Praying for Boldness

September 6, 2015 Background Scripture: Acts 4:1 – 31 Lesson Passage: Acts 4:23 – 31 The small group huddled together had just heard the testimony of their leaders who were recently released from being imprisoned overnight. Their leaders had made it through the ordeal physically safe but under threats from the Jewish civil authority. The group began to pray in unison. In such an atmosphere, there was so much to pray for. In thanksgiving, they could certainly give thanks unto God for delivering their leaders safe and sound back to the group. They could also give thanks that others of their group were not included in this latest of persecutions. On the other hand, there were many petitions to be presented to Heaven for that day and the immediate future. At the top of the list one would expect petitions to God for individual safety, food, shelter, clothing, and just general peace of mind during those troubling days. After all, they had made decisions to be Christ followers so it doesn’t seem to be too much of an imposition to ask that God keep them safe from personal injury or loss of life’s necessities or niceties. Undoubtedly, prayers prayed today under similar circumstances would reflect this point of view. However, their prayers did not reflect any of this. This group, under the constant threat of persecution—both injury and loss of life, prayed for something that would be almost foreign today. They asked God for boldness to proclaim His word in the face of persecution. This is one of the most God-centric and unselfish prayers to be found in the book of Acts. Lord, give me the courage to speak for you even if I suffer as a result of it. There was no need to check the mailbox for an unexpected windfall as a “surprise” answer to their prayers. In their hour of despair, if they found the courage and strength to declare God’s word and proclaim His gift of Jesus as a Savior for the world, then they would be assured that their prayers had been heard and their petition granted. This was more than “Let your will be done on earth.” They were requesting God to do His will through them knowing that it would likely bring additional persecution to them. They were asking God to allow them to be conformed to the image of His son, Jesus, so their lives would be a reflection of Jesus. They requested that this reflection of Jesus be manifested for the world to see in the form of signs and miracles granted in the name of Jesus. The sick would be healed in the name of Jesus. They were not requesting the opportunity to build their reputation but the continuation of Jesus’ reputation on earth through them. Is there any wonder why God chose to answer their prayers the way He did? The place where they were assembled shook when they had prayed and the Holy Ghost overshadowed and filled them and they spoke the word of God with boldness. God answered their prayers immediately! There was no “delayed but not denied” aspect to it. Their prayers were sincerely for God’s will to be done and He did it. They prayed for boldness to be God’s witnesses and God granted their petition. Robert C. Hudson August 26, 2015

A Plea to Return to God

August 30, 2015 Background Scripture: Malachi 3:1 – 12; Matthew 7:12 Lesson Passage: Malachi 3:1 – 10 Today’s lesson is part of the spiritual preparation that was prescribed for Israel prior to the arrival of the Messiah. Today, Malachi’s prophecy is often quoted only in reference to financial rewards or curses based on obedience in matters pertaining to tithes and offerings. Although we have often heard a focus on verses 8 through 10 in the lesson passage, this lesson is an opportunity to see that there is much more to this part of Malachi’s message than a brief exposition on tithes and offerings. God’s desire was that the hearts of the people would be turned towards Him so that He would open their eyes and show them what He was doing in their midst. Malachi’s message revealed that the Lord’s return would be preceded by His messenger going before Him to prepare the hearts of the people to receive Him. This preparation involved repentance as evidenced by contrition and change of thoughts and actions. The message of God’s messenger, or the Messiah’s forerunner, would not be easy on the ears of God’s people. The message would be like a purifying fire. The results would be great but the process would be painful to endure. The religious leaders of Israel would not be exempt. They were subject to the same spiritual scrutiny. They would come under conviction and be challenged to make offerings unto God that would be pleasing to Him. If not for the mercy of God to temper His wrath, the people of God would be destroyed because of their lack of holiness. This was especially true concerning their actions and inactions towards the least in their society. God would judge quickly the unrighteous acts towards the poor and helpless. God reminded them of their wayward actions towards Him that extended back for generations. God had delivered the Law to their forefathers by the hand of Moses. The Law was clear that Israel had the choice of receiving blessings or curses based on their acceptance of and adherence to the Law. If they followed the statutes and listened to the voice of God, then they would be blessed. If the people refused to heed the law of God, then they would be cursed. There was no in-between or compromise in the Law. The Law offered blessings or curses and the people were allowed to choose for themselves. Their long history of disobedience to the Law had caused the people to live under a curse. Some may not have even known it. Malachi’s message cleared it up for the confused. The people of Israel were not having a string of bad luck as some might have supposed, but they were living under the curse of the Law. Their hope was to get back in line with God and have the blessings of the Law bestowed on them again. First, their hearts had to be prepared to receive God’s greatest promise to them—a Messiah in their midst. They could not live contrary to God’s way and receive the Messiah. Neither could they live estranged from the commonwealth and governance of God over their lives. Malachi’s plea to Israel was for them to return to God. Robert C. Hudson August 5, 2015