Universal Utterings
for April 17, 2026
A Godcast
UniversalUtterings.Com
04-17-2026 Acts 5 v4042 Worthy To Suffer Dishonor For The Sake Of Jesus
The Acts of the Apostles Chapter 5 Verse 40 thru 42
40 After recalling the apostles, they had them flogged, ordered them to stop speaking in the name of Jesus, and dismissed them. 41 So they left the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name. 42 And all day long, both at the temple and in their homes, they did not stop teaching and proclaiming the Messiah, Jesus.
Acts 5:40-42 emotionally illustrates the early apostles’ unwavering commitment to spreading the message of Jesus Christ, even in the face of severe opposition. After being warned not to teach in Jesus’ name, the apostles were flogged and commanded to cease their preaching. Yet, rather than despairing, they rejoiced at having been deemed worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the Name. Their response exemplifies a deep understanding of the paradox of Christian suffering—what the world sees as disgrace, believers recognize as an extraordinary honor.
To suffer for the sake of Jesus is to align oneself with His suffering, acknowledging that the path to eternal life is often paved with trials and tribulations. In a society that often prioritizes comfort and popularity, the apostles serve as a powerful reminder that true worth is not found in worldly accolades but in loyalty to Christ and His mission. Their joy in suffering reflects a profound faith that transcends earthly concerns, echoing the promise of eternal life and the profound privilege of bearing witness to the Savior of the world.
For those who are willing to endure dishonor for Christ, there exists an extraordinary reward—not only in the hope of heaven but also in the transformative power of experiencing His presence amidst hardship. This encourages believers today to find strength in their struggles, reminding us that every act of courage in the face of shame brings us closer to the heart of Christ. As we reflect on these verses, let us embrace the call to honor God through our trials, for in doing so, we align ourselves with the eternal truth of the Gospel. Amen.
Join me as we pray our daily prayer of forgiveness. The Lord’s Prayer.
At the Savior’s command and formed by divine teaching, we dare to pray:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant peace in our days, that, by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and forever.
I am sorry Lord. I believe You died and rose for me. Please forgive me as I forgive others. I share You as my Lord and Savior seeking to live your Will in all things. Prayers for wife Toni and my mother Betty pray for our children especially our two oldest Alexandra & Allen Son in Law Mark Stern; Julian, Gabriel and Jeffrey and our grandchildren Oliver, Julian and Elliott. We pray for those we’ve said we’d pray for and those who’ve asked us to pray for them. We pray for the dying as we do each day Lord give them peace in their last breath. We pray for Holy Mother Church. Our prayers for our niece Brittany. In Jesus Precious Blood by His Name we pray. Amen.
I am a poet obedient to Christ,
Catholic Evangelist Thomas Cruz†Wiggins
†Spirit led God inspired Christ fed†®
Ephesians 6:17-20
04-17-2026 Acts 5 v4042
**Worthy To Suffer Dishonor For The Sake Of Jesus**
In shadows cast by rulers’ might,
The apostles stood, their hearts alight,
For words of truth they could not bind,
With courage strong, they’d fought and shined.
In council’s grip, they faced the storm,
Yet knew in faith they’d find new form,
To preach of hope, the risen Lord,
Their voices raised, a mighty chord.
“Beat them, toss them out,” they cried,
But still, the faithful would not hide,
For each strike served to stoke the flame,
In pain and joy, they spoke His name.
With bruised backs and spirits alive,
They left the hall, with heads held high,
Rejoicing in their sacred task,
To tell of Him, no need to ask.
Daily in the temple’s light,
And homes where love ignites the night,
They shared the story, bold and true,
Of Jesus Christ, who makes all things new.
From suffering, a seed was sown,
In every heart, the truth was known,
Their scars became a badge of grace,
Of faith that time could not erase.
In Acts of old, a lesson clear,
To stand for truth, to persevere,
For every trial, a chance to see,
The power of Love, inspiring us to be free. Amen.
© Thomas Joe Cruz†Wiggins
April 17, 2026 @ 04:47 AM EST
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**† God First Ministries, Inc. is a Roman Catholic Lay Ministry not sponsored by The Church but is accepted by the IRS as a Religious Charitable Org. and is exempt from Federal Income Tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations made through PayPal using GodFirstforJesus@gmail.com, or given to GFM are tax deductible. †**
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