Devotion
By what power have you done this?
David Jacobs
I was involved in a physical altercation between two strangers that ended up with me getting in a bit of legal trouble. I was walking home in a busy part of the city where I was living when I noticed a large crowd in front of me. Everyone was watching something, and as I grew closer, I could hear two persons shooting. Suddenly I could see what the commotion was about: a man and a woman were arguing about something, and it appeared that he had hit her several times. I did not know these people, and I, and everyone else around me, hoped that the man would stop considering so many people were watching. Unfortunately, he did not stop, and I could not watch it continue. I was physically much larger than the man, so I came up behind him and took him to the ground. I held him there until the police arrived, and they took him away. However, because I was involved in the dispute and the man said I had hurt him, I also had to go to the station.
In that story, I knew there was a chance that there would be repercussions for my physical actions against a stranger. Luckily nothing happened to me, but there was a possibility. In the verses above, Peter and John are justifiably upset: in chapter 4 of Acts, they are arrested for healing the hand of a beggar outside of the temple. The priests asked Peter and John, "by what power, or by what name, have ye done this?" (Acts 4:7) They had had enough of this situation, knowing that they had done no wrong, boldly exclaiming that they were devotees of Christ, the man who they had killed. After learning that they were Disciples of Christ, Peter and John were freed.
Everybody has their limits. We must consider the meaning of our limits, however, making sure that they are in line with the teachings of Christ. They may not always be in accordance with the laws of nations, but we must remain loyal and obedient to the most noble power of all: God.
Prayer
Lord my Heavenly Father, grant me the strength to carry forward your word to those who need it most. Help settle my boundaries in accordance with your word, so that I do not overstep and assume to know on your behalf. Forgive those that know not of your teachings, and give me the courage to stand in front of them, proclaiming that you are the one true God. Amen.
Night Prayer
And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.
Inspiration
We cannot surrender part of our lives to serve the Lord; we must surrender it all. We see multiple occurrences in the New Testament when Jesus says, 'follow me,' met with an excuse or other business that needed to be taken care of first. We like to think that, given the opportunity, we would follow immediately, but that may not be true. We put many earthly activities before the Lord. We make idols of technology, sports, and other activities or people. These secondary priorities cause us to wander away from the Lord instead of closer to Him. We must analyze our walk closely and remove all stumbling blocks that distract us from the Lord.
Prayer
Dear Lord, we want to serve You with all our hearts. Help us analyze our lives and remove stumbling blocks that slow our walk with You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.