daily bible reading response

In our read through the New Testament commitment, we are currently in the book of Acts. This morning, a man in our church forwarded me his thoughts from today’s reading. In light of our February emphasis on the “Our Purpose: Make Disciples” aspect of our Glory to God vision, I thought it would be really good to share his email here:

"Ok – humor me a bit – but in today’s reading (Acts 4) it just seemed like a cool picture of our mission trips:

V1-7 – Peter and John are sharing the gospel to the point of being arrested. They are faithful to share the news – like we should be on a trip. Upon arrest – they are grilled by high level authorities – the ones who sentenced Jesus to death. They are severely questioned by the world – like we will be when we share the gospel.

V8-12 – What do they do? Shrink like Joel Osteen on Larry King Live? NO! First they are filled with the Spirit (prepared) and they tell the whole truth – willing to speak the truth no matter what. Just like we are to be when we are confronted – don’t sugar-coat it. Speak the whole truth.

V13-18 – We see the world rationalize its response to the truth – in this case they tell them to zip it up – no more talk of this. Who knows what response we may get when we proclaim the truth?

V19-20 – What do they do? No shrinkage here. They hold fast to the truth and their faith. So should we – never compromise the gospel message.

V21-22 – In the end, God’s movement/actions will rule/prevail and He will be glorified – wherever we have been.

V23 – Then we come back and tell our congregation everything that happened and what God did on the trip.

V24-31 – And then the church rejoices over what they’ve heard. We worship God, give Him praise, tell of His greatness and pray…and God moves again – within us being filled with the Spirit and speaking the Word of God boldly.

Why? Because two believers stood their ground and told the truth.

That was the thought that came to me as I read today’s reading.”

Glory to God.