Tuesday I went to a "reveal" meeting of sorts. I was with a group of ladies that would soon discover the topic, theme, and speaker for a special event. I was introduced to a verse where Peter and John were referred to as "uneducated, ordinary men....but bold." [Acts 4:13]
I left there praying for boldness. I prayed that I would be bold in the things in my own life that I need to address, correct and change. I left there praying that I would be bold enough to "be with Jesus" regardless of the things going on around me.
It got me to thinking..."What would it take to exhibit boldness like that?" As it usually works, the next day I opened my bible to read my daily devotion and rather than tell you the story, I will share the scripture.
"Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, because of friend of mine on a journey has come to me and I have nothing to set before him.'"
First of all, stop and think about this. What is the potential response for someone who comes to your door at midnight? Let alone asking for a loaf of bread for a visitor at their house. The natural response is probably the one he got:
"Then the one inside answers, Don't bother me. The door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed. I can't get up and give you anything."
That about sums it up. Sometimes we will get turned down. When we go in boldness, we might get struck down but that is not always the end. When God is in control and we are acting in boldness according to his will, we can know that He is working in the situation....even if it is midnight.
I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man's boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs.
That's what boldness will get you. You may be shy, you may be unprepared, your timing may be wrong but be bold! Are you sitting around waiting for something you haven't even asked for? Need wisdom, be bold and ask for it. Need patience, be bold and ask for it.
We can not sit back and hope that someone else takes the reigns of sharing Christ. We have to be bold and do it ourselves. Sometimes that requires stepping out of our comfort zone, sometimes we will be told "don't bother me" but the issue is "be bold." God will take care of the rest.
Me? I do not want to be recognized for my knowledge or experience, because in reality, I am like Peter and John....ordinary. I want to step out in boldness and be known for being being "with Jesus." I pray that I am bold enough to share that with others. Be bold! Take that first step.
So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks received; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Luke 11: 9-10
When they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized they were uneducated and ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. Acts 4:13
Text verse: Luke 11:5-8, bold lettering added.
No comments:
Post a Comment