Word for the Week...JANUARY 24-31

"And it came to pass,as Peter passed throughout all quarters,he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda.(v.33) And there he found a certain man named Aeneas,which had kept his bed eight years and was sick of the palsy.(v.34) And Peter said unto him,'Aeneas,Jesus Christ maketh thee whole:arise,and make thy bed.' And he arose immediately.(v.35) And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him and turned to the Lord.(v.36) Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha,which by interpretation is called Dorcas:this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.(v.37) And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed,they laid her in an upper chamber.(v.38)And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa,and the disciples had heard that Peter was there,they sent unto him two men,desiring him that he would not delay to come to them.(v.39) Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come they brought him into the upper chamber:and all the widows stood by him weeping,and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made,while she was with�them.(v.40) But Peter put them all forth,and kneeled down, and prayed:and turning him to the body said,'Tabitha,arise.'And she opened her eyes,and when she saw Peter, she sat up.(v.41) And he gave her his hand,and lifted her up,and when he had called the saints and widows,presented her alive.(v42)And it was known throughout all Joppa;and many believed in the Lord".���

Peter was one of the three disciples closest to Jesus; one of the 'inner circle'.Together with James and John he had ...(1) Witnessed Christ's transfiguration--[Matt.17:1,2]...(2)Witnessed Jesus raise a little girl from the dead--[Marlk 5:37-43]...(3)Witnessed a miraculous catch of fish...[Luke 5:1-11 & John 21:1-12].You see, Peter had been in the 'School of the Miraculous' for 3 1/2 Yrs.with The Lord and some thing had 'rubbed off'! (Heb.'mashach'-'to annoint':No.4886 Strongs Conc.). The man whom satan desired to 'sift as wheat'(Luke 22:31) was also given the 'keys to the Kingdom of Heaven'(Matt.16:19).Through Peter's obedience to The Holy Spirit, both Jews and Gentiles came to salvation:(Acts 2:14-40 & Acts 10:34-48).Peter had much more than mere 'head-knowledge'...Peter had an Experience of power,revelation and inspiration from The Lord Jesus Himself. After all, where did an 'unlearned fisherman' get such things?!!!(Acts 4:13). Peter put the mourners out and�doubt,fear unbelief, grief,defeat,despair and death, left with them!!! Impetuous,Impulsive,Imperfect,Peter! How many of us can Identify with his inconsistencies ???........... Post-Pentecost Peter, however, was a changed man, from the inside-out. He served a Risen Saviour; Victor over sin, hell, death and satan! Now, Peter,empowered by The Holy Spirit,was fearless in the face of opposition. Peter knew he posessed eternal Life and No-one and Nothing would change that fact.(Rom.8:38-39). A friend of mine from the U.S.A. used to say...'When the going gets tough,the tough get going!'and as we continue to read this book of Acts we see that Peter certainly 'got going'!������������ May The Lord grant us the grace and fortitude to increase our efforts concerning the Gospel, in these (last)�days of ease, apathy, and complacency!

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