ARISE PEOPLE OF GOD IN BOLDNESS!
This morning I was praying for boldness to arise within each of us! Fear and intimidation of man has silenced and paralyzed many. It has kept those from speaking what the LORD has revealed. It has kept those from writing what has been given to release. It has kept those from stepping out in ministry. It has kept many from exercising their spiritual gifts and talents.
THIS IS NOT THE HOUR TO SHRINK BACK IN FEAR. THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO HIDE AND BE CONTENT WATCHING FROM AFAR. HOWEVER IT IS THE TIME TO ARISE TO THE TASK WITH BOLDNESS.
Man will always seek your qualifications and question in what authority do you have to do these things just like they interrogated Peter and John:
"And they set the men in their midst and repeatedly demanded, By what sort of power or by what kind of authority did [such people as] you do this [healing]"~ Acts 4:7
I love how Peter begins his response: LET IT BE KNOWN......
"Let it be known and understood by all of you, and by the whole house of Israel, that in the name and through the power and authority of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, Whom you crucified, [but] Whom God raised from the dead, in Him and by means of Him this man is standing here before you well and sound in body." (Acts 4:10)
A level of confidence came forth from Peter "[because he was] filled with [and controlled by] the Holy Spirit," (v.8) He took his stand and boldly proclaimed by what authority and power enabled him to be a conduit.
"Now when they saw the boldness and unfettered eloquence of Peter and John and perceived that they were unlearned and untrained in the schools [common men with no educational advantages], they marveled; and they recognized that they had been with Jesus." (Acts 4:13)
Peter was well aware of his inabilities and those around him also knew that he was incapable of such knowledge, eloquence and power. Yet, boldness arose within Peter because he knew AUTHORITY AND POWER resided within Him. He was called to be a witness to Jesus. Peter's relationship with the LORD was evident as its fruits manifested. Those who ridiculed, questioned and tried to disqualify him, MARVELED and RECOGNIZED that he had been with Jesus.!!!
I, myself struggled for many years with fear and intimidation of man. It silenced the prophetic voice that was within - causing me to become disobedient to what the LORD has called me to be, to speak and to do. The spirit of fear paralyzed me. Not only did it affect me but also those that were appointed to receive what was given me to release whether in spoken or written words.
Consider this: If Peter would have shrunk back from his mission to testify (Acts 1:8) the 3,000 in Acts 2 would NOT have been added to the Kingdom. If Peter did not exercise his gift in Acts 3 the crippled man would have remained crippled and the 2,000 would have not been added either. If Peter entertained the voice that questioned his qualification in Acts 4:7, he would have disqualified himself. If Peter feared man more than obeying God, he would've adhered to the restrictions placed on him in Acts 4:18 - silencing the voice within.
"But Peter and John replied to them, Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you and obey you rather than God, you must decide (judge). But we [ourselves] cannot help telling what we have seen and heard. Acts 4:19-20
AND THAT ALSO SHOULD BE OUR RESPONSE!!!!!!!
LET IT BE KNOWN THAT IT IS BY THE POWER OF GOD THAT WORKS WITHIN YOU. TO HIM BE THE GLORY! (Ephesians 2:20-21)
MAY FEAR AND INTIMIDATION LEAVE YOU AND BOLDNESS ARISE IN ITS PLACE!! In Jesus' Name. Amen!
BE BLESSED......
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