January 18, 2022 -- Acts 10:19-20 -- Spirit saturated witness

People deeply loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

And while Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. 20 Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.”
Acts 10:19-20 ESV

If you have time, read all of Acts 10. It is interesting to see that Cornelius, a Roman soldier and one who feared God—that means he was still in the Jewish way of thinking and had not yet believed on Jesus—was told by an angel his prayers were answered and he was to summon Simon Peter from Joppa. Meanwhile, Peter had a vision as well. He was still perplexed by the vision, when the men, sent by Cornelius arrived at his home and asked him to join them to go to Caesarea, to Cornelius’ home.

It is the work of God to bring one man, elect of God, to the point of inquiry and interest so that he summons Peter. It is the work of God to ensure a willing servant, a Christian, will go and preach good news. Children, deeply loved by God, trust that your Father in heaven is using you to bring sons and daughters to glory. Trust that the Spirit will bring people into your life who need to know the truth of Jesus Christ.

The Gospel is going forward like a tsunami, unstoppable. This flood of good news will sweep away old sins and the devil’s strongholds in the life of the one who was formerly an unbeliever. Those who have been appointed for life in Jesus Christ will be brought to their knees in worship before Him. It is a blessing that God, in His great love, allows you to be bearers of good news. Rejoice. Pray. Ask the Spirit to give you even more discernment to know when to speak, when to be silent, who to speak with and where to go in order that the glory of the Lord will cover this earth, like the waters cover the sea.

LORD JESUS, GREAT HIGH PRIEST,
You have opened a new and living way
   by which a fallen creature can approach you with acceptance.
Help me to contemplate
   the dignity of your Person,
   the perfectness of your sacrifice, 
   the effectiveness of your intercession.
O what blessedness accompanies devotion,
   when under all the trials that weary me,
   the cares that corrode me,
   the fears that disturb me,
   the infirmities that oppress me,
I can come to you in my need
   and feel peace beyond understanding!
The grace that restores is necessary to preserve,
   lead, guard, supply, help me.
And here your saints encourage my hope;
   they were once poor and are now rich,
      bound and are now free,
      tried and now are victorious.
Every new duty calls for more grace than
   I now possess,
   but not more than is found in you, 
      the divine Treasury in whom all fullness dwells.
To you I repair for grace upon grace,
   until every void made by sin be replenished
    and I am filled with all your fullness.
May my desires be enlarged and my hopes be emboldened,
   that I may honor you by my entire dependency
   and the greatness of my expectation.
Be with me, and prepare me for all
   the smiles of prosperity,
   the frowns of adversity,
   the losses of substance, the death of friends,
   the days of darkness, the changes of life,
   and the last great change of all.
May I find your grace sufficient
for all my needs.
"GRACE ACTIVE. The Valley of Vision: Puritan Prayers and Devotions. Ed. Arthur Bennett. Carlisle, PA: THE BANNER OF TRUTH TRUST. reprint 2020, pate 214

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