Acts 4 courage on mission

One thing about Peter, he's always willing to speak up. But there seems to be one difference after Christ's resurection--Peter is right on.
The last chapter went really well, but now the thought police show up. The highest political figures, with the police and lawyers in tow, say "Who gave you the right to say these things here? Who do you think you are? You're not qualified or approved!"
After a night in the slammer to cool off, Peter and John are real cool. "Are we on trial for healing a lame man? That's really lame!" "Well, since you asked who and why, its all about Jesus." The defendants turn chief witness and even prosecution as they use this platform to testify to the whole nation from CNN's Jerusalem bureau.
Where does that kind of courage come from? Part of it is personality perhaps, but a big part of it is life by the Spirit lived out in community. Follow P and J home for the council and you see where there courage comes from. They are joined together with other like-minded, sold-out Christians. They pray together (Like Paul, Eph 6) asking God to give them boldness, and they understand the present difficulties in light of God's word ("Hey, this is just like Psalm 2!"). Somebody recently said that each morning they read their Bible and the newspaper, that way they know what both sides are up to!
The earth still shakes when God's people pray and press foward in mission--I've seen it, felt it! We want to have more courage on mission, than we do. It's not out of reach. Are you trying to go into battle alone, who's with you? Who do you pray with? Have you reviewed your morning "intel briefing" sent from heaven, disguised as a book? Do your mision prep, and then let God surprise you with courage under fire.