When Persecution Comes

 N.T.#830 "When Persecution Comes"

July 6, 2026 

Acts 5-Part 2

LET IT GLOW 

How do we react when persecution comes? Peter and John were persecuted. How did they react?

What does Luke tell us happened after the couple died having lied to Peter, the church, and God?

• The apostles did many signs and wonders among the people. (verse 12)
• They were held in high esteem. (verse 13)
• There were numbers of believers in Jesus added to the church. (verse 14)
• People carried their sick into the streets so Peter's shadow would fall on the sick and be healed. (verse 15)
• People from the surrounding cities brought their sick and possessed, and they were all healed. (verse 16)

Good things were happening. People believed in the Lord. There were healings. It was supernatural activity-

LET IT GROW 

Jesus promised His disciples would do miraculous works like Him. (John 14:12)

When God starts working, the devil does, too. The high priest and the Sadducees began to oppose the apostles. They were filled with jealously.  (verse 17) They cared nothing for God's glory only their own. So what did the religious leaders do? They threw the apostles in jail. (verse 18)

 Peter and John would have been on trial the next morning if something had not happened. What was it?  An angel of the Lord set them free and sent them on mission:

Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life. (verse 20)

The Sanhedrin convened, sent for Peter and John from prison, but did not find them there. Someone reported the preachers were in the temple. Thus, Peter and John were brought into the meeting.

I'm leaving this event hanging. Read the rest of the story. Persecution came to the preachers of the Gospel. 

They didn't hide from their enemies, but obeyed God instead of men.

What keeps us from sharing the Gospel with others?

LET IT GO

Help us let go of ourself centeredness and follow You, Jesus.

Hide us behind the cross to be Your witnesses.

Our Sins Will Find Us Out

 N.T.#828 "Our Sins Will Find Us Out"

July 3, 2026 

Acts 5

LET IT GLOW 

A man named Barnabas sold some land and willingly brought the money to the apostle. es to distribute to those in need at the church.  (4:36-37) Then Ananias and Sapphira sold something and brought the money to the apostles, also. 

What was the difference? 

The couple kept back part of the money; apparently they lied about giving all of the money received, and Peter confronted them. It was God they lied to. (verse 4) When Ananias heard this, he immediately died. Lying to the servant of God was like lying to the Spirit of God Himself. (Liberty Bible Commentary)

Three hours later the man's wife came and lied to Peter, also. She died, too. Why didn't the couple just tell Peter that they kept part of the money from selling something? Maybe pride got the best of them.

Be careful to tell the truth.

LET IT GROW 

Those people were not required to sell the item, nor give it to the church. Deception is a sin. He must have committed to give all the proceeds to meet the needs of others as Barnabas did. However they kept back some for themselves. It was a lie that damaged the family of God.

Fear came upon the church when they heard what happened. (verse 11) God hates sin in the church, so we need to take it seriously, repenting.

LET IT GO

Help us be truthful with others and You, Father. 

Our sins will find us out. 

A New Church

 N.T.#828 "A New Church"

July 2, 2026 

Acts 4-Part 3

LET IT GLOW 

Peter and John were released and they returned to the other disciples together. The two told the group what had happened. It was a time of rejoicing, praying unto god in one accord, which was a thanksgiving prayer. 

The Sanhedrin and others may threaten them, but they can never defeat. "If God be for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31) (Falwell)

How do we react when persecuted?

LET IT GROW 

How did the disciples pray?

They prayed with all boldness so they could speak God's Word and with heal i, show signs, and wonders done in the name of Jesus. (verses 29-30)

This first-century church was persecuted, Spirit-filled, powerful, and praying church. 

What happened next?

• The place where they were shook as with an earthquake when their prayer was offered up. 
• All were filled with the Holy Ghost.
• They spoke the Word of God with boldness.
• Each member of the Jerusalem church was interested in the welfare of each other member. 
• Houses and lands were sold in order to be distributed to those in need by the apostles. (verses 32-37)

What a loving and caring environment. 

LET IT GO

Show us Your will, Your way, Lord Jesus.

May we follow it.

What a Witness!

N.T.#827 " What a Witness!"

July 1, 2026

Acts 4-Part 2

LET IT GLOW 

When a good work is going on, evil steps in and tries to mess things up. Peter and John had witnessed to a lame man, God healed him, and he walked. Peter and John were put in prison overnight. They preached Jesus and repentance. There were 5,000 men believed due to Peter's second sermon. 

Now there was a group of religious leaders gathered to discuss the problem. The sermon and healed man were not their concern. They wanted to know By what power, or by what name, had they done this. (verse 7)

What was Peter's response? 

Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by Him this man stand here before you whole. (verse 10)

There was but one answer: they had been with Jesus. (verse 13)

The name Jesus is the Greek version of the Hebrew name Joshua, which means, The Lord saves. Jesus' name speaks to who He is, what He has done, and what He can do. Salvation from sin, death, and hell is found in Him alone. (Tony Evans)

The religious ones could not refute the Truth and evidence with the healed man standing in their midst. What a witness!

