Acts 10:44 While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles, 46 for they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter said, 47 "Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?" 48 So he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they invited him to stay for several days.
The Holy Spirit broke into the house of Corneilus. He was not expected to appear because the Jewish believers in Christ did not think that Gentiles could share in their faith in Jesus. It took a demonstration of God’s handiwork to convince them that this was indeed a work of God’s Spirit. These believers had received the gift of speaking in other tongues or languages that indicated their new life in Christ.
Think of the testimonies of people who have received the Gospel of Jesus and have had a change in their lives. Deion Sanders wore a Super Bowl ring playing football for the Dallas Cowboys and played major league baseball. He had $275,000 Lamborghini.
I tried everything. Parties, women, buying expensive jewelry and gadgets, and nothing helped. There was no peace. I mean I was playing great. I got all this media attention and everything the world has to offer, but no peace, no joy, just emptiness inside.
Deion hit bottom when his wife left him and took his kids. His baseball career was on the skids and Deion was on the verge of suicide.
My life was falling apart. I was pretty much at the bottom during all this. My baseball game started to fall off and before long some of the guys on the team could see something was wrong. But I don’t think anybody ever guessed that my life was in shambles.
I was lying there in bed about four o’clock in the morning when I was awakened by these awesome lights in my room. I say it was like a 747 had landed beside my bed, and there was this incredible rush of wind that felt like a helicopter had come in with it.
I remember opening my eyes just the slightest bit and saying, “God, if that’s You, take me! Take me, Lord,” and I was trembling all over. Before long it was silent and the lights disappeared, and later that night I got up and opened my Bible to a passage that said, “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:9-10). The words hit me like a ton of bricks. I knew they were meant for me and at that precise moment I was delivered.
The change that came was a peace and purpose to his life. He has this testimony:”I can tell you the difference between a life without God and a life with Christ. Ask the Holy Spirit to bring to mind your testimony and thank God for the change he made in your life. And don’t be afraid to tell it to someone who needs God’s help. It will make your spiritual life grow.
Amen.
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