Devo May 28 Acts 10

⁹About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. ¹⁰He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. ¹¹He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. ¹²It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles of the earth and birds of the air. ¹³Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”  ¹⁴“Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”  ¹⁵The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”  ¹⁶This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.  ¹⁷While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon’s house was and stopped at the gate. ¹⁸They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there.  ¹⁹While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three men are looking for you.

²⁷Talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. ²⁸He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean. ²⁹ So when I was sent for, I came without objection. I ask then why you sent for me.”

Meditation

1. The Jews did not want to interact with the Gentiles, they don’t go into their homes, or touch their things, or eat at their table, etc.  This is mainly because the Gentiles eat what was forbidden by Jewish laws, they are ceremonially unclean, and interacting with the Gentiles would make the Jewish people unclean.
2. However, while Cornelius’ messengers were on their way to Peter, God used the vision to change Peter’s view toward the Gentiles.
3. Is there anything (of culture, background, custom, habits, education, interests) that have limited or prohibited you of true fellowship or reaching out to others?
4. Reflect on you prayer experiences.  In what areas have you experienced God’s guidance in prayer?
5. What are some of the social and cultural barriers that you need to break through as you seek to reach out to your friends for the gospel?

Devo Acts 6:1-7 May 22

¹In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.²So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. ³Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them ⁴and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”  ⁵This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. ⁶They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.  ⁷So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.

Meditation

1. The life of Early Church was full of miracles, sharing, and fellowship.  How wonderful it would have been to be a member of this “Perfect” church.  In fact, the Early Church also had problems just like today.  There is no perfect church until the coming of Christ in union with believers.
2. If you have been frustrated with your church, are you willing to spend the same amount of energy to pray for your church and pastors?
3. Spend a few minutes to pray for your church, pastors, ministries and other believers.