January 20, 2012

Acts 10:24-48 (Click to see scripture)

Bible in One Year Passages:
Matthew 7:1-11, Psalm 17:1-5, Genesis 32-33

Journal Entry

Scripture

And on the following day they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. (v.24)

34 So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, 35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.
(v.34-35)

While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles.
(v.44-45)

Observation

God connects a faithful Gentile to Peter and in the midst of this personal divine meeting the Good News is made available for ALL. The gift of the Holy Spirit is poured out to the Gentiles and now available to anyone. Barriers and divisions lasting thousands of years is broken in the name of Jesus.

Application

Even in the repetition of my life - whether busy, mundane, routine, filled with highs and lows, the trumpet sound of God's love for ALL people rings clear today as it did 2,000 years ago. God is looking for men and women with faith like Cornelius to step up and stand in the gap in prayer and devotion. Cornelius experienced something so beautiful and received the gift of the Holy Spirit. Not just him, but his relatives and close friends too. I am often too deaf to the trumpet sound.

Prayer

Lord help me to be a man of prayer like Cornelius. I do not want to miss out on opportunities to share Your love. Help me to taste Your love anew today so that it becomes tangible and not just head knowledge. May Your Spirit overflow in me so that I can be used for Your purpose. In Jesus Name, Amen.

--jyim