WEEK 9 DAY 1
The Source of True Boldness
Devotional
Have you ever wondered where true courage comes from? In Acts 4, we see Peter standing boldly before the same religious leaders who orchestrated Jesus' crucifixion. This is the same Peter who, not long before, denied knowing Jesus three times out of fear. What changed?
The text gives us a profound insight: these religious leaders recognized that Peter and John were ordinary men who had "been with Jesus." Their time with Jesus had fundamentally transformed them. Their boldness didn't come from eloquence, education, or natural confidence—it came from their relationship with Christ.
This transformation is available to each of us today. When we spend consistent time with Jesus through Scripture, prayer, and worship, we begin to reflect His character. We start to see the world through His eyes. Our priorities shift, and what once seemed frightening—like sharing our faith—becomes an overflow of our relationship with Him.
True gospel boldness isn't about personality type or public speaking skills. It's about allowing our time with Jesus to transform our hearts until His priorities become our priorities, His love becomes our love, and His courage becomes our courage.
Bible Verse
"Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus." - Acts 4:13
Reflection Question
How might your witness for Christ change if people's primary observation about you was that you had "been with Jesus"? What practical steps could you take this week to deepen that relationship?
Quote
"Gospel boldness comes from living with affection for Jesus and from Jesus, and it produces a love and affection for the people around us."
Prayer
Lord Jesus, I want to be known as someone who has been with You. Draw me closer to Your presence. Transform my fears into boldness through the power of Your Spirit. Help me to prioritize time with You so that Your character naturally flows through me to others. Amen.
Have you ever wondered where true courage comes from? In Acts 4, we see Peter standing boldly before the same religious leaders who orchestrated Jesus' crucifixion. This is the same Peter who, not long before, denied knowing Jesus three times out of fear. What changed?
The text gives us a profound insight: these religious leaders recognized that Peter and John were ordinary men who had "been with Jesus." Their time with Jesus had fundamentally transformed them. Their boldness didn't come from eloquence, education, or natural confidence—it came from their relationship with Christ.
This transformation is available to each of us today. When we spend consistent time with Jesus through Scripture, prayer, and worship, we begin to reflect His character. We start to see the world through His eyes. Our priorities shift, and what once seemed frightening—like sharing our faith—becomes an overflow of our relationship with Him.
True gospel boldness isn't about personality type or public speaking skills. It's about allowing our time with Jesus to transform our hearts until His priorities become our priorities, His love becomes our love, and His courage becomes our courage.
Bible Verse
"Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus." - Acts 4:13
Reflection Question
How might your witness for Christ change if people's primary observation about you was that you had "been with Jesus"? What practical steps could you take this week to deepen that relationship?
Quote
"Gospel boldness comes from living with affection for Jesus and from Jesus, and it produces a love and affection for the people around us."
Prayer
Lord Jesus, I want to be known as someone who has been with You. Draw me closer to Your presence. Transform my fears into boldness through the power of Your Spirit. Help me to prioritize time with You so that Your character naturally flows through me to others. Amen.