Now Listen…
Father, many things are wearing on me on many different levels. I would pray for a season of refreshing from You. May I once more partake of the springs of living water! Amen.
Acts 10:17-23 (<<click here to read the passage)
I shared this story a while back, but it fits well here, too.
I remember when Massey was just a little guy, and something would upset him to the point of hot tears flowing down his tiny face. On more than one occasion we would slip into a public restroom stall giving me a chance to get down on his level and get him to just breathe. He wasn’t in trouble, but I would say, “OK, Mass, just take a big breath.” With all the emotion still playing through him, he would do so, a bit shaky at first but he just needed help getting himself under control. Once that happened, everything was cool.
How often does life just seem to get out of control for us? It can be overwhelming, for sure. As I referred to in my opening prayer, sometimes we just get worn out, and plain and simple…we need God!
I love the Amplified Bible’s translation at the beginning of verse 19 in today’s passage. It reads,
While Peter was thoughtfully considering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Now listen…”
Can you picture the Father cupping Peter’s face in His hand, looking him square in the eye, and saying, “Now listen… Yeah, this is something totally new for you. I understand that you’re not sure what it’s all about but take a deep breath…trust me. Have I ever led you astray? …three men are looking for you. Get up, go downstairs and go with them without hesitating or doubting, because I have sent them Myself.” vs19-20 AMP
They all were on the cusp of an amazing movement of God. I would astound them all…and it was just the beginning!
Lord Jesus, calm our spirits. Wherever we may be, whatever we may be in the middle of, may we feel you cupping our small child-like faces in Your outstretched loving hand. May we hear Your comforting words of assurance. May we feel Your power. May we be overwhelmed not by our circumstances but by Your love. Amen.
Mar 31st, 2022, Thurs, 6:47 pm
Old Habits Die Hard
A beautiful day to finally open up the grill and help just a bit with supper. Thank You, Father, for the blessings of family and all they mean to me!
Acts 10:7-16 (<<click here to read the passage)
As the old saying goes, “Old habits die hard.” and a majority of us can relate to what it may mean for us personally. If you’re in the habit of eating more than you should, it’s hard to stop. Many struggle with the habit of smoking, and the friends I have that have done so, would verify that it was probably one of the most difficult things they’ve ever done!
The church is not exempt from habits that are hard to break. I’ve mentioned before that I grew up in a very conservative environment. One thing we didn’t do was to play any kind of games that involved playing cards – you know the ones with hearts, diamonds, spades, and clubs. As some would have said at the time, “They’re wicked!” We’ve since gotten beyond that notion, realizing that the cards themselves are not wicked, nor are many of the games associated with them. (I have known many people who have had many wonderfully fulfilling moments with friends and family playing a wide assortment of card games!)
The problem that arises in this example, in particular, is when gambling becomes too big a part of the picture and then becomes nigh impossible to overcome. Many lives have been ruined because of these kinds of issues. But I have never known anyone to lose everything playing euchre or penny poker even!
Doctrinal issues can become problematic as well, even things that are biblically sound. Peter had issues, as can be seen in today’s passage.
A sheet full of all sorts of animals, reptiles, and birds was let down before him and a voice said to him, “Get up, Peter; kill and eat them.” vs12, 13 NLT
Peter’s retort was quick, and he said, “Not at all, Lord, for I have never eaten anything that is common (unholy) and [ceremonially] unclean.” v14 AMP
The Old Testament Law laid out several prohibitions regarding what a devout Israelite could not eat. Most of us know that to this day, Jews will not eat pigs, but they also avoid shellfish (shrimp and the like), no insects (most of us wouldn’t have a problem with that one), and interestingly enough, they cannot have milk and meat in the same meal!
Peter was not overly educated in such things but that was one thing every “good” Jew knew to abide by.
But the voice just as quickly replied, “What God has cleansed and pronounced clean, no longer consider common (unholy).” v15 AMP And for good measure, this happened three times in quick succession.
The scope of God’s Kingdom was broadening, and though the Jewish followers of Jesus found it hard to believe, what they would have rejected was now to be embraced. Old habits die hard but when God sends a directive, we must obey! And as one Gentile amongst millions, I am glad Peter did as he was told!
Mar 30th, 2022, Wed, 7:27 pm
To Know and To Be Known
Father, enable me to keep focused on the task at hand – walking closely by Your side. May I have a listening ear and a willing heart. Amen.
Acts 10:1-8 (<<click here to read the passage)
We all know that life can be difficult…and for some of us, that is the understatement of our lives! Many of us struggle but as I’ve been told on numerous occasions, you can always find someone worse off than you. But believe you me, it is most certainly not a competition!
Regardless of where we find ourselves along the continuum of life, we must never forget that as followers of Christ, God is always by our side – with us, guiding us, encouraging us, all with a love that only He can live out in and through us!
But we also must never forget that though that is of utmost truth, that God is also diligently pursuing all those who do not know Him. Though some want nothing to do with Him as well as many who don’t believe in His existence at all – we must understand that that does not deter our loving Father. (Never give up praying for friends and loved ones, don’t give up on them for God surely hasn’t!)
