Acts 4 | Renewed Boldness

Monday: Read Acts 4:1-4
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Chapter four continues the story of Peter and John after they healed the lame man. The man, hoping for a donation, was surprised when Peter, speaking in faith, told him he didn’t have money to give, but what he did have was the power of God to heal him. Peter didn’t hesitate; he reached down, pulled the man up, and in that moment, the man was healed. As the crowd gathered, Peter and John didn’t hold back. They shared everything they had—testifying boldly about their witness to the resurrection of Jesus.

When we hear the word “generosity,” many people think of money, but generosity goes beyond just our finances. We can be generous with our time, talents, and treasure. While we don’t know exactly how long Peter and John spoke or how passionate they were, we can safely assume they gave all they had in that moment. They didn’t hold back from sharing what God had given them, and their obedience was a generous act of service to those around them. Reflecting on your own life, consider how you've been generous with what God has entrusted to you. Is there an area where God is calling you to step out in obedience and give generously? When we take that step of obedience, no matter the form, we are joining in the generous work of God, trusting that He will use it to bring healing, hope, and transformation.

Spiritual Practice: Generosity as an Act of Obedience

This discipline invites you to cultivate a heart of generosity, focusing not only on material resources but on the totality of what God has given you—time, talents, and testimony. Just as Peter and John shared boldly what they had, we are called to share freely what God has entrusted to us. The goal is to develop an obedient, generous lifestyle, reflecting God’s generosity in all areas of life.

1. Begin with Reflection – Ask God to show you areas where you have been holding back your time, talent, or treasure.
   
   

2. Commit to One Act of Generosity –Choose one specific action that aligns with your time, talent, or treasure. This step should push you slightly out of your comfort zone but also be a step of faith.
   
   

3. Obey in the Moment – Trust that God will provide opportunities to share.
   
   

4. Pray for Growth – Ask Him to continue to grow your heart of generosity and obedience, and for more opportunities to be a vessel of His love and grace to others.

Want to Dig Deeper?

Study: Galatians 6:9-10, Matthew 25:37-40, 1 Peter 4:10-11, 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, Acts 20:35

Tueday: Read Acts 4:5-12
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IGenerosity is not only reserved for believers but is exemplified by God Himself. In Acts 4, as Peter and John stood before authority figures, many would have felt intimidated. However, the key to this passage is found in verse 8: “Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit…” The Greek word for "filled" here indicates that Peter was completely full of the Spirit, empowered in a way that didn’t diminish after performing one miracle or spending an afternoon teaching. This wasn't a temporary boost; it was a continual infilling that equipped him to speak boldly.

When God calls His believers to step out in faith, it’s not meant to be done in their own strength, intellect, or willpower. God empowers His children to be fully filled with His Spirit, enabling them to face intimidating, impossible, and even insurmountable situations. Just as Peter was filled to the brim with the Spirit, we too can be encouraged that we are fully filled today. This isn’t just to modify our behavior but to experience transformation and live out faith-filled lives in His strength.

Spiritual Practice: Empowered Generosity

This practice encourages believers to live generously, relying on the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to step into acts of generosity and faith, even in difficult or intimidating situations.

1. Reflect on the Filling of the Spirit – Pray and ask God to empower you for generous acts with your time, talents, and resources.
   
   

2. Identify Opportunities for Generosity – Look for opportunities to give, whether through help, encouragement, or sharing your testimony, trusting God for courage.
   
   

3. Step Out in Faith – When you sense the Holy Spirit prompting you to give or serve, take that step, even if it feels intimidating. Know that God is empowering you for this act of generosity.
   
   

Reflect and Give Thanks – Reflect on your acts of generosity, thank God for His empowerment, and pray for strength to remain obedient and generous.

Want to Dig Deeper?

Study: John 14:16-17, Galatians 5:16-18, Matthew 7:7-8

Wednesday: Read Acts 4:13-22
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In Acts 4:8-11, Peter, empowered by the Holy Spirit, condensed the gospel into three verses, yet those who heard him were not recorded as being "cut to the heart," as the crowd was in Acts 2. Luke draws attention to two key things: the boldness of Peter and John, and the undeniable evidence of the miracle—the formerly lame man now walking. The group of men could not dismiss Peter’s testimony because the evidence was right in front of them.

This group of men can easily represent the world’s view of Christians—sometimes seen as foolish—but they can't deny the evidence of a transformed life. Be encouraged, people in your life who have yet to come to faith in Jesus may not be ready to hear what you have to say about the gospel, like the group of men, but they are watching you. They notice your boldness in faith, your growth, and the evidence of God's work in your life. You may not have experienced a miracle as dramatic as the lame man, but you have experienced miracles of God's provision, grace, and love—even in the everyday aspects of life that no one can deny. They may not be ready for your words, but the evidence of a life transformed from glory to glory will speak volumes to them. 

