Acts 12
This chapter begins with Herod putting James to death (A.D. 44) and ends with his death, being eaten of worms.
He put Peter in prison, too, and the church held an all-night prayer vigil for him. So God sent and angel to lead him out of the prison. Peter thought he was deaming, until he "came to himself" and realized it all happened.
Prayer is powerful, especially corporate prayer. When even "two or three come together" and agree in prayer, the God we pray to will move mountains on our behalf.
So he went to Mary's house (the mother of John Mark) where they were praying, and Rhoda was so excited she forgot to open the door for him!
They were still learning that God's answers can be very practical.
In the morning when Peter was gone from the prison, the squad of soldiers responsible for him were executed.
Sometimes when we obey God, others pay consequences, through no fault of ours. This just happens, and we needn't concern ourselves about it, it's God's business.
And when Saul and Barnabas returned to Antioch they brought John Mark with them.
This is the beginning of Mark's long and rocky relationship with Saul/Paul.
God's ways are not our ways. He allowed James to be martyred, but delivered Peter. And He permitted the deaths of the soldiers, when they didn't know what happened to their prisoner.
We must let God be God, even when what He does seems "unfair" to us. He sees the Big Picture, and He sees into each of our hearts, and knows our days.
The saying says, Today is the first day of the rest of your life. So we need to make the most of it.
But it may also be the last day of your life. So make the most of it.
Make every day count, no matter which day it is, and leave no stone unturned, no loose ends.
What you do today determines how tomorrow goes.
Yesterday is gone, and tomorrow may never come; what we have is Today, and it's called the present, it's a gift from God.
O my Father, teach me to number my days, that I may not have any more "lost days." Help me to accomplish each day what is set before me, and strengthen me to be consistent and faithful in the work You have given me to do.
And, Father, thank You so much for Today, and every day You have given me so far. And I pray that You would continue to hold me in Your hand every moment of every day, that I will realize Your Love and care for me, and accomplish the things You planned for me to get done for the promotion and furtherance of Your Kingdom.
And You will receive all the praise and honor. Every knee will bow and every tongue confess; and we will cast our crowns at Your feet, because You deserve all the credit, all the glory, for all You have done.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
