Boldness

Boldness

Acts 4: ²⁷ “For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together ²⁸ to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. ²⁹ Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, ³⁰ by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.”

³¹ And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

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Tired of being bullied, we decided to walk out. Thugs had robbed us long enough and threatened our safety once too often. One acquaintance got a little too excited when all of the students got outside. He jumped on a car and began bouncing on the hood. The police grabbed him. I and others went to the station to explain what happened.

• When I feel empowered I act bold.
• When I feel protected I act bold.
• When I feel I have nothing to lose I act bold.

Peter, John and those who repented, for believing JESUS should have been executed, were now praising GOD and praying to HIM earnestly. They had been threatened once too often and had to do something about it. They asked GOD for boldness to speak up about JESUS even though the government and church leaders would persecute them.

• GOD wants me to be bold about HIM.
• GOD wants me to ask HIM for boldness.
• GOD wants me to ask HIM for healing, knowing it only comes from HIM.

Boldness means speaking up even when the situation may have negative consequences. Boldness for CHRIST means living for HIM even when others try their best to prove away HIS daily power by labeling it as something else.

One can speak only what is in one’s heart. If GOD is not there, then of course HIS name will never be mentioned. BUT GOD wants my heart to be “Filled with the HOLY SPIRIT” so I can speak boldly about JESUS, the CHRIST who saves all who believe. I am grateful for JESUS.

• How often do you argue against speaking about JESUS?
• Do you feel HIS name should never be mentioned?
• Do you think your conversations, thoughts and actions are pleasing to GOD?
• Will you stop being a tool against GOD and speak up for HIM today by mentioning JESUS’ name with boldness?

Your Story

Matthew 11: ⁷ As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? ⁸ If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. ⁹ Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. ¹⁰ This is the one about whom it is written:

“‘I will send my messenger ahead of you,
    who will prepare your way before you.’

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JESUS spoke about John in a special way because John dedicated his entire life speaking about JESUS. It made me think… I speak so many wasted words are spoken on a daily basis.

I mean, my thoughts are on family health, work, business, bills and sports all of which are not problems but what should my “story” be?

• GOD wants to brag about how I spoke about HIS SON.
• GOD wants to boast about how I stood firm in my beliefs in HIS SON.
• GOD wants to crow about how I took time out of my day and spread HIS good news about HIS SON.

John is not a person to compete against by saying “I’m going to be better than John,” rather he is one to be admired. I admire that fact that he followed his GODLY purpose to the letter each and every day.

Each person can have a wonderful story that JESUS says “See… look at what ‘my messenger’ did.” GOD gives me a chance, each and every day to craft another chapter in HIS wonderful story for me.

• Are you talking about JESUS on a daily basis?
• Do you seek JESUS on a daily basis?
• Can you start talking about JESUS to other people HE sends you today?

Speak Up Anyway

Ezekiel 2: ⁴ The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn. Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says.’ ⁵ And whether they listen or fail to listen—for they are a rebellious people—they will know that a prophet has been among them. ⁶ And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words. Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns are all around you and you live among scorpions. Do not be afraid of what they say or be terrified by them, though they are a rebellious people.

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“Take over this ministry at work” someone said to me. One person was supposed to speak an encouraging message over voice mail daily and they wanted me to be that volunteer every once in a while. “We’ll see” was my response meaning “No” in reality. I mean what would those above me think?

• There were times I have hidden my relationship with GOD because of my ambitions.
• There were times when I thought it was better to completely separate my beliefs from the workplace and only share them in a couple of hours on weekends.
• There were times when I thought it was not popular to speak about GOD so I didn’t.

I figured people would know my beliefs simply because of my actions. I mean I’m a pretty “good” person, right? Wrong! My actions were no better than the next and no one could tell I was any different than other people who supported “charities.” Something had to change.

• GOD said to me “Go serve MY people and feed MY sheep.”
• GOD said to me “Do not be afraid of what they say or be terrified by them, though they are a rebellious people.”
• GOD said to me “I AM the first and the last, careers are so far beneath MY blessings.”

No matter what the situation is, GOD wants me to make it known that I AM HIS. HE wants me to not only show examples, but open my mouth in tough situations and say “GOD should decide the path.” Too many times “money” has decided the path when GOD should have. HE wants more shepherds to bring people to HIS ark. The laborers are few and HE wants me to be one.

• Are you ashamed of GOD?
• Do you feel you should not mix your beliefs where you learn, work or hang out?
• Why are you silent about GOD?
• Can you open your mouth about GOD in spite of what’s going on around you?