Page 67 - Livin Light Issue 81

Sunday August 20 - Great prayer
... the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. Acts 4:31
What a prayer meeting! Earth-shaking, building-rocking and people-empowering! Earlier, Peter and John had been arrested and held in prison overnight. The religious establishment was indignant; desperate to quell the revival fuelled by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the healing of the man crippled from birth (Acts 3:1-10) and the preaching of the apostles. From nowhere there were now 5000 believers – panic gripped the Sanhedrin!
The evidence was there for all to see: Peter and John’s lives cried out that they ‘had been with Jesus’; the once crippled man was there standing before them (Acts 4:13-14). In fact, all Jerusalem was buzzing with the news. Peter and John, under intense pressure, refused to be silenced (Acts 4:18-20).
Does your heart yearn for such occasions? Yet we have the same commission to go, to proclaim and to make disciples, looking only to Jesus and to God’s mighty power. I firmly believe that God’s prime response to prayer is to fill us with the Holy Spirit, giving us courage to face the challenges that lie before us. Sometimes our prayers fall into the “I’m a Christian, get me out of here!” category, rather than “Strengthen me so I can overcome!” The New Testament church norm was for everyone to be filled with the Holy Spirit (see Acts 2:4, 4:31, 13:52, 19:6), through prayer and God’s amazing grace.
Father, ‘restore, O Lord, the honour of your name, in works of sovereign power come shake the earth again’ – to the glory of your name. Amen.
Monday August 21 - Great unity
...believers were one in heart and mind. No-one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. Acts 4:32
This week we continue to consider God’s grace outworked in everyday living. Yesterday, we saw this grace expressed in great prayer; today we find it in great unity. On the eve of his crucifixion, Jesus prayed, “May all of them be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you” (John 17:21).
Did you know that Jesus continues to pray that prayer right now for you, your family, your friends and your church? In Hebrews 7:25 we are told that Jesus, our High Priest, lives to intercede for us. Today’s verse is both challenging and uncomfortable; I have heard a plethora of explanations justifying why it does not mean what it apparently says.
We live in a ‘me, my, mine’ society where ownership is a cherished goal. Grace challenges this precept; the Holy Spirit, freely given not earned, sets us on common ground, devoid of achievement, merit or ability to be servants – one in heart and mind. It’s no wonder so much of Christ’s teaching addressed the pitfall of judging others.
When I came to Christ, I gave my heart to him but I also rendered my possessions to his Lordship. Something wonderful happened; I no longer owned but became a tenant and a steward. This is counter-cultural, other-worldly and a statement of salt and light, declaring that we have been with Jesus. Hallelujah!
Dear Father, today please give me grace to share my possessions, ability and time with others, bringing glory to your name. Amen.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
PRAYER FOR TODAY
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