But then there are also individuals in every age who want so desperately to know God – the true God. They strive to live out everything they can think of to follow Him, though they too do not know Him. And though they do not realize it, God is there for them as well, working behind the scenes, if you will, setting things in motion so that He may be known by them. He is eager and exuberant to be known!
Cornelius, the Roman centurion in today’s passage, fit into that last category. One of the many features of my Life Application Study Bible is the Personality Profiles which highlight key characters throughout the text. The one regarding Cornelius states,
Four significant aspects of Cornelius’s character are noted in Acts: (1) He actively sought God, (2) he revered God, (3) he was generous in meeting other people’s needs, and (4) he prayed. God told him to send for Peter, because Peter would give him more knowledge about the God he was already seeking to please.
Cornelius was doing all he knew to do to please a God he knew of but did not know personally. Even in his ignorance, he diligently sought out God and God instigated a connection!
The Apostle Peter was the key – though initially a somewhat reluctant one…but we’ll look at the rest of Cornelius and Peter’s story tomorrow!
Mar 29th, 2022, Tues, 6:12 pm
Lift Up Your Eyes and Look to the Heavens!
Though the beginning of this day was a little crazy with an uncooperative bus, it all panned out in the end. Thank you, Father, for Your guiding hand and watchful eye. Bless our time together. Amen.
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Early this morning on my high school / middle school route I saw one of the most beautiful sights! The crescent moon was setting in the east as the sun was just starting to color the horizon with a rosy hue. And to add to the beauty, the planet Venus was brightly visible to the upper left of the moon. It was stunning – and of course, I couldn’t take a picture and drive! (The above picture is Venus and the moon setting near Taos, New Mexico.)
I know I’ve written along these lines in the past, but it always takes my breath away, especially knowing Who set it all in place.
Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens:
….Who created all these?
He who brings out the starry host one by one
….and calls forth each of them by name.
Because of his great power and mighty strength,
….not one of them is missing. Isaiah 40:26 NIV
My words seem so feeble to express it all! One of King David’s many psalms is glorious!
O Lord, our Lord,
How excellent is Your name in all the earth,
Who have set Your glory above the heavens!
Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants
You have ordained strength,
Because of Your enemies,
That You may silence the enemy and the avenger.
When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
The moon and the stars, which You have ordained,
What is man that You are mindful of him,
And the son of man that You visit him?
For You have made him a little lower than the angels,
And You have crowned him with glory and honor.
You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands;
You have put all things under his feet,
All sheep and oxen—
Even the beasts of the field,
The birds of the air,
And the fish of the sea
That pass through the paths of the seas.
O Lord, our Lord,
How excellent is Your name in all the earth! Psalm 8:1-9 NKJV
Indeed, O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth! Can I get an “Amen”!
Mar 28th, 2022, Mom, 8:37 pm
Rich in Acts of Kindness
A good morning of services, Father. I am ever grateful for the ministry You have provided me. Use me to fulfill Your will as we continue on. Amen.
Acts 9:32-43 (<<click here to read the passage)
My paternal great-grandmother, Mary Virginia Fowler, was a wonderful woman of God. Her home life wasn’t the best for sure – she gave birth to 17 children and her husband said he hated them all (not a great guy)!
But that didn’t stop her from doing all she could to help others. When she died in the spring of 1953, the other side of the river in Annapolis, Maryland, where she lived, was lined in tribute by many in the black community whom she had helped in some way or another. I’m sure she didn’t have much to work with (with all those mouths to feed and bodies to clothe!) but she didn’t let that slow her down.
We may not realize it, but our acts of kindness may have a great impact on the people around us. A lot of people with that mindset are extremely hard working but are often extremely humble, as well.
In today’s passage, we shift gears from Saul back to Peter. Peter was in the coastal city of Joppa. A believer by the name of Tabitha lived there, and the Amplified Bible said she was rich in acts of kindness and charity which she continually did. v36b Tragically around that time she became sick and died. v37a
Right before this Peter had been in a community not too far away by the name of Lydda, where he had healed a man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years and was paralyzed. v33 I’m sure word traveled fast and when the disciples heard that he was not far away they sent for him, urging him, “Come to us without delay.” v38
Peter left at once and was taken to the room in which they had laid her body and if that was not tragic enough, all the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing [him] all the tunics and robes that (Tabitha) used to make while she was with them. v39 He sent them all out [of the room] and knelt down and prayed; then turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise!” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up. v40
Of course, they all were overjoyed and because of these acts of the Holy Spirit through Peter, many came to believe in the Lord [that is, to adhere to and trust in and rely on Jesus as Christ and Savior]. v42 AMP
Yes, they saw a miracle of God which led them to believe, but like my great-grandmother, Mary, Tabitha had invested her life in others. Neither of them just talked a good talk. Their actions proclaimed their relationship with the Lord Jesus. Their diligence in service to those in need impacted them for eternity!
Lord Jesus, we may not think what we do is all that important but if we are seeking Your will and doing what we can with what we have, You will bless our efforts. Help us to be rich in acts of kindness and charity. We will be blessed, and others will be blessed, as well. And most importantly, Your name will be glorified! All praise to You, our Lord and Savior!
Mar 27th, 2022, Sun, 12:25 pm