Anchored in Jesus

Day 32 of 90 days thru the New Testament 

Daily Reading Acts 4–6

There’s an old song that’s been running through my mind and in my heart this week:

🎵 “I’ve anchored in Jesus, the storms of life I’ll brave;

I’ve anchored in Jesus, I fear no wind or wave.” 🎵

    As we step into Acts 4-6, I can almost hear that song being sung under the breath of those early believers. The waves were real, persecution, prison, pressure, and the constant pushback from those who didn’t understand the move of God. Yet they were anchored.

   When Peter and John were told to stop preaching about Jesus, they didn’t back down. They didn’t water it down. They said, “We cannot help but speak about what we have seen and heard.” Oh that our hearts would be the same.

That’s what it means to be anchored.

Not that the storm stops but that you stop being tossed around by it!

  When your heart’s anchored in Jesus, you can stand before any crowd and still say, “I know who my Savior is.”

🎵 “I’ve anchored in Jesus, for He hath power to save;

I’ve anchored in the Rock of Ages!” 🎵

   Then, in Acts 5, those same apostles end up in prison. And I love this part because even the bars couldn’t block their calling. An angel shows up, opens the doors, and says, “Go, stand in the temple courts and tell the people all about this new life.”

That’s what the Spirit still whispers to us today“Go back out there. Keep telling the story.” And what did they do? They didn’t hide. They didn’t hesitate.They went right back to preaching  right back into the waves.

🎵 “He keeps my soul from evil and gives me blessed peace,

His voice has stilled the waters and bid their tumult cease.” 🎵

   Every time I read that, I think  that’s me too.Every time fear or doubt tries to lock me up, Jesus opens the door and sends me right back out. And by Acts 6, the church is growing. Its growing faster than they can manage. Complaints start to rise. People are being overlooked. And instead of ignoring it, the apostles do something amazing.... They appoint others to help serve.

   That’s what being anchored looks like, not just bold preaching, but humble serving.They didn’t say, “That’s not my job.” They said, “Let’s make sure no one sinks.” Stephen was one of those chosen. He wasn’t looking for a platform he was simply faithful. And his faithfulness would soon lead to a powerful witness.

🎵 “He is my Friend and Savior, in Him my anchor’s cast,

He drives away my sorrows and shields me till the last.” 🎵

   The early church didn’t have comfort, safety, or certainty. But they had an anchor that held. Maybe today you feel the winds picking up. Maybe ministry feels heavy, or your voice feels small. Just remember your anchor isn’t in how calm the sea is,  it’s in who’s in the boat with you.

 Love Pastor Mandy