Following God s Nudges Throughout the book of Acts we can read about the many miracles that the apostles did in the name of Jesus as they sought to spread His message of truth and love. The events that seem to stand out the most occurred when the apostles followed the nudges God placed in their hearts. As they took the steps of faith to follow through to do as God said, He always came through, and we can read the accounts of those wonderful miracles that helped spread the gospel far and wide. I can walk! Praise God!
When Peter and John passed the Temple gate and saw the lame man begging, they were led to: Pray for this lame man to be healed. They didn t question where this direction came from. They believed this is what Jesus would have done, so they immediately followed through. Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk! And that same man walked and leaped with joy into the Temple as a great testimony of God s care and healing power!
Those who had known this lame man before, who saw that he was now healed and praising God, went to Peter and John, wanting to know more. Peter and John were then encouraged: Tell these people about Jesus. The God of our fathers has glorified His Son, Jesus This resulted in about five thousand people believing in Jesus that day! Peter and John didn t know that praying for this one man s healing would provide the opportunity for them to reach so many with God s message. But it did! What was the name of the gate where the lame man sat? In this portion of Acts, Peter referred to Jesus as the Prince of? You can read the full story in Acts 3 and 4:1 4.
Philip was witnessing in Samaria, telling many people about Jesus, and performing miracles in His name. While there, he followed God and led Simon, the sorcerer, to Jesus. It s time to leave Samaria and go south to the desert. Then God sent an angel to give new instructions to Phillip: Philip obeyed, and while he was walking through the desert he saw a man from Ethiopia. God s Spirit nudged Philip to talk to this man, and he obeyed. As Philip approached him, he saw that the Ethiopian was reading from the book of Isaiah. The Ethiopian was the treasurer in the government of the queen of Ethiopia.
Do you understand what you are reading? Not really. I need someone to explain it to me. He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb so He opened not His mouth. This scripture is talking about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Because Philip was faithful to obey the voice of the Spirit which had instructed him to go to the desert, and then to talk to this important man from Ethiopia, that man was then able to take what he had learned and lead many others in his country to belief in Jesus. It was another mighty witness that took place because Philip had followed God s voice. What was the name of the queen of Ethiopia at that time? What chapter in the Bible was the man from Ethiopia reading from? What continent is Ethiopia on? Find Ethiopia on a map. You can read the full story in Acts 8:26 40.
Sometimes the disciples were led to do things that were unexpected. For example, when Peter was led by the Spirit to witness to Cornelius, a Roman centurion, Peter was surprised. He had never witnessed to a Roman before, only to Jews. But Peter had been prepared beforehand with the vision about eating unclean foods. I won t eat these, because they are unclean foods. Don t call something unclean that God has cleansed. When Cornelius s servants showed up at the gate of the house where Peter was staying, the Spirit again spoke to Peter. Peter remembered the vision he had seen earlier, and he obeyed. He went and talked with Cornelius s servants at the gate of the house, and later went to Cornelius s home and witnessed to Cornelius, his family, his servants, and his many friends. Go talk to those men, because I sent them. Because of Peter s obedience to follow the leadings of the Spirit of God, Cornelius and his friends and family received faith in Jesus that day. You can read the full story in Acts 10. What was the profession of the owner of the house where Peter was staying?
When Paul arrived in Athens, he was faced with how they worshipped many false gods. Paul could have easily thought it was a waste of time to try telling people there about Jesus, as it seemed that they were satisfied with worshipping their idols. Instead he obeyed Jesus call to witness. At first the Athenians were interested. But when Paul told them how Jesus was resurrected from the dead, many of the Athenians didn t believe him. Resurrected from the dead? Absurd! That s the craziest thing I ever heard! Paul could have given up. But he didn t, and some of the Athenians believed and were saved. These people were from the educated and upper class of Athens and were able to tell others about Jesus after Paul left for Corinth. Read the full story in Acts 17:16 34. Dionysius and I want to know more! Yes, Damaris and I are eager to learn about Jesus! What time waster did the people in Athens engage in that God used to get them interested in what Paul had to say? What was written on the altar that Paul refers to when he speaks to the people of Athens?
You, too, can follow the leadings and direction of God s Spirit. Jim, show this woman your portfolio while you re waiting to get it photocopied. Would you like to see the portfolio of my school excursions? I would enjoy that. You went to all of these places? Yes! I really enjoy visiting new places. Would you also like to read this? Sure, I ll take a look. At the stationery store today, a young boy gave me this beautiful pamphlet with a prayer to receive Jesus. What can you do today to follow God s nudges on your heart? To You, with Love S&S link: Christian Life and Faith: Witnessing and Missionary Training: Preaching the Gospel-2e Adapted from the writings of Maria Fontaine. Illustrations by Jeremy. Design by Stefan Merour. Published by My Wonder Studio. Copyright 2016 by The Family International