FRIDAY, JANUARY 20
Scripture: Acts 4:18-21

In Acts 4:18-21, the early church is in a place where they need the anointing of David because they had been ordered not to speak anymore in the name of Jesus. A conflict of rulers was raging. Verses 18-21 says, “So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said to them, ‘Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.’ So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way of punishing them, because of the people, since they all glorified God for what had been done.” The early church found themselves in a conflict like that described by Psalm 2. The plots and plans of political leadership declared vain things. They outlawed speaking about Jesus. Our leaders have outlawed prayer in schools. They are outlawing crosses anywhere in the public arena. The early church did not bow to that crap. Why have we? We need to realize that there is no difference between us and the early church. They found themselves in a conflict with government – we find ourselves in a conflict with government. Should we do what they did? I think that is the whole reason the Bible was written. When we find people in the same circumstances that we are in and we follow what they did that brought God on the scene, we should expect the same God that showed up for them to show up for us. Anything less makes it ridiculous to waste our time studying a dead book. When we are led by the Spirit to embrace Scripture, God shows up to confirm His Word. There is something about Him being no respecter of persons that links His intervention to His promises. It is time we took the Word seriously and began to act on it as led by the Spirit!