Thursday 2-2-17, Modesto, California
Today we read Exod 33 – 34, Psalm 16
and Acts 9
S = Scripture O = Observation A =
Application P = Prayer SOAP for the soul.
S. Acts 9:32-35 Peter traveled from place to place to visit the
believers, and in his travels he came to the Lord's people in the town of
Lydda. There he met a man named Aeneas, who had been paralyzed and bedridden
for eight years. Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you! Get
up and make your bed!" And he was healed instantly. Then the whole
population of Lydda and Sharon turned to the Lord when they saw Aeneas walking
around. NLT
O. Saul, now converted to Christ, was
sent back to his home town in Tarsus to protect him from the Jewish leaders who
were seeking to kill him. Now Peter starts visiting the followers of “the Way”
that have been scattered by the intense persecution. He finds groups of
believers springing up in every town. In Lydda the Christians take him to visit
Aeneas. Peter tells Aeneas he is healed by Jesus and orders him out of bed. And
an entire town and Sharon, the neighboring town, too, become followers of Jesus
through this miracle. Next, he goes to Joppa and raises a dead corpse to life
again. Peter is on a roll. And Jesus is gaining many new followers.
Saul’s
fervent persecution probably left some believers in prison and others tortured
and killed, but it made every believing family that fled from Jerusalem, into
missionaries. They left their homes, relatives and friends behind and fled to
safer ground. Let’s say a shoe-maker arrives with his family in a little town
with only a donkey and whatever it can carry. They settle as best they can,
gain friends and dare to pray for someone’s dying child and witness a miracle
and soon they have a “baby church” going in their little rented house.
A. I have seen it happen dozens,
perhaps hundreds of times. Christian families move to a new town for whatever
reason, the Word is shared, miracles happen, and soon a new church is born.
These are not trained preachers, but they know the power of God. They pray for
their neighbors and see miracles. It is part of God’s great plan to take His
miracle working power wherever we go. May I not forget it!
P. Lord, when You fill me with Your Holy
Spirit, I become a spark just waiting to ignite the hearts that surrounded me.
So, I pray, come and refresh my deepest experience with You. Holy Spirit, come,
fill me again. Set me aflame so that I can be a fire-brand. You still work
wonderful miracles, responding to the faith of Your lowly servants. Lord, just
give me courage and faith like that of Peter. Amen.
Ralph
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