Friday: BRAVE

Day 5: Big Idea: The accuser calls us idiots. God calls us BRAVE.

Scripture: Acts 4:13-21  

"When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. 'What are we going to do with these men?' they asked. 'Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign, and we cannot deny it. But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.' Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, 'Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.'"

I love the idea that the Greek word for “uneducated” or “unschooled” means the same word that we use for “idiot” today.  Who the world calls idiots, God calls brave.  The boldness of Peter and John, described as "unschooled, ordinary men," intensified their witness for Christ. Their readiness to prioritize obedience to God over the demands of the authorities sparked amazement and left the leaders searching for a way to suppress them. The undeniable evidence of the healed man stood as a testament to God's power. 

In our lives, the call to brave witness often means choosing God's direction over human authority or convention. Our lives should reflect a transformation that others cannot deny, leading them to acknowledge our faith's authenticity and power.

ACTION:   Reflect on your day and identify one moment you can use to practice courageous faith, speaking out or acting in alignment with God’s calling.

Prayer Prompt: "Jesus, thank You for empowering ordinary people to do extraordinary things through Your Spirit. Help me to prioritize Your voice above all others."

SONG FOR THE DAY: “You Make Me Brave”  Click the link: Amanda Cook - You Make Me Brave (Official Live Music Video)