Unstoppable! 'Delighted' — Acts 4:1-4

Friday, February 24, 2023

While Peter and John were speaking to the people, they were confronted by the priests, the captain of the Temple guard, and some of the Sadducees. These leaders were very disturbed that Peter and John were teaching the people that through Jesus there is a resurrection of the dead. They arrested them and, since it was already evening, put them in jail until morning. But many of the people who heard their message believed it, so the number of men who believed now totaled about 5,000.
— Acts 4:1-4 NLT

Key Thought

As pointed out yesterday, these verses are a reminder that there were two very distinct reactions to the message about Jesus. Some people were disturbed. Others were delighted. Yes, despite opposition from their leaders, many people heard the message of Jesus, the Good News of the gospel, and were delighted and believed. Opposition couldn't stop what God had made UNSTOPPABLE! From a few disciples at the beginning to about 3,000 after Pentecost, they had now become about 5,000 people who were devoted to the lordship and message of the resurrected Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth! How exciting. How transformative! Let's commit to pray together for God to renew such transformation empowered by the Holy Spirit in our day.

Today's Prayer

Dear LORD God, my precious Abba Father, please let the prayer-song of Habakkuk be my prayer, today:

Lord, I have heard of your fame;
I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord.
Repeat them in our day,
in our time make them known; ...^

I delight in the resurrection of Jesus from the dead and trust in his power to renew us in this day. I pray this with expectation, in the powerful name of Jesus. Amen.

^ The prayer-song is taken from Habakkuk 3:2 NIV.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Ephesians 3:14-21
  • Judges 2:6-10

Comments

Archived Facebook Comments

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Friday, February 24, 2023

Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Proverbs 22:9
"A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
Romans 8:1-2
"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law....."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'God Created Unseen Rulers and Authorities'
"Through him [Jesus] God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see—such as..."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Litmus Test' (1 Co. 12:2-3)
"Remember how you were when you didn't know God, led from one phony god to another, never knowing what you were doing, just doing it because everybody else did....."

Illustration

Illustration of Acts 4:1-4 NLT — While Peter and John were speaking to the people, they were confronted by the priests, the captain of the Temple guard, and some of the Sadducees. These leaders were very disturbed that Peter and John were teaching the people that through Jesus there is a resurrection of the dead. They arrested them and, since it was already evening, put them in jail until morning. But many of the people who heard their message believed it, so the number of men who believed now totaled about 5,000.

About This Devotional

Unstoppable! is a one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage, a reflection and a prayer. The reflection opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges one to live for Jesus.

Unstoppable! is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More Unstoppable!