Try This
Once again we see God simultaneously moving in two different people to change them both. Cornelius and Peter were both prepared by God. Cornelius was prepared to receive Christ while Peter was prepared to deliver Christ. Their sensitivity to the Holy Spirit allowed them to experience transformation. God showed Cornelius the next step he needed to take in order to find truth. The Holy Spirit showed Peter that he needed to look past the problems and see the potential within people. The theme of Acts is clear, God uses people like you and me to reach people like you and me! This is why we must remain sensitive to the leadership of the Holy Spirit. I like to ask the following question with every encounter I have with people. God why is this person in my life right now? Developing the discipline to ask this question brings excitement and expectation to the Christian faith. It puts you On Mission for God. Try it and let me know what happens.
Well, I’d like to say great minds think alike. However I’d have to walk many more miles to have a mind like yours.
I always think this way, I know that everything that I go through, every person I come in contact with is from God. I must choose what to do with that encounter. I had one just yesterday.
A woman I met awhile back keeps popping into my mind. I pray for her. She showed up yesterday while I was serving here at the church. I knew immediately, “God what do you want me to do for her”. As I walked her to her car, I shared our family here at Harrah Church, (our DNA). She seemed intrested. I did catch a moment when she arrived where she would not look at me, I think she thought I would judge her. Instead, God used me to show her His love for ALL people.
Sometimes I can’t imagine that I can make a difference in someone’s life. At least not a profound difference. I feel I still have so much growth as a christian that I don’t have enough to share. I am trying to look for opportunities to share to word of God, but I’m either at church or home. I’m going to make more of an effort when I go grocery shopping and run errands. Maybe there will be someone out there that needs me, or that I need. Next time I feel like I should just say hello to someone, I will. I usually hold back because I don’t want to be the crazy lady at Wal-mart who talks to everyone. But I’ll be crazy about the word!!
Our God is certainly known as a God of the Great Flood, the Plagues on the nation of Egypt, the Parting of the Red Sea, the God of the thunder and lightning on Mount Sinai. But, this God is also the God who quietly works in the lives of people we have yet to meet. We each may have a Cornelius out there waiting for our word from the Lord. The Gospel pattern is for planting,watering and the harvest. The Holy Spirit convicts but it is up to human intervention to bring someone all the way to the cross and Christ. We each are important in the process whether we bring scripture, a good word, a helping hand or a sympathetic shoulder. Why has God, at this moment in time, brought us together, two sinners, one saved and one not? We only have to be real,authentic and open to the Spirit’s leading. But, as the Spirit is leading without he is also within making us able to meet his challenge. We, really, only need to obey.
Cornelius was a good man that worshipped God; however, he did not know the Good News of Jesus Christ. I believe if a person, as Cornelius, is genuinely seeking to know God, that God will provide a way. I pray that, as Peter, I will be His vessel in sharing the Good News.
I’m so glad he chooses people like us to help us, or else where would I be today?? I like to share the Good News with everyone I meet, even (I tend to be here alot) at Crest. Sometimes I just feel like someone need to hear that they’re loved today, and we all are… by God!! I wish I were more sensitive to the Spirit, but I keep praying and reading and one day I’ll get there. For now, even though I’m a babe in Christ myself, I’ll continue to share the love every day!!