God Is At Work Around Me

“ ¹⁷ My Father is always at His work to this very day, and I, too, am working.” —John 5:17

“ ⁸ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” —Acts 1:8

“ ¹ At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. ² He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. ³ One day about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, ‘Cornelius!’

⁴ Cornelius stared at him in fear. ‘What is it, Lord?’ he asked. The angel answered, ‘Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. ⁵ Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. ⁶ He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea.’

⁷ When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants. ⁸ He told them everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa.” —Acts 10:1-8

(1.) Be aware of how God works

“ ⁴² They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. ⁴³ Everyone was filled with awe and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. ⁴⁴ All the believers were together and had everything in common. ⁴⁵ Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. ⁴⁶ Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, ⁴⁷ praising God and enjoying the favor of all people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” —Acts 2:42-47

“ ²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control.” —Galatians 5:22-23

“ ¹⁷ Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” —John 17:17

(2.) Be looking for God working in your life

“ ⁹ About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went on the roof to pray. ¹⁰ He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. ¹¹ He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. ¹² It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles of the earth and birds of the air. ¹³ Then a voice told him, ‘Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.’

¹⁴ ‘Surely not, Lord!’ Peter replied. ‘I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.’ ¹⁵ The voice spoke to him a second time, ‘Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.’ ¹⁶ This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.” —Acts 10:9-16

“ ¹⁷ While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon’s house was and stopped at the gate. ¹⁸ They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there. ¹⁹ While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, ‘Simon, three men are looking for you. ²⁰ So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.” —Acts 10:17-20

“ ²⁷ Talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. ²⁸ He said to them: ‘You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean. ²⁹ So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection: May I ask why you sent for me?” —Acts 10:27-29

(3.) Be looking for God working in others

“ ⁴⁴ While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. ⁴⁵ The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. ⁴⁶ For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.

Then Peter said, ⁴⁷ ‘Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.’ ⁴⁸ So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.” —Acts 10:44-48

Daily Prayer: Jesus, open my eyes to your working all around me today. Give me the eyes to see and the ears to hear what you are doing. Amen.