Scripture text for Friday, April 16th, 2010: Acts 10:1-11:18
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As I read the devotion from yesterday I shared my own lack of initiative at sharing God’s message when the opportunity presented itself. Today’s reading is similar to yesterday’s in that God has worked in the lives of two different men each seeking the knowledge of the truth, God’s message.
Acts 10:1 introduces a certain man named Cornelius who is not Jewish, a Roman soldier, seeking God, who leads his household and a fellow soldier in being reverent and generous. God noticed this and He saw that Cornelius was practicing the right attitudes to the one true God. Have you been practicing the right responses that would draw God’s attention? God sends a messenger to speak to Cornelius in the middle of the afternoon, a frightening moment, but he knew that this was God speaking to him and he followed God’s request to seek Simon Peter.
The next day Peter was given a vision, three times, in the middle of the day. Peter questioned God about the vision and the Jewish law but received that God’s creations are all clean. Peter learned that he must not show favoritism and that those who fear God and do what is right deserve to hear the good news. So pack it up and return with the ones’ who I have sent and don’t worry because I want you to tell this Roman soldier about Jesus Christ.
Peter arrived to be greeted by Cornelius who had bowed but was raised up by Peter saying “he was also a man.” Many had gathered, relatives and friends to hear Peter. Peter’s life was also changed that day. The message can be taught to all people.
I next see a community forming, a small group even gathering to hear about the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Learning to understand the gospel and the truth about salvation. God’s loving presence and Holy Spirit descending upon them.
Lord God, thank you that we have an opportunity to gather in your presence and that your Holy Spirit is around us when we praise and worship you.
Devotion prepared by Richard Smith