as worthy to suffer for Your Name. I personally know that I'm probably far from a physical flogging of some sort, but I pray that whether it be physical or any other circumstance-That You would remind me of how knowing You is my joy and any means of partaking in the suffering of Christ is a high honor bestowed to the faithful. Remove me from comfort and easy standing-put me on the edge of where I must always find You as my rock and shelter. If anything, through a greater time spent in the Word, I pray that You will bring a change in my heart to stand more firmly for You in this life-now, even: at school or at home...anywhere. Just as I am inspired by those brothers from long ago, I pray that I may follow in the legacy and vision You placed upon their hearts. Give me a vision to live, enjoying who You are fully, while giving up my entire life to You. In Christ, amen.

Soli Deo Gloria

Lifejournal: Bold as Love

S: And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.

Acts 4:12

O: As Peter and John were captured by the rulers/elders/scribes, this was the end of their (Peter and John) response to the inquiries of the leaders-When the rulers asked Peter and John about what power or whose authority they preached under, they were filled with the Holy Spirit responding extremely boldly.

There is such a deep conviction in the statement of the disciples being filled with the Holy Spirit-They leave no room for ambiguity. They plainly state that Jesus Christ is the only person in whom one can find salvation. There is no person that we can find a means of being saved.

Truth be told, I rarely see a statement as bold as this passage from others or myself. Not that I see people blatantly denying the deity of Christ or anything, but a firm conviction is far more admirable (as I definitely cannot help but to admire Peter and John responding so passionately and wholly on the behalf of Jesus) than a wishy-washy one.

A: My faith should be as rooted as this portion of Scripture-my life should scream: there is salvation in no one else other than Jesus Christ. A boldness for Christ is necessary and can only be found through knowing Christ and spending more time with Him (get more into the Word) and walking in the light (obedience). When you're right and you know you're right, you ought to flaunt it (preach the word of God in being justified-garnering joy and boldness from the fact that Christ has justified us by His blood).

P: Heavenly Father, help me look to the cross, to realize the joy and endless delight that comes with the freedom of knowing You and meeting with You. And with this freedom, may I become grow in boldness and joy, to preach just as Peter and John did; They were so convicted and so fully assured that Jesus was the only way of salvation-I often say this myself, but take me deeper into the depths of Your heart...in Scripture, speak to me exactly what You need me to hear-that the belief in it's own right would not die at the mental acceptance of the idea. Rather, I pray that you move my heart by allowing me to hear Your voice through the Word, transforming me into a bolder man for You Lord-willing to lay his life down just as great men before me did...for the greatest Man above all else. This I pray in Your Son's name, amen.

Soli Deo Gloria