August 21
“WHO GOD IS TO ME”
MY REFUGE
Psalm 46:1 (LLV) —
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
When trouble comes,
our first instinct
is often
to look
for somewhere
to escape.
Somewhere safe.
Somewhere
the storm
cannot reach us.
The psalmist
points us
toward such
a place.
“God is
our refuge.”
A refuge
is more
than shelter.
It is
a place
we can enter
when what surrounds us
feels stronger
than we are.
But notice:
The psalmist
does not promise
that those
who trust God
will never
experience trouble.
Quite the opposite.
He assumes
trouble
will come.
The promise
is that trouble
will never come
without God
being there.
He is
“a very present
help.”
Not distant.
Not unaware.
Not arriving
after everything
has settled down.
Present.
Right here.
Right now.
Sometimes
God changes
the circumstances
around us.
Sometimes
He gives us
strength
to walk
through circumstances
that do not change.
Either way,
we are not
alone.
That is why
the verse joins
two words:
“refuge”
and
“strength.”
God is
the shelter
we run to.
And God is
the strength
we receive
when we must
step outside
the shelter
and continue.
Later
in this psalm,
the earth moves.
Mountains shake.
Waters roar.
Nations rage.
The world
seems to be
coming apart.
Yet above
all that noise
comes the quiet
command:
“Be still,
and know
that I am God.”
Our refuge
is not found
in a life
where nothing
ever goes wrong.
Our refuge
is found
in knowing
that nothing
can happen
outside
the presence
of God.
A new beginning finds shelter here:
When trouble surrounds me, I do not have to search for God. He is already present in the middle of it with me.
Reflection: When trouble comes, is my first response to focus on everything going wrong, or to remember the God who is already present with me?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for being my refuge and my strength. When trouble comes and circumstances feel larger than I can handle, remind me that I do not face them alone. Help me run to You rather than to fear. Give me shelter when I need to rest and strength when I need to continue. Above all, help me recognize that You are already here—my very present help. In Jesus' name, Amen.

The Faith of our Fathers

What Does it Mean to Have the "Faith of Our Fathers"?

When we open Hebrews 11 often called God’s "Hall of Faith" we aren't just reading ancient history. We are looking at a masterclass on how to walk with God in a hostile world.

Looking closely at Hebrews 11:23–28, we see the faith of Moses and his parents. Their lives reveal 3 core characteristics of real faith and an actionable model we can live by today: S.E.E.F.

Let’s dive deep into what God’s Word teaches us!

Characteristics of the Faith of Our Fathers

1. A Faith That Protects (v. 23)
"By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents..."
True faith doesn't throw up its hands in fear when society or government laws contradict God. Moses’ parents (Amram and Jochebed) faced a decree from Pharaoh to kill all male babies. Yet, their faith drove them to protect what God had entrusted to them.

Application: Faith acts as a shield over our families, our calling, and our spiritual lives against the enemy’s attacks.

2. A Perceiving Faith (v. 23)
"...because they saw he was a beautiful [proper/special] child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command."
Physical eyes only see problems; eyes of faith perceive God’s divine purpose. Moses’ parents didn't just see a newborn baby—they perceived by faith that God had a specific destiny for his life. This perception cast out their fear of Pharaoh.

Application: Faith gives you spiritual vision to see God's plan hidden inside difficult circumstances.

3. A Faith That Perseveres (v. 24)
"By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter..."
Notice that Moses' faith matured as he grew up. He didn't just rely on his parents' religion; he developed a personal, enduring faith that stood the test of time and temptation.

Application: Real faith lasts. It carries you through childhood into adulthood, through changing seasons, and through life's trials.

The Faith of Moses — The "S.E.E.F." Model

Moses' life gives us a 4-step blueprint for walking in victorious faith:

S — Self-denying Faith (v. 24–25)
Moses gave up royal status, boundless wealth, and the top position in Egypt. Why? Because faith chooses to suffer with God’s people rather than enjoy the short-lived pleasures of sin.

True faith knows when to say "NO" to the world so it can say "YES" to God.

E — Expectant Faith (v. 26)

"...esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward."

• Moses wasn't focused on what he was losing in Egypt; he was focused on what God promised in eternity. Expectant faith keeps its eyes on God's ultimate reward, making present sacrifices feel small.

Faith measures value by eternity, not by worldly success.

E — Enduring Faith (v.27)

"By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible."

Moses faced the rage of the most powerful ruler on Earth, yet he stood firm. How? Because he saw the invisible God as more real than the visible king.

When you can "see" the Invisible God, you can endure any visible trial.

F — Faith in God’s Message of Salvation (v. 28–29)

Moses kept the Passover and applied the blood of the lamb so that the destroyer would not touch Israel. He led the people through the Red Sea by trusting God's word.

Ultimate faith always anchors itself in God’s plan of salvation through the Blood of the Lamb!

PERSONAL REFLECTION:
Faith isn't passive, it protects, perceives, perseveres, denies self, expects God's best, endures hardship, and rests in Salvation.

Which of these area(s) is God challenging you to grow in this week?


BibleStudy #Hebrews11 #FaithOfOurFathers #Moses #SpiritualGrowth #WordOfGod #DeepDive #ChristianTeaching

THE VOICE THAT CALMS THE STORM
When Jesus Speaks, Chaos Must Obey
Key Scriptures: Mark 4:35–41; Psalm 107:28–29; Isaiah 43:2
Life can throw storms our way that feel completely out of our hands. Sometimes these storms rage around us, and other times, they brew within. You might be grappling with financial strain, family issues, disappointment, uncertainty, illness, or even opposition, leaving you to wonder if God is still by your side. The disciples faced a similar tempest while Jesus was right there in the boat with them. As the waves crashed around them, Jesus was peacefully asleep. When they finally woke Him, He simply rebuked the wind and commanded the sea, "Peace, be still." Instantly, the wind died down, and a profound calm settled in (Mark 4:39). The storm was fierce, but the voice of Jesus was even more powerful.
The disciples were filled with fear because they were fixated on the storm's magnitude rather than the presence of Jesus in their midst. Often, our biggest struggle isn’t the storm itself but the beliefs it instills in us. Fear whispers, "You're going to drown." Discouragement insists, "There’s no escape." Yet, God’s Word reassures us, "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee" (Isaiah 43:2). Having Jesus with you doesn’t mean you’ll never face storms; it means you’ll never have to face them alone.
It’s important to note that Jesus didn’t panic when He encountered the storm. Instead, He spoke directly to it. This shows His authority over situations that seem beyond our control. Psalm 107:29 tells us, "He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still." There are circumstances you can’t change through your own strength, connections, wealth, or intellect, but a single word from Jesus can transform everything. When God speaks, chaos can turn to calm, fear can shift to faith, and what seems impossible can become a powerful tesIf you're caught in a storm today, take a moment to listen for the voice of Jesus. Don’t let the chaos of the storm drown out the Word of God. He’s still whispering, "Peace, be still." The storm might be roaring, but God's voice is even louder. The waves may be crashing, but His authority stands even taller. The night might feel overwhelming, yet His presence is right there with you. Remember, your storm has an expiration date. Keep your faith anchored in Jesus, because the same voice that calmed the sea can soothe your heart, transform your situation, and guide you safely to the other side.
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, we come before You with gratitude, knowing You are the Lord over every storm. When our hearts are heavy and our circumstances feel chaotic, remind us that Jesus is right there in the boat with us.
Lord, we ask You to speak Your peace into every storm we face. Calm the tempests of fear, confusion, financial strain, family struggles, disappointment, and uncertainty. Silence every voice that urges us to give up, and let Your Word ring louder than our challenges.
Grant us the faith to trust You, even when the waves are crashing around us. Help us remember that while the storm is fleeting, Your presence is everlasting. Lead us safely to the other side, and let every storm we encounter become a testament to Your power and faithfulness.
Jesus, speak into our storms today: "Peace, be still!" Let the winds die down, let the waves settle, and let Your peace reign in our hearts. In the mighty name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

THE VOICE THAT CALMS THE STORM
When Jesus Speaks, Chaos Must Obey
Key Scriptures: Mark 4:35–41; Psalm 107:28–29; Isaiah 43:2
Life can throw storms our way that feel completely out of our hands. Sometimes these storms rage around us, and other times, they brew within. You might be grappling with financial strain, family issues, disappointment, uncertainty, illness, or even opposition, leaving you to wonder if God is still by your side. The disciples faced a similar tempest while Jesus was right there in the boat with them. As the waves crashed around them, Jesus was peacefully asleep. When they finally woke Him, He simply rebuked the wind and commanded the sea, "Peace, be still." Instantly, the wind died down, and a profound calm settled in (Mark 4:39). The storm was fierce, but the voice of Jesus was even more powerful.
The disciples were filled with fear because they were fixated on the storm's magnitude rather than the presence of Jesus in their midst. Often, our biggest struggle isn’t the storm itself but the beliefs it instills in us. Fear whispers, "You're going to drown." Discouragement insists, "There’s no escape." Yet, God’s Word reassures us, "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee" (Isaiah 43:2). Having Jesus with you doesn’t mean you’ll never face storms; it means you’ll never have to face them alone.
It’s important to note that Jesus didn’t panic when He encountered the storm. Instead, He spoke directly to it. This shows His authority over situations that seem beyond our control. Psalm 107:29 tells us, "He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still." There are circumstances you can’t change through your own strength, connections, wealth, or intellect, but a single word from Jesus can transform everything. When God speaks, chaos can turn to calm, fear can shift to faith, and what seems impossible can become a powerful tesIf you're caught in a storm today, take a moment to listen for the voice of Jesus. Don’t let the chaos of the storm drown out the Word of God. He’s still whispering, "Peace, be still." The storm might be roaring, but God's voice is even louder. The waves may be crashing, but His authority stands even taller. The night might feel overwhelming, yet His presence is right there with you. Remember, your storm has an expiration date. Keep your faith anchored in Jesus, because the same voice that calmed the sea can soothe your heart, transform your situation, and guide you safely to the other side.
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, we come before You with gratitude, knowing You are the Lord over every storm. When our hearts are heavy and our circumstances feel chaotic, remind us that Jesus is right there in the boat with us.
Lord, we ask You to speak Your peace into every storm we face. Calm the tempests of fear, confusion, financial strain, family struggles, disappointment, and uncertainty. Silence every voice that urges us to give up, and let Your Word ring louder than our challenges.
Grant us the faith to trust You, even when the waves are crashing around us. Help us remember that while the storm is fleeting, Your presence is everlasting. Lead us safely to the other side, and let every storm we encounter become a testament to Your power and faithfulness.
Jesus, speak into our storms today: "Peace, be still!" Let the winds die down, let the waves settle, and let Your peace reign in our hearts. In the mighty name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Psalms 46

1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth is transformed and the mountains are toppled into the depths of the seas,
3 though their waters roar and foam and the mountains quake in the surge. Selah
4 There is a river whose streams delight the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her; she will not be moved. God will help her when morning dawns.
6 Nations rage, kingdoms crumble; the earth melts when He lifts His voice.
7 The LORD of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
8 Come, see the works of the LORD, who brings devastation upon the earth.
...

Need to know.
We have been warned in the Great Controversy that once all secular restraints are removed from the Papacy and Catholicism, there will be a revival of her tyranny and persecution. History will be repeated!

Roman Catholic Church inquisition
Terrifying! Can you imagine living in 1556 under the bloody reign of Queen Mary I, knowing that simply placing your hope in Jesus Christ instead of the government's religion will get you burned alive?

"Under the reign of Mary I...

England's government violently forced its people back under the oppressive authority of ROME.

Faithful believers faced an absolute nightmare simply for believing the Bible!"

Violently dragged before furious authorities, these courageous men and women were heavily interrogated.

The ruthless magistrates demanded they betray their convictions, submit to the POPE, and accept the state-mandated religion.

They were promised complete freedom and mercy if they would compromise their faith and bend the knee to the religious elite!

But they absolutely refused to negotiate a single inch!

Staring down the very men who held their lives in their hands...

They fearlessly declared that their hope was anchored entirely in the uncorrupted Gospel of Jesus Christ...

Not in the Pope or the corrupt traditions of men.

They completely refused to purchase their own lives with a coward's silence!

Furious that their terrifying threats could not shatter this supernatural resolve...

The corrupt tribunal handed down the ultimate sentence.

Bound fast to the heavy wooden stakes in 1556, the fire was lit.

As the raging flames violently climbed around their earthly bodies, they didn't panic, rage, or beg for mercy.

Instead, they peacefully committed their souls to their eternal King!

Their physical flesh was brutally consumed by the fire, but their unshakeable faith left a blazing legacy!

The wicked empire violently silenced their earthly voices...

But they died as absolutely glorious witnesses, proving to a watching world that the truth of Jesus Christ cannot be burned away!

Conflict and Courage.
2 Kings 5:5-14
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8, 9.
Naaman the Syrian consulted the prophet of God as to how he could be cured of a loathsome disease, the leprosy. He was bidden to go and bathe in Jordan seven times. Why did he not immediately follow the directions of Elisha, the prophet of God? ... In his mortification and disappointment he became passionate, and in a rage refused to follow the humble course marked out by the prophet of God. “I thought,” said he, “he will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the Lord his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper. Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage.” His servant said: “My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash [merely], and be clean?” Yes, this great man considered it beneath his dignity to go to the humble river Jordan, and wash. The rivers he mentioned and desired were beautified by surrounding trees and groves, and idols were placed in these groves. Many flocked to these rivers to worship their idol gods; therefore it would have cost him no humility. But it was following the specified directions of the prophet which would humble his proud and lofty spirit. Willing obedience would bring the desired result. He washed, and was made whole.13Testimonies for the Church 2:309, 310.

Our plans are not always God's plans.... In His loving care and interest for us, often He who understands us better than we understand ourselves refuses to permit us selfishly to seek the gratification of our own ambition.... Many things He ask us to yield to Him, but in doing this we are but giving up that which hinders us in the heavenward way....

In the future life the mysteries that here have annoyed and disappointed us will be made plain. We shall see that our seemingly unanswered prayers and disappointed hopes have been among our greatest blessings.14The Ministry of Healing, 473, 474.

continuation chapter two 2.2
Now, don't misunderstand me. I'm not saying you don't need the knowledge. You absolutely need it. Without knowledge, you'd jump in and try to breathe underwater like a particularly optimistic fish. The knowledge gives you faith in the process. It tells you that the water can, in fact, hold you up, that these awkward, flailing motions have meaning and might eventually become graceful. It gives you a reason to keep spluttering. But you still need to practice. You still need to drill. You still need to drown a little before you can swim a lot. You'll drink so much pool water that you'll be able to taste the chlorine in your dreams. You'll cough, you'll gag, you'll question why you ever left the shore of theoretical comfort where the books were dry and the certificates were safe. The righteous life is not a certificate on your wall; it's a rhythm in your limbs, a muscle memory of the soul. And muscles don't grow by reading about protein; they grow by lifting something heavy and then feeling sore the next day and complaining to everyone about it.
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‎So it is with righteousness. One can study the Scriptures until their eyes cross and they've developed a permanent squint. One can quote verses on grace with the speed and precision of an auctioneer on caffeine. One can recite the doctrines of justification and sanctification forward, backward, and in the original Hebrew while juggling concordances. One can intellectually affirm with perfect, shining orthodoxy that Christ is the living water, and say "Amen" so loudly that the person in the next pew spills their coffee. But that, my friend, is merely reading about water. It is studying the molecular structure, the boiling point, the freezing point, the historical significance of water in the ancient Near East. It is all accurate, all true, all very impressive in a Bible trivia competition. But your throat is still parched. You are dying of thirst while holding a library card to the well. To be free from sin, you must dive into the discipline. You must practice patience when every fiber of your being wants to scream and throw a chair through a window—preferably the window of the person who is currently testing your patience. And not patience with gritted teeth and a twitching eye—that's not patience, that's just anger in a corset, anger with a fake mustache and glasses, anger doing a very poor impression of a calm person. No, you must steadily come to be in love with patience, to find it a fascinating companion, to court it like a shy lover, choosing it freely and wantonly, not because you have to but because you genuinely prefer it. You don't practice patience to make the Old Man in the Sky nod approvingly and slide a gold star across the heavenly counter. That would be theatre, a performance, a pretence, a dinner party where everyone is polite and no one is real. It would be you watching yourself be patient, which is the fastest way to become impatient with your own patience, which leads to a meta-crisis of infinite regress: you're angry that you're angry about being angry about trying to be patient. The work is not a bribe. The work is the transformation of your own taste buds.
‎
‎And this brings us to the great confusion, the grand misunderstanding that has produced more theatrical saints than a Hollywood casting call. Some say, with great authority, "You must practice self-control when temptation whispers." But let's examine that. Let's put it on the operating table and poke it with a scalpel. What is mere self-control? Isn't it often just controlling the evil that is inside you, making sure it doesn't leak out and stain your shirt? Isn't it just hiding the monster in the closet when guests come over, shoving it behind the winter coats and the old photo albums, while it continues to growl and scratch at the door and probably eat your shoes? A man who is seething with rage but has "controlled" himself, presenting a placid smile to the world while his internal organs are staging a violent coup, has not practiced righteousness at all. He has practiced concealment. He has become a beautifully decorated tomb, full of very active dead men's bones—which is, coincidentally, exactly what Jesus called the Pharisees in Matthew 23:27. He hasn't dealt with the rage; he's just soundproofed the room. The rage is still in there, doing squats, getting stronger, waiting for the guests to leave so it can come out and redecorate the living room with thrown lamps. This is not the practice of righteousness. This is spiritual stage management. It's a war tactic, hiding the dangerous artillery under a tarp and wheeling it out again when the truce is over. The bitterness is still there, polishing its weapons, writing passive-aggressive letters, keeping a detailed list of every offense ever committed against you since kindergarten.
‎
‎What, then, is this work we must do? It is not the suppression of the symptom. It is the re-training of the heart. It is the long, sometimes tedious, often unglamorous work of learning to love what is good, not just performing it for an Audience of One who, by the way, can see backstage and knows you're wearing a wire. It is the work of taking the anti-malarial tablet when you don't feel like it, when the pill seems bitter, when your flesh wants to spit it out and go back to the fever dreams. It is the work of getting into the water of discipline when the shore of theoretical knowledge is so much more comfortable, so much drier, so much less likely to expose your flailing limbs. It is the work of raising the sail—pulling the rope one more time when your arms are tired, when the wind seems absent, when the harbor looks so inviting with its stationary boats and its non-sailing people who never have to worry about storms. It is the work of not generating the wind, but cooperating with it.
‎
‎And if you will do this work—this unsexy, unglamorous, nobody-is-watching, nobody-is-clapping, nobody-is-writing-a-worship-song-about-your-effort work—you will find one day, to your utter and complete astonishment, that you are no longer acting patient. You simply are patient. The role you played has become the self you are. The costume has become your skin. The habit has become your heartbeat. And that, my friends, is not a lightning bolt. It is a sunrise. Slow, silent, and absolutely unstoppable. And when it comes, you won't even notice at first. You'll just be drinking your coffee one morning, and someone will cut you off in traffic, and you'll wish them well—genuinely—and then you'll catch yourself in the rearview mirror and laugh out loud, because the thing you were striving for has become the thing you are. The swimmer has become the swimming. The patient one has become the patience. And God, the Great Physician, the Master Swimming Instructor, the Captain of the Wind, will smile and say, "Finally, you got in the water. I've been waiting. Now let's go a little deeper."
‎

One of the greatest prophecies of Scripture is found in Psalm 110:1 where David wrote: “The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit Thou at My right hand until I make Thine enemies Thy footstool.”
In Matt. 22:41-46 our Lord explained that this was a prophecy about Himself, David’s Son and Lord. Men might hate Him and cry “Away with Him!” They might nail Him to a tree and laugh and sneer at Him, but God the Father responds by saying: “Here, come sit at My right hand until I make your enemies your footstool.”
We should never forget that according to Bible prophecy God’s response to man’s rejection of Christ was to be judgment and wrath. In Psalm 2 the question is asked why the nations rage and the people of Israel imagine a vain thing: that they can get along without the One whom God has anointed to be King. The Psalm depicts God laughing at their attempts to thwart His purposes and predicts that “the Lord shall have them in derision” and “speak unto them in His wrath.”
At Pentecost all was ready for the judgment to fall. Christ had been crucified and “the last days” had begun, as Peter declared in Acts 2:16,17, quoting from the prophet Joel. But strangely, while some of Joel’s prophecy was fulfilled, or began to be fulfilled, at that time, the rest of it was not, for God did not — and has not yet — sent the prophesied judgment.
Thank God, in infinite grace He interrupted the prophetic program, delayed the remainder of its fulfillment and revealed to the Apostle Paul His secret purpose to offer to His enemies everywhere salvation and reconciliation by free grace, through faith in the crucified, risen Savior. In His Ephesian letter the Apostle asks whether they have heard of “the dispensation of the grace of God, which is given me to you-ward; how that by revelation He made known unto me the mystery” (Eph. 3:1-3). Now, thank God, His eternal purpose in Christ is no longer a secret. While the day of grace lasts we may be “justified freely by His grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 3:24).

Acts 4:

"And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,
2 Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.
4 Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.
5 And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes,
6 And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.
7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,
9 If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;
10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
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.
14 And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.
15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,
16 Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.
17 But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.
18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.
20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.
22 For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.
23 And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.
24 And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:
25 Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?
26 The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.
27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,
28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.
29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,
30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.
31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
35 And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.
36 And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,
37 Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet."