INSIDE
THE STORMS: herod’s dungeon
“THE NIGHT
BEFORE HEROD WAS TO BRING HIM TO “TRIAL”, PETER WAS SLEEPING
BETWEEN TWO SOLDIERS, BOUND WITH TWO CHAINS, AND SENTRIES STOOD GUARD AT THE
ENTRANCE...” (ACTS 12:6 niV).
*
Peter was locked down inside a DARK dungeon. He was going to be beheaded the following morning in front of a bunch of enemies. And, of all things, he went to SLEEP. What was Peter’s SECRET of PEACE and
CONTENTMENT as he sleeps between two soldiers “WAITING” for his trial? Did he
know what Paul SAID? “…[Had Peter]...
learned to be content whatever the circumstances. [Did Peter know]… what it ,,,[was]... to
be in need, and …what it ...[was]...to have plenty... [Had Peter]… learned the secret of being content in any and every situation,
whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want…”
Philippians 4:11-12 NIV).
All of God’s people are
encouraged by Apostle Paul to“…BE
PEACEFUL and CONTENT. “...God has said “Never will
I leave you; never will I
forsake you…” (Hebrews 13:5 NIV). “... BE STRONG and of good courage,
FEAR NOT, “NOR” BE
AFRAID of them (problems,
issues, evil people, trials, tribulations, concerns, divorces, or any of life’s sudden
stresses, etc.): for the Lord thy God, he it is that DOETH GO with thee; he SHALL NOT FAIL thee; “NOR”
FORSAKE thee...”
(Deuteronomy 31:6 KJV).
No matter what God’s
people FACE, they can FACE it with Christ who PROMISES to strengthen them. “…[They]… can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth
[them]….” (Philippians 4:13 KJV). The indwelling Holy Spirit EMPOWERS them“…to be strengthened (empowered) with might by his Spirit in the inner man…” (Ephesians
3:16 KJV). THEY “…can do
all things through Christ which
strengtheneth (empowers) [THEM]….”
(Philippians 4:13 KJV. “….Apart
from [jesus], [they]… can do nothing…” (John 15:5
NIV).
“…[It is]...the God of PEACE … that
great Shepherd of the sheep...[who will]... equip (empower) [his people]…
with everything good for doing his will, and may he
work IN [his people]… what
is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to
whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). “…according
to the POWER that worketh IN [god’s people]…”
(Ephesians 3:20 KJV). “…HE WHICH HATH “BEGUN” A GOOD “WORK”
IN [his people]… “WILL” “PERFORM” IT “UNTIL” the day of Jesus Christ…”
(Philippians 1:6 KJV).
WHY WILL GOD DO THESE THINGS FOR “HIS”
PEOPLE?“…[God] … careth for [them]…
(1 Peter 5:7 KJV). “…I … will comfort them and give them joy for their sorrow…” (Jeremiah 31:13 NASB). “…You,
O Lord, have helped me and comforted me…”
(Psalms 86:17 NASB). “…This is my comfort in my
affliction, That Your word has revived me…” (Psalms 119:50 NASB). “…O may Your lovingkindness comfort me, According to Your word to Your servant…” (Psalms 119:76 NASB). “..The Lord has comforted
His people And will have compassion on His
afflicted…” (Isaiah 49:13 NASB). “…For the Lord has comforted His people…” (Isaiah 52:9 NASB). “… Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death…”
(Genesis 24:67 NASB). “…All his (Jacob) sons and all his daughters arose
to comfort him…”
(Genesis 37:35 NASB). “…So he comforted them and spoke kindly to them…”
(Genesis 50:21 NASB). “…I have found favor in your
sight, my lord, for you have comforted me and
indeed have spoken
kindly to your maidservant…” (Ruth 2:13 NASB). “…David comforted his wife Bathsheba, and went in to her and lay
with her…” (1 Samuel 12:24 NASB). “…Ephraim mourned many days, and his relatives came to comfort him…” (1
Chronicles 7:22 NASB). “…Then all his
brothers and all his (Job) sisters …they consoled him and comforted him...” (Job 42:11 NASB). “…Blessed
are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted…” (Matthew 5:4 NASB). “…They took away the boy alive (healed), and were
greatly comforted…” (Acts 20:12 NASB).
