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Acts 4: Holy Boldness — Praying for Courage When Faith Is Tested | Daily Devotion Series · Growing Closer to God with Guided Meditation

• 0:04
  Pastor Robert Young: Today's meditation is coming from Acts chapter four.
• 0:08
  Pastor Robert Young: Acts chapter four reveals the first wave of persecution against the early church and the boldness of spirit-filled believers.
• 0:20
  Pastor Robert Young: After the healing of the lame man in chapter three, Peter and John are arrested by the priests and Sadducees for preaching the resurrection of Jesus.
• 0:35
  Pastor Robert Young: Despite opposition, the number of believers grow to about five thousand.
• 0:43
  Pastor Robert Young: Brought before the Sanhedrin, including Annas and Caiaphas, the apostles boldly declare that the man was healed by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom the leaders crucified, but God raised from the dead.
• 1:04
  Pastor Robert Young: Peter claims that salvation is found in no one else.
• 1:09
  Pastor Robert Young: Identifying Jesus as the rejected cornerstone, now exalted by God.
• 1:18
  Pastor Robert Young: Unable to deny the miracle, the council threatens them, but cannot punish them without upsetting the people.
• 1:29
  Pastor Robert Young: Peter and John respond that they must obey God rather than men, and cannot stop speaking about what they have seen and heard.
• 1:42
  Pastor Robert Young: Upon their release, the believers gather and pray, not for safety, but for boldness.
• 1:52
  Pastor Robert Young: God answers by shaking the place and filling them again with the Holy Spirit, empowering them to continue proclaiming the word with courage.
• 2:06
  Pastor Robert Young: The chapter ends with a picture of radical unity and generosity.
• 2:12
  Pastor Robert Young: The believers share everything in common, ensuring no one is in need.
• 2:19
  Pastor Robert Young: Barnabas is highlighted as an example, selling land and giving the proceeds to support the community.
• 2:31
  Pastor Robert Young: Let's take three minutes to reflect on the following question.
• 2:42
  Pastor Robert Young: Where is God inviting you to choose obedience over comfort and boldness over silence?
• 2:52
  Pastor Robert Young: Repeat this affirmation now and throughout your day.
• 5:58
  Pastor Robert Young: The Holy Spirit fills me with courage.
• 6:02
  Pastor Robert Young: I will speak, live, and love with boldness, trusting God more than the approval of people.
• 6:14
  Pastor Robert Young: Again, the Holy Spirit fills me with courage.
• 6:20
  Pastor Robert Young: I will speak, live, and love with boldness, trusting God more than the approval of people.
• 6:32
  Pastor Robert Young: A closing prayer.
• 6:42
  Pastor Robert Young: Heavenly Father, thank you for the courage you gave Peter, John, and the early church.
• 6:51
  Pastor Robert Young: Fill me with that same boldness today.
• 6:56
  Pastor Robert Young: Shake what needs to be shaken in my heart, and strengthen what needs to stand firm.
• 7:03
  Pastor Robert Young: Lord, teach me to obey you above all else, to speak your truth with love, and to live generously with others.
• 7:14
  Pastor Robert Young: Father, empower me by your spirit to be a witness of Jesus in every place you send me.
• 7:24
  Pastor Robert Young: Amen.