King James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: Boldly Speak Without Fear
Date: Thursday November 10, 2011
Chapters: Acts 4-6
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://imfollowingjesus.com/bible-november-10

Hello My Friend,

“Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.” - Galatians 2:16-21.

Only by our faith in Christ are we saved, not by works, not by righteousness, only by the grace of God are we saved, justified, or redeemed as a sinner. Why? Our righteousness, which is holiness can never be measured, we just cannot be holy enough to earn our redemption. Our works, which are the things we would do for God, likewise, cannot be measured, we just cannot do enough for God to pay the sin debt we owe. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” - Romans 3:23. Since we all have sinned and cannot be justified or saved on our own, God decided that righteousness and redemption can no longer be obtained through the acts of the law, but by grace only, which is given freely to us through the Lord, Jesus Christ.

You would think that it is easy to see someone bow their head and trust Christ as their Savior, not a chance. Most people think that it is impossible for us to just ask Christ to save us and that alone will redeem us and take us to heaven. Religions have distorted God's Word so much that the only way to reach anyone is by the power of God. In yesterday's reading we read about a lame man that got saved and immediately went into the temple yelling and screaming praises to God for being able to walk. Well, today Peter and John are under judgment for preaching this unknown doctrine.

“And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes, And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem. And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this? Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole...Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it. But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name. And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.” - Acts 4:4-10,13-18.

Satan cannot deny the power of God and that all who believe in and receive Christ are saved, but he can try to stop the saved from speaking the truth. However, the Holy Spirit in us gives us the power to boldly speak the truth without fear. Jesus tells all His own, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” - John 14:27.

If God wants you to preach the Gospel to someone He will stop at nothing to get you to that person. On their second attempt to arrest and silence Paul and John, the Sadducees thought they had finally stopped them when they placed them in jail under high security, little to their surprise they escaped and were right back on the streets preaching the Gospel in the temple.“But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life. And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought...And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us. Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.” - Acts 5:19-21,27-29.

The words of life, which the Holy Spirit puts into the mouth of every person who speaks the Gospel is also put into the heart of every person who accepts and receives it gladly. There is no prison too dark, no bars too strong, no security so fierce, that God can not visit His people in it, and, if He pleases, fetch them out. Recoveries from sickness, releases out of trouble, are granted, not that we may enjoy the comforts of life, but that God may be honored with the services of our lives. Peter and John were honored to even be beaten for Jesus. “And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.” - Acts 5:41,42.

Because we believe in and accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, we are going to face some trials in life, but it is important that we stand firm by our faith in and trust in Jesus Christ. If God gives you the opportunity to tell the Gospel to someone, do not cease from it, you may never see that person again. “Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.” - Philippians 4:9.

We have been given the wonderful gift of eternal life, it is something that will never compare to anything we will ever receive here on earth. Just imagine how much more wonderful the gifts will be that we will receive in heaven because we endured the suffering, pain, and humiliation that went long with holding on to our faith. “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” - I Peter 4:12,13. Praise God!

Today's Prayer:
Dear God,
Lord, every good that I am comes from You as the Holy Spirit enables me to make the right decisions. I know I can lose sight of the purpose that You allow me to go through some things, but You are faithful and gracious to wait for me to come to my senses and just trust Your judgment. You really do have a reason for the things You do and allow to happen in my life and one day I will learn what they are as I keep my heart set on You. Help me to grow each day with You trusting in Your, mercy, grace, forgiveness, patience, and love. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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