Good morning to all on this wonderful Monday morning. Waine ad I were in Atlanta yesterday; Aleron hosted a Super Bowl party and we went down to be with him. It was 70 degrees. What a difference a couple of days makes. Last week was also the week in which Atlanta and Thomaston was blanketed with snow and freezing snow. All of which are gone. We had a lot of "firsts" at ZOe last week--we had the highest census on Monday - we saw 115 patients; we had the lowest census ever - we saw 4 patients on Wednesday the day after the ice store; and we had the busiest Saturday this week - we saw 30 patients. In all of it God was steady and I thank Him for all His blessings.
I am continuing my journey in Acts 10 verses 1-48, "At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!” Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked. The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea.” When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants. He told them everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa. About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.” “Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven. While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon’s house was and stopped at the gate. They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there. While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three men are looking for you. So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.”
Peter went down and said to the men, “I’m the one you’re looking for. Why have you come?” The men replied, “We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to ask you to come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say.” Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests.
The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the believers from Joppa went along. The following day he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. But Peter made him get up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.” While talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean. So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?” Cornelius answered: “Three days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me and said, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor. Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.’ So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.” Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. “We are witnesses of everything He did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross, but God raised Him from the dead on the third day and caused Him to be seen. He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with Him after He rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that He is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about Him that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.” While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. hen Peter said, “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days." Amen and may the Lord add a blessing to the reading and hearing of His Word.
When God gives you a Vision He also makes Provision! Hallelujah! Jesus came that ALL might be saved. Christ's original ministry centered on the Jewish nation; His disciples were Jewish and their vision of spreading the Gospel up until this time was centered on converting Jews for Jesus. Earlier in this book you saw how God used Saul - Paul to spread the message to the non-Jewish nations however this task was too great for one man. God had a plan though; He provided a Vision to two of His Saints--Cornelius and Peter. One Roman and One Jew. Remember God made the Promise to Peter that on the Rock of His Faith, God would build His church however up until now Peter was very choosy and myopic about who he preached the Gospel to. The Romans were the sworn enemies of the Jews and yet God provided Peter with a Vision of his future as a Preacher to all nations. Likewise Cornelius was a Gentile Roman. Not accustomed to Christianity. The Romans were expressly forbidden to participate in the teachings of Christ, but Cornelius also had a Vision. Both these men became instruments of God through their FAITHFULNESS. They were both obedient to the Vision provided and both were given the Holy Ghost Provision which accompanies the faithfulness of believers. Their faith led others to Christ and the Good News. They both divorced themselves from their fears and entered into a relationship with God so that others could come to know the love and care of God through the sacrifice of Christ.
The sermon we heard yesterday was centered on the 9th chapter of Ezra. Christians are told not to be "unequally" yoked. Most interpret this as not marrying a non-Christian only. The pastor yesterday expanded this by admonishing us to not be unequally yoked to the precepts of this world. We are to be in the world but not of it. We are to provide the world with a glimpse of the supernatural power of God through Christ and most of all the love of God through Christ. If we are just like the world, then how is the world going to see God through us. We are to be like Peter and Cornelius. We are to be different. This message was particularly meaningful to me. I constantly struggle to demonstrate the Power and Love of God through the ministry of my practice. When I am frustrated with staff and patients it is very hard for me to remain the vessel through which the love of God will shine and even though its hard, its my mission and part of God's vision for my life and the lives of those He sends to me. Pray for me that this part of my life will be surrendered to God on a daily basis. The His Vision for ZOe will be fulfilled through my obedience.
To know Him is to Love Him. To love Hi is to serve Him. To serve Him is to love you. Now may the Lord bless you and keep you. Nay the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.
Stephanie
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