“And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord.” Acts 9:42 NKJV
RELATIONSHIP:
In the beginning, God created everything, and you and me. He visited us in the garden and had a personal relationship with us, a friendship with mankind. The curse of sin, which has a price tag of death, came upon the earth thanks to the devil’s trickery and changed everything. Although nothing can separate man from the love of God, sin does physically separate us from God. God created us to commune with Him and the enemy knew sin would destroy that bond. So, God created hell to punish the devil and his demons. The enemy knows it is his punishment, but he plans to take as many humans with him as possible to continue to hurt God. Because God created heaven where he can be reunited with people. Well, people needed help to overcome the enemy so God sent laws and formulas for worship and sacrifice that should point people into a position of acting in love. And the enemy attacked it over time and twisted it until it became punitive. But God so loved us that He then sent His only son, Jesus, to break the curse of sin over mankind by bringing it down into the grave, paying the required price for it, and then conquering it by rising again! Jesus ascended to heaven after 40 days. So that we know through Him we can access a relationship with The Father. God made a way to reconcile with mankind and commune and have fellowship with them again! This is GOOD NEWS.
God also created us with free will. Just as we do not want to be married or in a relationship with someone who is forced and manipulated to be in the relationship (we do not want a partner who is chained and a prisoner to us), God also wants us to freely choose Him. Or we can choose to believe the devil’s lies and go to the devil’s punishment – hell. It is our choice.
I know this sounds like a children’s story. It is simple, moral, and almost imaginative. God made it simple so that even children can believe and be saved from the wrath to come. God wishes that no one parishes. He wants us to at least give a relationship with Him an honest try – and see that He is good. He says you will find Him if you repent and seek Him!
Now imagine if you will what it could be like to have your best friend be the creator of the universe, all-knowing, all-powerful, having all wealth, and super generous – not like a genie in a bottle granting wishes, but a friend with mutual respect and trust and love, who is willing to use His resources to help you. He is willing to talk to you can since he can see ahead, he can prepare you, position you, and protect you from all the craziness in this world. Oh, and all that crazy? It is the enemy knowing his time is short and working very hard to destroy people and distract them from being reunited with God.
It feels like just yesterday, I was crying laying on my floor, exhausted from trying to fix the mess I made. My sin and poor choices caused broken hearts and broken friendships and broken families and despair and death… yes, I made a huge mess of my life. As I lay there with no way I could fix anything, nor could I go on like that – God reached out to me and made me feel like He still loved me and was ready to help me through it. I had tried God before and it did not seem to work out the way I expected, how could He help me this time? As I thought I realized the last time I treated Him like a genie in a lamp and not as a loving and kind Father and Friend. So I looked up and shook my fists and said – fine! Ok! I surrender! I give up and will do things your way! Things can’t get any worse. BUT!! You MUST be a real God. You MUST be whom the Bible says you are! You must be an ever-present help! You MUST be the: I AM! You MUST be the God of fire shut up in my bones! I expect to see the lame walk, the blind see, the deaf hear, demons cast out, and addiction destroyed in people’s lives starting with mine!!! I expect life and relationship!
It is now years later and I can tell you without a shadow of a doubt, HE IS WHO HE SAYS HE IS! I have seen miracles. I have heard His voice. I have experienced Him personally. Oh, and I have to also put in the work because relationships go both ways. Not works like doing good things to earn heaven – that is NOT how this works. I have to put the work into the relationship, you know like talking to Him (because He talks back), spending time with Him (because we both enjoy being in each other’s presence), reading His word (I love learning about his stories and getting to know Him, He already knows me and this is how I can learn of Him), and worshiping Him (because He is faithful and just and worthy!) You know putting the work in as in keeping up on my side of the relationship.
In this world of lies – this simple truth is hard to understand. We can have a relationship with the Father through Jesus in the Holy Spirit.
Do you want to know the truth? Be able to discern lies? Know how to figure it all out in these confusing times and have peace? The Bible says Jesus is the truth. I have experienced it and it has changed my life. I was a whirlwind of sin, promiscuity, drug and alcohol use and so much more. I was lost and I could not find my way, or find a truth, I numbed it with bad choices. Then I found Jesus, and truth while lying on my floor crying that day. He challenged me to accept Him, trust Him and follow Him and I challenged Him to be who He says He is – I found peace and deliverance from sin.
If you want a relationship with God without truth you will get the counterfeit, hypocritical Christianity that has kept some of you away for too long. You need truth and a relationship. You need to be honest with yourself and God (including honest repentance) and the Holy Spirit will reveal the truth to you. It becomes the two-way, interaction that your relationship with God is built on. This is why Jesus is called the truth because he is our only way to the Father.
