Oct 11

If anyone doubts that the actions taken as the result of human beings really have an effect upon the future, since God already knows that future, that person need only read what happened after the disciples acknowledged that the crucifixion of Christ happened by the actions of evil men, and yet was ordained from all eternity by God.

Those disciples did not cave in to despair. For after acknowledging both of these seemingly contradictory facts, they prayed anyway. They trusted that their prayers would likewise have an effect on reality and the future. And what was the result of this faith?

"After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly" (Acts 4:31).

What a lesson for us when we think that we are small and insignificant and we are tempted to a fatalistic outlook on life! If we will but have faith and believe that God is true to his word and will alter reality in accord with our prayers that are in accord with his eternal plan, we will find the place where we pray shaken as well.

When we pray in faith and in accord with God's will, we will find our heart shaken and filled with the Holy Spirit, for the heart is our "meeting place" with the Spirit of God. What was true of the disciples of old will be true for us as well -- for our God is a God of eternity.

Scripture for today: Acts 4:23-31
Thought for today: Faith transcends time.
Prayer for today: Holy God, I praise you and worship you for allowing me to participate in things so powerful that they can alter reality in accordance with your eternal plan.

OCT 11