Act out your Faith

Read Acts 5:1 - 9:43

As I read through this passage it was evident to me the apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit as they ministered. People fall dead at the feet of Peter (Acts 5:5), angels breaking out the apostles from prison (Acts 5:19), paralytics and cripples being healed (Acts 8:7), physical transportation (Acts 8:39-40), recovery to the sight (Acts 9:18). It's just potent with signs, wonders and miracles. I mean what's to say these kind of things can't happen now? It's a matter of faith.

"...I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." (Matthew 17:20) 

We also see Sauls complete conversion in this passage. A man hell bent on persecuting christians has one God encounter on the road to Damascus that the weight of the glory of God causes him to go blind and not eat and drink for three days (Acts 9). This is what happens when you have a God sized encounter. Recently when I was in China I met a guy called Ricardo who was also on the Chinese tv show showcasing his instrument. He was a fairly tall white man with dark brown curly hair with a german accent. I met him on the shuttle bus from the hotel to the tv show and we sparked up a conversation. He seemed to a be a knowledgeable man and had a good sense of humour to him. We fell upon the subject of God and Christianity to which he confessed he gave up his faith not long ago. He explained something on the lines of not being able to "understand" or comprehend the meaning of God and why bad things happens etc.

We (JS and I) asked him if he wanted prayer before his performance because he was feeling anxious as he didnt have time to rehearse. He appeared to be agitated by our offer to prayer as it would be a selfish act to ask for such a small prayer while millions of people are going without food everyday. He sounded more like a humanitarian than a musician. I presume he was stressed because of his upcoming performance. We ended up praying for him after he left the room anyway. His act went well and the audience was well pleased with his ability to sing in chinese. Afterward in the lobby of our hotel he seemed more relaxed with the show over and apologised if he came across rude when we asked if we could pray for him. He said he should of just accepted the offer to which we gladly responded we would be praying for him.

God, I pray for Ricardo who we met in China. I pray for a God sized encounter. Just like you encountered the most unlikely on the road to Damascus I pray for that kind of transformation upon this life we met in China. I pray that the lips of Ricardo would sing your praises and his musical gifts would be used to glorify you Lord Jesus. May your will be done. In Jesus name. Amen.