Prayer Journal
Monday, October 7, 2002
"Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold."
2 Corinthians 3:12
Paul believed that hope was the primary reason a Christian should be bold in their witness. We have hope that we are being made in the likeness of Jesus and will ultimately be changed to be like Him. Since that's a promise from God, we should act as if no one or nothing can hurt us. But most of us do not do so.
It's true that feelings of invincibility are a matter of the mind more than anything else. Without that self-persuasion, we do little, but with it we act in faith. But there is one thing that can effectively keep us from being bold in our witness and that thing is called, fear; fear of persecution.
As the eleven disciples began fulfilling their commission to draw men to Christ from all nations, they met resistance from both the government and the established religion of Judaism. Neither element wanted to see the church succeed in its mission, for both craved power and unfettered influence. So it wasn't long before these new Christians, as they would be called in Antioch, were threatened to stop preaching.
In the fourth chapter of Acts, Peter and John were seized by the religious crowd for preaching Jesus. The men were told not to preach in Jesus Name but both men rejected that notion. They told their accusers that they were only being faithful to tell that which they had seen and heard with their own eyes. (Basic definition of "witnessing") Both men were released, but there was no doubt at some point these religious hypocrites would find a way to ultimately fulfill their threats.
When the church came together after Peter and John were relased from prison, we find another way Christians become bold. They gathered together and prayed for boldness in the face of threats of religious persecution. Scripture says that after their prayer, a fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit filled them and they boldly spoke the Word of God in power.
If you're a Christian, know that God will finish what he started in you. Hope is reason enough to be bold and tell people of your faith. But if you never speak of the Lord, you'll never be threatened to stop and without threat, it's unlikely you'll never have power and without the power of Jesus' Name, you always be afraid of being threatened.
Fear is a vicious cycle that can only be overcome by the power of Jesus' Name. To fail to use such a great gift is the real abuse of power.
Just Thinkin'... WebServant
Scripture comes
from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International
Bible Society
Copyright © 1998-2002
James R. Green and Prayertower Ministries - All Rights Reserved
I'll pray today for...
* My spouse
* My children
* Their friends
* My friends
* My employer
* My city
* My country
* Civic leaders
* Schools
* Teachers
* The sick
* The lost
* Those in despair
* The hospitalized
* The grieving
* Widows
* Orphans
* My church
* My pastor
* Church leaders
* Other churches
* Persecuted church
* Missionaries
* Myself
