Chained but Free

Acts 5:17-19 (NIV) Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy.  They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail.  But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out.  

Nothing will stop God from accomplishing what He sets out to do.  Nothing will stop Him from chasing after us and drawing us into His presence. Evil men might try to stop Him, but they are foolish to think God's will can be thwarted. The Apostles' courage and determination was a product of their faith in God.

These chosen men experienced the wrath of the Jewish leaders, but that did not stop them.  Their mission was too great to allow a prison sentence to keep them from telling the world about Jesus. An angel of the LORD came and opened the jail doors.  God will send an angel to open the doors to our prison cell also.  What is it that has your heart in chains?

The Disciples carried out God's plan with obedience and continued to tell the story of Jesus. Because these men kept proclaiming the Gospel with boldness and courage that we know who Jesus is today. Their faithfulness has given us Light for the road we travel.  

The men who shared to story of Jesus did so at the risk of imprisonment and death. That did not stop them. After freeing them from jail, the angel of the Lord instructed them to, "Go, stand in the temple courts and tell the people the full message of this new life." 

I would like to think I would have such courage, but truly, the Holy Spirit was working in their hearts and giving them all they needed to keep on. Is there someone you are being prompted to tell the story to?  Is there someone one you know who needs the hope that only Jesus can give? All we are asked to do is to speak. The Holy Spirit will do the rest.

All we need to do is tell others our story, weave it into everyday conversation and let the Holy Spirit do the rest. That is what the Apostles did and look where we are today because of their obedience and faith.

Acts 5:17-26