Genuine repentance begins with a broken heart and its resultant effect can be seen on the outside as a transformed life. The Lord is not moved by your prayer and fasting, without a broken heart. It is not the will of God that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. The Lord will not despise a broken and a contrite heart. Anyone who hardens his heart against God is actually destroying his own soul.

It was agreed that Prophet Samuel would meet up with King Saul and his men at Gilgal within seven days as they were waiting to engage the Philistines in a battle. As a priest Prophet Samuel was expected to offer sacrifice unto God in preparation for the battle. Unfortunately, just before Samuel showed up on the seventh day, Saul forced himself and offered the sacrifice when he saw the armies of Philistines advancing.

Christians are warned against following worldly examples and standards. They are not permitted to be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. Others may tell lies, jest, gossip, embezzle funds, bear false witness, but as genuine Christians, we are called to be different. We are not allowed to join a multitude to do anything that will not bring glory to the name of the Lord and His kingdom.

The man in our key text was in the same unpleasant situation for a long time - thirty-eight years. He believed that one day someone would be kind enough to help get him into the healing waters at the right time. However, when Jesus came by and asked if he would like to be healed, he failed to see that the Doctor of doctors had come to his help. His trust was not in God but in man.

God-given vision is a mental picture painted by the Lord to clarify the truth for man to understand. By the vision given to Peter, the barrier that hindered the preaching of the gospel to the Gentile world was broken. Vision gives boldness, drives away doubts and strengthens your belief. Much success was achieved by the early Church in its evangelistic outreach through visions. By vision, Ananias was emboldened to minister to Saul of Tarsus.