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Good Saturday morning friends,
Today is May 4th, and we’re reading together Acts chapter 3.
Yesterday was Acts 2 and the remarkable miracles associated with Pentecost! The Holy Spirit came, as Jesus promised He would. The Disciples and other followers of Jesus were filled with the Holy Spirit of God and began proclaiming the Gospel, the truth about Jesus. In languages they had never studied, did not know, could not understand… but they temporarily spoke them fluently, anointed by the Holy Spirit! And they were understood by Jews who spoke those languages and had come to Jerusalem, from all over the Roman Empire, for the Jewish Festival of First Fruits!
Thousands heard the Gospel, 3000 believed the Gospel and responded to Peter’s message and were baptized. Jesus had promised “I will build MY Church”… and it was happening, 10 days after He had gone back to heaven! A spiritual movement had begun and Jerusalem was being shaken to the core.
Some days later Acts 3 takes place. Notice Peter and John were going up to the Temple, like many good Jews, for afternoon prayers. Becoming a Jesus follower did not drain them of their Jewish traditions and commitment to prayer in the Temple.
Guess what is happening as you are reading this, on the other side of the world, among 1 Billion Muslims? They are preparing for RAMADAN. . . it begins tomorrow, May 5.
For all good Muslims, anywhere in the world, they get on their knees, facing toward Mecca, and pray. 5 times every day! But for one month, Ramadan, they fast from food, from sunup to sundown, and motivated by their hunger, they pray with greater intensity, seeking Allah’s blessing and approval.
I took this picture from April’s (our daughter in Senegal) roof top 3 weeks ago.
Now here’s my question: How do you explain the miracle of normal Galilean fishermen speaking languages they’ve never studied or spoken before? How do these same men, on their way to pray, encounter a cripple and invite him to stand and walk. . .and he does!
Read Acts 3 very carefully and put yourself in the midst of the shocked, amazed onlookers. What’s your explanation for this outrageous behavior? What’s Peter’s explanation (Acts 3:16)? Did you know these types of miracles are happening in our day, especially in Africa, South America and some parts of Asia!
Do you see how this is fulfillment of Acts 1:8, and John 14:11,12,13?
Notice also Acts 3:19. What is the ‘refreshing’ that you experience in your relationship with Jesus when sin is repented? (1 John 1:9)
During Ramadan God often sends visions and dreams about Jesus to Muslim people. As they then inquire from those who they know are Christians, and clear explanation is given about how Jesus is God the Son who came to earth to die for their sin, and rose again, and is in heaven alive, ready to forgive sin and send His Holy Spirit to live within them. . .many will repent and experience Acts 3:19, new life in Christ.
Are you ready to explain the truth about Jesus, from both your knowledge of God’s Word and your personal experience, to anyone who knows you?
Finally, I just received this picture from April late last night. It changes things doesn’t it?
They are all Muslim men whom April and her family have befriended and are trying to draw them to Jesus. The four girls are our grand-daughters.
Their school is doing the musical “Wizard of Oz” and invited these friends. They came and wanted a picture with the kids. See their smiles? Their hearts are being drawn in friendship to Christians, and Jesus is opening their hearts to truth! Is that also happening with you and me and our neighbors and friends here?
Have a great day today,
Pastor Doug Anderson 262.441.8785
“Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, with our eyes fixed on Jesus…” (Heb. 12:1,2)
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