Called to be Witnesses

Press the play button to watch the video above or press 'more' to read the transcript of the daily devotion below. Please read Acts:2:32-41 (use your own Bible or use the link above to access the in-App Bible).

I wonder how you feel when you hear these words? Are we like the people in Acts ‘cut to the heart’ responding with the words ‘what shall we do?’

I am thankful that in 1985 in a small Methodist chapel; Tenby a man stood up and shared these words. The witness of that one person touched my ten-year-old heart and led me to say ‘Yes’ to Jesus. It’s a personal decision that has continued to influence and shape my life for the last forty years.

Being a witness is not easy. Look at Peter, he denied knowing Jesus and yet at Pentecost with the Holy Spirit’s help he had the courage to stand boldly before the crowd and proclaim the wonderful truth that Jesus Christ is risen. As a result, three thousand people’s lives were transformed. Now that’s a Parish Statistic for Mission worth submitting. I pray that we might see thousands of people across Lancashire this Easter responding to Jesus’ invitation, repenting, being baptised, lives transformed.

But it’s more than numbers, the people in Acts were ignited by the Spirit of God. I wonder what it would be like if we let go of fear and asked the Holy Spirit to give us courage to be powerful witnesses for Christ. To be ‘All for Jesus’.

This Lent can I encourage and challenge you to follow Peter’s example to say ‘No’ to fear and ‘Yes’ to sharing your story. Let’s make this Lent count in building the Kingdom of God across Lancashire. May we answer the call to witness to our families, friends, work colleagues, and neighbours and pray in verse 39: ’For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.’

Let us pray: Father, thank you for the truth that you raised Jesus from the dead. We celebrate your victory over sin and death. We pray for the boldness to be faithful witnesses to your Risen Son in our daily lives. Amen.