LET IT GROW 

The Jewish leaders observed Peter and John's boldness, they were uneducated and untrained men. Over the 3 years Jesus was with them, He taught the former fishermen everything they knew. One can receive all sorts of educational degrees, but if they have never been with Jesus, there is no lasting spiritual effect on others. 

The Jewish leaders' hearts were so hard that they decided to threaten Peter and John not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. They didn't care about the Truth, just preserving their own religious authority. How sad!

Was it right in the sight of God for them to obey men rather than obey God? 

For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. (verse 20)

How about you, friend? I choose to share the Truth: Jesus crucified, risen from the dead, sits at the right hand of the Father. There is no other way to get into heaven except believing in this Jesus, repenting of your sins. 

Peter and John were let go without punishment because of the people. Certainly, others had seen the change in Peter after he had denied Christ 3 times. The HHoly Spirit spoke through them with boldness and wisdom. 

Has your life been change? Have you been with Jesus and allowed Him to change your heart? Don't be surprised if people reject your witness for Jesus. 

LET IT GO

 Help us be bold in sharing salvation through Jesus only.

May we obey You before men.

Suffering for Christ

N.T.#826 "Suffering for Christ"

June 30, 2026 

Acts 4

LET IT GLOW 

Are you helping to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ? This last week at Vacation Bible School, we had 4 teenagers get saved. Praise the Lord! It took a lot of time and effort in planning, decorating, and teaching from others and me, but it was worth it. Peter and John suffered because they shared the Gospel, as they spent the night in prison.

There were three groups of people angered with Peter and John because they were preaching Jeesus resurrected from the dead. They included priests, captain of the Temple, and Sadducees. The Sadducees were violently opposed to this doctrine. They threw Peter and John into prison until the next day. However, from Peter's second sermon 5,000 men belied. What a great victory for the faith. (Liberty Bible Commentary)

LET IT GROW

Beginning in the life of one lame man, God brought 5,000 men to Christ-in spite of the opposition of powerful unbelievers. (3:1-10; 4:4) There is no stopping the kingdom of God manifested through the power of the Holy Spirit when Jesus is being glorified. (Tony Evans)

The Jewish leaders got ticked off because they were proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. (verses 1-2) Since the Sadducees didn't believe in the resurrection of the dead, they were so annoyed. They tried to shut up Peter and John from preaching. But that didn't happen. 

Are we willing to face a night in jail if it would bring 5,000 people to Christ? Shouldn't we be willing to suffer for the sake of even one? 

When we witness, we risk rejection and persecution. Whatever the risks, realize that nothing done for God is ever wasted. 

*People are trying to tie up the internet so my blog is not seen throughout the world. Evil people in many countries are doing this. I'm talking about thousands. I pray for them and others will read the Truth and find Jesus as their Savior through my little efforts. Please pray I will be protected from them and the Word will continue to reach others. God's Word will not be destroyed.

LET IT GO 

Pray others will come to Jesus.

Are You in The Family?

 N.T.#825  "Are You in The Family?"

June 29, 2026

Acts 3-Part 2

LET IT GLOW

It doesn't matter what family we are born into, but if we are reborn spiritually into God's family.

When Peter was preaching, he made references:

• The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
• The God of our fathers
• Jesus is the Holy One
• and the Just
• Prince of Life.

The lame man was not healed magically or naturally but supernaturally through the power invested in the name of Jesus of Nazareth. (Falwell)

LET IT GROW

Peter put the blame on the Jews for killing Jesus. He called the people to repentance. Turn from your iniquities. (verse 26) Receive Jesus as your Savior and Messiah. You will be blessed.

Friend have you done so? What about your family?

LET IT GO

Thank You Jesus for including us Gentiles in Your kingdom. 

A Healed Man Led Others to Jesus

N.T.#824 "A Healed Man Led Others to Jesus"

 June 26, 2026 

Acts 3

LET IT GLOW 

Peter and John encountered a lame man (over 40 years of age) outside the Temple gate. This beggar obviously expected a monetary contribution from them. However, the two had none to give, but parted on the man the ability to walk. 

The man asked for what he wanted, but received what he needed. The man went from limping to leaping. When God meets your needs, he may not give you what you asked for, but what he provides will always be greater than what you wanted. (Tony Evans)

LET IT GROW 

The people saw what had happened to the beggar, for he had always been lame. They were filled with awe and astonishment at what had happened. (verse 10)

When God does something amazing in one's life, he usually has a greater purpose i mind than that individual's benefit. Truth was proclaimed to the crowd and Jewish leaders. His transformation ultimately led to the salvation of many souls. There were 5,000 men, whose lives were changed when they repented of sins and believed in Jesus. God healed, the beggar praised God, the people responded. (Tony Evans)

We don't know what influence our lives can have on others. 

LET IT GO

May we yield to You today Lord Jesus.