Listen along here:  https://www.pastorwoman.net/podcast/episode/271b75c4/courageous-living-miracles-and-the-greatest-adventure-acts-no15 "THESE are the times that try men's souls," Thomas Paine wrot…

Listen along here:  https://www.pastorwoman.net/podcast/episode/271b75c4/courageous-liv...

"THESE are the times that try men's souls," Thomas Paine wrote during the American Revolution some 249 years ago.1 But how many times throughout history could those words have been uttered, including now--as we see pictures of precious little children swept away in Texas floodwaters, as we fight personal battles too big for us to manage or fix. "These are the times that try men's souls...without a doubt, Mr. Paine!"

And Peter certainly could have looked over at John and said the same thing--after all, the Jewish leaders had jailed them for healing a man in Jesus' name. No doubt the Jewish rulers thought jail time would silence the two most prominent apostles in the new Jerusalem church. But did it? No.

In fact, the courageous faith of the two apostles so greatly impacts those near them, that the gospel spreads like wildfire.

'Stop speaking of Jesus? Heck no!

Those who experience the miraculous naturally want to talk about it!

Actually, we cannot help it.

This builds on the last two Morning Briefings,

"What if?? Of Courage and Truth" 

The link:https://conta.cc/4lO3MtL and

"Courage is compelling...what can you take from his life?" https://conta.cc/44HW7X2

Friends, picture with me Peter and John, released by the Jewish leaders, running through the corridors of the Old City of Jerusalem back to the place where they knew they would find their people.

We watch what happens next, learning from them as we peer over their shoulders.

>that makes me think: do you have a 'people?'

a community to which you belong and contribute,

a group of faith-filled people to whom you would run??

Luke writes: (my thoughts italicized)

"As soon as they were freed, Peter and John returned to the other believers and told them what the leading priests and elders had said. Notice the response of the young Christians--what could have caused great fear evoked a different response.

When they heard the report, all the believers lifted their voices together in prayer to God The people spontaneously break out in prayer!

 “O Sovereign Lord, Creator of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them—2 you spoke long ago by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David, your servant, saying,

‘Why were the nations so angry?

    Why did they waste their time with futile plans?

The kings of the earth prepared for battle; the rulers gathered together

against the Lord and against his Messiah.’ "

Someone actually cited scripture, praying David's words from Psalm 2, noting that they had just witnessed its fulfillment, right there in Jerusalem! This was a group of simple men, but they had memorized valuable truths.

“In fact, this has happened here in this very city! For Herod Antipas, Pontius Pilate the governor, the Gentiles, and the people of Israel were all united against Jesus, your holy servant, whom you anointed. But everything they did was determined beforehand according to your will." The Jewish leaders and Romans had killed Jesus, but from the beginning of time, this had been God's plan: Jesus' sacrifice for us.

"And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness.3 Well, I guess so!

Quite taken with their prayer I am. Think of it: these people now know the score - the Jewish leaders will not stand for them to talk about Jesus, to add to the thousands who have come to believe that Jesus was indeed their Messiah. But, notice they do not ask God to protect them or overthrow the Sanhedrin intent on stamping them out...no! They ask God for courage . . . for greater boldness in how they speak of him. They also petition God to continue to do what he can do--the miraculous amongst them.

"THESE are the times that try men's souls," so, Lord, show yourself strong, and by the power of your Holy Spirit, give us courage and embolden us to speak truth about you--the truth. . .

->that You alone are God

->that You alone created the heaven and earth, and all that is in them

->that You did indeed send a Savior, that we might have relationship with you

->that You are present and empowering your people by the Holy Spirit, equipping us to love and serve others, leading them to You

->that You are still doing the miraculous today

Do you speak of Jesus to others?

Do you look for openings to speak of his great love--even to strangers?

Listen to me now - while I know that God has answered many a prayer in my life,

I have also experienced two miracles--things which cannot be explained any other way.

Do I talk about these things? You bet I do. And have pictures ready to show.

Why, knowing the power of God in my life is the reason I write,

the reason I cannot and will not stop talking about the life-changing love of God!

Be still for a moment ... for what do you need courage? ____________

What comes to your mind? Is it your job, your family, a situation with a colleague? Is it a medical diagnosis? Ask God for it.

Do you need courage to tell others about God? Ask God for it. Then be ready for the adventure of a lifetime.

Back to those praying early believers. God said 'yes' to their prayer for courage, and once again filled them with the Holy Spirit, actually shaking the building a bit so they physically felt his presence too! O man, this is exciting!

Check out these truths:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NueMKnU8qa0&list=RDNueMKnU8qa0&a...

Because THESE are the times that try men's souls

I am praying that you will have courage in Jesus' name,

Christine - PastorWoman.net

Acts, no. 15

1 - The Crisis by Thomas Paine, December 23, 1776. UShistory.org

2 - from my front porch, the same hummingbird I recently referenced, against the backdrop of God's promise, the rainbow. Yes, my Creator was showing off, and thankfully, I was looking for him, so I did not miss it!

3 - Acts 4.23-31