We made it to Friday, and God is still with us. Enjoy today’s readings and your weekend.

BIBLE VERSE – Acts 5:21b-25 NLT
“^21b When the high priest and his officials arrived, they convened the high council[b]—the full assembly of the elders of Israel. Then they sent for the apostles to be brought from the jail for trial. ²² But when the Temple guards went to the jail, the men were gone. So they returned to the council and reported, ²³ “The jail was securely locked, with the guards standing outside, but when we opened the gates, no one was there!”

²⁴ When the captain of the Temple guard and the leading priests heard this, they were perplexed, wondering where it would all end. ²⁵ Then someone arrived with startling news: “The men you put in jail are standing in the Temple, teaching the people!”

REFLECTION
While the apostles ignored the guidance from the high priest and the Sadducces, the apostles were obedient to what God called them to do. Yesterday we read, “19 But an angel of the Lord came at night, opened the gates of the jail, and brought them out. Then he told them, 20 “Go to the Temple and give the people this message of life!”

The apostles were teaching about the new life in Christ Jesus, the life available to the people (and us) because of Jesus’ death on the cross, burial and resurrection to life. The apostles remained bold and likely shared why the people should believe in Christ Jesus, repent of their sins and live for Christ. This message of new life angered the high priest and leaders, but it changed the hearts of many, and as a result many believed and followed Christ.

Sisters and brothers, there will be times when worldly leaders will be in conflict with what the Bible says and what God has called us to do. My prayer is that you begin to:

• Pray bold prayers

• Be faithful to God and His word (the true version – read the word for yourself)

• Do what God (the Holy Spirit) prompts you to do

• Check your emotions and proceed with truth and love

• Challenge the things that are not of God

• Understand you are here for such a time as this

• Pray for believers and nonbelievers

PRAYER
Father God we thank you for your word. Father we thank you for the apostles that stood up and shared your word. We thank you for giving them boldness in their speech and the Holy Spirit to discern the situation they found themselves in. Father God, pour your Holy Spirit out on believers and help them to stand in the gap for those being falsely persecuted. Father God, you have heard the cries of your people for years. Lord we ask for you to begin to shift the cries to praises. Keep pressing on our hearts to remove hate. Change us, Lord. Keep working in us to lift our voices for the things and people who concern you. We want to do your will, your way. In Jesus name we pray all these things, amen!

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