Momentum Changer

  In any sports game we see something that plays a very active role which is called momentum.  A team will begin to pick up the pace for a time and things may continue to go in their favour.  Usually the fans are up cheering especially if it is the home team.  You can begin to see the excitement and feel the intensity.  This can be a very critical time for the opposing team to be alert and ready to defend their team and their purpose.
  In Acts 12:2 we see the death of James through the order of King Herod.  The Bible tells us in verse 3, "And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also."   The king was on a roll as the surrounding fans cheered him on.  He recognized the fame and praise he was getting and wanted more.  King Herod spoken of here is the grandson of the King Herod who wanted to see Jesus put to death at the time of His birth.  He began to see the impact that he could have on the church and on keeping the work of Christ from going forward.  This world has a great purpose that it lives for, itself.  In accomplishing its purpose, the world will do everything it can to stop whatever gets in the way.  The Christians at this time had done a great job of making God's purpose known, to redeem the world.  The Bible tells us in Acts 8:4, "Therefore they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word."  You see, there was a great momentum that the church was able to see God do mighty works.  Young people you must understand that when we see God working that Satan does not like it and he will do everything he can to stop it.  It is amazing though to see what changed the momentum that the world was seeing through King Herod.  The answer was prayer!  In Acts 12:5 we see, "but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him."  James had been killed and Peter was in prison awaiting his death.  The church prayed fervently and God began to stop the momentum.  Peter was set free by an angel (v. 11) and King Herod was put to death (v.23).
God has all the power to change the momentum we see today!  How much do you pray to ask God to use you?  He can use you today to begin to see the momentum turn the other way!