A little bit ago, I posted about Bethel’s struggle with fear.
Last Sunday after the morning service, she came and tearfully asked if I would pray with her for boldness to be baptized. (I have asked her before if she was okay if I prayed she would have boldness to do right like the new Christians in Acts prayed for boldness.) We prayed, and then I suggested that she ask our pastor if he would also pray that she would have boldness. She hesitated.
I told her, “If you think you should do it, then do it quickly before you start thinking about it. The longer you think about it, the more you will fear.” It helps to have a little girl that thinks like I do. I have learned (in my spiritual moments) it is best to act quickly when I want to do something for God that involves talking to people. I regret far more what I DONT say for Christ than what I do.
She popped up and ran off, Bethel fashion. She came back a few minutes later and reported that she asked, and he said he would pray for her.
That night, after the evening service, she went forward and was baptized. She said later that she knew it was better to do right and not have the burden on her conscience. Glory! In God’s grace, she didn’t feel pushed at all. How I agonized and worried about not pushing too much, not wanting to create a false decision that she would resent later, but yet wanting to be honest about what is right.
Lord, grant unto me the boldness to speak your word to my children.
And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.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.
Acts 4:29-31
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