Sunday 9nd. July 2006 email: fvamw@tm.net.my

Dear Friends

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Early Believers’ Prayer

On their release, Peter and John went back to their people and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God, "Sovereign Lord," they said, "you made heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:

‘Why do the nations rage and the people plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One.’

Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus whom you appointed. They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus."

After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. ( Act. 4;23-31 )

Read the above portion of scripture a few times to understand the frame of mind the disciples and early believers.

We see that the disciples were threatened not to speak or do any thing in name of Jesus. If they did so, they would face punishment. What do we see them do? They show us an example, ie to go into prayer with other believers affirming who the Lord is, that all had happened according to His will and seeking His enabling to witness, as well as requesting that He continue to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of Jesus.

Today we see, there is still opposition to the preaching and making Jesus known. Many Christians are persecuted for their faith. In places which were once the base for the movement of missionaries, now we see individuals seeking to ensure that there should be no trace of God and Jesus because it is against their individual rights. Church history shows the extent some of the believers had to go to stand firm in their faith.

In our country we are able to live with people of other faiths and to practice our Christian faith; and by our deeds of love, to be effective disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ. Words are only heard but deeds of love are experienced and felt. Deeds make the difference. Jesus has told us, "Love one another as I have loved you, by these, men will know that you are my disciples."

The following question may be of help in your reflection.

How do I live daily so that others may see the love of Jesus in me?

This is sent out by email once a week. If you have just come across this for the first time, and would like to receive it, please send an email. Your comments and views on this are most welcome. If this sharing could be of help to a friend of yours, you are welcome to pass it on.

With regards,

Fred.