Bold Moves

Based on Esther 3-5, Acts 5:22-42

"For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" Esther 4:14

Sometimes, we have to step out of something to step into something greater. Living for God is awesome, but it's not always going to be easy to go with the flow of those around us. It's going to be a different walk, with bold moves! As God's lights in this world, we were meant to stand out so we can lead others to Him! To make different choices. To hold the Bible as Absolute Truth. All these things are bold moves today, but if we want Jesus to be seen, it's so worth it! If Esther "held her peace" and kept it to herself in the castle while her people were suffering, her people would have been killed. But, she boldly went to the king, and in doing so, spread her peace back out to her people & obtained favor in the sight of God!

"And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre." Esther 5:2

If a firefighter is going to save someone's life if they are stuck in a burning building, they are sure going to have to do some bold moves to get in! If they just tried to "wait it out" or find an easier way, the people inside would surely die. That's the urgency & boldness we need to have in bringing people out of the fires of their struggles & sins and into a good life living for The Lord!

"Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men." Acts 5:29

Since Heaven is our goal anyway, and God is King overall, we don't need to fear making bold moves, because "bold" moves us closer to God & closer to Heaven! We can't be hindered by our fear or indifference! We must be bold according to His standards!

"And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: but if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God. And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them , they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go." Acts 5:38‭-‬40

One particular Pharisee, Gamaliel, stood up in the midst of those wanting to kill Peter & anyone who spoke in the Name of Jesus, and he defended them. He reminded the other priests and Pharisees that if this was of God, it cannot be stopped! So, they beat them & let them go...and of course they kept teaching in His Name! So be encouraged! People recognize God is at work, we just can't stop being bold enough to proclaim it!