memorial before God. And now send men
to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose
surname is Peter: He lodgeth with one
Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea
side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to
do (Acts 10:4–6).
Cornelius obeyed the Lord and sent men to
Peter, and they brought him back with them.
Peter taught them about the Gospel of Jesus
Christ and the baptism of the Holy Ghost.
Then while Peter yet spake…the Holy
Ghost fell on all them which heard the
word. And they of the circumcision which
believed were astonished, as many as came
with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also
was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
For they heard them speak with tongues,
and magnify God (Acts 10:44–46). God
rewarded Cornelius’ secret prayers and fasting
by bringing the fullness of Christ to his house.
God knows your heart.
If you really want the truth, God will see
that you get it; but if you do not fear God and
harbor sin in your heart, God knows about it
and will not hear your prayers. The Bible says,
Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened,
that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy,
that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have
separated between you and your God, and
your sins have hid his face from you, that
he will not hear (Isaiah 59:1,2).
Fast God’s Way
Others may not know every time you skip
a meal, but God sees every meal you fast for
Him. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint
thine head, and wash thy face; That thou
appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy
Father which is in secret: and thy Father,
which seeth in secret, shall reward thee
openly (Matthew 6:17,18). Fasting afflicts
your soul and humbles you so you can receive
what you need from the Lord.
God will reward a true, Bible fast. Is not
this the fast that I have chosen? to loose
the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy
burdens, and to let the oppressed go free,
and that ye break every yoke? Then shall
thy light break forth as the morning, and
thine health shall spring forth speedily: and
thy righteousness shall go before thee; the
glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward.
Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall
answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say,
Here I am (Isaiah 58:6,8,9).
When people fast merely to appear unto men
to fast, God sees that their heart is wrong; so
He cannot bless them with His glory or break
their yokes because that is not what they are
after.
God Blesses Sincere Givers
When the widow woman gave two mites to
the Lord, she gave everything she had; but she
didn’t tell people about it. Only Jesus knew
that she gave her all, which was about three
cents. And he Jesus said, Of a truth I say
unto you, that this poor widow hath cast
in more than they all: For all these have of
their abundance cast in unto the offerings
of God: but she of her penury hath cast
in all the living that she had (Luke 21:3,4).
Jesus sees what you give, how you give it and
why you give it; and He will bless you accordingly.
The Pharisees and Sadducees did everything
to be seen of others. They were hypocrites
and liars, and the Lord hated them. Jesus said,
December 2019 Vol. 64, No. 12 The Power of the Holy Ghost (USPS 516-050) is published monthly by Grace Cathedral®, 2690 State Road, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio 44223 Periodicals postage paid at Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio and at additional mailing offices POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Power of the Holy Ghost, P.O. Box 1790, Akron, Ohio USA, 44309-1790
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