Going through situations and circumstances
can ROCK and SHAKE the strongest of God’s people. When they’ve done ALL they do
to STAND, sometime STANDING can become challenging. “…I will instruct [them] and teach [them] in the way which [they] shalt
go: I will guide [them] with mine eye…” (Psalms 32:8 KJV). “…The
Lord helps them, …”
(Psalms 37:40 NLT). “…Blessed are those
who wait for his help…” (Isaiah 30:18 NLT). “…The Lord who made you and helps you …” (Isaiah 44:2 NLT). “… The
Sovereign Lord helps
me…” (Isaiah 50:7 NLT). “… The
Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness…” (Romans 8:26 NLT). “…You
are my helper and my savior…”
(Psalms 40:17 NLT). “…He
guided them …with a pillar of cloud, and … with a pillar of fire. …” (Exodus 13:20-22 NLT).
However, the story of Peter, sleeping, PEACEFULLY and CONTENTLY, between two soldiers was written for
ENCOURAGEMENT so that God’s people, TODAY, might continue to HOPE in his
promises through the STORMS of life! “…For whatsoever things were
written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope”
(Romans 15:4 KJV). “Now
all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come...” (1
Corinthians 10:11 KJV).
God’s people can have HOPE, as they
continue to trust in and depend upon the ALMIGHTY God, to cause ALL THINGS to
work together for their personal GOOD. “...ALL
THINGS work together for good …” (ROMANS 8:28 KJV).
God’s people are
empowered by indwelling PEACE and
CONTENTMENT while they WAIT upon the LORD, during the trials and tribulations
in life, that often come to disturb them with physical fear, fatigue,
anxiousness, and overwhelming concern about what their future will become. “…The plans [God
has]…for you… [are]… plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future...” (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV).
“…I am leaving you with a GIFT
- peace of mind
and heart...” (John 14:27 KJV). “…letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and
peace. …” (Romans
8:1-14 NLT). “…The fruit of the [invisible indwelling
Holy]… Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness,
faith, Meekness, temperance…”
(Galatians 5:22-23 KJV). “...The Holy
Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives…”
(Galatians 5 NLT). “…Ye shall know them
by their fruit…” (Matthew 7:16 KJV).
God-given PEACE is a BESTOWED GIFT “…I am leaving you
with a GIFT—peace of
mind and heart...” (John 14:27 KJV). “…The God of hope fill
you with all joy and peace in believing…”
(Romans 15:13 NASB). “…the God of peace…” (1 THESSALONIANS 5:23
NASB). “…What do you have
that God hasn’t given you?...”
(1 Corinthians 4:7 NLT).
“…The
Kingdom of God is …a matter of … living a life of goodness and peace and joy
in the Holy Spirit…” (Romans 14:17 NLT).
“..I have told you all this so that you may
have PEACE IN ME. Here
on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have OVERCOME the
world…” (John 16:33 NLT).
INSIDE Peter’s STORM he slept
double-chained between two of Herod’s soldiers in a prison which was
a dungeon. There was several other quads of guards stationed outside of the
dungeon, at the iron gate, which was securely fastened to hinder any attempt to
escape. “No weapon that is formed against thee shall
prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee
in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is
the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD”
(Isaiah 54:17 KJV). “…What
then shall we say to these things? If God is
for us, who is against us? ... …”
(Romans 8:31-39 NASB). “…Who...[or
what]... will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or
famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? …”
(Romans 8:31-39 NASB). “ ... [NO] … [NOTHING] …will be
able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus
our Lord…” (Romans 8:31-39 NASB).
“For I know the thoughts that I think
toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not
of evil, to
give you an expected end”
(Jeremiah 29:11 KJV). “…He will keep you strong to the end…” (1
Corinthians 1:8 NLT). “…Not that we are
sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God…” (2
Corinthians 3:5 KJV).
The following morning, Peter would face
trial, which would result in his death. Yet Peter slept peacefully in the
trusting hands of God, the Holy Spirit,
depending upon his love and promises while his fellow sisters and brothers
prayed through the night for him. “...the
church was earnestly praying to God for him...” (Acts
12:5 NIV). “…I am leaving you
with a GIFT - peace of
mind and heart...”
