Acts 5:17-42
Reflect
This section reads very nicely, and it is an encouragement to us. But this story has its uncertainties. While they were in jail, I am sure that the apostles wondered what would become of them. What an amazing story of God’s deliverance! Then they were brought before the Sanhedrin, and the debate was whether or not the Apostles would be executed. God granted them favour and they were only flogged. Flogging was no minor punishment, and yet the apostles left glad that they were worthy to suffer for the sake of the gospel. The early church knew suffering, and yet they knew that their pain was worth it. Through the pain and suffering the men and women of the early church continued to spread the good news that Jesus is the Son of God.
Here in North America we may not face the severity of persecution for our faith in Jesus that the early church did. There are other places in the world where you can lose your life for following Jesus. Pray that we would not be complacent due to a lack of persecution and pray for those Christians who live out their faith in places where professing faith in Jesus carries very serious consequences.
Pastor Mike
Pray
- Pray for Pastor Lyle, for his family and his ministry.
- Pray for Eric Peters, Facility Manager; Custodians, Adit Gamble, Stan Goodnough and Anne King; Maintenance, Joe Richards.
- Pray for our Church Board members: Barbara Whidden, Bee Stiansen, Cam Klapstein, Darryl Sparling, Gerhard Hiob, Julie Leverette, Marvin Schneider, Matt Barker, Matt Chute, Mike Pedde, and Nick Mitchell.
- Pray for our office staff: Robin Radke and Naomi Voss; Bookkeeper Lynette Carlson.