The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus. Acts 4:13 (NLT)
Dear Lord Jesus, this simple story indicts and invites, convicts and compels my heart this morning. Two unschooled, ordinary fishermen named Peter and John were radically liberated, all because of their fresh, robust relationship with you.
Jesus, this story reminds me that doing the right things for you is not the same thing as spending life-giving time with you. Thinking great thoughts about you is not the same thing as current communion with you. Helping others understand the gospel is not the same thing as drinking deeply from the wellspring of living water for myself.
Jesus, fuel, renew, and delight my heart-relationship with you. May your beauty be tantalizing, your love be astonishing, and your peace center and settle the core of my soul. When I am with you, nothing else really matters—every problem assumes its right size, fears flee, worries shrink, hurts heal, anger melts, and hope grows.
Because who or what do I have in heaven but you, Jesus? You make heaven heavenly and glory glorious. Being with you, my lusts are tamed and my idols fall. Absolutely nothing else thrills and satisfies my soul like you do. My flesh and my heart will grow weaker, but you are the strength of my heart—my portion, banquet, and inheritance forever. It is good, and it is enough, for me to be close to you—my sovereign Savior and my loving refuge. So very Amen I pray, in your incomparable and compassionate name.
