Greetings my friends. It is Sunday September 10TH 2023, and this is the day that our LORD has made. Let us rejoice. Let us be glad in it. Let us celebrate this great new day of believing, following, trusting, loving, and being more like our Lord + Savior Jesus Christ. Let us love our neighbor as ourself.
This morning I’m back in Homestead Florida at my longtime home church of the past 8½ years. I’m also filling-in for my Pastor and preaching a full sermon this morning. It’ll be a full sermon that I have not yet written, and I won’t be writing. It’ll be a spontaneous spur-of-the-moment sermon – straight from my heart at that precise moment. Basically – I have no idea what I’ll be saying – until I actually say it. Well – I have a general idea. The title of my sermon is “Dreaming & Praying”, and it’s all about dreaming big dreams and then praying to God about them. It’ll be based on 9 verses of Scripture from two of Paul’s letters – Philippians 4:4-9 and 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.
My sermon will lead-in to Communion, as I’ll lead our monthly observance and celebration of what Christ did for us on that cross on that day – and what He did for us on the 3RD day – and what He continues to do for us to this day.
Last Sunday morning I visited a new church in my new hometown of Sebring Florida. I loved every moment of it. The 2ND person I met used to live in Homestead, and we have mutual friends. She even knows my church in Homestead and my Pastor. She and her husband (who I also met) ran a company that once installed my front porch screen enclosure and door back in the late-’90s. What a small world we live in !
I introduced myself to the Pastor, and I enjoyed a short conversation with him prior to the service. He’s a very personable guy. The service itself was organized, and the Pastor’s sermon was relevant and powerful. He has a quirky sense of humor, but he surely glorified God in his message. Based on that first service last Sunday – I’ll definitely be back for a 2ND service next Sunday. I think God led me to the right church this time around.
And now here on #SundayScripture it’s the continuation of the refresh, renew, and reboot of my sermon on “Pray & Believe” – originally preached on Sunday June 16TH 2019. Here’s Part 7:
[CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK]
So the early church was praying for Peter in prison, and as the Bible says:
The night before Peter was to be placed on trial – he was asleep – fastened with two chains between two soldiers. Others stood guard at the prison gate. Suddenly – there was a bright light in the cell, and an angel of the Lord stood before Peter. The angel struck him on the side to awaken him and said, “Quick ! Get up !” And the chains fell off his wrists. (Acts 12:6-7)
Do you sense a miracle going on here ? Wait – it gets even better:
Then the angel told him, “Get dressed and put on your sandals.” And he did. “Now put on your coat, and follow me” – the angel ordered.
So Peter left the cell – following the angel. But all the time he thought it was a vision. He didn’t realize it was actually happening. They passed the first and second guard posts, and (they) came to the iron gate leading to the city (that’s Jerusalem), and this opened for them all by itself. So they passed through (the gate), and (they) started walking down the street, and then the angel suddenly left him.
Peter finally came to his senses. He said, “It’s really true !” The Lord has sent His angel and saved me from (King) Herod and from what the Jewish leaders had planned to do to me !”
When he realized this – he went to the home of Mary – the mother of John Mark – where many were gathered for prayer. (Acts 12:8-12)
And I’m gonna paraphrase the rest of the story. Peter knocked on Mary’s door at the gate just outside the house. A servant girl answered the door. Peter didn’t even have to say his name. The servant girl knew exactly who he was from his voice alone. She got so excited that she didn’t even open the door. She ran back into the house – back into the room where everyone was praying, and she told everyone in a loud and excited voice, “Peter is standing at the door !”
The prayer group didn’t believe her. They told her, “You’re out of your mind !” The servant girl insisted that it really was Peter.
They still didn’t believe her, so the entire group went to the door at the gate to check it out for themselves. They opened the door, and there he was – Peter. They were amazed. They were astonished. They were in shock. They were beside themselves. Peter calmed them all down, and he told them how the Lord had led him out of prison.
See the believers – Peter’s friends – had been praying very earnestly for him. God answered their prayers. God actually brought Peter back to his friends. That’s what they were praying for !
[TO BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK]
If you wish to learn more about the God I know then stay tuned to #SundayScripture. The best is yet to come !
Thank you for reading my blog for this day, and may:
The LORD bless you, and keep you.
The LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you.
The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. AMEN.
All rights reserved (c) 2023 Christopher M. Day, CountUp
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