The Well
The Well |
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Connecting Hope to the Hurting | |
Tuesday
August 26, 2008
In Caesarea there lived a Roman army officer named Cornelius, who was a
captain of the Italian Regiment. He was a devout man who feared the God of
Israel, as did his entire household. He gave generously to charity and was a man
who regularly prayed to God. One afternoon about three o'clock, he had a vision
in which he saw an angel of God coming toward him. "Cornelius!" the angel said.
Cornelius stared at him in terror. "What is it, sir?" he asked the angel.
And the angel replied, "Your prayers and gifts to the poor have not gone
unnoticed by God! Now send some men down to Joppa to find a man named Simon
Peter. He is staying with Simon, a leatherworker who lives near the shore. Ask
him to come and visit you."
Acts 10:1-6
Have you ever wanted a true visitation from God? Well, it could be time for your visitation – are you ready for it?
We have no idea how this particular Roman soldier came to know God, but we can rest assured – He knew God and God knew him. Something or someone had introduced him to God and he was faithful with the information he had received. However, God wanted him to know that there was more!
In order for him to get the "more" from God he had to hear God's instructions and be obedient. He had to step out of his role of authority and submit to God's authority. This is something very few of us are truly willing to do. We want to know God and be with God where we are comfortable and in control.
Well, while Cornelius was hearing from God so was Peter. He was about to be called on to do something different too. His faith – his beliefs were about to be tested to the max.
Several years ago, God gave me the opportunity to visit several different churches. I went to churches where they were still doing things by some "book" somewhere, but there was no move of God. Sure, God promised us that where two or three are gathered in His name He will be there, but His being there and His move is quite different. It's almost like some churches have placed God in a box and that is where they want Him to stay.
If we want more from God, if we want to receive our visitation, we are going to have to let Him out of the box. Yes, He is pleased with our prayers, our praise, and our offerings, but He just has more for us. Are we willing to take the steps necessary to receive Him?
Father, I thank You for the story of Cornelius. I thank You that You take notice of what we do and say. I praise You and thank You for urging us to move out of our comfort zone and into Your Presence. We hunger to feel the fresh wind of Your Holy Spirit blowing in our lives. Move Lord, we are ready to be moved! We are ready for our visitation.
