Gods Word

Acts 10:44–46 (The Message)

No sooner were these words out of Peter’s mouth than the Holy Spirit came on the listeners. The believing Jews who had come with Peter couldn’t believe it, couldn’t believe that the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out on “outsider” non-Jews, but there it was—they heard them speaking in tongues, heard them praising God.

My Thoughts:

Two things about this story that needs our attention: 1). The Jews were astonished that God had poured out His Holy Spirit on even the Gentiles. In my devotional yesterday I shared how I was reminded that God is no respecter of persons. This is yet another example. The Jews looked down on the Gentiles, considering them so much less than themselves, yet God chose to bless them with the gift of His Holy Spirit. 2). The Gentiles didn’t go and hide in an effort to keep silent about their gift, for the Jews knew they had been blessed with a gift from God, because of their speaking in tongues, unknown to them, and their exuberant praise and worship service that broke out.

Our Challenge:

What gift has God blessed us with individually? Were we ever deserving of a gift from God Almighty? When last have you acknowledged that special gift from God? Do you often praise God for it? Most of us feel like taking a gift back if it appears like the recipient didn’t appreciate it.I believe that if we were less self-centered, and if we never consider anyone in any condition, from any part of town, less than ourselves; and if we will learn to praise God for His mercies and His gift(s) to us, we will see more unsaved people wanting to know the Lord whom we adore and worship. Friends, the unsaved have to see something exciting in us, to believe that what we have is worth the worldly sacrifice most of them will need to leave behind.

Prayer:

I pray that God will be merciful to us and allow us another opportunity today, this week, this year to glorify Him, thank Him, and show our appreciation by using that gift, given to us by Him, for His glory.