5-Day Devotional: Courageous Faith in Action


Monday February 16th 
 The Spirit of Power, Not Fear
Reading: 2 Timothy 1:7 7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Acts 4:1-13 4 And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, 2 greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. 4 But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.
5 On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, 6 with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. 7 And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, 9 if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. 11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
13 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.

Devotional: God has not given you a spirit of fear or cowardice, but of power, love, and sound judgment. Peter, who once denied Christ before a young girl, stood boldly before the very men who crucified Jesus—filled with the Holy Spirit. The transformation wasn't in Peter's own strength but in surrendering to God's power within him. Today, you face your own battles: difficult conversations at work, opportunities to share your faith, relationships that need truth spoken in love. Remember, the same Holy Spirit who empowered Peter lives in you. You don't need to manufacture courage; you simply need to yield to the power already residing within you. God will give you exactly what you need when you open your mouth in faith.

Tuesday Feb 17th
 Standing Firm in Truth
Reading: Acts 4:8-12 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, 9 if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. 11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

John 14:6 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Devotional: "There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved." Peter's declaration was crystal clear—no blurred lines, no apologetic hedging, just truth spoken with Holy Spirit boldness. In our culture of tolerance and relativism, we're tempted to soften the gospel's exclusivity. But true love doesn't withhold truth; it speaks it with grace and conviction. When you share Christ with others, clarity matters. People need to hear that Jesus is THE way, not A way. This doesn't mean being harsh or unloving; it means trusting that truth sets people free. Ask God today for opportunities to speak clearly about Jesus, and trust the Holy Spirit to prepare hearts to receive the message.



Wednesday Feb 18th
 Worship in the Storm
Reading: Acts 4:23-31 23 When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, 25 who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit, “ ‘Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain. 26 The kings of the earth set themselves,
      and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord and against his Anointed’—
27 for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28 to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. 29 And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, 30 while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 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.

 Psalm 46:1-11 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
            2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
      though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
    3 though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God the holy habitation of the Most High.
            5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved, God will help her when morning dawns.
            6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;he utters his voice, the earth melts.
            7 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
8 Come, behold the works of the LORD, how he has brought desolations on the earth.
            9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth  he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
      he burns the chariots with fire. 10 “Be still, and know that I am God.
      I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
            11 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Devotional: When released from interrogation and threats, the disciples didn't gather for a complaint session—they gathered for worship. They began their prayer by declaring God's sovereignty: "Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them." Before presenting their problems, they proclaimed God's greatness. This perspective transforms everything. When you understand how big God is, your problems shrink to their proper size. The 71 powerful men who threatened the disciples were nothing compared to the Creator of the universe. Today, whatever threatens you—health concerns, financial pressure, relational conflict—bring it to God in worship first. Declare His sovereignty, His faithfulness, His power. This isn't denial; it's proper perspective. Worship recalibrates your heart to trust.

 


Thursday Feb 19th
Claiming God's Promises
Reading: Acts 4:29-31 29 And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, 30 while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 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.

Ephesians 6:10-20 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

Devotional: The early church prayed God's Word back to Him, claiming His promises with confidence. They asked for boldness, and God answered by shaking the building and filling them afresh with the Holy Spirit. You can name and claim what God has already promised in Scripture. He promises never to leave you, to give you words when you need them, to work all things for good, to provide strength for every battle. You're not demanding what God hasn't offered; you're standing on what He's already guaranteed. Today, identify one promise from Scripture that addresses your current need. Pray it back to God with confidence. Ask Him for the boldness to share your faith, for wisdom in difficult decisions, for courage to stand for truth. Then watch Him answer.



Friday Feb 20th
Living as a Soldier, Not a Coward
Reading: 2 Timothy 2:3-4 3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him

Revelation 21:7-8 7 The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. 8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

Devotional: You are a soldier in God's army, and cowardice has no place in the kingdom. This doesn't mean living without fear—it means acting despite fear, trusting God's power over your weakness. The consequences of courage may include rejection, loss of friendships, or professional setbacks. But the consequences of cowardice are far greater: missed opportunities to introduce people to Jesus, a life of compromise, and ultimately, failure to fulfill your calling. When you walk out the church doors today, you enter a battlefield. People around you desperately need the truth you carry. Will you speak it? Will you live it? God has equipped you with everything necessary—His Spirit, His Word, His promises. Now He's calling you to march. Step forward in courage today, knowing that to live is Christ and to die is gain.