“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” Romans 10:9-10 NIV
Here is a prayer for you to pray:
Jesus, I believe you are the way, the truth, the life, and the only way to the Father. I believe you are the son of God, you came to Earth and lived. That you died on the cross as a sacrifice for my sins and rose again so that I may be saved from my sins and be able to get to know you. I declare: Jesus, you are Lord!
Therefore, I confess that I am a sinner and I ask that you forgive me of my sins and come into my life. Help me to turn away from my sins and transform me into what you have lovingly created me to be. Help me, through a real personal relationship, to grow and accept your will for my life – that I may live in your blessings. Please walk with me, and talk with me – I accept a relationship with you and with our Father God, through you. In the name of Jesus, I pray ~ Amen
If you have said this life-changing prayer and want a relationship with God, please reach out to me. You can reach me in the comment section here (comments need approvals so you can use it as an email to me and I will not publish/approve it), or you can PM me on Facebook or DM me on Instagram. I do not always have instant access to my accounts, but I will respond when I check them. I would like to follow up and let you know the next steps to forming a healthy relationship.
BIBLE READING:
Dear Heavenly Father – Please give us the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of who you are, who Jesus is, and who the Holy Spirit is. Open the eyes of our understanding, please, so we may know the hope of our calling and the vast sovereignty and power of the grace of the cross. Please do not let us miss out on what you want and need from us today. Lord, I pray that your Word prepares us and not scares us! We forbid the works and influences of fear over your Word and our sound mind. And please keep us, bless us, shine your face upon us, pour your grace over us, and give us peace! And we pray for the peace of Jerusalem! Thank you! – In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen
Today’s reading is found in the Book of Acts, chapter 9, at verse 32 (embedded below for your convenience in the NKJV).
Aeneas Healed
32 Now it came to pass, as Peter went through all parts of the country, that he also came down to the saints who dwelt in Lydda. 33 There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden eight years and was paralyzed. 34 And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus the Christ heals you. Arise and make your bed.” Then he arose immediately. 35 So all who dwelt at Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.
Dorcas Restored to Life
36 At Joppa there was a certain disciple named [i]Tabitha, which is translated [j]Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did. 37 But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. 38 And since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them. 39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them. 40 But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. 41 Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive. 42 And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord. 43 So it was that he stayed many days in Joppa with Simon, a tanner.
Acts 9:32-43 NKJV
MEMORY VERSE CHALLENGE:
“But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.” Luke 9:55-56 KJV
BIBLE DISCUSSION:
Well, now the church has a period of relative peace and prosperity. I suppose it is important to note that just because Paul stopped threatening the church did not mean no one was threatening and persecuting them. They had peace regardless of the chaotic battle that raged against them they had prosperity regardless of how many cursed them and wished destruction upon them.
But the author, Luke, focuses now on the fact that Peter was very much the leader of the church. This is an important point for both history and the intention of the book. Luke documented the Acts of the Apostles leading into the acts of Paul because this book was written as part of Paul’s defense and to show that Paul was not the ring leader of this movement. Historically it is important so we see the prophecy spoken by Jesus that Peter would be the leader of the church, is indeed fulfilled.
Peter seems to have had a healing and deliverance ministry that was unmatched – Jesus not only appointed him the leader but gave him what seems to be the largest portion of “works” or “signs and wonders”. While we can say John had the largest portion of revelation and Philip the gift of going. They each had their own gifting and anointing that make them each a vital part of the whole.
“32 Now it came to pass, as Peter went through all parts of the country, that he also came down to the saints who dwelt in Lydda. 33 There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden eight years and was paralyzed. 34 And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus the Christ heals you. Arise and make your bed.” Then he arose immediately. 35 So all who dwelt at Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.”
You know if I came to you and said Christ Jesus heals you, your say, “I hope so. I’ll let you know what the doctor says tomorrow.”
Aeneas said, OK. Then got up and made his bed.
I am not by any means blaming all people who have prayed for healing, for not being healed due to their faith. But I cannot think of anyone faithless person that Jesus healed. I have the authority to speak it over you and if I do – you better believe it. Because Jesus makes it happen according to your faith.
Now, some people pray in doubt – so if you asked me to pray and I did just to appease you, but I never believed this stuff – then it would be my fault you are not healed. See both the praying person and the receiving person must believe.
It may not be you if you are laying hands on the sick and they are not recovering. You can always tell when the spirit moved out of you and is not received by the other person. It always feels like hitting a brick wall.
“36 At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did.”
Here is another example of Jews having a name among the Hebrews and another name among the Gentiles. And it is disrespectful for Gentiles, such as the author of this book, to call a Jew by their Hebrew name. So Luke uses her Gentile Name – but had to include the Hebrew name because she is mostly known by it.
“37 But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. 38 And since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them. 39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them.”
You and I are not Peter and we do not have the anointing to lead the first church. But we do have the anointing and authority to cast out demons and heal the sick. But what about bringing the dead back to life? Jesus only did it for a child, Lazarus, and Himself. But He said we will do greater things than He did. Can we bring the dead back to life?
If so, who? My dear friend lost her son recently, can he be brought back? Actually, I thought about this at length and even talked with God about it. I do not believe it is God’s will to bring this young man back. But when and who and can we? I remember hearing a tiny old lady speaking at a conference about praying the dead back to life and she said she has prayed many back to life. She went on to say that the cremated dead takes the longest because God has to put all the pieces back together. She told us to remember it takes nine months to put it together the first time. Then she said that the dead dry bones of the modern church are the hardest to bring back to life and that she is seldom successful with them. But in third-world countries, she is blessed with all the signs and wonders. I never forgot her stories. Even then I asked God is it true? Can we pray them back to life and under what circumstances? For what purpose? So many questions.
And the truth is, it doesn’t matter what MY thoughts on the subject are, nor do your thoughts matter. The only thing that matters is that the Bible says it, I believe it and that settles it – and God will work on my mind (and yours too if you let Him) to figure out all the details.
“40 But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up.”
Peter did as Jesus did for the little girl. So I am guessing that is the formula – kick everyone out and pray. We do not know what Jesus prayed. We do not know what Peter prayed. I suppose it is good – because we would have everyone trying to wake the dead using those prayers. I am certain that if I was ever called to – The words for that prayer would come to me. I am also certain I would start with – Hey God, this is so cool – are we going to do this?! Are you ready? Because I am nervous excited and not sure! Lol
“41 Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive. 42 And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord. 43 So it was that he stayed many days in Joppa with Simon, a tanner.”
God did it for His glory and so through it, many would come to believe. Peter stayed on to make sure they had a firm foundation. I am sure He baptized them and laid hands on them to receive the Holy Spirit.
Paul was in the waiting and there is Peter raising the dead! I know people who are watching the rise of new prophetic voices and waves of mini-revivals popping up around the USA right now and they feel left out. They feel left behind. God has them in some waiting room. I am also in a waiting room of sorts. God is teaching me, much like Jesus came and taught Paul.
And what is difficult is many trustworthy voices are saying this is the time to step forth and the waiting is over. But other trustworthy voices are saying we are back into a building and waiting phase. While waiting – build, learn, and grow! The truth is – for Peter, it was a stepping out, and for Paul, it was a wait. And it is the same with us. Some of us are charging ahead and doing amazing miracles while others are sitting here waiting. Trust God, not man. Trust Him if you are a Peter or if you are a Paul in this season.
Please join us tomorrow as we continue to “go” through the book of Acts.
Let me remind you that I am participating in a call for fasting in June, for the United States of America. You do not need to be an American to pray for this country. It is in dire need of God to intervene as it has become so corrupt. If you’d like to join the fast, get more information on it, or just support it and you have Facebook, just go to: https://www.facebook.com/PrayerFastForTheUSA
***
Are you interested in learning more about fasting? Join the Facebook group, designed to be interactive and give you all the Bible verses on fasting, all the types of fasting, and how to fast! In the group are specialists to help us along the way, like the creator of The Fasting Protocol (fasting for health and weight loss; which is part of fasting and important to know about – He can also speak to fasting in a healthy manner). Here is the link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/509149707741862
To Support this Ministry: https://www.etsy.com/shop/JessicasSillyStuff
(Transparency: All moneys go to a for-profit LLC which tithes 10% of all sales, however, the LLC pays for this blog and ministry to operate because this ministry does not collect any funds for itself. I will never ask you for money directly. I do not have an orphanage anywhere. I do not have a sob story to make you pity me – my God provides for me. Please be wise and prudent with what you steward. However, those who have wanted and asked to bless me, because they are blessed by this can support me by supporting my business.)
Thank you for reading in 2023 – a Year of Grace and Provision
May the God of peace keep you and bless you. May you stay focused on Christ and covered in grace. Walk in wisdom.
Maranatha ~ Come Lord Jesus!
If Not For Grace 