Unstoppable! 'Ineffective Threats' — Acts 4:21-22

Thursday, March 2, 2023

The council then threatened [Peter and John] further, but they finally let them go because they didn't know how to punish them without starting a riot. For everyone was praising God for this miraculous sign — the healing of a man who had been lame for more than forty years.
— Acts 4:21-22 NLT

Key Thought

The people who had shouted for the Romans to crucify Jesus had not accomplished their intended objective of silencing Jesus' message. Jesus rose from the dead after three days. He was seen by too many people to deny his resurrection. Those witnesses to Jesus' resurrected body were then emboldened like never before. Threats didn't stop them. Beatings didn't stop them. Throwing them in jail didn't curb their passion for sharing the Good News of Jesus. Now, the crowds of people were supporting them. Every point of leverage, every threat the ruling council made, became nothing more than an ineffective threat in the face of Jesus' unstoppable resurrection power.

Today's Prayer

O Father, in our day, we need to experience Jesus' presence and be emboldened by the Holy Spirit to declare the Good News about Jesus shamelessly, but strategically. We ask for your help as we pray to you in Jesus' mighty name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • 1 Corinthians 10:13 NRSV
  • 2 Timothy 4:4-8

Comments

Archived Facebook Comments

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Thursday, March 2, 2023

What Jesus Did!
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
'Authority Over Demons' (Lk. 4:33-37)
"Once when [Jesus] was in the synagogue [in Capernaum], a man possessed by a demon — an evil spirit — cried out, shouting, "Go away! Why are you..."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Pursuing Peace' (Ro. 14:17-23)
"Dear Father, giver of brotherly love, How wonderful that your kingdom, your rule in people's lives, is not a matter of food and drink, but of..."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Proverbs 27:6
"Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'There Are Only 2 Kingdoms: Darkness, & Light'
"But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show..."

Illustration

Illustration of Acts 4:21-22 NLT — The council then threatened [Peter and John] further, but they finally let them go because they didn't know how to punish them without starting a riot. For everyone was praising God for this miraculous sign — the healing of a man who had been lame for more than forty years.

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!