Evening Scripture

Acts, Chapter 4
The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand.

The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family. They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. Jesus is

“‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. “What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign, and we cannot deny it. But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.”

Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened. For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old.

On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:

“‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed one.’

Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.

Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.

Evening Reflection 

Not long after Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, His disciples were hidden away in a locked room – fearing that they were next to be arrested. Then Jesus suddenly came to them, speaking words of peace over them. Jesus told them that he was sending them out into the world in His name. In other words, to get out of hiding and go. But now they knew they were not alone. Now they knew that he was with them and would be no matter what happened. 

Suddenly, the disciples were encouraged and emboldened. Peter delivered the first-ever gospel sermon. Then, with new boldness and courage, Peter and John headed to the temple to preach again. We have to be amazed that this was the very same Peter who, only a short time before, had denied even knowing Jesus three times. But courage and confidence were now his. Sometimes, for us, such boldness is a difficult thing. Maybe we’re a bit more reserved – after all, Peter was always brash and outspoken. We feel like that is not our gift. But we don’t have to be as bold as Peter to be bold in our own ways. We can each find our own boldness – not from within, but from the One who delivers our peace and our strength and our courage. 

Let’s face it, sometimes it is all too easy to be silent about our faith when we know we should speak out. When we see someone – even someone we don’t know – who needs a prayer or help. Maybe it’s a neighbor who is not a believer. Or a cashier at the market. Let us find a degree of boldness – maybe not like Peter – but a peace that passes understanding to not be shy about who we are and in whom we have placed our faith. We should remember that Jesus offers us the same assurance and peace he offered the disciples. No matter who we are. No matter our personalities. We can count on him always to give us the strength we need to be bold for Him.

Evening Prayer

Sovereign Lord,
As you did for those early disciples, please give me the strength and courage to be bold for you.  As you did then, Father, send your Holy Spirit to give me the words and the boldness to always live my life for your kingdom and for your glory.
Amen.

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Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.

