Very early in the history of the Church, there were many attempts to silence the message of Jesus. Believers were threatened, imprisoned, beaten, & murdered. Yet the message of Jesus continued to spread. In fact, the greater the persecution, the more the message of Jesus spread.
One example of this is found in Acts 4. Peter and John were arrested and threatened to no longer proclaim the name of Jesus. Upon their release from prison their words were: "we are unable to stop speaking about what we have seen and heard" (verse 20). They could not keep silent. Knowing that continuing to proclaim Jesus could lead to more imprisonment or even death did not put a stop to these men and their passion to proclaim Jesus.
Later in that same chapter we read: "And now, Lord, consider their threats, and grant Your slaves may speak Your message with complete boldness" (verse 29). Again, these believers knew the cost. They knew what the outcome possibly could be. But none the less, these believers knew that they were slaves of Jesus with a message that their Master desired to be proclaimed. They prayed for "complete boldness." This boldness would ensure that nothing stop them.
Are we unable to stop speaking the name of Jesus? Do we need that "complete boldness" when it comes to proclaiming that wonderful name? It is my prayer today that the Church once again be a family of slaves with one heart proclaiming the name of our Master - Jesus.
Praying today for:
(1) Lake O' the Pines community of Eagle Landing
(2) State of Vermont
(3) Nation of North Korea
(4) Central Asian Peoples throughout the World
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