ACTS of the Apostles

Thursday, May 19

ACTS of the Apostles

Learning How to be Daring and Dynamic

Read Acts 10:1-33

Focus Verses: Acts 10:3-6

About the ninth hour of the day he clearly saw in a vision an angel of God, who had just come in and said to him, “Cornelius!” And fixing his gaze on him and being much alarmed, he said, “What is it Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and alms have ascended as a memorial before God. Now dispatch some men to Joppa and send for a man named Simon, who is also called Peter; he is staying with a tanner named Simon, whose house is by the sea.”

When we fervently seek God and are eager to obey Him, He gives us “divine appointments.” Unlike doctor appointments where we wait and wait for an expected type of encounter, when we are led by God to be in a particular place at a particular time, He can bless a particular person through us in ways we never imagined.

God set up a divine appointment for Cornelius and Peter. These two men lived in different cities. They did not know each other. We know who Peter was. Cornelius was a centurion in Caesarea and a Gentile. He and his family were believers who were ready to grow in their faith. Cornelius needed to learn from Peter. Peter, a devout Jew, believed that the Messiah had come for Jews only. God wanted him to understand that Jesus came to save both Jews and Gentiles. So God brought them together through a divine appointment.

Notice that both men obeyed God immediately and completely. Had they mulled it over for a while or asked their friends’ opinions on the matter, they would have missed their divine appointment. When God says, “Go!”, we need to say, “I’m on it, Lord!” Obeying immediately, however, DOES allow us time to make sure that doing this lines up with scripture. God will NEVER ask us to do something that is against His Word.

Sometimes, however, God will ask us to do something that is outside our comfort zone. In Peter’s vision, God told him to eat what the Jews considered unclean animals. This was a metaphor. All Gentiles were considered unclean and the Jews avoided them. God wanted Peter to get past this generational prejudice and share the Gospel with the Gentiles.

Sisters, has God ever asked you to step out of your comfort zone like he did Peter? If so, please consider sharing in the comments. Let’s commit to saying yes and taking a “LEAP OF FAITH” when He prompts us to act on His behalf!

Precious Lord, what an honor it is to be asked by You to minister to others in Jesus’ Name! Thank you that You set up divine appointments for us as you did for Peter and Cornelius. Touch our spirits, our minds and our bodies so that we can be sensitive to Your leading. Whenever You prompt us to act, let us be obedient and allow You to work through us. In Jesus’ Name and for the Father's glory, Amen.