This weeks episode was birthed from Acts 4. In this chapter of the Bible it talks about the boldness we're called to have in our faith. The Lord took me back to a conversation I had four years ago with a friend that was without a doubt the boldness of the Holy Spirit. What God showed me in this is the difference between me desiring to be bold in my flesh and me being obediently bold with the spirit.

Acts 4

• Acts 4:13-14, 21, 29, and 31
  Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. 14 But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. 15 But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, 16 saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.
  21 And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened.
  29 And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness,
  31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

Holy Boldness

• At our point of history we all can agree we live in a time where we tend to be hesitant, timid, or fearful in regards to standing firm in our faith to the outside world. We get caught up in the fear that we will be misheard, labled judgmental, or a hypocrite. While all these feelings are certainly valid because of what we see day to day, Acts 4 gave me a new perspective and helped change my human way of thinking on the topic of boldness.
• When we're acting in the boldness of the Holy Spirit our demeanor isn't one of intimidation or trying to put your "opinion" on someone else. Boldness from the Holy Spirit is quite the opposite, it's approachable and truth filled.
•  If you read this story in Acts you'll also see when the council saw the man who had been healed, they couldn't deny what had been done. This goes for us as well, when we show and share the things God has done for us, people cannot deny what we have experienced.

Chelsey's Story
4 years ago a friend and I were meeting for dinner and I He boldly put on my heart I was to talk to her about her relationship. I remeber being so concerned with how this would even come up, not to mention she's not walking with The Lord. I remeber packing my bible, getting to dinner early to pray, and just kept asking Him to open up the converstation because I didn't know how to. About a half hour into our meal it somehow came up and God blew my hair back.
We talked about the relationship, we talked about all the things God wanted for her life, how special she was to Him, and why He wanted her to be treated with respect.
I walked away from that dinner with my heart filled to the brim but I also walked away thinking how on earth did God do that! Well..4 years later He's answered. God centerned boldness.

God Centered Boldness

• As I wrestled with this chapter of Acts I kept coming back to the place of seeing that our fleshy boldness is  NOT the boldness of God. When we act in the flesh things feel off, words feel pressured, and the person were talking with becomes unengaged. I know this because I've been on both sides. I've been the non-believer with someone making me feel uncomfortable while sharing their faith. I've also been the believer trying to have a conversation with someone that I felt needed to happen and things went nowhere.
• When our boldness is set in the things Christ is doing, it becomes filled with truth and love. It's captivating. It causes believers and nonbelievers to lean in to what His word says. His truth gives wandering souls a safe place to land.
  So, if God has asked you to share the gospel with someone, pray over someone, or just ask someone too lunch to be the hands and feet, trust that He will pave the way. He will make the conversation happen. You follow the call, He's got the plans.

I pray this week's episode leaves you feeling encouraged to step out in Godly centered boldness as you pursue your kingdom work. Whether that be in your home with babies, at a corporate workplace, in ministry, or a mixture of these together if God is on the throne of it all that's the best place you can be.