Unstoppable! 'Joy and Skepticism' — Acts 12:13-15

Sunday, July 13, 2025

[Peter, after his deliverance from prison by an angel,] knocked at the door in the gate [at Mary's house], and a servant girl named Rhoda came to open it. When she recognized Peter's voice, she was so overjoyed that, instead of opening the door, she ran back inside and told everyone, "Peter is standing at the door!"

"You're out of your mind!" they said. When she insisted, they decided, "It must be his angel."

— Acts 12:13-15 NLT

Key Thought

Luke scatters bits of irony and humor throughout this story. Peter nearly slept through his opportunity for deliverance from prison. The angel, whose glory brought a bright light to Peter's prison cell, helped Peter walk casually out of prison, and he went to Mary's house without notice. Peter sheepishly realized that God had delivered him from Herod's clutches. Rhoda was so excited at Peter's deliverance that she left him outside the door. The very people who had been praying for Peter's deliverance were surprised when God liberated him. The message in all of these events is clear for me: I need to pray beyond the reach of my limited faith. I need to pray for the seemingly impossible, especially when I can't quite believe all that is possible for our limitless Lord! Our grasping for Jesus' deliverance should exceed our present faith because we know that the Lord often reaches out to bridge the distance between us and the seemingly impossible. Let's pray for more than what we can humanly expect because of the greatness of the one to whom we pray!

Today's Prayer

O God, I believe, but help my unbelief. Because you are the God of the seemingly impossible, give me courage to ask and reach for more than I can imagine is possible. I ask for this courage to be inspired by your Holy Spirit's work in me. I pray this in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

3 Related Resources by Heartlight

Surprised?
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Beloved, I hope you enjoy reading the verses below as much as I enjoyed being at work in the lives of My disciples bringing them deliverance. ....."
Committed or Comfortable?
Article by Rick Brown
What do we need to get us to stretch out a bit? Rick Brown talks about a famous photograph and the message to pray and have hope in the darkest of times, and to remember that fervent and earnest prayer is the kind of prayer the early church, the committed church prayed.
Living My MUSD #5: Shared Prayer through Interceding Personally
Article by Phil Ware
Even when confined to our houses and limited in our travels and frustrated with social distancing, we still have the incredible ability to pray for others. Phil Ware opens the New Testament and reminds of a great way to live out our mission while under social distancing, prayer because prayer has always been a virtual way of blessing others.

Illustration

Illustration of Acts 12:13-15 NLT — [Peter, after his deliverance from prison by an angel,] knocked at the door in the gate [at Mary's house], and a servant girl named Rhoda came to open it. When she recognized Peter's voice, she was so overjoyed that, instead of opening the door, she ran back inside and told everyone, "Peter is standing at the door!" "You're out of your mind!" they said. When she insisted, they decided, "It must be his angel."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Sunday, July 13, 2025

Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by Bob Smith:
"All I know is that I am a product of God and all I can do is the best I can to thank Him and honor Him and try to grow in Him, step by step."
What Jesus Did!
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
'My Salvation, Not His Own' (Mt. 27:38-40)
"Two revolutionaries were crucified with [Jesus], one on his right and one on his left. The people passing by shouted abuse, shaking their heads....."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: John 10:9
"Jesus, the great I AM, is the entrance into the true church, and the way of access to God himself. He gives to the man who comes to God by him four..."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'The Lord Who Provides'
"It is the Lord who provides the sun to light the day and the moon and stars to light the night, and who stirs the sea into roaring waves. His name is...."

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!