The Well
The Well |
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Connecting Hope to the Hurting | |
Thursday
August 28, 2008
Then Peter replied, "I see very clearly that God doesn't show partiality. In
every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right…
"He is the
one all the prophets testified about, saying that everyone who believes in him
will have their sins forgiven through his name."
Even as Peter was saying
these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who had heard the message. The
Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy
Spirit had been poured out upon the Gentiles, too. And there could be no doubt
about it, for they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.
Then
Peter asked, "Can anyone object to their being baptized, now that they have
received the Holy Spirit just as we did?" So he gave orders for them to be
baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Afterward Cornelius asked him to stay with
them for several days.
Acts 10: 34-35, 43-48
Any good, devout Jew would never enter the home of a Gentile, but Peter had experienced a vision from God so he was open to stepping outside of his religious beliefs and into God's plan for him.
Peter shared with Cornelius about his time with Jesus, who Jesus was, and all that Jesus did while He walked on the earth. Before Peter could even complete what he had to say the Holy Spirit fell on the people in that room who had heard the truth Peter testified about.
Well, God was showing Peter the "more" He had for him. Salvation wasn't just for the Jews; God was bigger than any box created by man. His love for the world was about to be demonstrated in a new and fresh way. What Peter and the other followers of Jesus had experienced on the day of Pentecost was happening to Gentiles. Can you imagine their total amazement?
If you have never been in a service where God was free to move as God wants to – you have missed a blessing. Now, I have been in services where God has moved in mighty ways without the manifestation of tongues. I have been in services where the Holy Spirit moved with the manifestation of tongues and other signs and miracles. However, I have also been in services where people worked themselves into a frenzy and tried to manifest these things themselves. However, some of the most beautiful movements of God I've ever experienced and witnessed was just the quiet movement of God as people worshiped Him with tears flowing down their faces; knowing the Holy Spirit was doing His work in their hearts.
We cannot limit God and we can't push God to move. What He wants from us is the willingness to let Him move in whatever way He wants to move. In order for God to move that day Peter had to risk losing the respect of the Jewish community by entering the home of a Gentile. So, we need to realize that sometimes if we want more of God we may have to risk our reputation and the respect we have in the religious community; if we have any. Are you ready to risk it all to know God more?
Father, forgive us when we forget that You risked it all when Jesus came to show us Your heart. We repent for our selfishness and for the way we limit You. Please Lord, move in our lives in whatever way You want to. We die to our need for control and open ourselves to You and to Your power. We are ready to risk it all to know You more.
