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The blessing of a good Sleep

So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. Suddenly…..” Acts 12: 5 - 6

Peter was at peace with God. He knew this could possibly be his last night on earth. As he grieved the death of his good friend James, who had been beheaded only days before by roman execution and a corrupt government, he knew what was coming. Arrested and beaten, locked in stocks and chains and placed in solitary confinement in prison with squads of soldiers to guard him…. He was the next disciple of Christ to die. So he slept.

Suddenly an angel appeared in the prison cell. He had to kick Peter to wake him up, then he had to help him get dressed. Peter was in a daze and thought it was all a dream. But as the steel shackles lay broken on the stone floor and locked doors flung open as they passed armed centurions, it was not till he found himself alone in the street that he realised a miracle had taken place…. while he was sleeping. He was free. God had released him miraculously from death.

Yes… people had been praying, faithfully praying in an all night prayer vigil for his safe return. As he bashed on the door and pleaded to come in they could not believe their prayers had been answered. But Peter was free from prison. Free to get on with the work God had called him to. Even as he had slept the Lord was making a way!!!

The team and I got 4 hours sleep and did 4 concerts this past weekend, plus drove from Launceston to Hobart to Devonport across Tasmania. We knew it would be a demanding weekend but we served every event with a peace God would supply strength for the moment. So my advice… Enjoy good sleep when you can but serve the Lord with all you have!! Just like Peter, let’s be about building the church in Jesus Name and loving people for Jesus sake!!

As you read this we will be on board the Spirit of Tasmania on a 12 hour voyage across the Bass Strait to Melbourne, Victoria. It has been an amazing tour with many lives impacted for the Gospel.

Thanks so much for your prayers and support.

Godspeed,

steve-sign-white2

Pictured: Don Telford and Steve performing in the historic Baptist Tabernacle in Launceston.

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