Author: looking2jesus13

August 13

Bible Reading: Acts 12:4-5

Acts 12:5, “So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.”

It was King Herod Agrippa I, ruler of Palestine, who had James put to death and Peter imprisoned.  He was the grandson of the Herod the Great who sought to kill the infant Jesus by slaughtering all the male babies “two years old and under” at Bethlehem (Matthew 2:1,16-18).  He was also the nephew of Herod Antipas, who had John the Baptist killed (Matthew. 14:1-14).  Evil and murder were apparently in his blood.  As king, he deposed four squads of Roman soldiers to guard Peter, for he commanded such forces.  Politically speaking, he was the most powerful man in that region.

King Herod answered to a higher authority, for it was the very forces of hell that stood in opposition to the church (Matthew 16:18), and he was but doing their bidding.  As the Apostle Paul reminds us, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12).

In the arrest and imprisonment of Peter, the church found itself in a most needy place.  The Apostle Peter was at the very heart of what the Lord was doing in building his church.  One can imagine their distress.  From a human viewpoint, the situation appeared hopeless.  There was no one to appeal to.  Four squads of well-trained Roman soldiers guarded Peter; no rescue seemed possible. 

But the church was born out of devotion to prayer, and it was in its devotion to prayer that the Spirit worked to grow the church in miraculous fashion. Time-after-time, the Lord worked, through the prayers of his saints, to turn folks from “the power of Satan to God” (Acts 26:18). On a previous occasion, faced with intense opposition, the church had prayed—and God heard their prayers (Acts 4:23-31). Those believers possessed, in prayer, something far more powerful than the whims of an evil ruler or devices of the murderous devil (Ephesians 6:18).  We possess the same.

There’s a lesson for us in this.  We are often prone to turn to prayer when we’ve exhausted all our own human resources.  But the battle is always too big, and the enemies will also be too big for us to resist.  The God who raised Jesus, who has delivered us before, stands ready to deliver again (2 Corinthians 1:10-11).  “The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much” (James 5:16).  “Earnest prayer for (Peter) was made to God by the church” (Acts 12:5).  We do well to follow their example in response to the troubles we all face!

“O believing brethren! What an instrument is this which God hath put into your hands! Prayer moves Him that moves the universe.” – Robert Murray McCheyne

JESUS, OUR HELP IN TIME OF NEED
Jesus, our help in time of need,
Thy suffering servants see,
Who would in all Thy footsteps tread,
And bear the cross with Thee.
Stand by us in this evil hour,
Our feeble souls defend,
And in our weakness show Thy power,
And keep us to the end.

The world, and their infernal god
Against Thy people rise,
Because our trust is in Thy blood
They mingle earth and skies.
Slaughter, and cruel threats they breathe,
And endless battles wage,
And gnash upon us with their teeth,
And tear the ground with rage.

Captain of our salvation, hear,
In all the heathen’s sight
Make bare Thine arm; appear, appear
And for Thy people fight.
Jesus, Thy righteous cause maintain,
The sons of violence quell,
Take to Thee Thy great power, and reign
O’er Heaven, and earth, and hell.

August 12

Bible Reading: Acts 12:1-3

Acts 12:1-3, “About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. He killed James the brother of John with the sword, and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also.”

How fast the tragic news must have spread throughout the church.  Evil King Herod seized some brethren, and had James, the brother of John, killed with a sword!  James’s crime?  He was a leader in the church and the Jews despised the witness of Jesus.  It was politically advantageous for Herod to go after its leaders.  So, the evil King Herod killed innocent James.  And then he had Peter locked up.

The news was no doubt met with both heartache and a sense of pending peril.  What was the meaning of all that had taken place?  How could God allow for it?  Were their lives all now in danger?  The church had grown and prospered; the message of the gospel having worked to save countless thousands of souls.  What would happen now?

Foxe’s Book of Martyrs recounts what happened to James: “The next martyr we meet with, according to St. Luke, in the History of the Apostles’ Acts, was James the son of Zebedee…It was not until ten years after the death of Stephen that the second martyrdom took place; for no sooner had Herod Agrippa been appointed governor of Judea, than, with a view to ingratiate himself with them, he raised a sharp persecution against the Christians, and determined to make an effectual blow, by striking at their leaders. The account given us by an eminent primitive writer, Clemens Alexandrinus, ought not to be overlooked; that, as James was led to the place of martyrdom, his accuser was brought to repent of his conduct by the apostle’s extraordinary courage and undauntedness, and fell down at his feet to request his pardon, professing himself a Christian, and resolving that James should not receive the crown of martyrdom alone.  Hence, they were both beheaded at the same time.  Thus did the first apostolic martyr cheerfully and resolutely receive that cup, which he had told our Savior he was ready to drink…These events took place A.D. 44.”

