Her father and uncle were eventually arrested, and she never saw themagain. The rest of her family were able to escape North Korea. - P135
Kimrecalls, "I grew up in a land where they said there was no God, but myfather told me otherwise. He loved Christ, and for that he died." Oneday, she wants to return to North Korea and share Christ with the lost. - P135
Jesus said that we should not be surprised when the world hates usbecause it hated Him first (John 15:18). - P135
Yet even amid persecution, Jesus remains all-powerful and He is continually with us. - P135
Pray for thepersecuted church without ceasing and be ready to stand firm in yourwitness for the gospel, even when the cost is high. - P135
24 When they heard this, they raised their voices to-gether in prayer to God. "Sovereign Lord," they said. "you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, andeverything in them. - P140
31 After they prayed, the place where they were meetingwas shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spiritand spoke the word of God boldly. - P141
32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No oneclaimed that any of their possessions was their own, butthey shared everything they had. - P141
36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostlescalled Barnabas (which means "son of encouragement"), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money andput it at the apostles‘ feet. - P141
Peter and John go back to their people and report everything that happened. They all pray together in response. They ask God to enable them to speak Hisword with boldness and perform signs in the name of Jesus. - P141
All the believersshare their possessions so that no one among them is in need. Joseph, a Levite, sells his field and gives the money to the apostles. - P141
When Peter and John report back to the church what transpired be-tween them and the Sanhedrin, the people of God respond how theyought to: with fervent, united prayer. - P142
Notice the logical flow of theprayer. It begins with an acknowledgment of God‘s sovereignty-including the crucifixion of Christ-which leads to a cry for boldness tocontinue preaching the Word, followed by bold petitions asking Godto heal and save lives. - P142
The place is so filled with the Holy Spirit that itis physically shaken! - P142
When we keep God‘s sovereignty in full view, webecome bolder and our prayers become more faith-filled. - P142
And when wepray together with other believers, faith becomes contagious, creatingan atmosphere of great expectation and encounter. - P142
When Christians hold an unshakable belief that God is sovereign andwill provide for His people, there is a natural movement toward greatersacrifice and generosity. - P142
The result is that nobody is left in need asGod‘s people are compelled to even sell their own possessions in orderto provide for their brothers and sisters. - P142
This countercultural lifestylemight seem radical to outsiders, but it becomes easy once we realize thateverything we have ultimately belongs to God. - P142
And when we live thisway, we truly "testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus" (v. 33) as westore up treasures in heaven that will never decay. - P142
Dear Lord, I praise you for Your perfect ways and Your perfect plans, includinghow Your Son Jesus willingly went to the cross. - P143
May the knowledge of Yoursovereignty empower me every day to live with bold faith and sacrificialgenerosity. In Jesus‘ name, amen. - P143
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