God Still Can—Day 5 Acts 12: 6-17 “When she recognized Peter’s voice, because of her joy she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter was standing in front of the gate. They said to her, you are out of your mind!” We conclude this week’s devotional giving consideration to this thought: While the group is praying, the answer to their prayer is continuing to knock for admission into the house. Peter is knocking at the door waiting for someone to let him in. Perhaps what we are seeking God for has been knocking at our door all along. Maybe the answer is waiting for our faith to respond and open the door. As I meditate on this passage, it was clear that if Peter’s release was based on the group’s faith. Peter most likely would have died at the hand of Agrippa I the following morning. The doubt that Rhoda experienced from the group...

God Still Can—Day 4 Acts 12: 6-17 “When she recognized Peter’s voice, because of her joy she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter was standing in front of the gate. They said to her, you are out of your mind!” After Peter had come to himself and realized the miraculous work that had just been accomplished in his life, he knew he had just experienced the awesome power of God. It is always breath-taking to know that we, in our finite state have just had an encounter with our Lord. To experience him working things out or removing restraints that have kept us bound is exhilarating! Peter felt revived, refreshed and renewed; so he proceeded to join those he knew would be concerned for him. Today’s devotional focuses on the portion of our passage that is far too common an experience among many professing believers. We pray to God, yet doubt his...

God Still Can—Day 3 Acts 12: 6-17 “On the very night when Herod was about to bring him forward, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and guards in front of the door were watching over the prison. And behold, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared and a light shone in the cell; and he struck Peter’s side and woke him up, saying, get up quickly, and his chains fell off his hands.” We meditate on today’s devotional picking up with yesterday’s question. Are you convinced that God has the final answer? Whoever holds the final answer for us determines how we behave during our times of trouble. I recall several weeks ago when my five-year-old daughter asked me if she could have some cookies. I was preparing to leave home when Yana ran up to me and asked, “Daddy, can I have some cookies?” Immediately my seven-year-old son,...

God Still Can—Day 2 Acts 12: 6-17 “On the very night when Herod was about to bring him forward, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and guards in front of the door were watching over the prison.” Admittedly, I am thoroughly intrigued with what I see in verse six. Herod Arippa I is preparing to bring Peter into his final hour of life on earth. Two guards are bound to Peter, one guard on the left and another guard on the right of Peter. To secure Peter’s looming fate, guards are standing outside Peter’s prison door; each one whom must pay with their own lives if Peter escapes. Nevertheless, in the midst of such a context, the writer makes sure to inform us that Peter was sleeping. Question: What do you do when you know there is nothing you can do about your situation? Peter sleeps! Some might wonder if his sleep is the result of peace...