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

Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
Philippians 2:14-16
"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in...."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Acts 2:24
"But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'What We Are!' (1 Co. 6:9-11)
"Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men..."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'God Is a Refuge for All Who Dwell in Him'
"Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place — the Most High, who is my refuge — no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near..."

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!