FREE...now FOLLOW!

by Diana Kriesel

Friday, 2/5/10 – Exodus 39, 40; Psalm 15; Acts 12 – “FREE…now FOLLOW!”

S— Acts 12:7-8 - 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.

O— The angel delivered Peter from prison, but he did not do for Peter what Peter could do for himself. The angel released Peter from his chains and led him out of the prison, but gave Peter instruction to put on his own shoes, dress himself, and follow. Then when Peter was outside and safe, the angel left him. Peter was now on his own to walk out his own faith. We can expect God to do the impossible; we must obey and do what is possible for us to do.

A— So often we fall either to one extreme or the other: we either expect God to do everything, or we try to do everything on our own. When, in Kingdom reality, God moves, and often requires us to take an active part in exercising our faith and walk in obedience. Peter’s visitation by the angel and miraculous release from prison must have built his faith to go forth and walk in greater faith. Every time God takes us to a new level of FREEDOM, it is so that we can FOLLOW Him more closely.

P—Lord, bring us to a place of holy balance—where we are both totally expecting You to move in miraculous ways in our lives, yet positioned to walk and trust and obey. Cause the miraculous to collide with our faith, springing forth a holy desire to do exactly what You call us to do.