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God Can Change Your Perspective
Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests. Acts 10:23, NIV God instructed Peter to welcome some men whom he sent. Now, these men weren’t Jews. They were Gentiles who happened to believe in God. In the past, the Jews were very strict in terms of dealing with the Gentiles. They somehow treat them like strangers and unclean. You would rarely see a Jew engaging with Gentiles. They don’t normally welcome them in their homes because they were careful not to associate themselves with their Pagan gods. Peter was so strict with his beliefs and customs, but God did something that changed his perspective. He saw…
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When God Gives Instructions
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.” Acts 10:19-20, NIV God instructed Cornelius to send men to Joppa. He didn’t really explain everything that would happen to him. Instead, He merely gave him a simple instruction. Without a doubt, Cornelius followed what the Lord said. And true enough when his men went to Peter. God already instructed him to welcome and go with them. He already prepared everything ahead. Indeed, it was the Lord who spoke to Cornelius simply…
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God Looks At The Heart, And He Saw What We Are Doing For Others
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. Acts 10:3-4, NIV Cornelius was known to be a centurion. According to some commentaries, a devoted Jew wouldn’t normally like him since he was an officer of the Roman army. The Romans believed in many gods but Cornelius believed in the God of the Jews. In Acts 10:2, it says there that he…
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Apply What You Learned From God
Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. Acts 9:40, NIV Peter was one of Jesus’ disciples who witnessed so many miracles. When Jesus was here on earth, Peter, also known as Simon, was one of those followers who learned so much from the ministry of Jesus. He saw him heal the sick, cast out demons, and raise the dead. In Acts 9, Peter just applied what he had learned from His mentor. What He did was so familiar that it…
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Peter Had Faith In Jesus, And Not In Himself
“Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and roll up your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up. Acts 9:34, NIV Peter healed a bedridden man in the name of Jesus. He knew that the power of Jesus was more than enough to restore someone’s health. He proclaimed His power, and the disciples witnessed what happened. Peter identified himself as God’s instrument. Aeneas was healed not because of Peter’s own effort or skills but all because of the power of Jesus. Peter had faith in Jesus and not in himself. Sometimes, we tend to forget that we are just merely instruments of God. We focus on the blessings…
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We are not Exempted
They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. Acts 5:18, NIV When Peter and John continued to preach the gospel after Jesus’ resurrection, the early church received the anointing of the Holy Spirit. They witnessed a lot of miracles. Their numbers increased, and they were given the chance to tangibly feel God’s presence. The glory of God was so evident. Even the apostles received supernatural boldness and strength to preach the gospel. But despite God’s presence, the apostles were still arrested and put in public jail. There were people who found their message disturbing. They were jealous, maybe because of the respect that the apostle had received…
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The Best Gift
Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. Acts 3:6-8, NIV Peter saw a lame man outside the temple begging for some money. He caught his attention and boldly shared the words that would remind us what matters most in life. At this moment, the lame man was…
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The Stare that Leads Peter to Release the Complete Healing that God Prepared
One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. Acts 3:1-5, NIV There was a lame man who wants nothing but a piece of silver or…
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Acts 15:11, NIV
No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are. Acts15:11, NIV Peter addressed these words to the apostles while they were talking about the Gentile’s circumcision and following the law of Moses. He reminded them that just like the Gentiles, the Jews are also saved through the grace of our Lord. They are being purified not by following the law, but it’s all about faith. It’s by grace that all of us receive the salvation that we don’t deserve. This is a great reminder for us not to put heavy burdens on our brothers and sisters that we didn’t…
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Acts 12: 11, NIV
Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now, I know without a doubt that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches and from everything the Jewish people were hoping would happen. Acts 12:11, NIV Peter experienced supernatural protection from God. He was put into prison, but God’s people prayed for Him. That’s when an angel of the Lord rescued Him from Herod’s clutches and the Jewish people. God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. If He was able to rescue Peter from harm, then the Holy Spirit is also there to protect you. So keep on praying. Keep on doing what God called you…
