Honestly, I don’t know why I’ve never before noticed this eye-opener tucked in the twenty-fourth verse of the Acts 10 account of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon Cornelius’ house.
“On the following day he [and the others] entered Caesarea.
Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called together
his relatives and close friends.” Acts 10:24 (Amplified Bible)
Before last Friday morning, I had considered “called together his relatives and friends” to be a trivial detail in Luke’s telling of this event. But, all too early that morning, this detail that I had long overlooked arose in my spirit, the insignificant suddenly became significant.
Those present at this history-changing, never-before-demonstrated outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon Gentiles weren’t gathered together because it was the weekly Twister game night or Taco Tuesday at Cornelius’ home. I know that the Bible doesn’t provide a word-for-word transcription of what Cornelius spoke in his gathering of people, but I can picture that it might have been something much like this, “You HAVE to be at my home tomorrow night. I’ve received a message from heaven telling me that God has some plans that are going to unfold at my home. Listen, I don’t know what this is all about. I don’t have a clue as to what is going to happen. I just know that I’ve heard from heaven.” The result was that family and friends came together ready for whatever God had in store.
I fully believe that the sole reason for the Holy Spirit bringing this powerful phrase to my attention was to emphasize the importance of preparing for the unfolding of God’s plan. Cornelius created anticipation. Cornelius created expectations. Cornelius created room for the Holy Spirit to deliver. This preparation played a big part in the Cornelius did – Holy Spirit (through Peter) did – they did story.
What would happen today if you and I created anticipation for the movement of God in our weekly gatherings? Just imagine what could/would happen if we announced, “While spending time with God, I received an insight that something beyond my comprehension is going to happen today. As to what is going to happen, I am clueless. I don’t have the what, how, and when details. But, this I do know – pardon my poor grammar, this ain’t just any ole’ day. God is up to something powerful today. Get ready because, after today, we will never be the same again.” Just typing these words does a number on my spirit.
Let’s hear from heaven, announce our anticipation, and make room for the Holy Spirit to move mightily in our midst. I know that He won’t disappoint!
