Filled with the Spirit - let's speak!

Press the play button to watch the video above or press 'more' to read the transcript of the daily devotion below. Please read Acts 4:5-18 (use your own Bible or use the link above to access the in-App Bible).

The healing of the lame man has caused consternation and uproar. The natural order and pattern of life have been disturbed, and leaders are unsettled. Something must be done. Arrest. Prison. A night in a cell. Comforts stripped away. Is Peter trembling and full of fear? No, when questioned by the authorities he speaks boldly and powerfully. His message is compelling. Salvation is found in Jesus. Healing and wholeness of life can be yours through the name of Jesus.

We might read this passage and think it has no relevance to our life today. But we’d be wrong. Look at the detail. ‘Peter filled with the Holy Spirit.’… ‘They saw the boldness of Peter and John…uneducated, common men…they had been with Jesus.’ The Holy Spirit is the power source. His filling and dwelling in these ordinary people just like you and I, gives us hope. We can do the same; we can pray for friends and neighbours to be healed, in the name of Jesus. God the healer longs to heal His children today. He yearns for all His children to walk in wholeness of life. It isn’t complicated, it doesn’t need long formula prayers: ‘In the name of Jesus Christ, be healed'.

The Holy Spirit overshadowing us can give us boldness to speak about Jesus to anyone, to family members, the person behind the checkout in the supermarket. What’s your story? How has Jesus met and changed you? Where has He healed you? What has he saved you from? Share your story. You don’t need a theology degree or be a communications expert you simply need to daily be with Jesus, filled with the Holy Spirit so that you can speak and pray with boldness and courage. God wants ordinary people everywhere to be filled with the Holy Spirit to do acts of kindness. After all what is more kind than being an instrument in the hand of God to help bring healing or salvation to someone just like you.

Let us pray: Spirit of the living God fall afresh on your people that we might see healings and salvations in our community today, Amen.