Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable Your servants to speak Your word with great boldness.

-Acts 4:29

We all have those things we are afraid of: snakes, bugs or lizards.  Well, I don't have a lot of things on my "afraid of" list, but one thing on my list is heights. Every Christmas when it is time to put up Christmas lights, I often avoid the opportunity to get on the roof, because I don't want to fall off.  My knees knock, my palms get sweaty and I am a chicken when it comes to climbing on something higher than a 8 ft ladder.  As a matter of fact, putting up Christmas lights on the roof of the house can almost cause an emotional breakdown!

In the midst of the tensions and persecutions the early Christians faced, Peter, John and the other Christ followers prayed, "Lord, enable us to speak with boldness."  Inotherwords, help us press through our present circumstances and fears, and be confident You are with us.  We are not confident, so enable us to speak with freedom instead of cowering because of the potential outcomes associated with various fears.

This next week, each of us will be presented with opportunities to speak boldly about our Savior.  When those times arise, may we remember to be courageous in our witness.

Prayer:  Father, give us courage to speak about You with boldness. May we face our fears and understand that we can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens us. Give us a sensitivity to those around us, and help us to remain on call and available at all times.

- Pastor Sidney