Proverbs 16:9 A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.

 

It’s amazing how God orchestrates our lives and causes us to come into contact with certain people at a particular time for a specific purpose. With God, there is no such thing as a coincidence. It may seem like things just happen, but they don’t. In reality, God has a Plan and we are all part of it.

 

For the past several days, we have been studying about Cornelius and how God used him to institute the New Covenant. Cornelius was a God-fearing man who sought after God by choice. He CHOSE to pray. He CHOSE to give money to the poor. He CHOSE to read the Word of God. He CHOSE to try to abide by the Law. He CHOSE to lead his family by example.

 

Although Cornelius chose all these things, he was still a Gentile and not Saved BUT because he made all these good choices in his life, God chose to use him to bring about a most significant change for all of mankind: The implementation of the New Covenant. Cornelius was a willing vessel and God used him.

 

Cornelius was visited by an Angel who brought to him a message. “Cornelius!” And when he observed him he was afraid, and said, “What is it, Lord?” So he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God. Now send men to Joppa and send for Simon whose surname is Peter. He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. He will tell you what you must do.” (Acts 10:3-6) Cornelius heard the Word of the Lord spoken through the Angel and he obeyed. And when the Angel who spoke to him had departed, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier from among those who waited on him continually. So when he had explained all these things to them, he sent them to Joppa. (Acts 10:7-8) That same day, his men left for Joppa.

 

While all this was happening, at the same time, God was preparing Peter in Joppa. God was orchestrating the whole thing! Peter’s instructions came to him through a Vision and a Word. While he was sitting on the roof praying, he slipped into a trance and he saw Heaven opened and a certain vessel descending upon him as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth. In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. And a voice came to him, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” (Acts 10:11-13)

 

When Peter saw this Vision and heard the Voice of the Lord, he took it literally; in the natural but it had a far greater meaning spiritually. It was like a Parable given to him in the form of a Vision. Peter understood it in the natural, but God would soon cause him to understand it in the spiritual sense. Every Divine Lesson, Dream, Vision, Prophecy, and Word from the Lord have both a natural and spiritual connotation. Oftentimes we can quickly see the natural implications but the spiritual meaning is not so easy. This is where prayer comes into play. Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things. (2 Timothy 2:7)

 

If you have had a Dream, Vision, or Word from God and you don’t know what it means, pray and ask the Lord for clarification and understanding. He does not want you to be confused. Rather, He has something for you to know and learn. Spend time in prayer and ask Him what it means. He will tell you.

 

God has a Plan to…...….turn the tide……….in this evil world.

 

I pray for understanding.         Doreen

 

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