Today’s Scripture: Acts 11:1, NIV- “The apostles and the believers throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God.”
Hearts and minds that are open to receiving God do receive His word. As we share what we have received, a crack is made in closed hearts. The church in the time of the apostles criticized Peter for going into the houses of the Gentiles.
The church today can still fall into the trap of not encouraging believers to go into places they do not understand. Christian churches can be territorial. We only need to be concerned, as Peter was in Acts 11:4, to tell the story of God’s word from beginning to end.
Each believer has an outreach in sharing the word they have received. Peter simply told his story beginning in Acts 11:5. The church criticized Him for sharing because it was different than the story they were telling. Peter realized and recognized the power of the Holy Spirit in Acts 11:15-16.
The word of God is not changed by our words. However, the words of our God stories do welcome the Holy Spirit. We, nor the church, convicts. It is the Holy Spirit of God who brings conviction and baptism into the family of God.
Just as Peter in Acts 11:17 we must ask ourselves, who are we to stand in God’s way? Just because we do not understand and someone else seems to have a different story, we should trust God, His words, and His Spirit. It is God who grants repentance that leads to life just as the church realized in Acts 11:18.
We all have one job and that is to tell the good news of Jesus Christ to whoever will listen as the believers did in Acts 11:20. We are not sent out to represent a church yet to represent Jesus Christ. We can trust God. As Acts 11:21 promises “And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.” (KJV)
Go ahead and tell your Jesus story from beginning to end. It is the hand of the LORD that guides the hearts and minds of others. We will experience what Barnabas did in Acts 11:23, “When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord.” (NKJV)
When we share what we have received we are blessed to witness the grace of God. We can be glad for others and encourage them to continue with the Lord with the purpose of their hearts. I have not found encouragement in the church, yet I have been encouraged by hundreds of hearts that are only seeking to share the purpose of heart they have found.
Millions of people all around the world live out their purpose every day by simply continuing to share their purpose of heart. In recovery, many lives have been changed. In churches, millions of lives have changed. In personal conversations millions of lives have changed.
We are all part of the body of Christ. There is no need to be jealous or protectionary of our turf. This is not our turf; this is God’s and He will fill it with His word and Spirit. We should all be encouraged.
As Acts 11:24 states, “Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and strong in faith. And many people were brought to the Lord.” We just need to do the next right and the good thing and the Holy Spirit will encourage us to keep a strong faith in God.
Whether we change one life or millions the word of God that we have received can be trusted.
Today’s Prayer: Almighty God, thank You for Your word. Thank You for making it available to all of us. Let us each tell our stories of the Lord Jesus Christ so others too may come to faith. Our faith is in You LORD. Please send us to those You intend, and we welcome Your Holy Spirit, with faith, to reveal You. In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord we do pray. Amen.
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