Acts 3, Exodus 39

Acts 3
Exodus 39

Food for Life:

Acts 3
Wow. Peter tells it like it is. AFTER the power of God was revealed through Peter's words to the man who had been crippled from birth was made to walk. The people assembled had seen what the Lord did; then Peter told the crowd the facts/the Truth in 3:12-17. "...You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and ask that a murderer be released to you. You killed the author of life, BUT GOD raised him from the dead... Now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders. But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets..."
The people's attention was riveted to Peter and John because they saw one whom they knew from birth to be crippled, walk! Now Peter could tell them what they did (they killed the King of Glory, the Holy and Righteous One...) and he acknowledged that they did so out of ignorance (not knowing Jesus was who He said He was) AND that they acted as to carry out God's plan - prophecy of old that "...His Christ would suffer" (18).
It is hard to imagine being in that crowd and hearing this Truth for the first time...shock, unbelief, "wishing" this nightmare would go away. Yet, Peter didn't just leave them hanging, he told them how their "times of refreshing may come from the Lord" (19). They could repent and turn to God so that their sins could be wiped out. Even the sin of cheering on the killing of God Himself, Jesus Christ.
Do you wonder sometimes how certain things could actually be forgiven? Do you find it impossible to forgive the one who has hurt you so deeply? It is impossible in our own strength and understanding. It is impossible in our own will and emotion. BUT GOD. Ask the Lord to help you. Ask the Holy Spirit to usher in His presence and power in the midst of your struggle. He will extend His grace and mercy to you. We can only be forgiven and forgive because of what Jesus did on the cross and how He lives within us by the Holy Spirit. And that He is coming again..."He must remain (bodily) in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as He promised long ago through His holy prophets" (21).
Even so come quickly Jesus.

Exodus 39
God is so detailed and specific in His instructions to Moses for the making of the priestly garments. One author writes of being reminded by this of God's knowing every hair on each one of our heads. God doesn't miss a thing! What great security and trust that affords us to have as we move about in this life; this earthly life that is filled with uncertainty, change, and surprise. Through all the joys and sorrows of life, we can be assured that God knows each one of our names, He knows our every move, thought, action, motive...He promises to take care of us and to never leave or forsake us.
Sometimes we might shutter to think that God's knows and sees everything about us, if we see ourselves living outside of what the Lord has or we thing about the sin we commit, in thought and deed. BUT GOD. He sees us through the eyes and heart of His great Love for us...so God isn't waiting for us to blow it; God is ready to forgive, show us the way, carry us if needed, in order for us to fulfill God's best for us...after all He is our Creator, Lover of our soul, Anchor to our soul, Our Father, Abba-daddy. Thank you Lord, I (we) love you Lord."