David Bahn - Reflections

The phrase which Luke uses throughout this book, The Word of the Lord grew, is coming true before our eyes. It may not appear to be that chaotic to our sensibilities. But trust me it was. And for this time - even though God does want things done decently and in order - there will be some chaos. Not 100% chaos, but I'm thinking maybe 75%. What do you think?

This is totally new territory for Peter. He will feel his way forward, all the while thinking, What does this mean?

Peter will now be invited to share God's message with Cornelius. He'll hear it for himself. Peter will have the grand opportunity to tell Cornelius and his household what this means. It means that the gospel message is for Jew and Gentile. It means that God really does love all people. It means that the Word of the Lord is growing. It means that people are being saved. 

However long Cornelius prayed, God did (finally?) answer. Peter was dispatched. New things are on the horizon. God's story will continue to unfold. I like to say that we overestimate what we can do in the short term and way underestimate what God will do in the long term. God's timing is perfect and gracious. His answers are always good. That's why we pray faithfully without ceasing and wait hopefully for God's answers - whenever the timing of God brings them to pass.

Jesus himself had 12 partners, three special ones and one beloved disciple. He sent his disciples out two by two in their mission efforts. This is God's design, summarized in the words, "Don't go alone." I thank God for Diane, my partner in life and ministry, as well as others who have come along side of me in each realm. Fellow pastors and friends, church leaders and members, teachers and trainers have all helped me do whatever good I have done. As I've said many times before, "It is not good for the man to be alone." (cf. Genesis 2:18) That's true in life as well as in mission.

Jesus taught us to pray for all manner of things. He also taught us to pray, Thy kingdom come. And in that prayer raised our eyes beyond the urgent needs of the moment to the eternal needs of all people. When we pray Thy kingdom come, we're praying that people are brought to faith in Jesus, that his gracious reign and rule would take root in our hearts and in the hearts of others. That prayer is much aligned with the mission of God. I believe it to be a truly worthy prayer.

Click here to see Jim Cymbala describe the return of his daughter - an answer to fervent prayer.

https://vimeo.com/74900964

I believe God’s promises about prayer, but I’m not sure I believe in prayer. To say I believe in prayer is too broad. It’s as though prayer itself is something to believe in, as opposed to believing in the One who has promised to hear and answer prayers – albeit conditionally. And that conditionally part is why I don’t like to say I believe in prayer.

The Bible is clear about this: God promises to hear and answer the prayers offered in faith, in Jesus’ name, and from a righteous person praying fervently.

“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” – 1 John 5:14

“Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” – Matthew 18:19-20

The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. – James 5:16

So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.  – Luke 11:9-10

And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. – Matthew 6:7

The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him. – Proverbs 15:8

When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. – James 4:3

If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. – John 15:8

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. – John 15:16

The Gospel message has been around the world. Believers from every tribe, nation, people, and tongue have heard and believed the Good News of Jesus. But there might be someone in your personal sphere of relationships who would test the limits of your gracious welcome. Perhaps God will bring someone into your life who will push out the boundaries of your sensibilities. In the meantime we can be thankful that Peter had this vision and that subsequent to it we who are not of the chosen nation of Israel are of the chosen people of God: no longer unclean.

You and I may wish for a healing we have not yet received. We may yearn for a tomorrow that is yet to come. We may be praying for God's work in the life of a loved one, and wonder whether we'll ever see it. The most important thing for us is to hold onto the promises of God, and trust him for all good things. Dorcas and Aeneas are wonderful examples (among many others) of God's direct touch. Peter is an example of a great and faithful servant of God, and the people who see all this and turn in faith to God are great examples for the rest of us. The most important thing is that we receive the grace of God, believe in Jesus Christ and enjoy his gift of eternal life and salvation.

t’s good to live a well-planned life that way, with our weeks goals, appointments, and schedules all lined out. That way we don’t waste time. But as we plan our weeks, we do well to leave room for the Spirit of God to interrupt our plans and take us places we had not known of or planned on. Who knows what God may have planned for us? After all, God has prepared good works in advance for us to do, so that we may walk in them (cf. Ephesians 2:10). And in our well-planned weeks there will be times we simply must take the next step; do the next thing.

People can be famous for spaghetti sauce, space exploration, athletic prowess, financial success, beauty, or any number of things. We are called to a different kind of fame - a fame of love and good works. To be famous for such things requires a spirit of humility. Rather than doing good works to be seen by others, we are commanded to do them in a way that God receives the glory.