Scripture
They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it.
~Acts 12:10, NIV
Quote
~C. H. Spurgeon
I read a daily devotion is STREAMS IN THE DESSERT on New Years Eve and I’ve already shared it twice, this makes three times. Peter was in prison awaiting execution. The church had neither the influence or resources to save him. There was no earthly help: none of them were friends of the throne {Herod} but they did have a Friend at the throne of grace and they turned to Him and prayed feverently. Matter of fact they prayed all night. Peter was sound asleep and the Angel had to wake him up. Miraculously, Peter’s shackles fell from his wrist and the Angel walked him by 16 guards and to the iron gate that separated the prison from the street…that iron gate opened on its own. Neither Peter or the Angel laid a hand on it.
Sometime we run into a locked gate; a barrier or obstacle that we cannot overcome, get through or open. In the old days I just went to my tool shed and got a bigger hammer but this is not God’s way. Pray…wait…go through the gate when it opens. No need to pray for a gate to open if we are not willing to go through it. Ken Blackwood {Keith’s brother} was a Missionary in the Andes Mountains of South America. He and a fellow Missionary were doing a prayer walk with the goal of starting a bible study in this village. They came to an estate that was enclosed by a wall and the gate was locked. Ken’s friend stopped put his hand on the gate and then prayed…“LORD, I want to share Jesus with whoever lives behind this locked gate. Would you open this gate for me.” After praying, they moved on and eventually ended up at a small radio station. They had a gospel presentation in story form on Disc and they asked if the radio station would play it on air. The DJ’s said, “We don’t have a problem but we will have to check with the owner of the station.” Then they invited Ken and his friend to get in the jeep and go with them to see the owner. Guess what, the owner lived behind the locked gate and the men had the key. They opened the gate and Ken’s friend shared Jesus with the man. He was saved and they started a bible study right there in his house.
Another big day today with M.D.’s COLS. Of course Joe David and I always need prayer. Pray also for all our equipment to work properly. I am not a multi-tasker so all I have on my mind today is M.D.’s service.
Things did go well yesterday and I alway appreciate your prayer support: thank YOU!