Daily Devotional
Are You Fully Surrendered?
“‘Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.’ And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.”
Acts 4:29-31
August 14, 2024
Ponder This
Every now and then, I’ll come behind a car and it’ll have a bumper sticker that says, “God is my copilot.” Some people treat God like a business partner, but He’s not—He is Lord. Many times, we want to use God, but God’s not going to be used. You want God to answer your prayers? Then submit yourself to Him completely as Lord.
These people were committed to Him. They wanted God to give them power to express His Word. They prayed, “Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word” (Acts 4:29). Is that the desire of your heart, to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to obey the Great Commission?
It was the expression of God’s Word that got them in trouble to begin with. They didn’t ask, “Lord, move us to more favorable circumstances.” They didn’t say, “Lord, keep us safe.” They prayed, “Lord, give us more of what got us into trouble in the first place. Lord, we’re in trouble for preaching Your Word. Now, give us boldness to preach it some more. We want to proclaim Your Word.”
- What is the difference between Jesus being Lord and being a business partner?
- How have you submitted and committed your ways to the Lord? What has changed? What needs to change for you?
Practice This
Pray with other Christians, asking God to use you to spread the Gospel.
FOR YOUR GIFT TO THE MINISTRY
What is the mission of the Church?
Love Worth Finding's newest book, "A Final Charge to the Church, "is based on the final series of messages Pastor Rogers preached before retiring in 2005. Pastor Rogers wanted to prepare his congregation for the future. In doing so, he provided a biblically sound blueprint that applies to all Christians on topics including unity among believers, standing strong in opposition to the enemy (Satan), the power of the Holy Spirit to change lives, steadfastness in prayer, true worship, faithfulness to God's Word, caring for others, and the kingdom authority given to believers in Jesus Christ. The book is a great read for all believers who want to become better prepared, as the bride of Christ, to be radiant, pure, and faithful to Jesus, the living Word of God.
