Devotionals for July 13, 2023
Interested in getting some info on how to become a Discipleship Community Leader at TNLC? Join us for a quick interest meeting this Sunday, July 16, right after second service!
READ
Acts 10:34-36; 44-48
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.
36 You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message.
45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles.
46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.
Then Peter said,
47 “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.”
48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.
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.
36 You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message.
45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles.
46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.
Then Peter said,
47 “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.”
48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.
REFLECT
If God loves the nations, how should we view them? This seems like an obvious question, but it is not. One glance at our political landscape and we see discord, prejudice, and rejection. It is easy to lose track of where our political views overrun our religious ones. Regardless of your political views, do you have a deep appreciation and love for other cultures? Do you view them as God views them? Do you find yourself viewing the music, food, and customs of another country as not just different, but inferior? If you do, you are not thinking as a Christian. As a Christian, you recognize that God will one day establish a kingdom into which the nations of the world, with all their cultural differences, are assimilated. To treat other cultures flippantly (we do this mostly through jokes) is to sew the torn veil and put it over your eyes. To find anyone in this world inferior to yourself, your country, your family, or your culture is rooted in the great sin of pride. The Christian view is one of celebration. We celebrate the eclectic, multi-ethnic bride that God has chosen, and we do not demean any part of her, lest we offend the bridegroom Himself.
APPLY
Q: How does baptism function in this passage?
Q: Where can you apply the eagerness of Peter in your life?
Q: How does the good news of Christ impact your discipleship group proceedings specifically?
Q: Where can you apply the eagerness of Peter in your life?
Q: How does the good news of Christ impact your discipleship group proceedings specifically?
SING
PRAY
"Forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us."
Lord, thank you for the forgiveness of our sins. Help us to extend that forgiveness to those who have sinned against us, for your glory. Amen.
Lord, thank you for the forgiveness of our sins. Help us to extend that forgiveness to those who have sinned against us, for your glory. Amen.