And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto Thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak Thy word. Acts 4:29 BE BOLD.

And they (the apostles) departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. Acts 5:41 REJOICE IN PERSECUTION!

Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word. Acts 8:4 PREACH THE WORD!

Who, having received such a charge, thrust them (Paul and Silas) into prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. Acts 16:24-25 PRAY AND WORSHIP.

But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. Acts 20:24 REMAIN STEADFAST.

As I flipped through the book of Acts tonight, I was struck once again by the perseverance and deliberate obedience of the disciples in the early church.

I read about their persecution and imprisonment.

I read their testimonies of God’s faithfulness.

I read about their consistent focus on getting the Gospel out.

They did not live during easy times. The government and the religious powers fought them at every step. They never knew when they would be imprisoned or stoned or rejected or even martyred.

Still, they continued in the strength the Lord provided.

We can see advice for our lives in the testimonies they lived everyday.

• BE BOLD.
• REJOICE IN PERSECUTION!
• PREACH THE WORD!
• PRAY AND WORSHIP.
• REMAIN STEADFAST.

Our times are looking more and more like the times of the early church, and it is time for us to renew our commitment to God’s word, to stand strong in the mission Christ left for us – the mission of the Gospel.

We need His strength just as the early disciples did.

May God grant grace that we will be faithful, that we will walk closely with Him, that we will be radiant witnesses of His salvation.

May God grant grace that we will stand for Him though the world turns away.

May God grant grace to His people.

I have decided to follow Jesus.
I have decided to follow Jesus.
I have decided to follow Jesus.
No turning back. No turning back.

The world behind me; the cross before me.
The world behind me; the cross before me.
The world behind me; the cross before me.
No turning back. No turning back.
This song originated in Assam, India.

Photo – Storm Coming, Leslie Moon