Have you ever watched a confident person and thought, “Whatever they’re eating, I need the recipe!” So, what is the recipe for courageous confidence? Is it a pinch of sassiness, a dash of bravery and a tablespoon of nerve, all mixed in with a couple of cups of cement? What are the key ingredients that will not only help you to gain a spirit of determination and boldness that no amount of intimidation can squash, but courageous confidence that infuses your soul with God’s strength?     

Ever find when we face difficulties and we’re feeling overwhelmed we tend to pray for relief? We pray prayers to take away the problem, for God to fix everything and make it good again. However, in Acts chapter 4, we find Peter and John praying for courageous confidence to help them through the difficulty. 

You see, they were being threatened by the Sadducees, and as far as these Temple police were concerned, all this nonsense about the resurrection of Jesus had to stop. Thousands of people were following these healing preachers and although they hated to admit it, the Sadducee’s religious feathers were being well and truly ruffled. Where did these two uneducated peasants who spoke with such authority, get this courageous confidence?  

“…so that it doesn’t go any further, let’s silence them with threats so they won’t dare to use Jesus’ name ever again with anyone” Acts 4:17. This did not affect Peter and John, and they stood confidently in their conviction. They told the Sadducees they couldn’t possibly keep quiet about what they’d seen and heard of Jesus. And as the temperature from the Sadducee’s threats was turned up to the max, Peter and John needed God’s recipe card to make a new batch of courageous confidence that could be divided among their followers.    

So, they prayed.

‘And now, Lord, take note of their intimidations intended to silence us. Grant us, Your servants, the courageous confidence we need to go ahead and proclaim Your message…They finished their prayer, and immediately the whole place where they had gathered began to shake. All the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit, and they began speaking God’s message with courageous confidence.’ Acts 4:29 -31  

If we break down this passage of scripture, we’ll find the three key ingredients that bring a recipe of disaster to the enemy’s tactics that can and will silence his confidence swiping intimidation threats aimed at your faith.  

Key Ingredients 

1.         They prayed

2.         The place where they gathered was shaken 

3.         They were filled with the Holy Spirit

These three key ingredients helped fill the people with courageous confidence, ‘On the day I needed You, I called, and You responded and infused my soul with strength’ Psalm 138:3 

Call out to God and He’ll respond by infusing your soul with strength, and He’ll give you courageous confidence that is sure to ruffle a few feathers! 

Wendy xo 

Have you been filled or need a refilling of the Holy Spirit? 

I pray that today you will find a few quiet moments to ask God to anoint you afresh with His courageous confidence that not only ruffles religious feathers but shakes the kingdom of darkness to its core.