(John 14:27 KJV). “…letting the Spirit
control your mind leads to life and peace. …” (Romans
8:1-14 NLT).
God gave Peter PEACE and desired for him to rest, sleep and NOT to worry. “….God is leading you away from danger …to a place free from distress. He is
setting your table with the best food. But you are
obsessed with whether the godless will be judged. Don’t
worry, judgment and justice will be
upheld…” (Job 36:16-21 NLT). “...he giveth his
beloved sleep...” (Psalms 127:2 KJV). “…The LORD (the indwelling Spirit) “WILL” accomplish (take care
of)…that which concerns [you]…” (John 14:31 NASB). “…God is the one who provides …”
(2 Corinthians 9:10-13 KJV). “…God will generously PROVIDE all you need (INCLUDING “HIS”
PEACE during the STORMS of life)…” (2 Corinthians 9:8 NLT).
One of the reasons Christ died upon the
cross was to SECURE our PEACE. “…He [was] wounded for our transgressions,
[he was] bruised for our iniquities: the
chastisement of our peace
[was] upon him; and with his stripes we are healed (freed from WORRY, FEAR,
SHAME, etc.)…” (Isaiah 53:5 KJV). “...Peace I leave with you...” (John 14:27 NIV). .“...my peace I give unto you...” (John 14:27
NIV).
“...my peace
...not as the world giveth, give I unto you. ...[Therefore,]... let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid...” (John
14:27 NIV).
Getting back to imprisoned Peter, we see
him in a dungeon, restrained and chained between two soldiers, behind securely
fastened iron gates, waiting for his morning trial, which would, under normal
circumstances, end in his death. Peter was guilty for being holy, living
righteous, and belonging to the church (body of Christ). “...It was about this
time that King Herod arrested some who
belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. He
had James, the brother of John, put to
death with the sword. When he saw that this met
with approval among the Jews, he
proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Festival of
Unleavened Bread. After
arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four
squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to
bring him out for public trial after the Passover. So Peter was kept in prison...” (Acts 12:1-5 NIV).
INSIDE the STORMS of life, INSIDE the
frightening situations we face, INSIDE the wearisome PROCESS of tribulations,
INSIDE the dungeon, INSIDE the prison, what can CALM the troubled, human heart?
GOD’s indwelling PEACE. “...Peace I
leave with you...” (John 14:27 NIV). .“...my peace
I give unto you...” (John 14:27 NIV). “...my peace
...not as the world giveth, give I unto you. ...[Therefore,]... let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid...” (John
14:27 NIV).
“…He that is joined (fused) unto the Lord is
ONE SPIRIT…” (1
Corinthians 6:17 KJV). “…God
has sent forth the Spirit of His Son “INTO” OUR HEARTS…”
(Galatians 4:6 NASB). “…Christ [the Word
of God, is]…in you …”
(Colossians 1:27 KJV). “…THE WORDS THAT I
SPEAK unto you … they ARE spirit…” (John
6:63 KJV). “…The
Spirit of God dwell[s]… in you…” (Romans 8:9 KJV). “…The
fruit of the SPIRIT is love... peace…”
(Galatians 5:22-23 KJV). “…The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness,
and self-control….”
(Galatians 5 NLT). “… [God’s] …Holy
Spirit …is the SOURCE [of PEACE]…”
(1
Corinthians 12: 4-11 NLT). “…It is God who
works ... [peace]... IN YOU…”
(Philippians 2:13 NIV). “…May …God … work in … [you, his peace, which] … is pleasing to him, through
Jesus Christ…”
(Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). “…The Holy Spirit produces this kind ...peace…” (Galatians 5 NLT).
INSIDE the
STORMS of life, INSIDE the frightening situations we face, INSIDE the wearisome
PROCESS of tribulations, INSIDE the dungeon, INSIDE the prison, GOD’s indwelling PEACE is ABLE to CALM the
troubled, human heart that has been fiercely disturbed with the terrors of
processing through difficult trials and tribulations. “...my peace ...give I unto you … [Christ [the Word of God, is]…in
you] ... [Therefore,]... let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid...” (John
14:27 NIV & Colossians 1:27 KJV).
