Habits that Release the Supernatural

By Apostle Aje Pelser, preaching at Harvester Reformational Church, Cape Town. 2 March 2014.

I want to speak about Apostle Peter in the Bible from Acts 10. This is a significant shift in theology for the disciple of Christ Jesus who up till now saw the kingdom of God for the Jews. Here God releases the baptism of the Holy Spirit for the Gentiles too, and not only that, the household of the Centurion named Cornelius.

Consider the historical context of Roman Occupation fomenting religious and political insurgencies culminating in the wars of the Jews and the ultimate destruction of Jerusalem. Then contrast all that with the devout, God-fearing Cornelius who meditated and saw visions about Peter and gave alms to the Jews. Another character of note is Simon the Tanner in Joppa who had a habit of hospitality for people in general, but also for men of God. Combining the collective habits of Simon and Cornelius, God opened up a supernatural experience for all nations that we are still benefitting from today.

Consider the everyday habits of spiritual people that released supernatural power then, and will still do so today!

The Habit of a Pious Household Fear towards God.

Cornelius the Centurion, “a pious man and one who feared God with all his household,” Acts 10 Wuest’s Translation.

The Habit of Giving and Prayers

Cornelius knew that giving unlocked supernatural favour.“…who gave many alms to the Jewish people and made supplication to God always” Interesting that Luke combines giving and prayers in one sentence. There is a habit of being spiritually minded and giving to the work of God that sustains supernatural work. This type of spirit led giving with prayers also rises up as a memorial before God. When God visits him, his giving is now redirected to the Church with Peter arriving in his spiritual radar. The Habit of prayer opened up the visionary realm where an angel of God appeared to him and gave him a mission: “send men to Joppa and fetch Simon whose surname is Peter. The Man is being entertained as a House-guest by a certain individual, Simon the Tanner, whose house is on the seashore.”

The Habit of Hospitality

Simon had a habit of being hospitable. This is shown in the way he also receives the men sent from Cornelius. Acts 10:23 “Then he invited them in and extended to them the hospitality of the home.\”” Simon had the means and the room for Peter and had a veranda on  the rooftop where Peter could meditate.

The Habit of Mediation expands your Spirit to receive Supernatural Communication

“Peter went up to the house-top [the oriental veranda which was used for meditation and prayer] to engage in prayer, the time, about noon.\”” His regular habit of eating directed his spiritual senses to a spiritual meal he was not accustomed to eat! Sometimes God will get our attention through our regular needs and release supernatural understanding about things or let us meet people at specific shops where we buy food! There are no coincidences for Spirit Led Believers. It is not about being super spiritual but just allowing Gods Spirit access to our daily habits that releases the supernatural power of God to save nations.

Here God had to change Peter’s Habit and bring him out of his traditional comfort zone. Paul later also corrected Peter after this incident when Peter thought he had to keep up appearances in front the Judaizers, separating himself from the Gentile believers while having a meal.

Peter also had a Habit of Obeying God.

The Holy Spirit said to Peter “go down at once and be going on your way with them without any hesitation” and he also recognized the Divine origin of their mission. But this was not always the case for the head strong Fisherman. Jesus had rebuked Peter in the past for being mindful of the things of man, \””Get behind me Satan!\”” After the denial and repentance Jesus gave him a chance to reaffirm his love for Him. Peter started obeying the scriptures in Jesus\’ absence concerning the slection of an apostle to take Judas\’ placae and then continued to preach and obey God rather than man. This transformation had the fruit of consistent obedience.

Habits of Gathering Family and Friends

Cornelius’ habits of serving God allowed him to invite his friends and family to hear Peter Preach.

“Cornelius was looking for them with eager expectation and hope, having called together his relatives and his intimate friends.” Acts 10:24

Acts 10:33

“Now then as for us, we all are present before God to hear all the things which have been commanded you by the Lord.” You can open up a gathering to God and say a pray and share a message with friends and family and look what happened to Cornelius! The Holy Spirit filled them all and they were baptised. When Men and Women of God come to your house it is a great opportunity to draw your sphere of friends closer to God.

The Habit of Preaching the Good News opened up the Supernatural Holy Spirit & Water Baptism

“Acts 10:44 -48 Wuest’s Translation

 “While Peter was speaking these, the Holy Spirit fell upon those who were hearing the Word. The gift of the Holy Spirit had been bestowed with the result that now He was in their possession, for they were hearing them speaking by means of languages [ other than their own and not naturally acquired ], and extolling God. Then answered Peter, No one can forbid the water in order that these may be baptized, who are such as received the Holy Spirit even as also we, can he? Then he ordered that they be baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to be their guest certain days.”

Peter had fulfilled Jesus’ words to feed his sheep and became a powerful preacher. On the day of Pentecost Peter preached an amazing sermon and 3000 people got saved. But part of his preaching habits included the baptism with the Holy Spirit and with water. That combination is a consistent habit through the New Testament and should be in Churches today too. God is no respecter of persons and anyone who believes can have the full supernatural confirmation of their faith and stamp of approval on their habitual piety and reverential fear of God with the evidence of speaking in tongues as well as the accompanying spiritual gifts and fruit. Isn’t that awesome?