God’s Acts

Nothing of any importance happens in this world, in God’s church, without prayer by His believers, who follow and obey as soon as they get up from their knees. Then God acts. Jesus last words to His disciples were, “go back to Jerusalem”, the crossroads of the world, one of the busiest cities, where visitors came to trade and do business. Many countries were represented when the first miraculous act of God happened after Jesus left this earth. Wow, just wow. Read and be blessed. Our hearts are filled with gratitude for those disciples who prayed and obeyed the Master!

Acts 2, The Message
A Sound Like a Strong Wind
2 1-4 When the Feast of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Without warning there was a sound like a strong wind, gale force—no one could tell where it came from. It filled the whole building. Then, like a wildfire, the Holy Spirit spread through their ranks, and they started speaking in a number of different languages as the Spirit prompted them.

5-11 There were many Jews staying in Jerusalem just then, devout pilgrims from all over the world. When they heard the sound, they came on the run. Then when they heard, one after another, their own mother tongues being spoken, they were thunderstruck. They couldn’t for the life of them figure out what was going on, and kept saying, “Aren’t these all Galileans? How come we’re hearing them talk in our various mother tongues?

Parthians, Medes, and Elamites;
Visitors from Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia,
Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia,
Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene;
Immigrants from Rome, both Jews and proselytes;
Even Cretans and Arabs!
“They’re speaking our languages, describing God’s mighty works!”

12 Their heads were spinning; they couldn’t make head or tail of any of it. They talked back and forth, confused: “What’s going on here?”

13 Others joked, “They’re drunk on cheap wine.”

We all have a tendency to think small when we think of spreading the news of Jesus Christ! As we grew up we were taught that this “go back to Jerusalem” part meant start small then go to the outlaying towns and cities until you reach and teach the world about me. But as we read, we see that Jesus, (who always said what His Father God said to Him), told them to go back to Jerusalem not only to receive the power of Holy Spirit who will give them the words to speak, BUT to also begin at a place on earth, at that time, where it is most traveled…by representatives by many people groups who could exponentially go back to their own countries and tell what happened…beginning the spread of God’s church!! This is another ah-ha moment in the reading of the ACTS of GOD! (At least for me!)

What else do we learn?
–We pray and obey. God ACTS!
–God knows what He is doing…ALWAYS! If we don’t get anything else, get that! Be relieved of the pressures of your own ministry by believing that God knows what He is doing and will do what is best to get His work accomplished! It not up to us!
–He equips believers who behave like they believe with whatever is needed to accomplish HIS work. (What a relief!)
–“They’re speaking OUR language!” Miracles still happen. There are times in our lives when we don’t know our audience as well as think, and God gives us words to say that they understand!
–When we yield to God, His Holy Spirit speaks through us in ways that speak to not only the people around us but to US!
–Never, never, never, underestimate the power of God!

Wow, just wow. And wait ’til tomorrow when an ordinary fisherman gets up to speak for the first time!

Dear Heavenly Father, We are overwhelmed by Your mighty and powerful ACTS! We are humbling grateful to the degree we are physically trembling as we read, pray and worship You this morning. Continue to teach us. Continue to be with us. May we meditate on this message of Your Word all day long…forever.
In Jesus Name, Amen