Today's Verse: Acts 11:18

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, "So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life."
Now you can listen to Today's Verse on iTunes, Spotify, Echo devices, and more!

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Breaking through racial and cultural barriers is never easy, but this was the challenge early church leaders faced when the Holy Spirit led Peter to share the gospel with Cornelius and his household, and they became disciples of Jesus. The Jewish disciples had not anticipated Gentiles to come into Jesus' church. Thankfully, God's Spirit didn't let them settle comfortably into their prejudices. Instead, the Spirit challenged, led, and pushed them to break through racial hatred and cultural ignorance. So must we, today. Let's be the kind of people, Jesus' people, who rejoice and praise God as every racial barrier dividing people fall in Jesus. Let's press on until the triumphant promise of the Gospel is fulfilled: "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:28). In doing this, we anticipate the incredible chorus of heaven as it praises God with folks from every language, tribe, people, and nation (Revelation 7:9-11). God longs to invite all peoples of the earth into his family of grace, love, and life!

My Prayer...

Holy God, we ask that you bless all those everywhere who are trying to cross cultural, linguistic, and nationalistic barriers sharing the grace of Jesus with those who do not know you. Help them know they are bringing you joy and anticipating the praise that surrounds you in glory! In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

4 Related Resources by Heartlight

Illustration

Illustration of Acts 11:18 — When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, "So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Tuesday, November 18, 2008

A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
"Dear Child of Grace, Many people in your fallen world accept or reject others based on race. They exclude those who are not of their race. The..."
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
"Dear Father, Help me to pay close attention to all of your teaching, lest I drift away from it. How shall I escape if I neglect so great a salvation?..."
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
"Jesus replied [after his interchange with Peter about washing Peter's feet], "A person who has bathed all over does not need to wash, except for the....."
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
"Here was sovereignty. Impatient spirits may fret and fume, because they are not called to the highest places in the ministry; but reader be it thine....."

About This Devotional

Today's Verse is a free daily devotional that includes a Bible verse, thought and prayer.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.