Acts 4:13 ‘Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.’

DAILY READING; • Acts 5:17-42; Deuteronomy 25-27; Job 16

Paul Schneider was a Christian leader who refused to compromise with the Nazis as they rose to power in Germany in the 1930’s.
He refused to give the German salute of ‘Heil Hitler’ because he saw it as idolatrous. In 1937 he had members of the church he pastored who compromised their faith by openly supporting the Nazis excommunicated.
After a series of short jail terms he was finally sent to the Buchenwald concentration camp. He had no privileges as a pastor, working 16 hour days and fasting one day each week to have food to give others.
On Hitler’s birthday, April 20th, 1938, all inmates were ordered to remove their headgear and salute the swastika flag. Everyone but Schneider complied. His punishment was 25 lashes and 15 months solitary in a 1.2 x 2metre cell. Toward the end of this time he heard other inmates close by and began to call out gospel invitation scriptures. He was again given 25 lashes.
Weighing up the punishment over against the destiny of a saved soul, Schneider continued to call out scriptures from his tiny cell. He continued to be beaten, lashed and starved but would not give in or give up.
On July 18th, 1939, he was given a lethal injection. Paul Schneider became the first publicly heralded Christian martyr under the Nazis.
His cell in Buchenwald carries a plaque honouring his bravery and an unknown number of men, now with Christ, owe him their lives.

The truth is that end of the age is really here. And at this time, we should be urgently engaged with the salvation of the souls of men because there is no more time left.
Let us not be deceived by the seeming ‘normalcy’ in the world around us. Jesus said that at the time of the end people will be eating, drinking, building and giving in marriage until the very last day. That is the state of the world today.
Despite all the glaring end-time signs, the world is going on as if the end would never come.
As believers we should not be seduced by the ongoing deception. It is the time for us to first, be certain of our own salvation and then secondly, go forth and win as many souls as we can.
No matter the opposition, we must boldly proclaim the Gospel, because the eternal destiny of men hang in the balance. Many who hear our words will be quickened by the Holy Spirit to dedicate or rededicate their lives to Christ.
Today there is a fierce spiritual battle going on in the world for the souls of men. Because the enemy knows his time is short, he is fighting to snare as many destinies as he possibly can.
Looking around at the growing spiritual lethargy in the world, we can see how people would readily take the mark of the beast when the antichrist comes. Therefore while there is still time, we must boldly proclaim the Gospel and let men know the truth. A time is coming when it would be difficult to openly preach the Gospel. Believers in the world today are perhaps the last line of defense, against this coming apostacy. We therefore cannot afford to be silent. We must speak up and boldly proclaim the truth of Christ.
Anyone who is serious about proclaiming the kingdom of God will face persecutions one way or the other. You may be labeled a fanatic, called all sorts of names and face pressures. However, while Persecution is certain, so is God’s grace!
Through the power of the Holy Spirit we can develop a ‘thick skin’ to oppositions.
Though the disciples had been fearful after the crucifixion of Jesus and locked themselves in the upper room, but when the Holy Spirit came, all fear left and they were emboldened to break out into the city and preach the Gospel. The Jewish authorities, were so astonished by the boldness of Peter and John, that they noted “that they had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13).
Likewise for us to fearlessly proclaim God’s Word we need to be empowered by the Spirit through spending time with Jesus in His Word.
As we daily seek God, we will not be afraid of what any man can do to us. With faith and fire we would move boldly and fearlessly proclaim the Gospel wherever we go.

PRAYER; Father, I ask for more grace to preach the Gospel with boldness whenever I have the opportunity. May every fear and timidity be removed from me and by Your Spirit may I indeed go forth and do exploits for Your kingdom in Jesus Name.
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To enjoy divine opportunities you must be willing to take the risk of faith. WORDBITE 222