Spiritual Practice: Generosity in Daily Gratitude and Sharing

This practice emphasizes the importance of cultivating a lifestyle of generosity by being thankful for what God has done in your life and sharing that gratitude with others. Through simple acts of kindness and acknowledgment, you can reflect God’s love and provision, becoming a witness of His transformative power.

1. Start the Day with Thanksgiving: Acknowledge His provision, grace, and love, even in the small, mundane aspects of life. This sets your heart on a posture of gratitude, preparing you to share that generous spirit with others.

2. Look for Small Ways to Share Gratitude: This could be through a compliment, an encouraging word, or an act of service. Sharing your appreciation not only reflects God's love but also becomes a way to spread generosity to those around you.

3. Live with an Open Hand: Practice living with an open hand, ready to share whatever God has entrusted to you—whether that’s your time, resources, or talents. Trust that when you give generously, God will continue to fill you.

Want to Dig Deeper?

Study: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Luke 6:38, Colossians 3:15-17

Thursday: Read Acts 4:23-31
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In the book of Acts, God is addressed in many powerful ways—from “God of our Fathers” to “Judge of the Living and the Dead.” But have you ever paused to consider why, in the face of opposition, the disciples specifically chose to call Him “Sovereign Lord”? This title means the One who holds complete power and authority. When threatened by the religious elite, the early believers didn’t panic or rely on their own wisdom—they brought their concerns to the One who reigns over heaven and earth. Whether they believed the threats or not, their first response was to turn to the God who is in full control.

The disciples had deep confidence in the One who not only commanded them to go and make disciples but also empowered them to do so. They knew that to press forward, they would need boldness that only the Spirit of God could provide. That’s why they turned to the Sovereign Lord—to be filled with courage beyond their natural capacity. Is there anything in your life today that feels overwhelming or intimidating? Bring it to the God who holds all authority, and let His presence fill you with boldness to keep moving forward.

Spiritual Practice: Bold Dependence on God’s Sovereignty

This spiritual discipline invites you to respond to life’s pressures not with panic or self-reliance, but with a confident trust in the sovereignty of God. By identifying areas of fear or intimidation, anchoring yourself in Scripture, and taking intentional steps of faith, you learn to live boldly—not through your own strength, but through the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit.

• Name the Fear: Identify one area of your life where you feel overwhelmed, afraid, or hesitant to act in faith.

• Anchor in the Word: Choose a Scripture that reminds you of God’s power and authority (e.g., Acts 4:29, Isaiah 41:10). Meditate on it and let it reshape your perspective.

• Act in Obedience: Take one step of bold faith this week—whether it's speaking truth, showing up, or doing the hard thing—and trust God to fill you with courage.

Want to Dig Deeper?

Study: Psalm 56:3, Joshua 1:9, Isaiah 41:10, 2 Timothy 1:7

Friday: Read Acts 4:32-37
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Just days after Pentecost, the apostles were still in Jerusalem, surrounded by people who had traveled from all over Israel—people with different languages, backgrounds, and political leanings. And yet, Acts tells us that these thousands of new believers were of “one heart and one soul.” It’s a powerful reminder of what happens when the Holy Spirit unites people. Picture a concert where everyone sings in unison, or a stadium where strangers cheer for the same team, or even a community rallying after a tragedy—something shared brings people together. In the early church, the shared experience of the Holy Spirit did more than unify—it transformed their perspective on everything they owned.

The natural byproduct of that transformation was generosity. These believers didn’t see their possessions as their own but as resources to bless others. Some sold property, others gave what they had, but all contributed from a heart that had been moved by God. Not everyone gave the same amount, but everyone carried the same conviction: everything belongs to the Lord. Their generosity wasn’t forced—it flowed freely, because they believed they were simply giving back what wasn’t theirs to begin with. That same Spirit still works in us today. What would it look like for you to live with open hands, recognizing that your time, talent, and treasure are all gifts meant to be shared?

Spiritual Practice: Open Hands Open Heart

This practice helps you experience Spirit-led generosity by inviting you to be attentive, open, and obedient in one ordinary day.

• Step 1: Morning Surrender: Start your day with a quiet moment of surrender. Pray:
  “God, everything I have—my time, my words, my gifts, and resources—belongs to You. Help me live with open hands today. Make me aware of opportunities to give.”

• Step 2: Watch for the Nudge: As you go through your day, stay sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading. Look for one person you can bless—through your time, words, help, or giving.

• Step 3: Take the Step: When you sense that nudge, act on it. Offer it to God as worship, not performance.

Want to Dig Deeper?

Study: 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, Proverbs 11:25, 1 Peter 4:10, 1 Timothy 6:17-19