First Response

First Response

Acts 10: ³⁰ So Cornelius said,  “Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, ³¹ and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your alms are remembered in the sight of God. ³² Send therefore to Joppa and call Simon here, whose surname is Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea. When he comes, he will speak to you.’ ³³ So I sent to you immediately, and you have done well to come. Now therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God.”

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“Gullible” was the label placed on me with laughter. Questions were hurled at me with answers I did not know. I would to proud to say “I don’t know” so I went along with what people said. When I heard the laughter, I decided no one would fool me again. I became suspicious of motive, listening intently for lies.

• When I was hurt by liars, I became suspicious.
• When I was embarrassed by pranksters I became jaded to simply listening to anyone.
• When I was told one thing and watched people do another, I became slow to respond until I found out the “truth.”

Cornelius quieted down, fasted and prayed to GOD. He heard from GOD that his prayers and alms were remembered. His first response was to obey what GOD told him without doubt. Peter did the same. He went to a group of people who did not look nor act like him. Peter was obedient to the point of bridging the gap between races.

• GOD wants my first response to be that of love.
• GOD wants my first response to also include seeking people for HIS kingdom.
• GOD wants my first response to also include faith, compassion, mercy and grace.

It is not easy to have my first response to be focused on GOD. I mean when “that” person says the right thing, my first response is to react, probably in a negative way. BUT GOD gives me a “second” chance. HE wants me to pause for a “second”, think about my response and use my “second” response as my first.

Obedience to GOD grows my faith. I am grateful GOD gives me a second chance.

• What is your first response when things go wrong or when someone wrongs you?
• Do you react to people quickly and respond negatively?
• Will you change your first response to include GOD so HE can use you for HIS amazing plans today?

Setting Plots

Mark: And He entered the synagogue again, and a man was there who had a withered hand. ² So they watched Him closely, whether He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him. ³ And He said to the man who had the withered hand, “Step forward.” ⁴ Then He said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they kept silent. ⁵ And when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other. ⁶ Then the Pharisees went out and immediately plotted with the Herodians against Him, how they might destroy Him.

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From sneaky bosses to sneaky workers I remember setting plots to catch them in the act. I spent numerous hours setting traps containing fake information left precariously on my desk. I would then tell the powers that be to watch out for this fake info. I caught a couple of rats.

• There were times when I sought to be right.
• There were times when I looked for others to be wrong.
• There were times when I searched for the bad in people so I could catch them in the act.

Looking for the bad in others had become a norm for me. Suspicions, doubts and sub-plots all danced in my head as I raised my shields and dropped my trust. BUT GOD wanted something different.

• GOD wanted me to seek the lost no matter how shady.
• GOD wanted me to look for those who want to follow HIM but may be caught in the way of the world.
• GOD wanted me to search for the good in people rather than seeing their obvious faults.

When I started looking for the good in people, it was hard to find. I mean that same homeless person was outwardly counting a roll of money in front of me; meanwhile I was eating peanut butter and jelly for lunch! GOD said to me “Drop your judgement on them too. Forgive those as I have forgiven you.”

Instead of setting traps, GOD wants me to set training. HE wants me to wish the best for the scoundrel and train those who desire to follow HIM in HIS ways. HE wants me to seek the lost.

• Are you suspicious of people?
• Is your trust in others low?
• Can you stop looking for the bad in people and search for those who are seeking GOD today?

Where does true godliness come from?

1 Timothy 3: ¹⁶ Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great:

He appeared in the flesh,

    was vindicated by the Spirit,

was seen by angels,

    was preached among the nations,

was believed on in the world,

    was taken up in glory.

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Trust is something that can be easily lost with me. I mean if a person is inconsistent with me then my trust level goes way down.  I know this is my defense but when a person wants to “win” my trust back, they have to “prove” they won’t do that thing again.

I wonder if I treat GOD the same way. Do I trust HIM or am I making HIM “prove” HIMSELF to be as faithful as HE says?

• JESUS appeared as a human.
• JESUS was blameless according to the HOLY SPIRIT.
• JESUS was seen by angels in HIS glory and humanity.
• JESUS miracles and teachings were preached throughout the nations and was believed all over the world.
• JESUS was taken up to heaven where HE is building a place for me.

Many times I want GOD to prove HIMSELF to me because I face situation after situation. I want answers and I want them immediately. Fortunately for me GOD is faithful and HE allows me to test HIM with my faithless lenses. HE says “try ME and you will not be disappointed.”

This act of faith on HIS part increases my faith in HIM. HE took the first step of love toward me and all I have to do is believe and “trust” that HE will take care of me.

• Have you lost your trust?
• Are you suspicious about something or someone?
• Can you increase your trust that GOD has the situation or person handled?
• Will you release whatever is holding you back and “trust” GOD today?