FREEDOM40 - 40-Day Men’s Challenge to Live in FreedomSample

DAY 28

REFLECT + FOCUS

What gives believers courage, strength and joy - to face the most difficult circumstances, and even death?

It is the source of all courage Himself living in us - the Spirit of Christ - the Holy Spirit.

Today, this very day, many believers around the world will be persecuted and die for the name of Jesus. They will find a strength and grace well-up within them by the Holy Spirit that gives them courage, peace and joy - beyond anything humanly possible.

Remember the disciples, having been beaten and imprisoned for their faith - were rejoicing and worshiping Jesus. It brought about a harvest of souls! (see Acts 16:16-40)

Over the centuries, countless millions of believers have found courage and strength far beyond their own human ability - when they had to face trials or death for Christ.

Famous Christian martyr Dietrich Bonhoeffer was executed just before the end of WWII by the Nazis on April 9th, 1945. Rather than being fearful, he was full of joy, encouraging those who were left behind. The doctor, who had to witness the executions, remarked that he watched Bonhoeffer kneel and pray before being led to the gallows.

“I was most deeply moved by the way this lovable man prayed, so devout and so certain that God heard his prayer. At the place of execution, he again said a short prayer and then climbed the steps to the gallows, brave and composed… In the almost fifty years that I worked as a doctor, I have hardly ever seen a man die so entirely submissive to the will of God.”

We don’t have to worry whether or not we will have that courage in the time of testing - we need only to trust in His presence in us, and His promise that His grace will be sufficient in each and every situation.

SHOUT

As you declare today’s shout, thank God that the Holy Spirit in you is the same Spirit who is giving strength and courage to brothers and sisters who are facing persecution and death. Ask God to show you more!

We do not lose heart.
Our inner man is being renewed day by day.
2nd Corinthians four, sixteen

DISCOVERY BIBLE

Continue to discover God’s heart for us through His word to us today in Acts 16:16-40.

What is God showing you through this passage? Take notes and share some thoughts with your brothers, as you pray for one another.

(*Some Discovery Bible passages have been updated since the original. We add the previous passage for reference if you need: Acts 3:1-16)