When all is done in the name of Jesus, with compassion for wanting the God’s best for others, with a pure, driven heart to do what Jesus taught while being led by His Holy Spirit—Miracles happen.  God acts in the lives whose hearts are completely His.  God does great and mighty works in the lives who believe in Him heart, mind and soul.  Focused hearts and minds are God’s tools through which He brings life.  This is what is happening through a fully dedicated Peter.

I am asking myself, how dedicated am I?  Do others believe in Jesus because of who we are and what we do in the Name of Jesus?  How driven and compassionate are we?  If we want God to act through us, and He still does, what is required of us?  I am reminded of what God told Micah.  God used Micah to explain to His people exactly what is required of us:

“O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” 

(Micah 6:8, NLT)

Peter, the one who was arrogant, impulsive, and shot from the hip before knowing and learning from Jesus is now the “rock” upon whom Jesus is building his church.  Peter walks humbly with God because of Jesus in Him.  God does amazing acts of mercy and grace through Peter.  Peter gives all glory to God and points people to Jesus, His Master.  Peter’s past selfish acts are gone so now God can act through him.  Jesus changes everything.  “When this became known all over Joppa, many put their trust in the Master.”

ACTS—God Acts through His Disciples

Acts 9:32-43, The Message

Tabitha

^32-35 Peter went off on a mission to visit all the churches. In the course of his travels he arrived in Lydda and met with the believers there. He came across a man—his name was Aeneas—who had been in bed eight years paralyzed. Peter said, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and make your bed!” And he did it—jumped right out of bed. Everybody who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him walking around and woke up to the fact that God was alive and active among them.

^36-37 Down the road a way in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha, “Gazelle” in our language. She was well-known for doing good and helping out. During the time Peter was in the area she became sick and died. Her friends prepared her body for burial and put her in a cool room.

^38-40 Some of the disciples had heard that Peter was visiting in nearby Lydda and sent two men to ask if he would be so kind as to come over. Peter got right up and went with them. They took him into the room where Tabitha’s body was laid out. Her old friends, most of them widows, were in the room mourning. They showed Peter pieces of clothing the Gazelle had made while she was with them. Peter put the widows all out of the room. He knelt and prayed. Then he spoke directly to the body: “Tabitha, get up.”

^40-41 She opened her eyes. When she saw Peter, she sat up. He took her hand and helped her up. Then he called in the believers and widows, and presented her to them alive.

^42-43 When this became known all over Joppa, many put their trust in the Master. Peter stayed on a long time in Joppa as a guest of Simon the Tanner.

THINK ABOUT IT

God is searching for those who hearts are completely His today…He always has and always will.  AND He will always be with those who love and walk with Him. 

“God is always on the alert, constantly on the lookout for people who are totally committed to him.”  2 Chronicles 16:9, The Message

How many hands are going up right now?

Lord,

Thank you for all you have done, are doing currently and all you will do in my life.  Thank you for how you act through me.  You are so amazing!  All glory, honor and praise to you.  May my life always point people to you.

In Jesus Name, For Your Glory, Amen.  I believe.