God's Freedom of Speech Definition

"...As they observed the confidence of Peter and John...

they were amazed
 and began to recognize them
as having been with Jesus."
Acts 4:13

Peter and John were arrested in Jerusalem and the authorities asked them by what power, or in what name, they had healed a lame man. Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, answered them by speaking of Jesus. As he spoke, they observed their confidence. The confidence of Peter and John was something recognizable. The rulers and elders of the people realized that Peter and John had the same confident, authoritative, free speech that the Lord Jesus Himself had when He walked among them.

According to Strong's Concordance, the word confidence is parrésia which means freedom of speech, confidence. Because of the freedom of speech Peter and John displayed, the authorities saw Jesus in them. They didn't like it, but because of the open miracle done, they couldn't deny it. They did, however, "warn them to speak no longer to any man in this name." (Acts 4:17).  Peter and John's response to the warning was, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard." (Acts 4:19-20). They could not, and would not, stop speaking about what they had seen and heard in Jesus Christ. 

After further threats, they were released from custody. What did they do? They gathered with their own people and prayed. They prayed for the Lord to grant them to speak His Word with all parrésia. (Acts 4:29). They knew that the authority to speak freely in the Name of Jesus was granted by the Lord Himself. This authority to speak freely is a God-given authority. No authority on earth can take it away. Freedom of speech, specifically freedom of speech about Jesus Christ, is granted from God Himself. It cannot be prohibited by any earthly authority! "When they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with parrésia." (Acts 4:31).  

They went out in unity and gave testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus with great power (Acts 4:33). Many signs and wonders were taking place (Acts 5:12-16) and the apostles were arrested. The authority of man took hold of them to stop their freedom of speech. However, an angel came and let them out of prison during the night and told them to preach to the people in the temple, which they did. While the Council was trying to figure out what happened to their prisoners overnight, someone told them they were in the temple teaching the people. The restraints of man could not hold them while they had the parrésia--God's free speech authority--with them!

The apostles were brought in and questioned. (Acts 5:18-27). The high priest said, "We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching..." (Acts 5:28). Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men." (Acts 5:29) and he preached Jesus to them. They became furious and wanted to kill them, but Gamaliel persuaded them otherwise. However, before releasing them, they beat them and ordered then not to speak in the name of Jesus. (Acts 5:40). What was their response? They went away rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name, and they continued to preach Jesus as the Christ every day. (Acts 5:41-42).

Father God, I pray that we, Your people, recognize that our free speech right--the right to teach and preach in the Name of Jesus, and to heal and do signs and wonders in Your Name--is an authority given to us by You. May we gather and pray for this parrésia so we do not shrink back from what You have called us to do. May we go forward in boldness and confidence, freely preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the message of Your kingdom. May we determine in our hearts to obey You and understand that the authority You've given us is the greatest authority of all, and even Your angels will help us to fulfill Your purpose for us.

The Apostles and Believers Prayer:

"As Your bond-servants may we speak Your word with all parrésia, while You extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy servant Jesus." (Acts 4:29-30).

Re-prayer April 14, 2012

The Sign of the Summit Place

The Summit Place Mall has been a sign of the spiritual condition of Waterford. It was once a place that was thriving economically. It was a community place. It expanded and the name was changed from the Pontiac Mall to the Summit Place Mall. It really became a source of pride at the peak of its life. Whatever led to the decline is a topic of debate, but it came to a place of neglect which lasted for years. Soon it will be demolished, which will allow for it to be rebuilt, so this is a good thing.

The demolition of the Summit Place Mall should signify a demolition of the high places in our individual thinking which lead us into pride. Whether it's because of our personal prosperity and success, our place in the community, or whatever it might be, all sources of pride need to be brought down. They are not a strong foundation to build on and will eventually cause what we are building in our lives to crumble and fall.

