DCLM Sincere Milk 17 June 2023 — Rhoda’s Faith
DCLM Sincere Milk 17 June 2023 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Rhoda’s Faith
Topic: Rhoda’s Faith
Text: Acts 12:6-15
7And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.
8And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.
9And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.
10When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.
11And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.
12And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.
13And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda.
14And when she knew Peter’s voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate.
15And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel.
Key Verse: “And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel.” Acts 12:15
Message
After the resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ, great persecution arose against the church. King Herod had Peter arrested and wanted to put him on trial. Herod was the wicked king who killed another disciple named James. Concerned Christians gathered in the house of a woman named Mary – she was the mother of John Mark. They prayed for Peter to be set free.
Then a little girl among the praying Christians named Rhoda heard a gentle knock on the gate and recognized Peter’s voice. She was so excited that she forgot to open the gate. She just ran back into the prayer meeting and shouted “Peter is at the gate”, but they did not believe her. Because she was so sure that God had answered their prayers, she persisted, telling them that it was truly the Apostle. Poor Peter kept knocking until they opened the gate and pulled him inside. Peter told the amazed group how an angel had freed him, just the miracle they were praying for!
Also Read: DCLM Higher Everyday 16 June 2023 — Real Freedom
Sometimes when we pray, we are full of doubts. Oftentimes, part of us does not really believe God will help. The word of God has assured us that when we pray, God will answer. We need not doubt, only believe because with faith as tiny as the mustard seed, you will move mountains.
Further Reading: Mark 11:22
Prayer for today: Lord, help me to have faith in You even as I pray.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
