One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision and told him, “Don’t be afraid! Speak out! Don’t be silent!” Acts 18:9 (NLT) It’s easier to stay silent when our opinion is unpopular. Years ago, while working as a paramedic, I was sitting in the hospital cafeteria with several other emergency personnel and hospital staff. We had just dealt with three recent suicides, and the conversation began to turn to how taking your own life took courage and required great strength. I sat and listened for a while, but I finally couldn’t remain silent. I said, “I see where you guys are coming from, but I respectfully disagree. I understand that someone who is considering taking their own life is facing incredible pain, but …

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere – in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria and to the ends of the earth. Acts 1:8 (NLT) There’s something about God’s presence that carries boldness and undeniable power. (See Acts 2 and 4:13.) I grew up with an upstanding, loyal friend named Allan, who struggled immensely with one issue in particular: speaking to people. He was afraid to talk, and when he did, he would stutter and turn red, especially around girls. He seemed to feel better off staying silent. But I’ll never forget the day he walked to the front of my dad’s church and, filled with the Holy Spirit, began …

The council members were astonished as they witnessed the bold courage of Peter and John, especially when they discovered that they were just ordinary men who had never had religious training. Then they began to understand the effect Jesus had on them simply by spending time with Him. Acts 4:13 (TPT) People can sense a tangible boldness in believers who are confident in God’s Word and His presence in their lives. I remember sitting in a restaurant by myself one day when a massive body builder walked over to my table and said, “I’m stronger than you.” I cautiously agreed with him, and as people around us listened on, he took another intimidating step closer and repeated his statement. Then, to my surprise, he crumpled …

This is my command: be strong and courageous. Never be afraid or discouraged because I am your God. Joshua 1:9 (VOICE) I recently read about the Catacombs in Rome where many of the early Christians were buried. One of the inscriptions read, “Here lies my wife and little girl. For the glory of Jesus, they gave their lives in the Colosseum.” The early church faced intense persecution by several Roman emperors who committed horrific acts of violence against them. They would skin believers alive, burn them at the stake or kill them for sport. Despite the atrocities the early Christians faced, they refused to be silent about their faith. In the midst of this persecution, the number of believers didn’t shrink—it exploded! Today, many of …

Faithful are the wounds of a friend [who corrects out of love and concern], but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful [because they serve his hidden agenda]. Proverbs 27:6 (AMP) Do you hold a burning desire to reach those who don’t know Jesus? Growing up, I remember watching my dad pray on Saturday nights and Sunday mornings when he was getting ready to preach. Sometimes I could hear him crying as he prayed. He would say, “God, give me souls in this service today.” He preached for over forty years, normally to no more than one or two hundred people, yet person after person gave their life to Christ and miracle after miracle took place. My dad’s passion for others was a living example …