HUMAN PREDICTIONS are snapshots of a certain time—but ‘the best way to predict the future is to choose it’ – Abraham Lincoln.
David took a stand when he stood up to fight Goliath. (1 Samuel 17:45-46)
Rahab chose her future when she hid the spies. (Joshua 2:1-21)
You must choose your future.
The Narrative
IT GOT into King Herod’s head to go after some believers. So he murdered James, John’s brother and arrested some brethren.
When he noticed that the Jewish leaders were pleased with him, he arrested Peter during the Unleavened Bread Festival.
Herod put four squads of four soldiers on him, so he will not escape. He planned to kill him after the Passover.
However, when Peter was under heavy guard in prison, the church prayed for him strenuously. (Acts 12:1-5)
Stephen had been martyred in the hands of an incited crowd, and his death was painful. (Acts 7:54-60)
They were not going to sit and watch another brother put to death—and so, they cried out to God.
BEFORE NOW, the apostles and the three thousand believers had continued in the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship to the breaking of bread and prayer (Acts 2:41-42).
At a point, the Jewish leaders threatened Peter and John. When they returned to their company, they prayed that God would give them boldness to preach his word, heal and perform won
ders in the name of Jesus (Acts 4:29-30).
What they did with ease, they did with diligence.
The brethren knew that prayer changes things—they predicted the future because they chose it in worship.
You must pray your future into existence—the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much (James 5:16).
HAVE YOU noticed that every gym has fixed footage but unlimited membership?
Some people buy gym membership but never set a foot there.
Others purchase workout equipment and never use them.
It is a case of commitment versus contribution.
Many would have believed when Peter shared the word on the day of Pentecost, but only three thousand made the commitment and stood by it.
You cannot say, I do without first saying goodbye!
What they did with ease, they did with diligence
EVERY BROKENNESS begins with a conviction—for, with the heart, man believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation (Romans 10:10).
We cannot change things with our ideas but our convictions.
The disciples occupied a place of prayer because they knew that faithful is he who has promised, and he will do it.
ON THE night before Peter’s execution, he was asleep and chained in a room full of soldiers.
A bright light filled the room. The angel of the Lord tapped him on the side and woke him up.
Get up quickly, and the chains fell off his wrist.
Peter thought that he was dreaming or having a vision until they passed the first and second guard.
The gates flung open—and he was alone. Peter knew that God had come to his rescue.
You may stand alone before your challenge, but you are not alone. Even when you cannot see God, he is there.
The Lord is near to them who call upon him in truth. He fulfils the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them (Psalm 145:18-19).
PETER RUSHED to the house of Mary, and a large crowd was there praying for him.
When Rhoda, a maid, heard his voice, she knew it was Peter.
But when she said, “Our prayers are answered. Peter is at the gate,” they said that she was by herself.
Prayer is an answer to answered prayer. You have not because you ask not (James 4:2).
It is a discipline with the screws that are sometimes loosé.
But in their case, they prayed earnestly and consistently.
And Peter continued to knock until they opened. When they saw him, they were surprised.
They were praying for his release, yet, when he appeared, they didn’t believe it.
BRINGING IT TOGETHER
ANY TRUTH in the scripture that you engage commits God to perform.
They understood that hope in Christ is the metaphor for troubled times.
If you are expecting things to change, you must do the following:
Have a conviction in Christ
Trust in the Lord
Pray diligently
Be expectant