Acts 11 - 4.23.25
Scripture: Acts 11:19-21
Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews. Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.
Observation
On Sunday, Pastor Levi shared the story of Lazarus. When Lazarus became gravely ill, his sisters sent a message asking Jesus to come and heal him. But before Jesus came, Lazarus died. The sisters were upset, not understanding why Jesus hadn’t healed him before it was too late. John 11:40 Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” Jesus called Lazarus back to life, and all those present were able to see the glory and the power of God!
In Acts, Jesus’ followers are being persecuted. I’m sure they were scared and prayed for the persecution to stop. But because of the persecution, they ended up leaving Jerusalem. And wherever they went, they took the message of Jesus with them. Can you imagine a world where the Christ followers had stayed in Jerusalem and only a chosen few heard the message of the gospel? In the beginning of Acts 11, you see that the believers thought the message of Jesus was only for the Jews. Without the impetus to leave Jerusalem, how would the world know Jesus?
Application
Sometimes when we cry out to God, we don’t get the answer we are hoping for. It could be that what we are asking for is not good for us. It could be that the timing isn’t right. Or it could be that God has a different plan. The question is, how will we respond in the times of waiting or disappointment or heartbreak? Will we still trust that He is the all-knowing, all-powerful God who loves us beyond our ability to comprehend?
Prayer
Today I am overwhelmed by your love for me. You are a good God who loves me and wants what is best for me. It is easy to remember this when everything is good, but help me to also remember in the hard times. Spending time with you, praying, listening, and reading your word helps me to grow in my faith and strengthen my trust in you – that you are in control in all things.
- Debbie Dunn
Acts 10 - 4.22.25
SCRIPTURE: ACTS 10:25-29; 34-35
“25 As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. 26 But Peter made him get up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.”
27 While talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. 28 He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean. 29 So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection.
34 Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35 but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.”
OBSERVATION
At the beginning of Acts 10, God gave a vision to Corelius, through an angel of the God. Cornelius was a Centurian in the Roman government who was a God-fearing and praying man. The angel told Cornelius to go and bring Simon Peter to his house. Cornelius immediately followed God’s request, without question.
Peter also had a vision from God showing him that it’s OK to now eat things that were considered “unclean” by Jewish law. The instructions went a little further in verse 15 that said “The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” God made this emphatic statement because Peter was having a hard time understanding the big picture of the vision. God was changing something, due to Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, of the long followed custom for Jews to not eat or even be around others who were considered “unclean.”
I love how God made it very clear to Peter (and all of us) to “not call anything impure that God has made clean.” In essence, who are we to call something “unclean” when God is the one who made it clean? This means those who are followers of God, outside of the Jews, can now be called clean in God’s eyes – even a Roman Centurian. God’s message of love and acceptance was now open to all.
I found it interesting that Peter’s vision and instructions had to be given to him three times (verse 16) before the vision ended but the vision to Cornelius was only given once. It appears that God gave extra time to Peter because he was having a hard time seeing and understanding the vision. At first he really struggled with what God was telling him. Ultimately, as we see in verses 27 – 29 and 34 – 35, Peter finally saw and understood God’s message was open to all. How wonderful to see God’s patience and understanding of Peter’s individual needs on full display. He gave the instructions three times - working through and making sure Peter got the message. Even as God worked through Peter’s struggle, He works through our own shortcomings and struggles.
APPLICATION
God used a Roman Centurian to help Peter see that God’s kingdom is open to ALL In context, God used a Roman, who was basically hated by Jews, to show that God does not show favoritism and accepts all “who fears him and does what is right.” I love how God can take the one thing that is so opposite of what we have stuck in our head to turn it right around for His good.
Beyond the fact this scripture shows the pivot point where Jews could eat and be around those once considered “unclean,” but it’s also for everyone else to not call or treat anyone as impure or unclean. Basically, we shouldn’t treat others as beneath, lower, or not part of God’s message of love. This transcends our Mission to “Love People” just as they are, no matter how different they might be.
