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They Lifted up their Voice to God with One Accord!

by Pastor Jim Brown
Horizon Christian Fellowship
(www.calvarychapel.com/hcfw)

The prayer of the early church in Acts chapter 4 was that God might grant them boldness to speak the Word of God to the world. God’s response to this simple prayer was that He filled them with the Holy Ghost (Spirit) and they did, in fact, speak and give witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and Great Grace was upon them.

The key to the power of the Church of Acts is held here in these verses...and it’s the power available and key to the church today. The question for each of us is: “Do we ask God for this power, this boldness and His grace?”

Speaking to the resurrection power of the Lord Jesus is the great commission. Certainly praying this is in God’s will. We must, if we seek to grow in God’s grace and to serve Him faithfully, ask and receive the Holy Spirit’s baptism (or anointing) on our lives or we will walk in the power of our flesh (only) and certainly not have the boldness, love and sound mind that God can and will give us if we ask (2Tim 1:7).

Again, a question... “Do we desire to be empowered and used by the Lord for His glory and to further His kingdom?” If so, have we asked God for this boldness and POWER (Greek: dunamis) that will lead us down the path of an effective witness for Jesus? If not, why?

Pray with me that we receive the anointing of the Holy Spirit each and every day of our live that we might be powerful witnesses for Christ...
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Acts 4:24-33
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24 And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:
25 Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?
26 The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.
27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,
28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.
29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,
30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.
31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
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Email me at pj-brown@sbcglobal.net

posted by Pastor Jim @ 11:24 AM