I'm so grateful to be included!

Acts 10:9-15(NKJV)
9The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour. 
10Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance 
11and saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth. 
12In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. 
13And a voice came to him, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.”
14But Peter said, “Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.”
15And a voice spoke to him again the second time, “What God has cleansed you must not call common.” 

Acts 10:34-45(NKJV)
34Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. 
35But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. 
36The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all—
37that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: 
38how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. 
39And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom £they killed by hanging on a tree. 
40Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, 
41not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. 
42And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. 
43To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.”
44While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. 
45And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 

As we celebrate this season of our Risen Lord and Savior let's remember to thank Him for including us.  As this passage illustrates, historically the Jews expected the Savior of the world to be just for them.  When you combine these passages with the conversion of Paul and his missionary assignment to take the Word to the rest of the world, we can see that God had a much bigger vision here than just saving the Jewish people.

Take a look at verse 45.  "And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. "

Were they astonished that people were receiving the Holy Spirit?  Nope.  They were astonished that Gentiles were receiving the Holy Spirit.

So may prayer for this Easter season is one of many thanks.

Thank you God for sending your son Jesus to die for our sins.  As a father of three I just can't imagine loving others so much that you would be willing to do that.  Guess that's part of what makes you God and me not!

Thanks you Jesus for voluntarily taking on my burden.  Again as a human being it is hard to imagine doing that when you know all you have to do is say the word and you can stop it.  That was an incredible sacrifice!

And finally, Thank you God for including me and all of the other non Jewish believers from around the world.  Thank you for including me in your salvation plan and thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve you in any way I can.  Thank you!  Thank you!  Thank you!  Amen!

Now folks if you are in the Kalamazoo area and would like to attend an Easter Celebration like no other, I'd like to personally invite you to join us at Valley Family Church.   You can click on the link below to learn more.

The Doxology Experience - Easter 2012

Don’t miss Easter at VFC! The “Doxology Experience” will be an interactive, musical, multi-media experience where we brush the dust off of some of the good traditions from church history that are worthy of revisiting. The Doxology Experience is literally, and by definition, “an expression of praise to God!” This Easter is our chance to praise God from whom all blessings flow! Invite everyone you know and join us this Easter for “Doxology,” a powerful message and meaningful service where we celebrate the truth that Jesus is alive!

Easter Weekend
Saturday, April 7 | 5pm
Sunday, April 8 | 9 & 11:30am