What a Day For God to Work!

 N.T. #850 "What a Day For God to Work!"

August 7, 2026

Acts 10

LET IT GLOW

It was about ten years after Pentecost. It was time to go to the lost Gentiles with the Gospel. God had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles and bring them into His family. 

Warren W. Wiersbe's Bible Exposition Commentary gives us for acts to this wonderful drama:

1. Preparation
2. Explanation
3. Proclamation
4. Vindication.
5. 
   

Before God saved the Gentiles, He prepared Peter to bring the message and Cornelius to hear the message. 

Who was Cornelius? 

• He was a God-fearing Gentile and a Roman centurion.
• He gave charitably to the Jews.
• He prayed to God.
• He had a vision of an angel telling him to send for Peter in Joppa. (verses 3-6)
• He obeyed by sending his servants to bring Peter to him. (30 miles away)

It was probably just an ordinary day for Cornelius. Yet, God was about to do something extraordinary in his life. The emptiness Cornelius felt in his life was about to change. 

LET IT GROW

Meanwhile, Peter was on his roof praying at noon. Daily, he got alone with God three times a day to pray. This particular time Peter had a vision from God:

A large sheet was lowered from heaven with all kinds of animals in it that were unclean for Jews to eat. Peter was told to kill and eat those animals. Peter was hesitant because he had never eaten anything unclean to a Jew. 

What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. (verse 15)

This vision was seen 3 times for Peter to understand. In the meantime, men were at Peter's gate to see him. The Lord convinced Peter He had sent them. Lodging them, the next day Peter and the men went to Cornelius at Caesarea. 

Peter had to overcome prejudices the Jews had for Gentiles. Cornelius fell down to worship Peter, but Peter declared he was only a man, for him to stand up. The two talked together. 

God had showed Peter that he should not call any man common or unclean. (verse 28)

The people were there before Peter ready to hear what God told Peter. 

Pod is no respecter of persons. But in every nation he that feareth Him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. 

What does that mean? Anyone from any nation may be saved, all on the same basis of faith. It is God's grace for us all.

Peter preached Jesus as the only way to obtain forgiveness of our sins by Holy God. Jesus, the Son of God, died, was buried, and rose from the dead, a perfect sacrifice for our sins. Many believed in Jesus and were baptized. 

LET IT GO

Help us overcome our prejudices, Lord.

Use us in kingdom work to share salvation in Jesus is for all who believe.

Peter is Ministering

N.T.#849 "Peter is Ministering"

August 6, 2026

Acts 9-Part 5

LET IT GLOW 

Luke turns from Saul's ministry to Peter's ministry to the Gentiles. Peter grew up hauling nets on the Sea of Galilee, married, perhaps raised a little family in the fishing village of Bethsaida. Then he met Jesus. Not long after that, he gave up his stake in what might have been a busting-at-the-seams fishing company to follow the Messiah. He was one of the disciples that spoke quickly, acted without thinking, committed himself impulsively and led with unflinching pride. Peter was the one who declared he would not fall away from Jesus, yet denied Him 3 times Peter was the one who first suffered for his faith, beaten with John in the temple, but he went back to preaching again and won 5,000 to faith in Jesus. He became the man through whom God worked some of the greatest miracles of the apostolic era. (Swindoll)

Peter went to the city of Lydda. One of the believers was bedridden for 8 years. Someone had to feed the man, clean him up, dress him, move him, every day for 8 long years. Peter commanded the man to get up and make his bed, for Jesus makes him whole. He did. This miracle caused many in the city and surrounding area to turn to the Lord. (verses 32-35)

LET IT GROW 

Then Peter went to Joppa, the town where Jonah had run from centuries earlier. That was where Tabitha, called Dorcas, a believing woman who sewed clothing, died. Peter prayed over her and Jesus raised her up. Many in Joppa believed in Jesus.

Swindoll says where there is authentic miraculous work, the Lord alone is glorified, no showmanship, unbeliever are convinced to believe, and Biblical truth is validated. 

Friend, have you asked Jesus into your hear to be your Savior, repented of your sins?

LET IT GO

Help us deny ourself, take up our cross, and follow You, Jessus.

On The Road

N.T.#848 "On The Road"

August 5, 2026

Acts 9-Part 4

LET IT GLOW 

Have you traveled to share the Gospel of Jesus? We have made several foreign trips, with many being saved. Saul did the same. Read on to find out more of his life as a Christian.

Saul hit the ground with both feet preaching Jesus. He was on the road for a lifetime of mission work. He disputed against the Grecians and they sought to kill him. He was commissioned to take the Gospel to the Gentiles. (9:15) Saul went to Tarsus, his hometown. Many believed. 

We won't read of Saul until 11:25. Barnabas went to Tarsus to find Saul. They went to the church at Antioch and ministered there, That took place 7 years after Saul left Jerusalem and about 10 years after his conversion. Saul may have used Tarsus as his headquarters for taking the Gospel to the Gentiles in the part of the Roman Empire. He ministered in the regions of Suria and Cilicia (Gal. 1:21) and established churches there (Acts 15:41). 

Saul, later Paul, suffered for the Gospel-1 beating by Romans and 5 Jewish beatings are recorded in Acts or the epistles. Luke tells of one shipwreck he went through.

[Resource: The Bible Exposition Commentary by Warren W. Wiersbe]

"It is doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly until He has hurt him deeply." (A.W.Tozer)

"When God wants to do an impossible task, He takes an impossible man and crushes him," (Alan Redpath)

LET IT GROW 

It was a time of growth for the churches-spiritually and numerically. The door of faith had been opened to the Jews (Acts 2), Samaritans (Acts 8), and soon the Gentiles (Acts 10).

Peter returns on the scene as Saul moved off. God changes His workmen, but His work goes on. 

Our part is to surrender our wills to His will, to abandon our ways for His ways. (Swindoll)

LET IT GO 

Only Jesus paid the price for me.

Only His love could set me free.

Nobody else can open prison doors-just Jesus and nothing more.

Early Years of Saul

 N.T.#847 "Early Years of Saul"

August 4, 2026 

Acts 9-Part 3

LET IT GLOW

After Ssaul received his eyesight, Saul visited Arabia for about 3 years. The Lord instructed him to get alone so He could teach Saul His Word. Maybe it was then that he experienced perils of robbers and perils in the wilderness. (2 Cor. 11:26) Saul may have done some evangelizing while in Arabia. He messages came directly from the Lord Jesus. (Gal. 1:10-24)

Saul preached Christ as the Son of God, the Mesiah and deity, in the synagogues in Damascus.  The people were amazed that Saul changed from persecuting Christians to preaching Jesus. Those Damascus Jews could not believe their ears or eyes. After many days, the Jews took counsel to kill Saul, watching the gates day and night to kill him. 

LET IT GROW

Saul would suffer many things for the cause of Christ. (verse 16)

The disciples at Damascus let Saul down by the wall in a basket. 

The disciples in Jerusalem were afraid of Saul and believed he was not a disciple. (verse 26) Barnabas took Saul to the disciples of Jesus, declaring he:

• had seen the Lord Jesus,
• spoke to Jesus,
• and boldly preached Jesus in Damascus.

Saul was converted to a believer, Barnabas shared. He went in and out of Jerusalem. (verse 28)

What can we learn from Saul's experience?

God can use even the most obscure saint.

We should never be afraid to obey God's will.

God's works are always balanced. 

We must never underestimate the value of one person brought to Christ. (Warren W. Wiersbe)

• 
  

LET IT GO

Keep us humble before You, Jesus.

Use us in kingdom work.

Bless those who are faithful.

Save the lost.

From Persecutor to Preacher

N.t.#846 "From Persecutor to Preacher"

August 3, 2026 

Acts 9-Part 2

LET IT GLOW 

Have you had an eye opening experience? Saul certainly did!

In the meantime, across town, a believing Jew named Ananias had a vision from the Lord Jesus. His instructions were:

• Ananias was told to go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and call for the man Saul of Tarsus, for he is praying there. Saul was the guy who put Christians in prison. 
• Saul saw in a vision you coming in, placing your hands on him, and his sight returning. 
• Ananias was cautious because Saul's making believers suffer, for the chief priests gave Saul authority to do the same in Damascus. (verse 14) 
• Lord Jesus informed Ananaias Saul's purpose for the Lord to bear His name to the Gentiles, kings, and Israel, for he was a chosen vessel. (verse 15)
• The Lord was going to show Saul the great things he must suffer for His sake. (verse 16)

• Get up and go. Well, I feel his reluctance. That sounded like a good reason to avoid Saul, yet Ananias obeyed God even though it could have meant his life. 
• God can use even the most obscure saint for kingdom work. Faithfulness is more important than fame. This was an extraordinary thing that happened to Saul. We may not know how valuable a person is when saved.  

LET IT GROW

 Ananias didn't know what an influence Saul was going to have for generations to come. Truly, Paul was a chosen vessel yielded to God's will not his own. He wrote 2/3 of the New Testament. Saul was a well-educated Roman citizen, a Jew, and knew the Greek language. He was a pharisee to the top degree. Yet he was humbled by the Lord Jesus for 3 days without sight until Ananias came.

What happened to saul?

• In verse 17, Ananias explains that Jesus sent him to Saul.
• Ananias laid hands on him. Probably prayed, but Luke doesn't say so.
• Saul received his sight as well as the Holy Spirit. (verse 17)
• Scales fell from Saul's eyes, he arose and was baptized.
• Saul ate meant, was strengthened, then stayed in Damascus a few days.
• He preached in the synagogues, Christ, the Son of God.

What a changed man! From persecutor to preacher.  This changed heart couldn't but share the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

LET IT GO 

                                and let God.

Blinded by the Light

 N.T.#845 "Blinded by the Light"

July 31, 2026 

Acts 9

LET IT GLOW 

What does it take for you to come to Jesus? For Saul, it took a divine appointment and his being struck blind. Read on for details.

Can you see this Pharisee Saul riding a very high horse on his way to Damascus? It only took a few seconds for God to bring him down. Saul was on a mission, for he had letters from the high priest giving permission to bound Christians (believers of the Way) and drag them to Jerusalem. Every breath Saul took he became more adamant against Christian believers. He wanted to bring them for trial before the Sanhedrin counsel.  Keep in mind, Saul thought he was doing a good thing, yet he was sinning.

All sin, regardless of its character, is ultimately directed against the Lord God. There is no such thing as private or personal sin. Every sin that is committed affects others, but in its terminal point, every sin affects God. (Falwell)

Saul's persecution of Christians meant he was persecuting the Lord God of heaven. And God wasn't about to let Saul get away with it.

Do we consider the consequences of our sins? 

LET IT GROW 

This great light brought Saul to the ground. Look at the conversation between Jesus and Saul:

Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?

Who art thou, Lord?

I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?

Arise, and go to the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. (verses 4-6)

Those with Saul were speechless, having heard the voice, but seeing no man. Saul was blinded by the Light of Jesus, His holiness. That made Saul realize Jesus is alive, the Son of God. Have you believed in Jesus?

Saul was 3 days without sight, as well as not eating and drinking. (verse 9)

LET IT GO

Strengthen us when persecution comes our way, Lord Jesus.

God is Working!

 N.T.#844  "God is Working!"

 July 30, 2026 

Acts 8-Part 5

LET IT GLOW 

How did the >Ethiopian know he should be baptized? (verse 36) Maybe he had seen people baptized in Jerusalem or Philip included this in his witness to the man. (Gentiles were baptized when they became Jewish proselytes. Also, born again believers in Jesus were baptized. Baptism is an important part of a believer's commitment to Christ and witness for Him. This man was speaking while others in his caravan were listening. 

Even though this man was a eunuch, the Ethiopian was accepted by God. Have you been born again? Do you believe in Jesus as your Savior?

LET IT GROW 

We have seen the Holy Spirit reaching working in the life of an Ethiopian. In Acts 8, Samaritans were saved; in Acts 9, Saul, a Jew, in converted; in Acts 10 the Gentiles find Christ. The Lord is working in the world as people hear the Gospel. 

Is God working in your area? 

During our Vacation Bible School, we had 5 youth saved. since then, another youth and an adult got saved, plus one youth came for baptism. God is working in our church.

LET IT GO

Glory to God in the Highest!