LOOK AT GOD ACT

by Tammy Phillips
July 24, 2020

In ACTS 9 God covered a lot of territory and was busy acting through the disciples:

ACTS 9:1-9       The Damascus Road: Saul Converted.  One of the greatest persecutors of Christianity came to Jesus.

ACTS 9:10-19    Paul recovers his sight.  The Lord sent Ananias to Paul.  Ananias said “Woe, wait a minute.  You know who he is, right?”  The Lord says, “go,” and Ananias is obedient.  Paul receives his sight, is filled with Holy Spirit and is baptized.

ACTS 9:20-22   Saul immediately preached Christ in the synagogues

ACTS 9:23-25    Saul escaped death.

ACTS 9:26-30    Saul was rejected and accepted by disciples in Jerusalem. Escaped death again.  Saul empowered by the Holy Spirit spoke BOLDLY in the name of the Lord Jesus.

ACSTS 9:31        The Church Prospers. Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied. – Acts 9:31 NKJV

ACTS 9:32-35    Aeneas the Paralytic was Healed.

ACTS 9:36-43    Dorcas was Restored to Life.

 The acts were flowing in this chapter.  The apostles and disciples were full of the Holy Spirit, power and boldness.  Lets’ look at the last two acts of Peter in this chapter.  Peter did not send out a letter to the other apostles asking for prayer for the healing of Aeneas and Tabitha.   He boldly addressed the problems immediately, in person, and in the power of the Holy Spirit.  He did make one call to the Father before he spoke to Tabitha.

In Lydda, Aeneas had been paralyzed for eight years.  Simply and with no fluffy prayers, “Peter said to him, ‘Aeneas, Jesus Christ makes you whole. Arise and make your bed.’ Then he arose immediately”. – Acts 9:34 NKJV.  Eleven words, faith, and obedience in Jesus changed Aeneas’ life, forever.

“At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas.  This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did.  But it happened in those days that she became sick and died.  When they had washed her, they laid [her] in an upper room.” – Acts 9:36-37 NKJV

Lydda was close to Joppa so they sent for Peter.  When he arrived, they were all wailing.

“But Peter put them all out and knelt down and prayed.  And turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up.” – Acts 9:40 NKJV

Here, a bad thing happened to a good person, but somebody dared to believe that the bad was reversible.  A prayer and two words, “Tabitha, arise,” spoken in the authority and power of Jesus, brought life back into Tabitha.

Not only did Peter’s faithful acts of obedience change two lives,

“all who dwelt at Lydda and Sharon saw him (Aenenas) and turned to the Lord.” – Acts 9:35 NKJV.

“And it (Tabitha’s healing) became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord.” – Acts 9:42 NKJV

The Holy Spirit empowers us to these and greater works for God’s glory.   Chew on that one for a day or two.  I boldly say, “Arise! Jesus Christ has made you whole.”

I enCOURAGE you to address boldly and with the authority of Jesus, the obstacles, sickness and problems in your life.  Speak the good news of Jesus into the lives of those around you.  It will change your life, their lives and ultimately, the people surrounding them.  Act, one at a time, and watch the ripple of the Holy Spirit change lives, cities, states and the nation.