Recognized

And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness.

Acts 4:29-31 NLT

Confronted by the priests, the captain of the Temple guard, and some of the Sadducees, Peter and John had been thrown into prison for preaching the resurrection of the dead through Jesus Christ. How dare these ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures (vs 13) preach and teach and heal people with such boldness! A man who had been lame for 40 years - healed and whole, walking and talking and praising God. 

No special training - but they'd been with Jesus. (verse 13). And now they were filled with the Holy Spirit - bold and courageous, doing what Jesus did - preaching repentance and healing those who needed healing. Just like Jesus. 

Who are we hanging around? What rubs off on us from the people we hang with? Who are we spending our time with? Those influences are affecting the lives of those God has given us! Is it thus sayeth the Lord - or thus sayeth our current, favorite TV character? Think about it. Would we be recognized as having spent time with Jesus?

Prayer:

Father, 

          Forgive us for praying to get out of situations instead of trusting You for the strength and courage in the middle of it. Holy Spirit, rise up within us to give us boldness to speak Your Word wherever we find ourselves. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen