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Going deeper...to go further

Daily Bible reading strengthens our relationship with God, nourishes our spirits and equips us to live a fruitful, effective life for Him.

This month we're going on a journey into God's vision for His Church—our identity, calling, authority, love, unity, and mission. Each day you'll find the passage in full on our website alongside something to help you focus and pray so that you can apply the Word to your life. As we read the Word it’s important that we apply what we read and pray it out over our lives. One of the way you can do this is by using the acronym SOAP. To find out more about SOAP watch this video.

Below you’ll see what we’re reading today. To go forward or back a day in our reading plan use the 'Next' and 'Previous' buttons.

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Week 3 – Spiritual Authority of the Church
Day 21 – Reflection

Focus: Authority and prayer.
Response: "Am I walking in Christ’s authority or relying on my own strength? How can our Church pray more boldly?"

Acts 4:23-37

A fresh infilling of the Holy Spirit23Once released, Peter and John returned to the other believers to report on all that was said to them by the chief priests and elders.24In response, the believers all prayed aloud together, thanking God by saying: "Sovereign Lord, You created the heaven, the earth, the sea and everything in them.25You spoke by the Holy Spirit through Your servant, our father David, 'Why do the nations rage? Why do the people make their own useless plans?26The kings of the earth and rulers together stand against the Lord and His Anointed One.' This is what happened here in this city.27Herod and Pontius Pilate, Gentiles and the people of Israel together, plotted against Your holy Servant Jesus, Your Anointed One.28But they were only doing what You had decided by Your power and will should happen. This was Your plan.29"But now, Lord, because You are aware of their threats, enable us as Your servants to speak Your words of truth with great boldness.30We need to see You stretch out Your hand to heal the sick and to perform more signs and wonders through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus."31After they had prayed in this way, the meeting place shook. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit again and spoke God's Word boldly.Unity among the believers32There was great unity among the believers. They were one in what they believed and in the ways they thought and acted. No-one thought of his possessions as belonging to himself, but they shared everything they had with others.33-35The apostles continued to witness to the resurrection of Jesus, speaking and acting with great power. So great was God's grace on the whole body of believers that nobody among them was left in need. Some who owned land or houses sold them and brought the proceeds from the sales to the apostles, and they ensured that it was distributed to those in need.36Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus called by the apostles Barnabas, meaning son of encouragement, was one such. He sold a field he owned and brought the money to the apostles.

Father, thank You for making me a member of the Body of Christ. Help me to love Your Church as You love her. Teach me to serve with humility, walk in the authority of Jesus, be led by the Holy Spirit, and lay down my life for my brothers and sisters. Build us together into a dwelling place for Your presence and make us a powerful witness of Your Kingdom until Christ returns. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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