Keep Praying - Believing God Will Answer - Acts 12:16

S. Acts 12:16 “But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished.”

O. There were many people gathered and were praying. I believe they were praying for Peter’s release from prison as well. When Peter shows up - they are “astonished.” This seems to be “too good to be true to be true.” But it was true. God had answered their prayers through this miracle.

A. How many times has God answered our prayers and you were astonished (you could not believe it)? God does hear our prayers and answers our prayers, at time over the space of time and perhaps indirectly. At other times he does so directly with a miraculous event such as this.

Years ago I remember a dear friend getting the news of having cancer (it was the month of September). The cancer was aggressive. The doctor told my friend that the family should get together soon because they would likely not make it through Christmas. We prayed believing God for great things. God worked greatly and extended my friend’s life by 18 years.

I will continue to pray - believing God for His miracles.

P. Thank you Father for this word today. Thank you that you not only hear our prayers, but that you answer our prayers; sometimes over the space of time and indirectly and at other times directly and miraculously. Holy Spirit fill me and guide me to constantly and consistently pray bold prayers in Jesus’ name.

Barnabas and the Ministry of Connections - Acts 11:24-26

S. Acts 11:24-26 (NIV)

“He (Barnabas) was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord. Then Barnabas sent to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch.”

O. Barnabas was a man who encouraged others. Luke describes him as “a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and Faith…” He thought the best about people. When he witnessed the growing ministry of the church at Antioch, he connected Paul to that work and it flourished even more.

A. I desire to be such a person -a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith.. to be a positive person, to think the best of others and to see the gifts that people have, connecting them to service opportunities.

P. Thank you Father for your word today. Holy Spirit fill me and guide me to be one who thinks the best about others and who can see their potential, helping to connect them to ministry opportunities. In Jesus’ name.

Stepping Out So Others Can Step Up - Acts 8:30, 35

S. Acts 8:30-35 (NIV)

30 Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked. 31 “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 This is the passage of Scripture the eunuch was reading:

“He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth. 33 In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his descendants?
    For his life was taken from the earth.” (Isaiah 53:7) 34 The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” 35 Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.

O. Philip knew he had been sent of the Lord. He heard the man reading this passage from the prophet of Isaiah. Philip initiated the conversation. This led then to Philip telling the man the good news of Jesus. The Ethiopian was saved and then baptized.

God often presents opportunities for us in which we should take the initiative in the conversation. When we do, God can and often does amazing things.

A. I recall times when I knew there was an opportunity to share the good news of Jesus and I failed to do so. I also recall times when I knew there was an opportunity to share the good news of Jesus and I did. One of those times was my first back in the 1980’s. My wife and I had transitioned from youth ministry to children’s ministry, overseeing an Awana type kids’ club called Coached By Christ. I recall sharing the gospel with a middle school student named Kyle. I had asked her if she knew for sure she was going to heaven and she was not sure. I presented the gospel to Kyle (I stepped out) and Kyle took the initiative to pray and receive Jesus as her Savior (she stepped up). That was an amazing night.

Since that time I continue to look for opportunities to present the Gospel of Jesus. I will continue to step out so others can step up (to heaven).

P. Thank you Father for Philip’s example. Holy Spirit continue to guide me into relationships and conversations so that people may hear your word and receive Christ Jesus. Give me boldness to step out so others can express faith and step up! In Jesus’ name!