Does God want you to ask Him for something now? Acts 10
We saw yesterday that God used Peter mightily, from healing the bedridden Aeneas to the raising of Tabitha from the dead. These resulted in many people giving their lives to the Lord.
43 Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon. Acts 9
The chapter ends with Peter being settled for some time in the home of Simon the tanner, by the sea. The apostle Peter didn’t feel the need to return to Jerusalem, the centre of the new Church. I’m sure he was following the leading of God’s Spirit, but he didn’t feel the need to be at the centre of the Church directing affairs. (Not driven by the need to control) Peter stayed in someone’s house by the sea.
Acts 10 recounts the birth of the Gentile Church and is one of the most significant events in our Bible for present day believers. It’s also interesting to look at God’s dealings with the people involved in these matters.
We’re told who Cornelius was and of his generosity to the poor and his devoted prayer life. Then an angel came to him with a message from God.
The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. 5 NOW SEND TO JOPPA to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. 6 He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea.” Acts 10
God was about to do something unprecedented and Cornelius had to send for the apostle Peter to come to his home. God could have done it Himself, without Peter, but He wanted His apostle to be there. We may not understand why, but is GOD WANTING US TO ASK SOMEONE TO DO SOMETHING TODAY? It may be that God needs/wants someone else to be involved in His solution for us!
God was also at work in Peter preparing him for the coming move of His Spirit among the Gentiles.
11 He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. 12 It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. 13 Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”
14 “Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”
15 The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”
16 This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.
Peter had a religious Jewish mindset (John Wimber, founder of the Vineyard Churches, used to talk about our World View) and God had to shift his belief system. God is fully aware of OUR INTERNAL STRUGGLES when He’s asking us to do something. We can be challenged because we don’t understand what He’s doing and why, but He works with us to overcome inner resistance.
God doesn’t override our individual personality, He works with us to shift us to a place of trust. What a patient and good God we serve.
Fathersloveministry is a faith based ministry, please Donate on our webpage today and help support the Father’s work;
fathersloveministry.co.uk
Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, FOR GOD LOVES A CHEERFUL GIVER. 2 Corinthians 9:7
The Lord is no man’s debtor, Hallelujah.
God rewards those who give to Him, don’t miss out on your blessings, give to Him today.
We are available to seek personal words of direction and encouragement for those who want them. Please contact us on our webpage above. We can also provide counselling online, contact our webpage. A donation is normally required for this service.
The Lord bless and keep you today.