Acts 4:20-30
We cannot stop telling about the wonderful things we saw Jesus do and heard him say.”
The
Council then threatened them further and finally let them go because
they didn’t know how to punish them without starting a riot. For
everyone was praising God for this wonderful miracle - the healing of a
man who had been lame for forty years.
As soon as they were freed, Peter and John found the other disciples and told them what the Council had said.
Then all the believers united in this prayer:
“O
Lord, Creator of heaven and earth and of the sea and everything in them
- you spoke long ago by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor King
David, your servant, saying, ‘Why do the heathen rage against the Lord,
and the foolish nations plan their little plots against Almighty God?
The kings of the earth unite to fight against him and against the
anointed Son of God!’
“That is what is happening here in this
city today! For Herod the king, and Pontius Pilate the governor, and all
the Romans—as well as the people of Israel—are united against Jesus,
your anointed Son, your holy servant. They won’t stop at anything that
you in your wise power will let them do. And now, O Lord, hear their
threats, and grant to your servants great boldness in their preaching,
and send your healing power, and may miracles and wonders be done by the
name of your holy servant Jesus.”
The
Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by
permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois
60188. All rights reserved.
On the September 17th
episode of her new talk show, journalist Meredith Vieira disclosed that
she was involved in an abusive relationship more than 30 years ago. She
provided details of this abuse on her program and explained why she
stayed in such a situation for so long. She talked of fear...and yes,
guilt...and how her abuser was usually quite remorseful afterward. I
don’t know for sure why Vieira shared this on her program. Perhaps she
felt it would garner ratings, since abuse and neglect are currently
hot-button issues in the news. Or maybe she felt God telling her,
“Someone needs to hear this information. Your words can be the rescue
vehicle...the healing balm for those who are hurting and in trouble.”
We’ve
all been in situations where we may have felt an urge to say or do
something...and then we thought, “That is none of my business,” or “I
can’t say or do THAT!” And often, we kept silent...or held back. As we
observed what happened next, we sometimes regretted our hesitation.
Other times, we boldly forged ahead, even though we might not have known
the person well. We offered suggestions, shared our own personal
experiences, or simply said, “I’m praying for you,” and faithfully
trusted God to do the rest...and the results were amazing.
Understand
that I am not suggesting that we all start getting up in each other’s
business! This must always be done prayerfully and responsibly. But
when you get that nagging feeling that you need to share a scripture or a
prayer with someone...to pick up the phone...to drop by for a
visit...to reach out to another person in a particular manner...or to
step up and offer your assistance...ask God what to do with these urges.
Then listen for His answer...and when you feel that He is telling you
to proceed, do not hesitate.
I will not deal in specifics, but in
recent weeks, I’ve had the opportunity to reach out to more than one
person in situations where I really did not know him/her all that
well...they were more what I would consider “acquaintances” than close
friends. Yet I saw that they had needs and struggles, and I sensed
strongly that I needed to send them a message in some way. Trust me
when I say that in more than one instance, I hesitated...I
procrastinated – delayed hitting the “send” button or making a call.
But to a person, every time I trusted that God was leading me and took a
leap of faith, that person responded and said, essentially...”Your
timing was perfect! Your care and concern meant so much...and I am
better for it.”
We don’t fully comprehend how vital we
“disciples” are to the mission and ministry of Jesus Christ. Every day,
He reaches out to us and gives us “assignments”...ways great and small
that we are to minister and heal others in His name. Too often, we are
so caught up in the busyness of OUR day...our own selfish desires and
agendas...that we miss these opportunities. We are fearful and
timid...embarrassed and insecure. For whatever reason, we don’t really
want to get involved. Surely God can’t mean for US to do these things!
Surely He doesn’t think we are the right vehicle for reaching others in
His name! Doesn’t God know who – and what – we are?!
God has
equipped us with everything we will need to accomplish His plans. If we
are confident that He is powering and endorsing our efforts, we truly
have nothing to fear...and everything to gain! He knows exactly who is
the right person for every task...and that includes each of us!
Where
has God been gently nudging you toward discipleship? Where are you
being shown opportunities for “healing” in Jesus’ name? Are you paying
attention? Are you “show and tell Disciples” for the amazing love,
grace, mercy, forgiveness – and healing power – of Jesus Christ? Are
you ready to truly serve Him obediently and confidently? Are you “all
in” for Jesus? Isn’t it time you were?
©2014 Debbie Robus
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