On Easter Sunday someone I know posted this “And I remember why I hate going to church!” It seems where she went for Easter in her area, someone who worked at the church yelled at her and there was a road rage incident in the parking lot. Other friends of hers chimed in this is why they don’t attend church either. My heart sank thinking this even happened and sad that people have negative experiences in the Lord’s house. What’s even worse is it happened on Easter when a lot of visitors and others come to celebrate Christ’s triumphant rise from the grave. I don’t know the situational details but ultimately someone who doesn’t normally attend church, who is different than others at the church, was treated without love and respect. They were ultimately hurt by the actions of those who should love on them without question.
“30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’[a] 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b] There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30 – 31
34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34 – 35
When I think about the long held Jewish law about not associating with “unclean” people and the incident that happened to my friend, others outside the “right” people were treated differently than the ones “inside” their group. Peter was shown and understood this fact to not call or treat others as if they are impure or unclean. He was being asked to accept someone who was part of the group Jews hated (Roman government), to welcome Cornelius into the family of God, and to treat him (and all) with God’s love. This scripture and Peter’s example is one we should all follow: to not treat others as if they are beneath or below us, or that our faith or church is superior to others. God commands us to “love one another” which means to always treat others with the same love God has for us: unconditional.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for this scripture which shows exactly how we should view, treat, and love others. Your message of love and forgiveness is open to all. You show no favoritism and accept those who fear you and does what is right. Lord, forgive me for ever treating someone differently than you would! Help me to always show the entire essence of your love, to not treat others differently, and to show your love for them at any point in their faith journey. Whether they are just coming to church for the first time or they’ve been to church a lot, help me to see them with your eyes, your deep love for each person, and acceptance when they seek after you. In Jesus name. Amen.
- Mary Oberg
Acts 9 - 4.21.25
Scripture
Acts 9:17-21 NIV
“Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?””
Observation
Saul was someone who used to persecute and kill Christians. He did this because he thought he was honoring God. Jews, especially religious Jewish leaders, believed that Jesus wasn’t God, so Christians were “blaspheming” God by preaching in Jesus’ name. They had to pay the consequences for their behavior. Saul was a key person in the stoning of Stephen, a Christian who was described as full of the Holy Spirit in Acts 7.
On the road to Damascus, Saul had an encounter with Jesus and Jesus spoke directly to Saul asking him why he was persecuting Him. The Lord made Saul blind for a few days and his life forever changed after that.
God spoke to Ananias in a dream to locate Saul and lay hands on him. The first work of the Spirit in this chapter was the fact that Ananias was able to obey God’s commands despite Saul’s former reputation of persecuting and killing Christians. The second work of the Spirit was the change in Saul’s life after Ananias laid hands on him so that he could see and be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Saul, who began as one of the chief religious Jewish leaders who persecuted believers, would soon be known as Paul, one of the greatest leaders in the Christian faith recorded in the Bible! That’s a true testament to the work of the Holy Spirit. Saul’s conversion turned his life completely around!
Application
Be obedient to the Holy Spirit’s leading.
The work of the Holy Spirit changes us and He continues to do impossible things!
What would happen if we were one of those vessels that the Holy Spirit could freely work through? What would happen if we were obedient to His leading?
In this chapter alone, there is evidence of so much of the Holy Spirit’s work. I already mentioned 2 in the observation section. The Holy Spirit also changed the hearts of the believers towards Saul. The disciples weren’t fully convinced of Saul’s conversion, but the Holy Spirit worked through Barnabas and he convinced the apostles not to be afraid of Saul because he was a changed man. The Holy Spirit continued to do things in Scripture that was impossible in a human’s own strength. He continues to do things today that are impossible in our own strength!
As verse 31 said, “....They stopped living in the fear of man and started living in the fear of the Lord.” As a result, the church increased in numbers again!
Don’t underestimate the power of the Holy Spirit. There’s no stopping Him when He’s at work.
Prayer
Dear Lord,
Thank You for Your Word and the reminders of the power of the Holy Spirit to change hearts and lives towards Your desires. May I always be humble and obedient to wherever He leads me and never underestimate His power. Amen.
-Michelle Gaddi