Day 13

How different would my life look if in my seasons of desperation I confidently knew it is HIM who rescues me?

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Scripture

“There is a lot that I love about this passage, but one of the first verses that sticks out to me is in verse 5. “Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him”. What was crazy to me was that after he was put in prison, then the angel was getting him out of prison, Peter had thought it was a vision. Then he realizes that it was not a vision, but that it was actually happening. The first thing he said was “now I know without a doubt that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me.” — Acts 12: 11

Observation

That word “earnestly” strikes me; “earnestly” means to do something with sincere and intense conviction. For the entire church to be praying earnestly, we solidify something about Peter that we learned in the previous chapters; and that is that Peter has majorly impacted the church, and that the church wants him with them. They weren’t just praying for Peter to be out of prison, they were earnestly praying because of the leader and the person that Peter was to them. The phrase “without a doubt” catches my attention. Without a doubt is a very bold statement, one that I don’t hear very often because of the weight it carries. However, the first thing Peter says when he realizes it isn’t a vision is “without a doubt the Lord saved me”. Peter has complete confidence that it was THE LORD who saved him, not his own self or the guards lack of paying attention, but it was the Lord.

Application

I want to lead like Peter led and have confidence in the Lord the way he did. Peter made his faith known, and he fervently wanted others to know Christ. When he was in prison everyone knew and everyone wanted him out because of who he was and how well he led. How can I lead like Peter led? What ways can I alter my life so that I become the kind of leader that others would earnestly pray for? Peter also shows me how deeply rooted his faith is, that instantly when he realizes that he is getting out of prison the night before his death sentence, he turns to the Lord and says “He has saved me”. How different would my life look if in my seasons of desperation I was able to confidently know it is HIM who rescues me- it is not me who rescues myself? What changes do I need to make so that I can confidently believe that it is the Lord who rescues me?

Prayer

“Jesus, I just thank you for the example that Peter is to us. Lord, he is such an example of how you call us to lead and live. Lord, I pray that through you I can become the kind of leader Peter was so that I can share the greatness of you like Peter did. I pray that you would lead the way for me in how I can lead others toward you. Lord, I also pray that I would be able to confidently trust in you and know that you are the one who rescues and saves. Lord, I pray that I can step out of my pride and fully acknowledge that I can’t save myself, but Lord you can save me. I pray that you will show me where you want me to lead, who you want me to lead, and how you want me to lead…and I pray that in leading I would confidently be turning to you knowing that the victories are YOURS not mine. Amen.”

Scripture

Get to a place where you can focus and read the daily Scripture passage several times. Take time to read and allow God to speak to you. Write down the one or two verses that stick out. Even consider rewriting the verse(s) in your own words.

Observation

Make a basic observation about the scripture you just read. What stood out? Was something repeated? What is the author trying to communicate? What does the Scripture passage teach you about God? What does it teach you about humanity?

Application

Ask, “What does this verse(s) mean for my life?” How might this verse affect your heart — how you feel? How does this verse challenge your thinking? How does it affect your will, asking, “What changes do I need to make in my life as a result of this passage of Scripture?”

Prayer

Write out a prayer to God. Scripture is God speaking to you, take this moment to speak back. Take a moment to say, “Thank you,” confess to Him what needs to change, or ask for something that is on your heart.