photo #6881289

Unstoppable! 'Amazed!' — Acts 12:16-17 Sunday, July 14, 2024 [After Rhoda left Peter outside at Mary's house in her excitement at seeing him, he] continued knocking. When they finally opened the door and saw him, they were amazed. He motioned for them to quiet down and told them how the Lord had led him out of prison. "Tell James and the other brothers what happened," he said. And then he went to another place. — Acts 12:16-17 NLT Key Thought Yes, who wouldn't have been amazed at Peter's deliverance from the control of Herod? Peter had been imprisoned and heavily guarded. Herod had already executed James, one of the apostles and the brother of the apostle John.* Herod had the power and authority of the local Jewish power base as well as the backing of the Roman officials and army. But all that power was no match for the Lord of heaven's armies, the Lord God of hosts. The early church needed a victory, and God gave them one to celebrate and share. However, the celebration couldn't last long; there was a world to save. So, Peter left to do his work for Jesus in some other place! * It was Herod Agrippa (Acts 12:1-2) who executed James and imprisoned Peter, while it was Herod Antipas who executed John the Baptist (Matthew 14:1-2, 6-10). TODAY'S PRAYER O Father of glory and grace, we celebrate your victories in our world and in our lives. We thank you and praise you for such grace and mercy that you lavish on us. Forgive us, Lord, when we tarry too long in celebration even though the world around us needs to know about Jesus and the salvation he brings. Use our worship, praise, and celebration to fuel our work of living out Jesus' mission for us to reach our lost world. I ask this in Jesus' name. Amen. RELATED SCRIPTURE READINGS Psalm 89:1-18 Philippians 4:4-9