Day 242 - Connected by Faith it is Stronger Than Blood: The Perseverance of Early Believers

Dec 16, 20232 min read

Each of us needs to understand the strength of faith. It is stronger than blood spilled in the pursuit of belief.

The believers' numbers continued to grow. When an Apostle walked by someone who was ill, God cured them. Many from nearby towns believed God was responsible for the healing and brought their sick to be healed.

Once again, the Sanhedrin were jealous, and they arrested the Apostles. God freed them and told them to continue teaching. Again, the Sanhedrin questioned them why they had disobeyed their instruction to stop teaching. Their response was one all should remember.

But Peter and the Apostles, answering, said, We have to do the orders of God, not of man. (Acts 5.29 Bible in Basic English (BBE))

They were flogged for their faith, but it did not stop their teaching and bringing the many, including you, to Christ. You and every believer are connected through devotion to the Apostle's teaching. Bound by faith, it is stronger than blood. Many suffered for you to believe.

Prayer:

Lord, I ask for your strength so that I, like the Apostles, may teach and bring many to you. Help me never forget that any sacrifice for this effort may not be immediately fruitful. Please help me to remember that faith is stronger than blood and anything other than you. Instead, remind me that my work is like a leaf blowing in the wind; I may never know where it will land and who it will impact, but it will land somewhere, in just the right place, with your prompting. I understand that no difficulty is too great with you as my foundation. Thank you, Lord, for the gift of faith, and Jesus, thank you for your sacrifice and redemption. Thank you, Apostles, for continuing to teach in the face of pain and ridicule so that I could believe. Holy Spirit, please guide my words and actions as the leaves of my efforts fly. I trust you know where they will land. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen