Caitlin M. Smith

While reading Acts chapter eight this past Friday, several things stuck out. The book of Acts is rather inspiring: people, filled with the Holy Spirit, following God with complete abandon. They don’t worry about pleasing people. They aren’t stopped by fear of torture or death. They know the truth, and that truth comes flowing out of them. As Peter and John said:

These men lived with fire for God burning inside of them. Where the Holy Spirit led, they followed. They didn’t stop to ask, “What if the people reject us?” They didn’t say, “Let’s wait until the crowd asks us about the Messiah.” Instead, they boldly declared what they saw and heard from Jesus.

The events in Acts are a good example of how God can use anyone. We don’t have to have a specific set of skills to advance His kingdom. Souls weren’t saved through Peter and John because they were extra special people. They were unschooled men, fully devoted to God. They believed in Jesus, obeyed His teachings, and had willing hearts. They accepted His call: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age,” (Matthew 28:19-20).

This prompts the following question: are we willing? Let’s be a people who says, “Yes Lord, where you lead, we will follow.” Perhaps we are nervous about what others will say when we share Jesus with them, but that is fear. Where fear is present, faith doesn’t flourish. No. It’s time for fear to leave, and faith to rise up in our hearts, igniting a fire that cannot be quenched until we can’t help but speak what we have seen and heard! When we allow passion for God to consume us, His love pours forth through our words and deeds. People will sense His presence in us, and what were once dry branches in the lives of the lost will catch fire for Jesus!

My prayer is for boldness. I want to share the good news of Jesus Christ to a lost and hungry world. I want His Holy Spirit to move so powerfully in me that I can’t help but boldly declare His wonderful deeds. I want God to use me and bring healing to the sick, restoration to the broken, love to the hurting, and salvation to the lost. He is the all-powerful God, and what He did in the Bible, He still does today.

I’m inspired by what God did through Philip in Acts 8:5-8.

Philip was obedient to the call of God, and God used him mightily. God healed and restored people through Him, bringing great joy to the city.

We might be nervous about how the message of God will be received, but we don’t need to be. Our approval doesn’t come from man. The approval of man will fade away with the treasures of this world. Our approval comes from God. We need to be obedient. People need Jesus. In Him is abundant love, hope, and joy. Let’s trust God and follow His guidance. He won’t lead us to a place where He hasn’t gone ahead and prepared the way. He will keep us in the palm of His hand. As it says in Romans 8:31, “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”

Now, let’s echo the words of the prophet Isaiah, when Lord asked, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” (Part of Isaiah 6:8)

Let’s respond, “Here we are. Send us!”

We don’t need to be the strongest, smartest, or the most qualified. With surrendered lives, and willing hearts, God can use us to change the world for Him. For it’s…”‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty,” (Zechariah 4:6b).

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