April 13th Worship Service
Ever wonder what it takes to follow God so closely you can't miss His leading? Peter's prison break story reveals the secret to staying in step with God's perfect timing. Ready to discover what makes faith come alive?
Following God's Lead: Lessons from Peter's Prison Break
The story of Peter's miraculous escape from prison in Acts 12 teaches powerful lessons about following God and maintaining an active, expectant faith both individually and as a church.
What Does It Mean to Truly Follow God?
The angel's urgency in getting Peter to move quickly reveals an important truth - when God leads, we must follow closely. Just as soldiers had to stay close enough to see the "snake eyes" on helmets at night, we need to:
Keep God in front, not trying to lead ourselves
Stay close enough to see His path clearly
Move when He moves
Respond quickly to His direction
How Do We Know God is Present and Active?
Peter's experience opened up a "gateway" to truly knowing God's presence. We can recognize God's presence through:
Observing His creation
Witnessing miracles large and small
Reading His Word
Experiencing answered prayers
Having personal encounters with Him
What Makes a Church Truly Alive?
The praying church in Acts 12 appeared active but lacked real faith when Peter arrived. A truly alive church:
Expects God to show up and work
Maintains enthusiasm and excitement about worship
Believes earnestly in the power of prayer
Stays focused on its mission of reaching others
Refuses to become routine or ritualistic
Life Application
Consider these questions this week:
Am I following God closely or trying to lead myself?
Do I truly expect God to work when I pray?
Am I helping make my church a place of active, expectant faith?
Challenge: Each time you pray this week, pray with real expectation that God will answer. Write down specific prayers and watch for how God responds, even in unexpected ways.
Remember - God wants us to follow closely, know Him intimately, and be part of a vibrant church that expects Him to work powerfully. Let's rise up with enthusiasm and faith, ready to see God move.