Unstoppable! 'Jesus' Work Continues' — Acts 5:15-16

Wednesday, March 11, 2026

As a result of the apostles' work, sick people were brought out into the streets on beds and mats so that Peter's shadow might fall across some of them as he went by. Crowds came from the villages around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those possessed by evil spirits, and they were all healed.
— Acts 5:15-16 NLT

Key Thought

I love that the negative impact and the deceptive work of Satan in the lives of the early church were short-lived. Yes, they occurred. Yes, Jesus' early followers sometimes wandered astray. However, in a short time, they were back on track doing the work of Jesus. In our negative and explosively critical world today, we can easily get bogged down in our failures, missteps, sins, faults, and embarrassments. Social-media shaming bogs us down even deeper. The unstoppable work of Jesus must not be lost to the Satan-propelled negative sentiments of our failures. We serve the Lord whose tomb is empty. This risen Lord can turn darkness to light, death to life, and failure into a new future. Rather than wringing our hands or beating each other up for our past failures, let's get on with the work of the Lord, and honor him by leaning into his grace and his plan for our future!

Today's Prayer

O God, thank you for the example of the early church. They dealt with sin and failure in their lives, and then moved back into ministry. Use me, O Lord, to help us look beyond our failures and to the future of your ministry and mission for us as your people. O Holy Spirit, we desperately need your power and presence to help us move out of the shadows of our messes and failures into the work and mission Jesus has for us. Help us, O Lord, in Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

Illustration

Illustration of Acts 5:15-16 NLT — As a result of the apostles' work, sick people were brought out into the streets on beds and mats so that Peter's shadow might fall across some of them as he went by. Crowds came from the villages around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those possessed by evil spirits, and they were all healed.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Wednesday, March 11, 2026

Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'Shout Joyfully to the Lord'
"Come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come to him with thanksgiving. Let us sing psalms of praise...."
What Jesus Did!
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
'If God Gave You Authority, Prove It!'
"But the Jewish leaders demanded [of Jesus], "What are you doing? If God gave you authority to [clear the Temple of the money changers and animals],..."
Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by Kenneth Boulding:
"Know this: though love is weak and hate is strong, Yet hate is short, and love is very long."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Proverbs 20:11
"Even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and right."

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!