...May His Kingdom come in your heart today...

“While Peter and John were speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came to them, 2 much annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming that in Jesus there is the resurrection of the dead. 3 So they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. 4 But many of those who heard the word believed; and they numbered about five thousand.

5 The next day their rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem, 6 with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. 7 When they had made the prisoners stand in their midst, they inquired, ‘By what power or by what name did you do this?’ 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, ‘Rulers of the people and elders, 9 if we are questioned today because of a good deed done to someone who was sick and are asked how this man has been healed, 10 let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that this man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead. 11 This Jesus is “the stone that was rejected by you, the builders;it has become the cornerstone.” 12 There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.’

13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and ordinary men, they were amazed and recognized them as companions of Jesus. 14 When they saw the man who had been cured standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. 15 So they ordered them to leave the council while they discussed the matter with one another. 16 They said, ‘What will we do with them? For it is obvious to all who live in Jerusalem that a notable sign has been done through them; we cannot deny it. 17 But to keep it from spreading further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.’ 18 So they called them and ordered them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered them, ‘Whether it is right in God’s sight to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge; 20 for we cannot keep from speaking about what we have seen and heard.’ 21 After threatening them again, they let them go, finding no way to punish them because of the people, for all of them praised God for what had happened. 22 For the man on whom this sign of healing had been performed was more than forty years old” Acts 4:1-22.

All that can be said of this dramatic story is this: We cannot fathom what God is prepared to do when we turn to Him in faith and in prayer. The Apostle Paul wrote such words to the Christians in Corinth: “1 No eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the human heart conceived, what God has prepared for those who love Him” Corinthians 2:1!

You who have been Baptized have been empowered by the holy Spirit, so do not think for a minute that you have nothing short of the power of the God, the power of the Holy Spirit, to be used by God in your life.

Take time in prayer today, sitting quietly and lovingly in the presence of God, to do whatever Jesus Christ commands you to do. Trust Him and open your heart to Him. Believe only in Him and in no other voices or thoughts. Let God give you the peace of his Spirit. Let God heal you.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me a sinner.