INSIDE the
STORMS of life, INSIDE the frightening situations we face, INSIDE the wearisome
PROCESS of tribulations, INSIDE the dungeon, INSIDE the prison; GOD’s HELPS
when, his people, find themselves in the LION DENS, FIERY FURNACES, JOB
TRADEGIES, and PETER DUNGEONS of life. “…He helps me…”
(Psalms 28:7 NLT). “…The Lord who made
you and helps you says: Do not be afraid …my servant …my chosen one…” (Isaiah
44:2 NLT). “… The Holy Spirit helps
us in our weakness…” (Romans
8:26 NLT). “…You are my helper and my
savior…” (Psalms 40:17 NLT).
“..Therefore
come boldly unto the throne of GRACE, that [you]… may obtain mercy, and find GRACE to help in time of need…”
(Hebrews 4:16 KJV). He
will “…strengthened [you]… with
might by his Spirit in the
inner man…”
(Ephesians 3:16 KJV). “… [He will
strengthen you]…according to the POWER
that worketh IN [YOU]…” (Ephesians 3:20 KJV). “… God … work[s] … in … [you] … what is
pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). “…the Father... [that DWELLS within YOU]… he doeth the works…”(John 14:10 KJV).
“...my peace ...give I unto you …
[Christ [the Word of God, is]…in
you] ... [Therefore,]... let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid...” (John
14:27 NIV & Colossians 1:27 KJV).
INSIDE the
STORMS of life, INSIDE the frightening situations we face, INSIDE the wearisome
PROCESS of tribulations, INSIDE the lion’s den, INSIDE the fiery furnace,
INSIDE Job’s tragedies, INSIDE the dungeon, INSIDE the prison - GOD ASSURES his
people, through his WORD, through other Christian Warriors, and through the
PRAYERS of the SAINTS - he is the GREAT DELIVERER!
The WORD
says: “...ALL THINGS work
(PROCESS) together for good (overwhelming victory) to them (the redeemed; God’s
people) that love God, to them who
are the called
(purposely chosen by God, the Holy Spirit) ACCORDING
TO HIS PURPOSE…” (ROMANS 8:28 KJV).
God will SEND Christian Warriors that will
encourage and build you up: “... Therefore encourage one another and build each
other up, just as in fact you are doing...” (1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV).
God empowers the CHURCH to
pray for you: “...the
church was earnestly praying to God for him. (Peter)...”
(Acts 12:5 NIV).
God sent his WORD to speak to HIS
people: “…These things I
have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye
shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world…”
(John 16:33 KJV). “...Peace I leave with you...” (John 14:27
NIV).
.“...my peace
I give unto you...” (John 14:27 NIV). “...my peace
...not as the world giveth, give I unto you. ...[Therefore,]... let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid...” (John
14:27 NIV).
The WORD, CHRISTIAN WARRIORS,
and the PRAYING church strengthens, the WEARY, and assures them God, the HOLY
SPIRIT, is the GREAT DELIVERER, who will FIGHT for them!
“…Your rock and Your fortress,
your deliverer,
Your GOD ...in whom [you can] … take refuge; Your
shield and
the horn of Your salvation, YOUR
stronghold.…" (Psalms 18:3 NASB). “…He helps me…”
(Psalms 28:7 NLT). . “…If God is
for us, who is against us? ... …”
(Romans 8:31-39 NASB). “...No weapon that is formed
against thee shall prosper...” (Isaiah 54:17 KJV).
“...God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help
in times of trouble. So we
will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains
crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge! A river brings joy to
the city of our God, the sacred home of the Most High.
God dwells in that city (God dwells in his people); it cannot
be destroyed. From the very break of day, God will protect
it. The nations are in chaos, and
their kingdoms crumble! God’s voice thunders, and the earth melts! The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the
God of Israel is our fortress. Come, see the glorious works of the Lord: See how he brings destruction upon the
world. He causes wars to end throughout the earth.
He breaks the bow and snaps the spear; he burns the shields with fire. “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be honored
by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the
God of Israel is our fortress...” (Psalms 46 NLT).
