Corporate Fast Encouragement- DAY THREE
Good morning,
This morning, we will read Acts 10, where Luke, the author, emphasizes that the Holy Spirit is for everyone—both Jews and Gentiles. It’s important to reflect on why the Holy Spirit is meant for all people. I believe that God wants the whole world to see His glory—His love, magnificence, and grace—and to experience salvation, healing, and deliverance in their spirit and with the Holy Spirit because of Jesus.
Please take a moment to read Acts 10 now.
In the Christian Foundations class, we are reminded that we see who Christ is throughout all of Scripture. From the initial covenants made with Abraham to the lessons from King David and the Prophets, we learn that we are all chosen to be IN Christ, His Kingdom and become benefactors of what Christ accomplished on the cross. The messages of Christ and the outpouring of His Spirit to ALL people fulfill Old Testament covenants.
When we believe in the message of Christ and receive His Spirit, we belong to a heavenly family. Each person is empowered to share the message of the Kingdom within their spheres of influence. For instance, Cornelius, a Roman centurion living in the capital city and a commander in the army, became interested in Judaism but hadn’t heard the full Gospel of Jesus. We learn that he loved God and feared Him, and he prayed consistently. During his prayers, he saw an angel in a vision who instructed him to send for Peter.
At the same time, Peter also encountered the Lord in a vision. He saw a vessel descending before him, and God revealed to Peter that there is no partiality among those whom Jesus has cleansed. The Lord was preparing Peter to go to the house of a Gentile—a person considered unclean by Jews at the time. After this vision, Peter went to Cornelius' house, escorted by three men sent by Cornelius. There, at Cornelius’s home, Peter shared the message and truth of Jesus, and the Holy Spirit fell upon them. The Jews were astonished to see the Gentiles being filled with the Spirit. This was the first time the Holy Spirit revealed Himself publicly to a Gentile.
The coming of the Holy Spirit was similar to what happened in Acts 2:4, where everyone was filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. It is a remarkable gift from God, calling humanity to Him and revealing His glory through His creation. Simple knowledge isn’t all God wants from us. At that time, the Jews knew only what was revealed to them by the Holy Scriptures. Now we read in Acts that God wants us to know His Spirit empowers the world through believers and reveals His glory through us.
God's choice of individuals in this story was intentional. He selected a Roman official whose rank and influence were significant near a port, combined with the power of the Holy Spirit, which would have had a profound impact in sharing the message of Christ. Peter, a man who doubted and denied Jesus, was chosen to build this church, so it was evident that the Holy Spirit gave Peter great power to share. The Holy Spirit is for everyone and will empower and lead you. God will use visions, angels, and the Holy Spirit within you to reveal Himself to those He guides you to share with. We truly are benefactors to the great Kingdom of Heaven.
One effective way to activate your devotion today is to ask the Holy Spirit to empower and guide you in your relationships with family and friends. Allow Him to show you visions as He did with Peter and to lead you and your household to those who need to hear about the message of Christ, as He did with Cornelius. If you are a parent with children living at home, discuss topics such as fasting, prayer, angels, and visions with them, and observe how the Holy Spirit works through those conversations. If you are single, in prayer consider whom the Holy Spirit wants you to engage within your community. Don’t let these fasting days pass without putting into practice what you are learning; the Holy Spirit is always speaking to you.
With Love,
Pastor Adina