A Bigger Picture
Opening Prayer
Praise God for bringing to this country people who would not have a chance to hear the Gospel in their home country.
Read Acts 10:1-8
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
[1] At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. [2] He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. [3] One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!” [4] Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked. The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. [5] Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. [6] He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea.” [7] When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants. [8] He told them everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
Why did the Lord tell Cornelius to send for Peter?In Caesarea, we meet Cornelius, a man in charge of a hundred soldiers, who had obviously absorbed some aspects of the Jewish faith (2) without being circumcised (Acts 11:3). It would appear that he had some belief in God and that he had responded with acts of devotion. We tend to assume that the Lord never works in non-Christians and yet here is a man to whom God speaks through an angel (3,4). Cornelius’ devotions had pleased God (see Lev. 2:2), but the Lord wants him to experience the whole Gospel, which would be explained by Peter (5,6). I wonder what Cornelius thought about seeing an angel and hearing from God. Little did he realize that this encounter would be the prelude to a much bigger movement of the Lord both for him, his family, and the church and its mission! His response was one of obedience, but he was careful to choose a man who would understand his desire to know God to lead the delegation to Peter (7,8).
Apply
Pray for not yet-Christian friends that the Lord would work in their lives and you could share the Gospel with them.
Closing prayer
Gracious Lord, show me for whom I should pray and use me in any way You can to open them to the Gospel message.
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