“….Then you will know that I
am the Lord your God…’”
(Exodus 16:12 NLT).
INSIDE the
STORMS of life, INSIDE the frightening situations we face, INSIDE the wearisome
PROCESS of tribulations, INSIDE the lion’s den, INSIDE the fiery furnace,
INSIDE Job’s tragedies, INSIDE the dungeon, INSIDE the prison – though you may
FEEL anxious, though you may not know where you are going or what will happen;
TRUST and DEPEND upon God to continue to DIRECT your steps.
“…Trust in (DEPEND
UPON) the Lord with all thine
heart; and lean not unto
(DON’T DEPEND UPON) thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge
him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV). “…The LORD will accomplish (take care of)…that
which concerns [you]…” (John 14:31 NASB). “…The steps of a good man
(woman) are ordered (DIRECTED) by the Lord: …” (Psalms 37:23 KJV). “… THE LORD … is Your rock and Your
fortress, your deliverer…” (Psalms 18:3 NASB).
“…BY THE WORD of the Lord [YOU
are delivered from ALL trials and tribulations with OVERWHELMING victory] …”
(Psalms 33:6 NASB). “... Here on earth you will have
many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I
have overcome the world..." (John 16:44 NLT).
“...Let
not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid...” (John 14:27
KJV). “...we must [go]...through much tribulation [to]...enter into the kingdom of God...” (Acts 14:22 KJV). “...despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved
us...” (Romans 8:37 NLT).
“...It was about this time that King Herod
arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. He had
James, the brother of John, put to death
with the sword. When he saw that this met with
approval among the Jews, he proceeded to
seize Peter also. This happened during the Festival of Unleavened Bread.
After arresting him, he
put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four
soldiers each. Herod intended to
bring him out for public trial after the Passover. So Peter was kept in prison...” (Acts 12:1-5 NIV).
“THE NIGHT BEFORE HEROD WAS TO BRING HIM TO “TRIAL”,
PETER WAS SLEEPING BETWEEN TWO SOLDIERS, BOUND
WITH TWO CHAINS, AND SENTRIES STOOD GUARD AT THE ENTRANCE. (ACTS 12:6 niV).
Peter, through the Word, through other
Christian Warriors, and through the Praying Church, entrusted himself to God.
Only God could help him OVERCOME every PROBLEM he faced. “...Let not your heart be troubled, neither let
it be afraid...” (John 14:27 KJV). “... Here on earth you will have
many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I
have overcome the world..." (John 16:44 NLT).
Peter was INSIDE or in the MIDST of a
TROUBLESOME TRIAL where he had been arrested, put into prison or the dungeon,
was double-chained between two of Herod’s soldiers, was securely fastened
behind iron gates, he had quads of guards watching over him, and he was facing
a pending trial that threatened to lead to his death by the sword, “...We must [go]...through much tribulation [to]...enter into the
kingdom of God...” (Acts 14:22 KJV).
“...despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours (and Peter’s) through Christ, who loved us
(and him)...” (Romans 8:37 NLT).
Peter’s VICTORY represents
the FAVOR of God upon the lives of HIS PEOPLE, which REVEALS God’s love and
desire to show his GLORY (presence, goodness, and power) to them! “…the Lord loves His
people …” (2
Chronicles 2:11 NASB). “...Be still, and know that I am God ... the God of
Israel is our fortress (defense, stronghold, place of protection, etc.).” (Psalms 46
NLT). “…BLESSINGS
are on the head of the righteous…”
(Proverbs 10:6 NASB). “…You
surround [your people] ... WITH
FAVOR as with a shield…”
(Psalms 5:12 NASB). “...overwhelming
victory is ours (and Peter’s) through
Christ, who loved us (and him)...” (Romans
8:37 NLT).
“…I’ve also
done it … so you will know that I am the Lord…” (Exodus 10:1-2 NLT). “…your deliverer…” (Psalms 18:3 NASB). “…For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning…” (Romans
15:4 KJV).
