Welcome!
Friday, January 21, 2011
Today: Let God do it!
Passage: 1 Peter 1, Acts 2
1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God’s elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, 2 who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood: (1 Peter 1: 1-2, NIV 84-emphasis added)
After walking with Jesus for a good amount of time,
After witnessing the transfiguration of Jesus and many miracles including dead people being raised up, Peter would still deny Jesus or take his net and boat and go back to his old job!
But one incident made all the difference in His life; Acts 2!
“Acts 2” was a great chapter in Peter’s life; it was like the beginning of a new page. That was the “Jabok” in his life (Jabok is where God visited and transformed Jacob, in the O.T)
Just like God made Jacob into “Israel”, Peter had a key role in the New Testament Israel-the Church
After being filled by the power of the Holy Spirit, Peter was no longer a coward- just like how Jacob no longer feared Esau
Jacob started limping after Jabok, but Peter’s ministry healed a crippled person! (Acts 3)
The Church was birthed in power; it came from the blood of Jesus
Jesus became the seed that fell on earth from heaven and died
What came out of that seed was the Church
The seed is not visible with our physical eyes, but the church is
Jesus did not wait on earth to witness Pentecost with His own eyes; He is the architect and builder of the Church; he paid the price!
After going through all that He suffered, it would have been appropriate for Jesus to be here physically, to witness that great event of the inauguration of the Church, on the day of Pentecost!
But Heaven’s management works in a different way
Jesus knew that 3000 people will be saved in one day. Jesus did not worry, “How Peter can handle all of that?”
Have you seen people (at work or so) who say, “If I am not here, this place will be a mess; it cannot run”?
We might say (in our heart): “the opposite might be true”
At the appointed time, Jesus left the earth
Moses, after leading Israelites for 40 years, could not physically witness them entering the Promised Land
Faith is: believing God blindly that He will do what he has promised
Sometimes, you may be struggling because of your children, or some other issue at home/work/church. Things may look totally hopeless!
But the key is: committing the matter to God and keep praying and thanking
It will come to pass at the right time
When Lazarus was sick, Jesus delayed little more than in anybody else’s case
But Jesus stepped in, when they had lost all hope. He comes in His time!
After Pentecost, we don’t see Peter denying Jesus or taking the sword or taking his net and boat to go back fishing; instead, he became the greatest fisher of men, just as Jesus had prophesied on Him
All we see is Peter getting busy with the Lord’s assignment for him
That thing you are worrying about….? – Jesus will take care of that
The question is: “What are we doing with the assignment God has given us?”
It is important that we take care of God’s business seriously
Have a blessed weekend!
BG
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I am sorry for acting in my flesh, before your time. Give me faith and patience so that I can see your work and intervention. Amen