March 29, 2024
Pastor Darin Youngberg
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Daily Bread Sept. 14, 2017
Posted on Thursday, September 14, 2017 by Bro_D
Acts 4:29-30 And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, (30) while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus."
The more I open the Bible, the more I find that the life of a Christian on this planet isn’t about gumdrops, roses and rainbows. As a matter of fact, the more I read the Bible, the more I see that a Christian, living in this day, is more likely to be going thru great hardship.
Just look at the wonderful truths found in these two verses (and yes I mean all are wonderful!). First, the reality of threats. This first group of Christians faced daily threats – v. 21 says they were threatened repeatedly. I’ve heard it said that if the enemy isn’t beaten’ on you, it’s because you are walking with him. I don’t know how true that is, but it seems clear in the Bible that those who walked with Jesus, were continuously harassed, beaten and even killed. James, Peter, Paul & the author of Hebrews all remind us that great suffering thru many trials is not only to be accepted, but we are to be rejoicing in them. That just seems hard --- rejoice in suffering, count it all joy when I face various trials? But that is what the Bible tells me to do --- So, I set my mind to rejoice, I choose to turn that frown upside down and be reminded of the promises of God – I get into His Word and find strength, peace and comfort. IF it were not for the trials, I am almost totally sure that I wouldn’t be in the word as much as I am.
Second, look at what the servant of the LORD has the opportunity to do – “speak Your Word with all boldness”. The threats lead to the wonderful opportunity to proclaim the awesome truths of God’s Word. God’s word is eternal, it is living and active, it equips man for every good work … God’s Word brings salvation, healing, strength, grace, mercy and the path of righteousness. God’s Word is truth! That Word has been placed before us…. It is to be in us – and we have been given the opportunity to speak that Word with ALL boldness. I love my time in the Word --- my daily bread, given to me by my heavenly Father --- when His Word is in me, there is no way to contain it --- the Word needs to come out, it wants to come out! This verse also tells us the perfect reaction to the threats of the enemy --- speak the Word with boldness. Running from the threats, trying to argue with the one threatening you or even trying to ignore the threats won’t defeat the enemy – but the Word of God – that’ll shut his pie hole!
Finally, these verses remind us just who it is that performs the miracles – it is His hand that is stretched out, it is by His Name, His authority, His power that signs, wonders and healings are done. I’ve been in this ministry thing going on 18 years --- I’ve seen A LOT of miracles. I’ve seen dead men rise again. I’ve seen the sick healed. I’ve seen the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, I’ve watched as the LORD turned a tornado right before it was about to hit the church, I’ve watched the most vile of men be broken and saved ….. and … and …. On a very hot Sunday in late July, when the electric company failed us, I witnessed a power surge and only the lights of our baptistry turn on while the rest of the church remained powerless – that led to the salvation of a young mother. I can’t imagine a life without the hand of the LORD stretched out over me ….
When the enemy threatens, we have the mighty God who stands for us!