12-05-2013

   Good Morning All,

     Acts 4: 29; “And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness”

    There is the story of Brigadier General Anthony McAuliffe who, when in command of the 101^st Airborne Division, found himself and the division surrounded by a much superior in strength German Army was given the terms of surrender by the German Command.  The German Command listed how superior the forces were, how there was no escape or hope, how this would spare civilian life, and so on; gave the general two hours to respond.  His answer, quite famously now, was,” Nuts.”

    At first the German Command couldn’t figure out what he meant.  Eventually they did and began an assault on the city but the Americans held off until reinforcements arrived and drove the German army back.  When threatened with destruction, the general responded, “Nuts.”  This was a bold statement and a bold act.  When news of this travelled through the ranks of the American forces, they probably puffed up a little, taking pride in their officer’s confidence in them.  Perhaps the Germans were somewhat dismayed, outnumbering and outgunning the Americans yet they did not surrender. 

    Our verse is part of a longer prayer that the Apostles prayed after Peter and John were released from being imprisoned over the preaching of Jesus Christ.  The Apostles and their fellow believers were faced with persecution and death.  They didn’t ask that the persecution was removed, they asked for boldness to speak God’s Word.

    This is what we need to do.  We need to ask God to give us boldness to proclaim his Word.  We need to proclaim his Word of forgiveness, of hope, of truth.  We need to boldly show the world what God’s love truly looks like.  Instead of backing away in fear we need to boldly speak out.

    God encourages us to ask for boldness, to ask for strength and not less work.  We often fail to see that when others see your faith in action; they are moved by it.  They may be jealous, or angry; they may see it and marvel at your strength and calmness.  But what they do see is your faith and through this they see God in action.  God gives us the opportunity to witness to our faith in him.  Sometimes it may be a challenge but we need to remember that God is with us and guides us on our way.

     The thing is that this boldness may be most needed in your own family.  This may be where God has placed you to be strong.  Trust God and his Word to sustain you.  You don’t need to be overly boastful or arrogant just truthful about God’s love in your life and how it impacts you today.

Gracious Father, give me boldness to proclaim your Word to the world around me.  This broken world needs to hear of your love more than ever, guide me by your Spirit to proclaim it loudly.  In Jesus precious name we pray, amen

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret