October 4

Acts 5:40-42 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

How's our faith in times of testing and persecution?
The Apostles' faith during this time of testing... were manifested by how they react and responded in light of the Gospel they preached.

1. Their faith found a way to rejoice in pain.
It's hard to rejoice when life's circumstances seems to give you pain. That's the challenge... it is where our faith is more tested... and through it, it is strengthened. Joy is an overflow in the inside. It's determining factor is from the inside not by our situation. Christ over circumstance. When Christian rejoice even in pain, it is a sign of trusting the LORD and in showing that Christ is enough specially in the midst of storm believing a rainbow will show forth after it all.
2. Their faith paved a way to their renewed mind.
The first is actually a product of a renewed mind in the LORD. Faith changes us from the insideout.
A renewed mind is a transformation from the inside because of our faith in God... what we have known of Him, experienced of Him and came to trust has paved a way for a radical Godward mind. We have come to the truth and the trust has set us free from fear, doubts, worries...etc. You have come to focus on the rainbow though you have seen the storm. And you lived for focusing on the future grace, joy, life in the LORD. That's what faith does. You hope! Unseen yet hoped for with confidence that it will what God has spoken over your life because of who He is in the Bible and in your life. And so that renewed mind lives, 'for His name'.
3. Their faith led them to a radical sharing of faith.
This faith has moved mountains, and have moved their hearts to the point of sharing their lives to people in a radical way... different yet with a heart.
Pain didn't stop them rather it moved they all the more for His name to be known through their lives lived in faith. For only a transformed life can transform life yet to us even in that point we are still changing for His glory. Glory to glory.
Preach and teach daily in every place you set your feet. You do it, naturally in a sense that by the abundance of your heart that your mouth so speak. That is what sharing your life is... its not a play or anything it is life for life in life... that is your daily sharing of a radical faith. This is an overflow of your faith- your preaching and teaching of other people that will come to glorify the Father.

To God be the glory!