The question is, what will be built in its place? Concerning the Summit Place, we need to pray that what is rebuilt is from the Spirit of God, something that will promote righteousness and godliness. Not from a religious work of the flesh, but from the creative, life-giving breath of the Spirit. The same is true for our individual lives. If we want our lives, as well as the township, to have a lasting prosperity, we will need to have individual spiritual prosperity in place to build on. Individual spiritual prosperity is the righteousness of God which is only found through faith in Jesus Christ.

Proverbs 10:16 in the amplified Bible says, "The earnings of the righteous...lead to life, but the profit of the wicked leads to further sin." The righteous will spend their money on that which leads to further life. The wicked spend their money on that which promotes sin. When we do business with godly businesses it will further expand those businesses. They give their money to the churches, to charitable organizations, to help the poor and for the responsible necessities of life. By giving and spending to these places, righteousness is advanced and the righteous businesses and organizations prosper and expand in the work of the Lord. This brings economic stability to a community so basic needs are met--groceries, fuel, home repairs etc. It also brings a prosperity that allows for all sorts of gifts to flourish--the arts. The ungodly spend their money on drink or drug, gambling, an ungodly/irresponsible type of entertainment, and so on. This type of spending promotes and prospers those unrighteous enterprises.

We want to be sure we remember that the foundation for our spiritual lives is righteousness, not religion. We're not talking about choosing good behavior over bad. We're not talking about an arrogant, superior attitude which turns its nose up at those who are trapped and bound by sin. We're talking about a true faith and trust in the Lord Jesus which results in a passionate worship of Him, and love for mankind.

God is in the restoration business. He sent His Son to redeem mankind which was lost. My prayer is that He redeem the Summit Place Mall property and that it become a righteous place which honors Him. I pray the hearts of the people of Waterford return to the Lord, not in a religious facade, but with a true heart-conversion so the blessings of God will flow as He has intended all along.

To read of my personal return to the Lord see the April 7, 2012 post.

A Lovely Dwelling Place

How lovely are Your dwelling places, O Lord of hosts!

My soul longed and even yearned for the courts of the Lord;

My heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God.

The bird also has found a house, and the swallow a nest for herself,

where she may lay her young,

Even Your altars, O Lord of hosts, My King and my God.

How blessed are those who dwell in Your house!

They are ever praising You.

Selah
Psalm 84:1-4

Oh Lord, may Waterford become a lovely dwelling place for You. May the churches of Waterford truly be Your courts, and places where You may be found with great joy. May the hearts of the people become the same--courts of the Lord--where You live. May both our heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God, yearning for You. May our young people be raised in Your house, even on Your altars O God. We are blessed to dwell in Your house and praise You forever!

Re-prayer March 31, 2012

Less is More: Homage to the Son

"Do homage to the Son..." Psalm 2:12

Homage means to kiss. However in practice, it was a promise, with a ceremonial acknowledgement, by a vassal of allegiance to his lord, who then kissed the vassal after his declaration. When directed towards the Lord, homage is a reverential worship and expression of devout affection. A vassal is one who has been given a territory of land in exchange for his allegiance and usually military services. 

May we recognize that all we have and all we own, belongs to the Lord. May we pay homage to Him and sincerely express an allegiance to Him!

At times we collect and pile stuff around us thinking that ownership of all this stuff will somehow bring us satisfaction. The truth is, when we give all that we have to the Lord, recognizing it really is all His anyway, and commit ourselves to following His ways with all that He entrusts to us, then peace will flood our souls like nothing else can. 

