Kansas City, Missouri, United States - Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - “The Faithful Holy Spirit” – Saturday, 7 June 2014 - Scripture: Acts 10:30-48

Kansas City, Missouri, United States - Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - “The Faithful Holy Spirit” – Saturday, 7 June 2014 - Scripture: Acts 10:30 Cornelius said, “Four days ago, I was fasting until this hour, and at the ninth hour,[a] I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer is heard, and your gifts to the needy are remembered in the sight of God. 32 Send therefore to Joppa, and summon Simon, who is also called Peter. He lodges in the house of a tanner named Simon, by the seaside. When he comes, he will speak to you.’ 33 Therefore I sent to you at once, and it was good of you to come. Now therefore we are all here present in the sight of God to hear all things that have been commanded you by God.”
34 Peter opened his mouth and said, “Truly I perceive that God doesn’t show favoritism; 35 but in every nation he who fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him. 36 The word which he sent to the children of Israel, preaching good news of peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all— 37 you yourselves know what happened, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; 38 even Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39 We are witnesses of everything he did both in the country of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they also[b] killed, hanging him on a tree. 40 God raised him up the third day, and gave him to be revealed, 41 not to all the people, but to witnesses who were chosen before by God, to us, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that this is he who is appointed by God as the Judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the prophets testify about him, that through his name everyone who believes in him will receive remission of sins.”
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all those who heard the word. 45 They of the circumcision who believed were amazed, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was also poured out on the Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in other languages and magnifying God.
Then Peter answered, 47 “Can anyone forbid these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just like us.” 48 He commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay some days.
Footnotes:
a. Acts 10:30 3:00 P. M.
b. Acts 10:39 TR omits “also” 
“The Faithful Holy Spirit” by Bill Manning
The events of Acts 10 were orchestrated by God’s Holy Spirit. Cornelius, a centurion, invited Peter to come to his home in Caesarea. When Peter arrived, he found that Cornelius had gathered a crowd of his relatives and close friends. Cornelius told how God had spoken to him while he was praying, then he introduced Peter saying, “We are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us” (v. 33b). Few preachers have ever had a more promising opportunity to present the gospel. The people had gathered in expectancy, and they listened with openness to Peter’s powerful, Spirit-inspired sermon. Peter’s sermon was interrupted by the responsiveness of those present. He had been preaching on believing faith and the forgiveness of sins, and folks simply could not wait to respond.
The worship of Christ’s church has always been best characterized by anointed preaching, receptive listening, and a heartfelt responsiveness. What would God like to say to you about your worship?

• Does your worship demonstrate an eagerness to draw close to God?

Hymn for Today:

“Take My Life, and Let It Be Consecrated” by Frances R. Havergal
1. Take my life and let it be
consecrated, Lord, to thee.
Take my moments and my days;
let them flow in endless praise,
let them flow in endless praise.
2. Take my hands and let them move
at the impulse of thy love.
Take my feet and let them be
swift and beautiful for thee,
swift and beautiful for thee.
3. Take my voice and let me sing
always, only, for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
filled with messages from thee,
filled with messages from thee.
4. Take my silver and my gold;
not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use
every power as thou shalt choose,
every power as thou shalt choose.
5. Take my will and make it thine;
it shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart it is thine own;
it shall be thy royal throne,
it shall be thy royal throne.
6. Take my love; my Lord, I pour
at thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself, and I will be
ever, only, all for thee,
ever, only, all for thee.
Thought for Today:
“But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become God’s children, to those who believe in his name:” (John 1:12)
Prayer Needs:
Many people in Cape Verde will come to know Jesus the Christ, Yeshua the Messiah, and receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit.
WordAction Publishing Company
Beacon Hill Press
Nazarene Publishing Company
2500 Troost Avenue
Kansas City, MO 64108 United States
Embrace holy living…visit reflectinggod.com.
-------