We don’t need to speculate as to what happened next.  Jesus had said, “I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18).  “The gates of hell,” adorned in kingly attired (Acts 12:21-22), tried their best.  King Herod died in inglorious fashion, “but the Word of God increased and multiplied” (Acts 12:24).  And so, it continues to this day in the battle of good vs. evil.  “The whole world lies in the power of the evil one” (1 John 5:19).  But, praise God, “everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world” (1 John 5:4).  King Herod killed James, but King Herod couldn’t kill the church.  James received a martyr’s reward in his ready reception in heaven. King Herod was “eaten by worms” (Acts 12:23)!

“God allowed Herod to kill James, but He kept him from harming Peter… We may not always understand His ways, but we know His sovereign will is best.”—Warren Wiersbe

ONCE TO EV’RY MAN AND NATION
Once to every man and nation,
Comes the moment to decide,
In the strife of truth with falsehood,
For the good or evil side;
Some great cause, some great decision,
Offering each the bloom or blight,
And the choice goes by forever,
’Twixt that darkness and that light.

Then to side with truth is noble,
When we share her wretched crust,
Ere her cause bring fame and profit,
And ’tis prosperous to be just;
Then it is the brave man chooses
While the coward stands aside,
Till the multitude make virtue
Of the faith they had denied.

By the light of burning martyrs,
Christ, Thy bleeding feet we track,
Toiling up new Calv’ries ever
With the cross that turns not back;
New occasions teach new duties,
Time makes ancient good uncouth,
They must upward still and onward,
Who would keep abreast of truth.

August 9

Bible Reading: Acts 11:27-30

Acts 11:29-30, “So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.”

There were some who had misgivings about the decision for our church to join in a missionary effort to support the churches surrounding the Kabaale Village in Uganda, Africa.  Some suggested that there were plenty of needy folks close to home, so there was no need to fly halfway around the world.  Some wondered, especially after the trips became a yearly occurrence, how we could ever hope to finance such an effort?

But we ventured out in faith and made that first trip.  I ultimately returned eight more times.  The folks there have got a lot of needs—imagine children having one change of clothes; never having possessed a toy; and never having enjoyed a piece of candy.  The people there lack electricity, medical care, clean drinking water, Bibles in their churches, books in their schools, enough food to eat, etc.  The pastors lacked training—that is why I went—but our mission teams assisted in all kinds of ways with both spiritual and physical needs.

Back home, our church eagerly involved itself in the effort.  A group of 30 ladies met regularly to make dresses for girls and shorts for boys.  Another group made feminine hygiene kits for girls.  The church raised money to provide Bibles, gospel tracts, books, pens, writing tablets, food supplies, and cash for assisting in visits to pastors and churches.  Despite the expenditure of many tens of thousands of dollars, our church finances never suffered, but improved instead.

That missionary outreach to our friends in Uganda was the best thing to happen to our church in my years of pastoral ministry.  The brethren in Uganda are so incredible—receptive to the Word, hospitable, full of faith and love for Jesus, warm-hearted, grateful.  The missionary effort of Hope and Mercy Mission grew to involve over 300 Ugandan pastors and churches, lifting the spiritual well-being of an entire region.  And our church benefited in unimaginable ways by extending itself in love to those having a unique set of needs.  I should note that it was not a one-way exchange—we provided training and a lot of useful things for them, but they taught us plenty about living for Jesus outside the confines of our culture and benefits of our prosperity.

The church in Antioch had received news of a famine that was going to have a severe effect on their brethren in Judea.  Being that it was about a fifteen-day journey away, it’s safe to assume that these were folks none of the group had ever met.  But that didn’t matter, for they were spiritual brethren, and it was their loving privilege to assist them (1 John 3:16-17).  So, they took an offering and sent it by the hand of Barnabas and Saul (Acts 11:3). 

There are so many needy folks in our world.  God has blessed us with so much.  How good it is to be a cheerful giver in meeting such needs (whereever we might find them)—giving Jesus all the glory and thanks for the privilege (2 Corinthians 9:10-15)!

“It is more blessed to give than to receive”—Jesus (Acts 20:35).

FREELY, FREELY
God forgave my sin in Jesus’ name,
I’ve been born again in Jesus’ name;
And in Jesus’ name I come to you
To share His love as He told me to.

Chorus
He said: ‘Freely, freely, you have received,
Freely, freely give;
Go in My name, and because you believe
Others will know that I live.’

All power is given in Jesus’ name,
In earth and heaven in Jesus’ name;
And in Jesus’ name I come to you
To share His power as He told me to. [Chorus]

Copyright © 1972 Bud John Songs/ EMI Christian Music Publishing/ Adm. by CopyCare.

August 8

Bible Reading: Acts 11:23-26

Acts 11:26, “And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.”

A lot of different names are used to describe those belonging to Jesus: believers (Acts 5:14); the church (Acts 5:11); disciples (followers of Jesus; Acts 6:1); saints (“holy ones”; Acts 9:13); brethren (Acts 6:3); the Way, or those belonging to the way (Acts 9:2); Nazarenes (Acts 24:5); the flock (Acts 20:28-29), etc. 

But “Christian” is the term most broadly used, and it’s been around a long time.  It was not the Christians themselves, but the people of Antioch who first called them that.  The name means “those belonging to Christ” or “Christ’s men.”  The people of Antioch gave them that title, although indications suggest they gave it as a term of reproach, likely because of the “Christness” of their walk and talk.  Accordingly, it no doubt delighted those followers to be called by that name.

If you were accused of being a Christian, would there be any evidence to support that claim?  That’s what happened in Antioch!  The walk and talk of those disciples were so uniquely different, in Christ-virtuous ways, that people readily identified them as being followers of Jesus.  Are you walking in a manner worthy of Christ (Ephesians 4:1)?  Do Christ-honoring and edifying words typify your speech (Ephesians 4:29)?  Far more important than possessing a mere title is possessing the reality of a genuine relationship with Jesus that evidences itself in His life-transforming ways!

Having trusted in Jesus and His saving work on the cross, a Christian is one who has been born again into a life-transforming relationship with Him.

I AM HIS, AND HE IS MINE
Loved with everlasting love,
drawn by grace that love to know,
Spirit sent from Christ above,
thou dost witness it is so.
O this full and precious peace
from his presence all divine;
in a love that cannot cease,
I am his and he is mine.

Heav’n above is deeper blue,
earth around is sweeter green,
that which glows in ev’ry hue
Christless eyes have never seen.
Birds in song his glories show,
flow’rs with richer beauties shine
since I know, as now I know,
I am his and he is mine.

Taste the goodness of the Lord:
welcomed home to his embrace,
all his love, as blood outpoured,
seals the pardon of his grace.
Can I doubt his love for me,
when I trace that love’s design?
By the cross of Calvary
I am his and he is mine.

His forever, only his–
who the Lord and me shall part?
Ah, with what a rest of bliss
Christ can fill the loving heart.
Heav’n and earth may fade and flee,
firstborn light in gloom decline,
but while God and I shall be,
I am his and he is mine.

August 7

Bible Reading: Acts 11:19-22

Acts 11:23-24, “When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith.”

“Encouragement, noun: the act of giving courage or confidence of success; incentive.” — Webster’s Dictionary 1828 Edition

Barnabas embodied encouragement. Originally named Joseph, he was renamed “Barnabas” (son of encouragement) by the apostles, reflecting his supportive ministry. Barnabas first appears in Acts 4, where he sells a field and donates the proceeds to help needy believers in Jerusalem (Acts 4:37). This generous act encouraged many early Christians. Later, he participated in a relief effort during a great famine (Acts 11:27-30).  In Antioch, where many had turned to the Lord, Barnabas encouraged new believers to stay faithful (Acts 11:23). He sought help from Saul (Paul), and together they taught many people for a year, strengthening their faith (Acts 11:25-26).  Are the people in your life better off in Jesus for knowing you?  That’s how things were in Barnabas’ life.  It seems as if everyone was the beneficiary through his encouraging manner!

The Christian life is often compared to a race (1 Corinthians 9:24-27; Hebrews 12:1-2; Philippians 3:14). Runners face many challenges and need encouragement to endure. God calls us to support one another, not to ignore or hinder those who struggle.  We should all strive to be like Barnabas. The Holy Spirit, our ultimate encourager, helps us encourage others (John 14:16). Filled with the Spirit, Barnabas acted as the “Holy Spirit with hands,” uplifting others in Christ, that they might press on and do God’s will.

God exhorts us to encourage one another through the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23; 1 Corinthians 13:4-7). Someone in your life may need encouragement right now. Call them.  Share with them an encouraging word.  Buy them lunch or a surprise gift.  Find a way to lift their spirit.  Point them to Christ, as Barnabas did, and help them find strength in Him (1 Thessalonians 5:18; Hebrews 10:25; 12:1-3).

“Encouragement is awesome. It (can) actually change the course of another person’s day, week, or life.” – Chuck Swindoll

MAKE ME A BLESSING
Out in the highways and byways of life,
Many are weary and sad;
Carry the sunshine where darkness is rife,
Making the sorrowing glad.

Refrain:
Make me a blessing, Make me a blessing.
Out of my life may Jesus shine;
Make me a blessing, O Savior, I pray.
Make me a blessing to someone today.

Tell the sweet story of Christ and his love,
Tell of his pow’r to forgive;
Others will trust him if only you prove
True, ev’ry moment you live. [Refrain]

Give as ‘twas given to you in your need,
Love as the Master loved you;
Be to the helpless a helper indeed,
Unto your mission be true. [Refrain]

August 6

Bible Reading: Acts 11:4-18

Acts 11:16, “And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

The Word of God is the final authority for believers in all matters of faith and practice. This historical tenet of the Christian faith is well-founded and established in Scripture. Thus, the primary question for believers in all circumstances is, “What does the Bible say?” The Word of God holds the highest authority, even over personal experiences.

Peter addresses this in his second epistle. He was an eyewitness to the majesty of Jesus (2 Peter 1:16) and heard with his own ears the voice saying, “This is my beloved Son” (2 Peter 1:17). Yet, he directed his readers to the prophetic word, not his experiences. He emphasized the importance of paying attention to the Word (2 Peter 1:19). The Word, not our experiences, is the ultimate arbiter of our beliefs and behavior.

After receiving criticism for eating with uncircumcised men, Peter had to explain his actions. Verses 4-15 detail this account. While Peter’s experience had some value, the word of the Lord was paramount. Jesus had promised: “The Spirit will…bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you” (John 14:26).  Peter, accordingly, recalled Jesus’ words: “John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 11:16). It was not just Peter’s experience that validated the salvation of the Gentiles, but Jesus’ own words. Hearing this, his critics “fell silent” and “glorified God” for granting repentance to the Gentiles.  Just as in this example, we need to be careful to sift all we hear and experience through a “but what does the Bible say?” filter.

“To build a theology on experience is to build on sand. But to build a theology on God’s inspired, revealed Word is to build on rock.” – John MacArthur

THY WORD IS A LAMP
Thy Word is a lamp to my feet, O Lord,
Thy Word is a light to my way;
It shines in my soul like a star by night,
And comforts and cheers me by day.

Refrain:
O wonderful, wonderful Word,
My treasure, my hope, and my stay;
Each promise recorded delights my soul,
And brightens each step of my way.

Thy Word is a lamp to my feet, O Lord,
And, trusting in Thee as my all,
Whatever of evil may cross my path,
I never, no, never can fall. [Refrain]

Thy Word is a lamp to my feet, O Lord,
And oh, when Thy glory I see,
For all the rich blessings its truth has brought,
The praises will I give unto Thee. [Refrain]

August 5

Bible Reading: Acts 11:1-3

Acts 11:2-3, “So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, saying, ‘You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.”

Sometimes, followers of Jesus must make tough decisions, fully aware that these choices will attract criticism, even from friends. Such was Peter’s situation. By meeting with uncircumcised men, he went against Jewish laws and traditions. The apostles and brothers in Jerusalem heard about it and demanded an explanation.

Peter knew the potential repercussions of meeting with Cornelius and his friends, but it was God who guided him to make that choice. He received a threefold vision, and the Spirit gave him specific instructions to go. In faith, he followed the Spirit’s leading, taking a path he would have never before imagined taking.

Spirit-led believers will sometimes find themselves in similar positions. Good leaders will inevitably be compelled to make unpopular decisions. But Jesus is Lord of the church and our lives. We serve and seek to please Him and will give an account to Him (2 Corinthians 5:9-10). Don’t be afraid to take the path less traveled when faced with divergent choices. Jesus walked such a path, and He has called us to “follow in his steps” (1 Peter 2:21). 

Peter’s tough choice ultimately led to the salvation of those Gentiles and opened a door to a new dispensation of missionary outreach to even the remote parts of the earth, of which you yourself have been a beneficiary. 

In making tough choices, it is the approval of God and not the applause of men that matters.

HAVE FAITH IN GOD
Have faith in God when your pathway is lonely,
He sees and knows all the way you have trod;
Never alone are the least of His children;
Have faith in God, have faith in God.

Chorus
Have faith in God, He’s on His throne;
Have faith in God, He watches o’er His own;
He cannot fail, He must prevail;
Have faith in God, have faith in God.

Have faith in God when your prayers are unanswered,
Your earnest plea He will never forget;
Wait on the Lord, trust His Word and be patient,
Have faith in God, He’ll answer yet. [Chorus]

Have faith in God in your pain and your sorrow,
His heart is touched with your grief and despair;
Cast all your cares and your burdens upon Him,
And leave them there, oh, leave them there. [Chorus]

Have faith in God though all else fail about you;
Have faith in God, He provides for His own;
He cannot fail though all kingdoms shall perish,
He rules, He reigns upon His throne. [Chorus]

August 2

Bible Reading: Acts 10:44-48

Acts 10:44, “While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word.”

I had my share of interruptions as a preacher.  Once it was because of a couple of birds who had snuck into the sanctuary and were flying around.  People had to decide whether it was more important to pay attention to the path of the birds or the words of the preacher.  On another occasion, a sudden storm that shook the building’s roof shut down all the power and brought a sudden end to the morning service.  Here it was the Holy Spirit who interrupted Peter.  We’ll never know what was in the rest of his message, because the Spirit put an end to it. 

Peter had just spoken some powerful words: “To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name” (Acts 10:43).  As soon as Cornelius and friends heard that message, they believed.  And as soon as they believed, they received the Holy Spirit (John 7:37-38).  The evidence of their reception of the Spirit would prove crucial in Peter’s testimony later, both to his friends and before the Jerusalem council.

Such is the power of the gospel.  When the gospel message meets up with a spirit-prepared heart, a ready response is inevitable.  Consider again the glory and power of the message that fell on their ears for the first time.  Forgiveness of sins is to those who believe in Jesus!  There was a time when that good news first entered your heart.  You believed and received forgiveness of your sins!  You were “born of the Spirit with life from above into God’s family divine!”  Praise the Lord for the message and that saving work of Jesus! It’s a message deserving of our undivided attention and ready response.

We’ve a powerful gospel to share, but it is the Spirit who convicts of sin and opens blind eyes to the glory of Jesus.  It is when the gospel meets with a Spirit-prepared heart that a ready response is inevitable.

HEAVEN CAME DOWN
O what a wonderful, wonderful day
Day I will never forget
After I’d wandered in darkness away
Jesus my Saviour I met
O what a tender, compassionate friend
He met the need of my heart
Shadows dispelling, with joy I am telling
He made all the darkness depart

Chorus:
Heaven came down and glory filled my soul (filled my soul)
When at the cross my Saviour made me whole (made me whole)
My sins were washed away
And my night was turned to day
Heaven came down and glory filled my soul

Born of the Spirit with life from above
Into God’s fam’ly divine
Justified fully thru Calvary’s love
O what a standing is mine
And the transaction so quickly was made
When as a sinner I came
Took of the offer of grace He did proffer
He saved me, O praise His dear name [Chorus]

Now I’ve a hope that will surely endure
After the passing of time
I have a future in heaven for sure
There in those mansions sublime
And it’s because of that wonderful day
When at the cross I believed
Riches eternal and blessings supernal
From His precious hand I received [Chorus]

August 1

Bible Reading: Acts 10:24-43

Acts 10:34-35, “So Peter opened his mouth and said: ‘Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.”

It would be near impossible to overstate the gravity of what was happening.  Jesus had spoken of the “other sheep… not of this fold” (John 10:16), but those sheep had not yet been led to the “door of the sheep” (John 10:7).  He had “broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility…that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two” (Ephesians 2:14-15), but the good news of that truth remained imprisoned behind towering walls of centuries-old prejudice and traditions. 