May we acknowledge the Lord in all our ways, trusting in Him with fear and honor, receiving His healing and refreshment as a result! Proverbs 3:5-8

We don't need to try and build a kingdom for ourselves. As believers in Jesus Christ, we are a part of a greater kingdom--an eternal kingdom--not made with hands. When you feel dissatisfied with what's around you--whether clutter or lack--then look to the Son and pay homage to Him. Ask Him to show you His kingdom and your place in it. Seeing the glory of His kingdom will satisfy you more than any earthly thing ever could! Psalm 145:8-13; 1 Peter 2:9-10.

biblehub.com, Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible,

http://1828.mshaffer.com, 1828 Noah Webster , retrieved March 27, 2015
Re-prayer March 24, 2012

Pause and Reflect

I once heard a person quote another who said, "I have so much to do today, I must spend 3 hours in prayer!" This person learned that seeking God and His plans make everything work. Those times when we feel too busy to seek the Lord are the very times we need to seek Him the most. Those moments when we close our eyes, quit looking and listening to all the noise, put our own plans on hold, and seek God are vital moments to treasure.

"While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease." Genesis 8:22

There are things beyond our control that God has established. The seasons, the structure and the mysteries of the earth will speak to us of the greatness of God. These are the things we must open our eyes to, while closing them to that which would distract us away from Him. God draws us away to the peaceful place in Him where we can see the kingdom He is building. It is a strong and stable kingdom that is not effected by the trends and hype of the moment.

The angels around the throne of God call out to each other saying, "Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is full of His glory." Isaiah 6:3. His glory is here in the earth. There is evidence of it all around us--in creation and in people. As we see the glory of the Lord we are transformed into the same image by His Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:18). Take a moment--or several moments--to pause and seek the Lord, see His glory and be changed into His image!

Lord God, we want to see You! We want to see Your glory and be changed into Your image over and over again. We want to go deeper and get closer to You. We are not satisfied with where we are, we want to know You more. We lay aside our plans, our busyness and all the noise around us and seek Your face.

Re-prayer March 17, 2012

Appeal to Heaven

Note the appeal to heaven flag at the top of the mast

First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings,

be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority,

so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.

1 Timothy 2:1-2

We pray for those in authority so that we may live a tranquil and quiet life, in all godliness and dignity. God's best for us is a peaceful and godly life. One thing that can interfere with that is leaders who are ungodly. This would be those who interfere with our worship. Not only interfering by prohibiting our assembly or right to our beliefs, but also by interfering with our livelihood--our craft, our skill, our business or our jobs.

Our gifts and talents are given to us by God and when we use those gifts, it is an expression of worship. It honors the Lord when we use the gifts He's given us. Our gifts are the way He has chosen to provide for us, and bless society through what we produce. When we pray for those in authority, we pray for continued freedom in worship, as well as freedom in our business or livelihood.

"Father God, I pray for Waterford, for Michigan and for the United States, that all those in authority, including those that influence our president, our lawmakers and our judges, be godly people who recognize that You are the King of kings and the Lord of lords. I pray You raise up and place leaders in positions of government who are Your spokesmen, filled with Your wisdom and anointing. I pray that the knowledge and understanding of our founding fathers be transferred to our leaders and all those in authority. In the words of John Locke, we "appeal to heaven" for Your justice, so that we may live a quiet and godly life as You desire."

Read the story of the Appeal to Heaven flag at AppealToHeaven.org
Michigan's State Tree is the Eastern White Pine. Which is the same pine on the Appeal to Heaven flag.

Re-prayer March 10, 2012

Hearing the Voice

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;

John 10:27

In order to hear the voice of the Shepherd, we need to listen for it. Jesus is the Great Shepherd and He knows those who are His sheep--those who listen for, and hear, His voice. Once we hear His voice and do what He says--following Him--then we are outwardly identifying our inward belonging to Him. If we skip the step of listening and hearing, and just try and follow Him as an obedient sheep, we miss the whole experience of knowing Him. The greatest joy as a Christian comes from intimately knowing our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Lord, I pray that all those who consider themselves a Christian, take time to get quiet before You on a regular basis and listen to hear Your voice. I pray that we get away from the busy, hectic times of life and find that peaceful pasture with You. May we never try to look like Your sheep, without actually being Your sheep. I pray that we lay aside all of our dead, religious works, so that all we do is birthed from a joyful, intimate relationship with You. As we long for You, we belong to You.

Re-prayer February 25, 2012