Day 42 – NO NATIONAL BARRIERS
Moment of Transformation:
- Pray for the items listed in your Transformational Journal
- Pray for the transformation of the five individuals/families you chose
- Pray that your friends will be transformed by Christ’s EXAMPLE
- Pray for your transformation in order to be prepared for the Day of the Lord
NO NATIONAL BARRIERS
Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea. Acts 10:4-6 NKJV
The explicitness of these directions, in which was named even the occupation of the man with whom Peter was staying, shows that Heaven is acquainted with the history and business of men in every station of life. God is familiar with the experience and work of the humble laborer, as well as with that of the king upon his throne.
My heart is made very tender as I read of the interest manifested by the Lord in Cornelius. Cornelius was a man in high position, an officer in the Roman army, but he was walking in strict accordance with all the light he had received. The Lord sent a special message from heaven to him, and by another message directed Peter to visit him and give him light.
Cornelius was gladly obedient to the vision.
Thus was the gospel brought to those who had been strangers and foreigners, making them fellow citizens with the saints, and members of the household of God. The conversion of Cornelius and his household was but the first fruits of a harvest to be gathered in. From this household a wide-spread work of grace was carried on in that heathen city.
Today God is seeking for souls among the high as well as the lowly. There are many like Cornelius, men whom the Lord desires to connect with His work in the world. Their sympathies are with the Lord’s people, but the ties that bind them to the world hold them firmly. It requires moral courage for them to take their position for Christ. Special efforts should be made for these souls, who are in so great danger, because of their responsibilities and associations.
From the story of Cornelius we learn that God will lead every one who is willing to be led. He led Cornelius. He drew out His servant’s heart in prayer. He prepared him to receive the light of His truth, and he chose to enlighten the mind of Cornelius through the agency of one who had already received light from above.
Ellen G. White, Conflict and Courage, 334 – November 24
Quote of the Day “Draw me, however unwilling, to make me willing; draw me, slow-footed, to make me run.” Bernard of Clairvaux
Did You Know?
The story of Cornelius, which ends with Peter’s speech to the assembly at Jerusalem, is the longest narrative in Acts, a seven-act drama of sixty-six verses. Judged solely on the basis of the amount of space Luke gives to the story, we know that we are dealing with a crucial concern of Acts, a pivot for the entire book, a turning point in the long drama of redemption.
Going Deeper
The gathering of friends and relatives encountered at Cornelius’ home will form an audience when the time comes, as we suspect it will, for Peter to make one of his famous speeches. As the narrative unfolds note that it shuttles back and forth from Peter to Cornelius, back to Peter, then to Cornelius. Both men have visions, both make speeches. Thus Luke highlights the dual nature of what is happening. Is this a story about the conversion of a gentile or the conversion of an apostle? Both Cornelius and Peter need changing if God’s mission is to go forward. … Through the dialogue of Peter and Cornelius Luke creates a scene in which old divisions are broken down and these who once were at odds—Jew and gentile—chat amiably within the home that had been off limits to Peter. Placed here, and treated in this fashion, the scene serves as a warm, touching hint of the joyous new possibilities for community toward which God is leading both Jew and gentile. As with Jesus, who was criticized for the company he kept at the table, so Peter could claim that “there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance” (Luke 15:7).
William H. Willimon, Acts, Interpretation, a Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching (Atlanta, GA: John Knox Press, 1988), 96–97.
Question…
What picture of God can you draw from the following statement “God will lead every one who is willing to be led”?
This Week’s Homework
- Memorize: “For we do not present our supplications before You because of our righteous deeds, but because of Your great mercies.” Daniel 9:18 NKJV
- Pray that the five individuals/families you chose, will attend the special outreach event.