Jesus had commissioned his disciples to be his witnesses “in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8).  It took a great persecution to jettison the witness to Judea and Samaria. It took a God-orchestrated meeting between God-fearing Cornelius and prejudicial-prone Peter to move it in an “end of the earth” direction.  We all should be glad for that, for we all live in “the end of the earth” regions!

As he had before, with Jews and Samaritans, Peter shared the gospel, but this time to that unanticipated audience.  What was Peter’s message?  Jesus, the divine Son of God, came to earth and went about doing good, but then died on a cross.  But God raised Him on the third day, of which Peter and others were witnesses.  He will judge all men.  Forgiveness of sins is to those who believe in His name! 

Cornelius, and all who heard, believed in that powerful-to-save message (Romans 1:16).  And since that day, the gospel message has broken through countless obstacles and barriers, reaching even unto you!  Praise God that He is a God who “desires all people to be saved” (1 Timothy 2:4)!

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” – Romans 1:16

THE CHURCH’S ONE FOUNDATION
The Church’s one foundation
Is Jesus Christ her Lord;
She is His new creation
By water and the Word:
From heav’n He came and sought her
To be His holy Bride;
With His own blood He bought her,
And for her life He died.

Elect from every nation,
Yet one o’er all the earth,
Her charter of salvation,
One Lord, one faith, one birth;
One holy Name she blesses,
Partakes one holy food,
And to one hope she presses,
With every grace endued.

July 31

Bible Reading: Acts 10:17-23

Acts 10:17, “…the men who were sent by Cornelius.”

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

It was going to take a lot of convincing to move Peter to meet with a group of Gentiles, just as it would later take a lot for Peter to convince a group of skeptical Jews of the legitimacy of his outreach efforts.  So, God worked to convince Peter.  Peter received a vision of the great sheet descending, and not just once, but three times, to reinforce its message.  Then, in God’s perfect timing, Cornelius’ men arrived.  Peter was still pondering the vision when the Spirit gave him instructions.  He was to not hesitate to receive them, though they were Gentiles, for the men were not merely sent by Cornelius (Acts 10:17); they were sent by the Spirit himself (Acts 10:20).

God was soon to do something momentous; something that would bring radical changes to the vision and breadth of the ministry of the church.  As we’ve seen repeatedly in the book of Acts, the Spirit led in the process.  From an earthly perspective, the meeting between Peter and Cornelius’ men resulted from mere human interaction.  But, as the Spirit clarified, it was through His working that the meeting came about.

That event serves as a good reminder to us of an important and encouraging reality.  Every believer is Spirit-indwelt and is to be Spirit-led.  It is as the Spirit of God applies the Word of God to the heart of the believer that we grow in our walk in Christ.  Likewise, it is as the Spirit speaks and moves our hearts that we are led to fulfill God’s will.  He is fully capable to lead—he even led Cornelius’s men—our part is to listen.  

My SiriusXM radio occasionally loses reception when I drive through the Columbia River gorge.  The high canyon walls block the signal from getting to my receiver.  I can’t move those walls, but when it comes to listening to the Spirit, there are things I can do.  I’ve got to purpose to be in the Word (hearing, reading, studying, memorizing, and meditating on it), attuning my heart to hear from God.  And I’ve got to put away that which hinders my ability to listen (James 1:21). “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22).

The Spirit speaks. Our part is to be spiritually attuned to listen to what He is saying.

WHEREVER HE LEADS I’LL GO
“Take up thy cross and follow Me,” I heard my Master say;
“I gave My life to ransom thee, Surrender your all today.”
Wherever He leads I’ll go, Wherever He leads I’ll go,
I’ll follow my Christ who loves me so, Wherever He leads I’ll go.

He drew me closer to His side, I sought His will to know,
And in that will I now abide, Wherever He leads I’ll go.
Wherever He leads I’ll go, Wherever He leads I’ll go,
I’ll follow my Christ who loves me so, Wherever He leads I’ll go.

It may be thru’ the shadows dim, Or o’er the stormy sea,
I take my cross and follow Him, Wherever He leadeth me.
Wherever He leads I’ll go, Wherever He leads I’ll go,
I’ll follow my Christ who loves me so, Wherever He leads I’ll go.

My heart, my life, my all I bring To Christ who loves me so;
he is my Master, Lord, and King, Wherever He leads I’ll go.
Wherever He leads I’ll go, Wherever He leads I’ll go,
I’ll follow my Christ who loves me so, Wherever He leads I’ll go.