Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 356 – Acts 4:29-30 – With Great Boldness – Growing As Disciples
Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” Acts 4:29-30 (NIV)
Great Boldness
Well, I don’t think that exists within me. It certainly does not come naturally to me. What does not exist within you? What does not come naturally to you? I don’t have great boldness within me. No, you do not have great boldness within you. No, great boldness does not come naturally to you. But that should not discourage you. Why is that? It is a very good thing that you know without a doubt that you do not have great boldness within you. Why is that? What have you done when you have faced a significant threat? I have done three different things when I have faced a significant. Sometimes, I have foolishly tried to face a significant threat with my own power and strength. How has that worked out for you? Those efforts could best be described as timid and feeble and highly unsuccessful. That’s not good. No, it’s not. But my second response to significant threats has been even worse and if possible, even less successful. What has been that response? I have avoided significant threats at all costs. I have run away from significant threats as I have seen them approaching. How do you feel about that approach to significant threats? Nothing could be more defeating or discouraging or depressing. Why is that? You did not create me to be timid or run away from significant threats. You did not design me to wilt under pressure. No, I did not.
You mentioned that you have had a third response to significant threats. Yes, I did. Surely that response must be better than the first two that you have mentioned. My third response to significant threats is far better. Tell me about that response. My third and only successful response to significant threats is to call out to you and ask for your help. You have helped me to think and speak and act boldly when I have relied on you. You have filled me with your Spirit. You have given me your power. You have enabled me to think and speak and act with courage. You have helped me to do what I could have done by myself. You have helped me to overcome significant threats in life. You have made me able to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name in the face of significant threats. To you belongs all the honor and glory. To you belongs all the thanks and praise. Will you continue to ask for my help? Will you continue to rely on me? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.
Lord, on my own, with my own power, I will only speak and act timidly in the face of significant threats. That is not your will and plan for my life, of that I am sure. Empower me to speak and act boldly in the face of significant threats, so I can bear fruit for you. Amen
Key Question… When have you asked the Lord for great boldness in the face of significant threats?
Living It Out… Allow the Lord to empower you to speak and act boldly in the face of significant threats.
Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will empower you to speak and act boldly in the face of significant threats.
Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has empowered you as a bold witness for Him.
Prayer To Bless Others… May you rely on the Lord to help you to live life with great boldness.
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