October 18, 2026 -- Day Eighteen of Joy: Acts 5:40-42

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

…and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.
Acts 5:40-42
 
Peter and the other apostles have changed so much. When you read of them in the Gospels, they are jockeying for positions of power, wanting to be first. After Jesus’ death, resurrection, ascension and then the pouring out of His Holy Spirit, they are emboldened to suffer for Jesus. Why would they rejoice after they’d been beaten? Here are some observations. By these beatings and their willingness to endure it:
~The Holy Spirit is by these hardships fixing their focus on Jesus
~The Holy Spirit is bringing them to the most influential people of that time and the apostles
  rather than crumbling with fear, are bold to speak the beautiful Name of Jesus
~The Holy Spirit is using their confidence in Jesus, even after enduring beatings, to convert the
  very people who used to oppose them (Acts 6:7)
~The Holy Spirit is confirming to the apostles the power of Jesus is greater than any throne or
   power or ruler so they rejoice in Jesus
~The Holy Spirit has given such glorious purpose to the apostles that no matter the hardship, the
  suffering or the persecution, lifting high the precious Name of Jesus is worth it all
~The Holy Spirit brought fruitfulness upon their labors for Jesus. They preached and taught even
  after that beating (and the many that follow) as you read Acts you realize many people who
  hear the apostles turn to Jesus Who is worthy of it all—all the pain and suffering—for His
  presence is greater blessing than even the lowest and worst suffering
 
I wonder, dear fellow believers, if we are too timid in our faith. (The correct response is, I think, “You bet we are! We are trembling mice!”) That would explain why we do not experience deep and true rejoicing despite suffering. If we are merely dabbling in our faith we will be locked in fear. When we plunge in fully with the confidence God shows up! Ah, that is the place of joy and gladness. What a glorious circumstance it is to be counted worthy to suffer for the Name of Jesus.
 
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your Name!
Lord Jesus, you declared “blessed are you when others revile you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on My account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven.” Who is like You, O Savior of the World, rescuing lost sinners, filling them with Your Spirit and rewarding such men and women with the splendor of being with You?! You are the source of our joy, the foundation of joy and the expectation of eternal joy.
Spirit of the Living God, You are worthy of all praise. Thank You for guarding this deposit of joy in us and for us. Amen.
 
https://youtu.be/jd_mDsrnmiY?si=LK2_2vQTnb0IG7Iz
 

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