Peter was able to SEE, with his OWN eyes,
the GLORY (God’s presence, goodness, and power) of God and his FAVOR upon his
life, because of the GREAT THINGS he did for him. “...The night before
Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound
with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. Suddenly an angel of the
Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and
woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists. Then the angel
said to him, “Put on your clothes and sandals.” And Peter did so. “Wrap your
cloak around you and follow me,” the angel told him. Peter
followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was
doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate
leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went
through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel
left him. Then Peter came to
himself and said, “Now I know without a
doubt that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches
and from everything the Jewish people were hoping would happen...” (Acts 12:6-11 NIV).
Peter witnessed and experienced, first
hand, the LOVE and FAVOR of God. God REVEALED his GLORY to Peter through his
presence in the angel (could be a Christian Warrior), his goodness in directing
his steps (through his Word), and his power to deliver him out of Herod’s clutches
(overwhelming victory)! “...Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I know without a doubt that the Lord has sent his angel (this could be a Christian
Warrior) and rescued me from Herod’s clutches (overwhelming victory) and from everything the Jewish people were hoping would happen...” (Acts 12:6-11 NIV).
“…I HAVE DONE IT,
declares the Lord…’”
(Ezekiel 37 NIV). “…the Father (the indwelling Holy Spirit) that
dwelleth in me (Jesus, the WORD), he doeth the works
(the Holy Spirit doeth the works of bringing overwhelming victory to his people
that trust and depend upon HIM) …” (John 14:10 KJV).
“… at God’s [miracle-performing WORD)
… what we now SEE (everything witnessed and experienced) did
not come from anything that
can be SEEN (it came from the WORK of the Holy Spirit)…” (Hebrews 11:3 NLT). “… He (Jesus) had a name written, that no man
knew … his name is called The
Word of God (the miracle-performing POWER of
God)…” (Revelation 19:12-13 NASB).
“... When this had dawned on him ... [Peter realized] ... “he (God, the Holy Spirit)...hath done marvellous things…” (Acts 12:7 NIV & Psalms 98:1 KJV). “… Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done …” (Psalms 40:5 KJV).
“...the chains fell off
Peter’s wrists...They passed the
first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It
opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one
street, suddenly the angel left him. Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I know without a doubt that the Lord
has ... rescued me from Herod’s clutches and from everything the Jewish
people were hoping would happen...” (Acts 12:6-11 NIV).
REMEMBER: “...The night before Herod was to bring
him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance....” (Acts 12:6-11 NIV).
INSIDE the difficult trials and
tribulations, we face, in life such as the death of a loved one, a divorce, the
loss of a lucrative job, unexpected diagnoses, fear of going to prison for a
crime you didn’t commit, the loss of material possessions, unjust treatment, false accusations, and
other sudden life changes; follow
Peter’s LEAD. “...Peter was sleeping....” (Acts 12:6-11 NIV).
Like Peter, many of God’s people, are
FACING things that cause the heart to be flooded with troubling stresses such
as dread, anxiousness, discouragement, weariness, questions of faith, fear of
the unknown, having no control of the situation or the outcome, etc., BUT TRUST
and DEPEND upon God ANYWAY.
“...despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours (and Peter’s) through Christ, who loved us
(and him)...” (Romans 8:37 NLT). “...Let
not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid...” (John 14:27
KJV).
WHY should you SLEEP during
these troubling TIMES? “...Peter
was sleeping....” (Acts 12:6-11
NIV). “...If God is
for ...[peter]... who...[or what could be]... against ...[peter]? ... …”
(Romans 8:31-39 NASB). “…Who...[or
what would]... separate ...[peter]... from the love of Christ?…”
(Romans 8:31-39 NASB). “....Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or
sword...[separate you or peter from god’s love]? …”
(Romans 8:31-39 NASB). “ ... [NO] … [NOTHING] …will be
able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus
our Lord…” (Romans 8:31-39 NASB).
“For I know the thoughts that I think
toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not
of evil, to
give you an expected end”
(Jeremiah 29:11 KJV). “…Not
that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God…” (2
Corinthians 3:5 KJV). “… The
Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness…” (Romans 8:26 NLT). “...ALL THINGS work (PROCESS) together for good to them (the
redeemed; God’s people) that love God, to them who are the called ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE…” (ROMANS
8:28 KJV).
“...Peter
was sleeping....” (Acts 12:6-11
NIV).
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