Evening Scripture
Acts, Chapter 4 The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people.&nbsp;They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.&nbsp;They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail&nbsp;until the next day.&nbsp;But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew&nbsp;to about five thousand.
The next day the rulers,&nbsp;the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem.&nbsp;Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas,&nbsp;John, Alexander and others of the high priest&rsquo;s family.&nbsp;They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: &ldquo;By what power or what name did you do this?&rdquo;
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit,&nbsp;said to them: &ldquo;Rulers and elders of the people!&nbsp;If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame&nbsp;and are being asked how he was healed,&nbsp;then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,&nbsp;whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead,&nbsp;that this man stands before you healed.&nbsp;Jesus is
&ldquo;&lsquo;the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.&rsquo;
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.&rdquo;
When they saw the courage of Peter and John&nbsp;and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men,&nbsp;they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.&nbsp;But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say.&nbsp;So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin&nbsp;and then conferred together.&nbsp;&ldquo;What are we going to do with these men?&rdquo;&nbsp;they asked. &ldquo;Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign,&nbsp;and we cannot deny it.&nbsp;But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.&rdquo;
Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.&nbsp;But Peter and John replied, &ldquo;Which is right in God&rsquo;s eyes: to listen to you, or to him?&nbsp;You be the judges!&nbsp;As for us, we cannot help speaking&nbsp;about what we have seen and heard.&rdquo;
After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people&nbsp;were praising God&nbsp;for what had happened.&nbsp;For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old.
On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them.&nbsp;When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God.&nbsp;&ldquo;Sovereign Lord,&rdquo; they said, &ldquo;you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.&nbsp;You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:
&ldquo;&lsquo;Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth rise up&nbsp;and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed one.&rsquo;
Indeed Herod&nbsp;and Pontius Pilate&nbsp;met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus,&nbsp;whom you anointed.&nbsp;They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.&nbsp;Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.&nbsp;Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders&nbsp;through the name of your holy servant Jesus.&rdquo;
After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken.&nbsp;And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit&nbsp;and spoke the word of God&nbsp;boldly.
All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.&nbsp;With great power the apostles continued to testify&nbsp;to the resurrection&nbsp;of the Lord Jesus. And God&rsquo;s grace&nbsp;was so powerfully at work in them all&nbsp;that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them,&nbsp;brought the money from the sales&nbsp;and put it at the apostles&rsquo; feet,&nbsp;and it was distributed to anyone who had need.
Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas&nbsp;(which means &ldquo;son of encouragement&rdquo;),&nbsp;sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles&rsquo; feet.
Evening Reflection&nbsp;
Not long after Jesus&rsquo; crucifixion and resurrection, His disciples were hidden away in a locked room &ndash; fearing that they were next to be arrested. Then Jesus suddenly came to them, speaking words of peace over them. Jesus told them that he was sending them out into the world in His name. In other words, to get out of hiding and go. But now they knew they were not alone. Now they knew that he was with them and would be no matter what happened.&nbsp;
Suddenly, the disciples were encouraged and emboldened. Peter delivered the first-ever gospel sermon. Then, with new boldness and courage, Peter and John headed to the temple to preach again. We have to be amazed that this was the very same Peter who, only a short time before, had denied even knowing Jesus three times. But courage and confidence were now his. Sometimes, for us, such boldness is a difficult thing. Maybe we&rsquo;re a bit more reserved &ndash; after all, Peter was always brash and outspoken. We feel like that is not our gift. But we don&rsquo;t have to be as bold as Peter to be bold in our own ways. We can each find our own boldness &ndash; not from within, but from the One who delivers our peace and our strength and our courage.&nbsp;
Let&rsquo;s face it, sometimes it is all too easy to be silent about our faith when we know we should speak out. When we see someone &ndash; even someone we don&rsquo;t know &ndash; who needs a prayer or help. Maybe it&rsquo;s a neighbor who is not a believer. Or a cashier at the market. Let us find a degree of boldness &ndash; maybe not like Peter &ndash; but a peace that passes understanding to not be shy about who we are and in whom we have placed our faith. We should remember that Jesus offers us the same assurance and peace he offered the disciples. No matter who we are. No matter our personalities. We can count on him always to give us the strength we need to be bold for Him.
Evening Prayer
Sovereign Lord, As you did for those early disciples, please give me the strength and courage to be bold for you. &nbsp;As you did then, Father, send your Holy Spirit to give me the words and the boldness to always live my life for your kingdom and for your glory. Amen.
Want More?
If tonight&rsquo;s episode blessed you, be sure to <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-nightly-scripture/id1896272962">follow the show</a> so your next nightly scripture is ready when you are.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION&reg;. NIV&reg;. Copyright &copy; 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by <a href="https://www.biblica.com/">Biblica</a>. All rights reserved worldwide.

Your Nightly Scripture — 260-Day Bible Reading Plan for Peaceful Sleep is a calming, Scripture-centered devotional podcast designed to help you end each day with God’s Word. Brought to you by BibleStudyTools.com, this 5-day-a-week Bible reading plan features carefully selected passages from across the Bible, paired with slow, reflective devotionals and gentle evening prayers.

Perfect for bedtime listening, each episode is read at a peaceful pace with natural pauses to create a quiet, meditative experience that helps you rest, reflect, and draw closer to God. From Psalms and Proverbs to the Gospels and beyond, this year-long journey includes special Easter and Christmas readings, guiding you through the story of Scripture with hope, peace, and spiritual renewal.

Your Nightly Scripture &mdash; 260-Day Bible Reading Plan for Peaceful Sleep is a calming, Scripture-centered devotional podcast designed to help you end each day with God&rsquo;s Word. Brought to you by BibleStudyTools.com, this 5-day-a-week Bible reading plan features carefully selected passages from across the Bible, paired with slow, reflective devotionals and gentle evening prayers.
Perfect for bedtime listening, each episode is read at a peaceful pace with natural pauses to create a quiet, meditative experience that helps you rest, reflect, and draw closer to God. From Psalms and Proverbs to the Gospels and beyond, this year-long journey includes special Easter and Christmas readings, guiding you through the story of Scripture with hope, peace, and spiritual renewal.

Your Nightly Scripture

Finding Boldness Through Faith (Acts 4)

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/1c1b5b8e-4303-479f-b418-b485013ab367/transcript