A Nugget from New Life Network
Scripture for the Day (September 2, 2016)
The wicked flee when no man pursueth, but the righteous are bold (confident, secure, sure) as a lion. (Proverbs 28:1)
We live in a time when all the pc (politically correct) crowd are sitting on the edge of their seats just waiting to pounce on every word they consider offensive or out of order. Because of that some Christians have become more like scared rabbits than bold lions. God did not call us to be a “silent” majority! God did not give us a spirit of fear! God did not call us to sit by quietly while our voice was being stolen by the enemy! He called us to preach and proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ!!!
But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? (Romans 10:14, NLT)
If you look at the entire story of the Apostles you will find that they were in a similar position. They were almost forced into submission by the politically correct crowd of their day. Only one of the disciples (John) was present at the crucifixion. Peter ran off and denied Jesus three times. What changed the Apostles? How were they transformed from scarred rabbits into bold lions that changed the entire world? I am glad you asked!
Let’s look at the sequence of events that led to this great transformation:
And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. (Acts 1:4-5)
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. (Acts 1:8)
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:1-4)
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. (Acts 2:38-41)
Peter was no longer denying the Christ. He was no longer a scared rabbit. He was bold as a lion. The baptism of the Holy Ghost is what made the difference. It was the power that Jesus had told them about and that promise is available unto you, your children, and all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. All you have to do is ask.
If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? (Luke 11:13)
