Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. 14 But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. 15 But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, 16 saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.”18 So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”
-Acts 4:13-20

Interesting, John and Peter, who were uneducated in the eyes of the religious leaders, seem to be the only ones who actually care about what God wants. Where did they learn that? The life and example of their Savior, “they had been with Jesus.” These religious leaders appear so self-consumed here that they’ve completely lost sight of why they’re even in power in the first place.

It is possible though, to fall into the same trap as the religious leaders:

• To have power and cling to that power so tightly over the God that gives it
• The desire to please “so-and-so” without considering whether or not God is pleased
• Not being completely honest because of fear of consequences over the fear of God
• Ignorance of what God is actually doing because we want Him to do something else

To follow the same Jesus John and Peter had been with is to stop making idols of people, power, privilege, and perceptions; but instead to worship God freely and boldly.

And they began discussing with one another the fact that they had no bread. And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember?
-Mark 8:16-18

Stop focusing on your problems

No matter how big or small our problems are, Jesus can handle them. I think that too often, we can get distracted by what’s missing or what’s wrong with our lives rather than God’s plan for our future and the fact that He has gained victory over all of our problems through Jesus.

Focus on the power of God

Instead of looking at the situation through our own eyes, we should look at them as opportunities for God to do something great. Doubt causes us to see whats there with no room for expansion, faith sees the opportunities for growth and possibilities for God to move.

Don’t forget miracles God did in your life

Jesus is rebuking his disciples because they seem to have forgotten the miracles he did right in front of them with the very thing they’re worried about (v.19-20)… When doubt comes in and tries to choke out faith, the best way to combat that is to think back on all of the miracles (whether “small” or large) that God has done in our lives (such as saving us!).

Trusting in Jesus even when I have no bread,
Tom Fogarty

I’ve been studying the book of First Samuel recently and I must say it’s really been one of my favorite studies I’ve ever done.

Reading the prayer life of Hannah in chapter one of First Samuel, here’s what God was showing me:

• God himself closed the womb of Hannah for His sovereign purpose. (V.5)
• The enemy used her weakness to attack her, but God used it to bring out her strength. (V.6)
• She had faith; she wasn’t willing to settle for a life of sadness. She passionately sought the Lord through fasting and weeping, doing whatever it would take to get an answer from God. (V.7-11)
• She prayed so hard that she couldn’t even speak with her mouth. My translation says she was “pouring out her soul before the Lord” (V.12,13,15,16)
• Her answered prayer made her happy! (V.18)
• God doesn’t forget our prayers (V.19)
• She recognized her answer came from the Lord, naming her son “Samuel” meaning “heard of God.”

I see a woman who did everything it took and stretched her faith so far to get an answer from the Lord. On the flip side, I see the sovereignty of God in pushing her to stretch her faith and to pray and fast fervently, not religiously.

When’s the last time you wanted to hear from God so badly that you did everything it took to get an answer?

“Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”

Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
-Acts 2:36-37 (ESV)

I am so thankful and often perplexed that Christ, the perfect Savior, died for the atonement of my sins. Jesus, who was “pierced for our transgressions” (Isa 53:5) delivered himself into human hands to be crucified (Gal 2:20)… not because we deserved it, but because of His unfailing love while we were “yet sinners.” (Rom 5:8) That is such a powerful message that strickens my heart in a way I can’t even describe: that a selfless Savior came into this world to set us free from the sin and shame that we brought upon ourselves.

Imagine, though: what if you were there, physically taking part in the crucifixion? The difficulty in receiving this message would be even greater. The same ones that crucified Christ were the ones Peter was speaking to here, and they were “cut to the heart” from hearing this, to which they ask the question “what shall we do?”

And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
-Acts 2:38

The message of Christ crucified changed these men; with understanding of what they had done, they were ready to repent and the Holy Spirit was ready to work in them to restore them.

So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
-Acts 2:41

What a powerful message…