“King Nebuchadnezzar to all peoples, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you! It has seemed good to me to show the signs and wonders that the Most High God has done for me.”
—Daniel 4:1-2
I’ve heard of some remarkable conversions in my time. I think, perhaps, one of the most remarkable is that of Panamanian dictator, Manuel Noriega. A dear friend of mine, Dr. Rudy Hernandez from San Antonio, Texas, along with Pastor Clift Brannon had an opportunity to go down to Miami, and to get the Gospel into Manuel Noriega before he stood trial.
That dictator has confessed Christ as his Savior, possesses Christ as his Savior; by all indications grew in Bible study and in spiritual commitment. We thank God for that, and certainly no one can escape the power of the grace of God once God Himself begins to move in a person’s heart.
But even greater than the conversion of Manuel Noriega would be the conversion of this king known as Nebuchadnezzar.
We would have considered Nebuchadnezzar the most unlikely candidate to be converted to the true God. And yet, because of His great mercies, we have recorded here in this passage of Scripture the almost indescribable unbelievable conversion of this man.
There’s one thing that’s always true about salvation. Salvation never originates with us. It always begins in the heart and the love and the mercy of God. God initiated the action in the life of this king. God has a way of moving upon our hearts, to get our attention, to bring us to Himself.
AND THERE IS NO PERSON WHO CAN ESCAPE THE HAND OF GOD ONCE GOD DECIDES TO MOVE.
Wednesday, March 13, 2019
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“Then Peter said, 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 he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God:”
Acts 3:6–9
In Bible times a person who was crippled and could not work had very few options. If he had no family to whom he could turn for help, the remaining option was to become a beggar. To increase the chances of receiving help, beggars would try to find places in high traffic areas. The lame man Peter and John met at the Temple had someone carry him to one of the main gates every day so that he could ask those going in for help. When he asked Peter and John for alms, he received something much better than money. In the name of Jesus, Peter healed the deformity that had been this man’s burden for all of his life.
But God never does just enough. He is overflowing with grace, strength, and love. Not only was the man healed, but he was immediately able to walk and jump. Most of us remember the process of teaching our children to walk. It doesn’t happen in an instant. It takes repeated practice and encouragement. Yet this man who had never walked in his life was able to do so without hindrance once he was touched by God’s power. Too many Christians are living without the blessing and victory they could have. “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us” (Ephesians 3:20).
Today's Growth Principle:
God has no shortages—He is able to do things that seem impossible to human understanding.
|
No comments:
Post a Comment