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February 5, 2020

Acts 4:29-31

Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
New International Version (NIV)

Dorothy Bernard wrote, “Courage is fear that has said its prayers.” What was your most courageous moment? Was it in a battle, or in a sports venue? Or did you stand up for what was right? Thirty-seven years ago today I made a fateful phone call. The night before I had waved across the Wendy’s restaurant at a girl I had met once a few years before. After doing some research with mutual friends, I called her and asked her out for a hot chocolate date. Thank God she decided to say, “Yes.”

When Peter and John were arrested by the religious authorities for healing the lame man by the Beautiful gate, the same leaders who crucified Jesus threatened them. Like their Master, these disciples faced fierce opposition. The one thing that distinguishes them is their courage. The authorities realized that they had been with Jesus. But the disciples refused to back down.

Upon their return to the disciples, they had a prayer meeting. What did they ask God to do? “Make these mean men leave us alone.” Was that their prayer? No. Instead with a prayer of deep submission they asked God to make them courageous and bold. So he did. They became even more bold. Weren’t they afraid? Maybe. But they prayed. And courage is just fear that has said its prayers.

Pray with me:

Father, make us bold today in sharing the good news. Remind us that we are worse off than we thought, and more loved than we ever dreamed. Let your love win the battle for our souls today. Let us take the risk of praying and find your power perfected in our weakness. We ask because you have never once failed us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Join us in memorizing the Word. Scripture for this week:

Matthew 5:11-12

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Our 2020 Every Day with Jesus readings will follow the Foundations New Testament reading plan. Copies of the reading plan are available at Tallowood Baptist Church, or download your copy at REPLICATE.ORG

We would love for you to join us as we read the New Testament through this year, five chapters a week. In addition I will continue my long-standing practice of reading one Psalm a day through the year. Use Robby Gallaty’s H. E. A. R. plan to study each chapter (also found at REPLICATE.ORG). Highlight verses which speak to you, explain what they mean in your own words in a journal, apply them to your own life, then respond by doing what God tells you to do.

Joyfully,
Duane

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Houston, TX | 77024 US

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