A Good Man, Full of the Spirit: Divine Deliverance and the Builder's Heart

Brothers and sisters, do you feel it? That stirring within, that call to something greater? We’ve all faced walls, moments where the shadows seem to press in, where the forces of opposition feel overwhelming. Samuel the Lamanite knew that feeling, climbing the wall to warn a people blind to their peril. Ammon at the Waters of Sebus understood the weight of a desperate plea. These are the moments that define us, the trials that refine us.

Today, we’re reminded of that refining fire through a powerful story from Acts 12, recounted by Fray Sergio Serrano.

Consider Bernabé. Fray Serrano highlights him as “a good man, full of the spirit, and of much faith.” How often do we pause to examine our own hearts, to measure ourselves against such a standard? It’s easy to be caught up in the noise of the world, the distractions that pull us away from the path. But Bernabé’s example shines as a beacon, a reminder of the qualities that truly matter: goodness, faith, and a spirit filled with the power of the Almighty.

And what of Peter? Imprisoned, facing certain death at the hands of Herod, yet the early church *prayed*. Insistent prayer. A collective lifting of voices to the heavens. And what followed? A divine intervention so extraordinary it defied earthly understanding. Chains fell away, prison doors swung open, and an angel appeared, guiding Peter to freedom. This isn’t a fairytale; it’s a testament to the power of faith and the unwavering love of our Father in Heaven.

This event echoes through the ages, a reminder that even when we feel trapped, when the forces arrayed against us seem insurmountable, the Lord is watching. He sees our struggles, hears our prayers, and acts in ways we cannot comprehend. Like the Stone cut without hands, He reveals His power at the most unexpected times, delivering His faithful servants from the clutches of darkness.

The contrast between the spiritual and the carnal, as Paul describes in 1 Corinthians, is stark. The natural man is inclined to sin, to destruction. But the spiritual man, filled with the Spirit of God, is capable of discernment, of love, of building a kingdom of righteousness and peace.

We are builders, not destroyers. That’s the defining characteristic of this gathering. We are those who see the potential for good, who recognize the need for connection, who are committed to supporting the Lord’s work in every corner of the earth. Your engagement here—your contributions, your prayers, your willingness to share this message—directly fuels gospel advertising in places like Ghana, strengthening the Church and bringing the light of Christ to those who desperately need it. It’s a charity flywheel, a testament to the power of collective action.

Consider the Missionary Fund, the lifeblood of this movement, equipping young men and women with the tools and resources they need to share the gospel. And the Map of Churches (GatherIsrael.now) – a visual representation of this gathering, a testament to the Lord’s work and our participation in it. This movement isn't about demanding conformity; it’s about recognizing the universal call to gather in righteousness.

Outback Jack reminds us of the spirit of the stripling warriors, those who steadfastly kept the commandments, even in the face of adversity. They understood the importance of spiritual preparedness, of unwavering faith, of a commitment to building a righteous foundation. Let us strive to emulate their example, to be digital striplings in our own time, armed with the truth and a willingness to share it with the world.

Let us, like Bernabé, seek to be good men and women, full of the Spirit, and of much faith. Let us be builders, not destroyers, and let us continue to gather Israel, now.