Sunday, July 10, 2022
Acts 4:1-21
As Peter states in Acts 4:12, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” Now, just as then, some find this truth offensive. But a truth doesn’t become a lie just because some find it offensive. We, on our own, are not good enough for God. There is only one road to God. Have you ever considered the fact that if there was another way to God, God refused Jesus’ request? In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed to His Father, “If there is some other way, let this cup pass from me.” (Matthew 26:39) There is no other way. If there were, Jesus died in vain and there is no truth or power in the name of Jesus. Peter and John understood this, they lived by faith in the Son of God who loved them and gave himself for them. That is why, when the rulers warned them against speaking Jesus they replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! 20 As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”Let us live as Paul wrote about himself, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Gal 2:20)
Daily Prayers for July 10 – July 16
Sunday, July 10, 2022
1 The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. 2 They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. 3 They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day.
Dear Lord, because of your greatness we praise you! Sometimes we don’t tell others about Jesus because we are afraid of their reaction, forgive us. Thank you for your grace in forgiving us when we fail. Help us Lord have the courage to speak even when speaking puts us at risk. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Monday, July 11, 2022
4 But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand.
Lord, there is no-one holy like You: there is no-one besides you; there is no Rock like our God (1 Sam 2:2.) The apostles proclaimed Jesus to 1,000s and we often fail to proclaim Jesus to one, forgive us. You continue to give us opportunities to witness of the greatness of Christ. Help us recognize the opportunity to speak and give us the words to say. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.
Tuesday, July 12, 2022
5 The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. 6 Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family. 7 They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”
Lord, we delight greatly in You; our souls rejoice in our God (Isaiah 61:10.) It is only through the power of our Lord Jesus Christ that we can overcome our fear of repercussions for speaking His name. Thank you for sending your Spirit to fill us and make us one with you and one with your Son. Father, let all that we do and say proclaim Jesus as Lord over our lives. In his name we pray, Amen.
Wednesday, July 13, 2022
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11 Jesus is “ ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ 12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
Thank you, Lord, for teaching us your ways. Let us walk in your truth with an undivided heart knowing your awesomeness and fearing only your disapproval (Psalm 86:11.) Let us always proclaim Jesus and credit Him with any goodness that we do. Give us the strength to speak Jesus even to those in authority over us. In his name, Amen.
Thursday, July 14, 2022
13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. 14 But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. 15 So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. 16 “What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign, and we cannot deny it. 17 But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.”
Jehovah-Shammah, “the Lord who is there” (Ezekiel 48:35) we praise you! Forgive us for the times we forget that you are always “there.” You are always with us and, through your Holy Spirit, prompting us to speak of the greatness of you and Jesus. As Peter and John show us, it isn’t our education that gives us the words we need, it is you. Help us call on the power in the name of Christ to speak Jesus even when facing adversity. In his name, Amen.
Friday, July 15, 2022
18 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! 20 As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” 21 After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened.
You, God, are our God and we earnest seek you (Psalm 63:1.) Let us always do what is right in your eyes; let us always listen to you. When some try to hush us, let us stand on the firm foundation of our cornerstone Jesus and choose to please you and not humans – even our own selves. Fill us with a desire to share our Jesus with all. In his name, Amen.
Saturday, July 16, 2022
God of our lives, thank you for bringing through another week. Help us let go of any hurts from the week that we are holding on to; any anger, animosities, fears, or sadness that interferes with our ability to come into church tomorrow with a heart that is ready to receive your word. Place on our hearts a burning desire to gather with other believers in your church to refresh and renew our tired spirits. We lift up our speaker tomorrow and thank you for their willingness speak your word. In Jesus’ blessed name we pray, Amen.
