GENTILES
Today’s Reading: Acts 10
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion on the right-hand side).
The north public bath house ruins of ancient Caesarea. Herod, Pilate, and Cornelius may have visited these baths, but not Paul. He spent two years in prison here in Caesarea.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Acts 10:44
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word.
For a Roman of senior rank, it would’ve been customary to visit the bath house daily (pictured above). This daily blog bath “the washing of water by the Word” (Ephesians 5:26), will become a habit after a few days of disciplined reading.
This chapter should be, for we who are not born Jews, very, very important. This is where we get in on the blessings God promised to Abraham, and the blessings of the fulfillment of those promises in Jesus. Why would God choose this Roman Army Officer, Cornelius, to be the first non-Jew to receive Jesus? He was “devout,” a man of excellence in his behaviour. He and his household “feared God.” He “gave alms generously to the people,” and “he prayed to God always.” We don’t earn salvation by good works. Grace, and grace alone through faith, secures our eternal destiny. But our character and good works, as in this story, do serve to get special attention from God. Read more about non-Jews getting in on God’s provision of salvation in Ephesians chapter 2. Please check it out (click here).
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I’m so very thankful that as a non-Jew, I’m welcomed into Your family. May I never take Your care for granted. May my character be refined each day, and may this daily blog be a part of the process. You checked out Cornelius’ “memorial” and good things happened. I pray You’ll check out my offerings too. May the smile of Your approval be on my life. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
Here is a question I want to ask Cornelius some day…”Were you the centurion whose servant Jesus healed as recorded in Luke 7:1-10? If that wasn’t you, Cornelius, please introduce me to this officer of whom Jesus said, ‘I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel.'” One of the highlights of my life was to suggest to the senior officer corps of Ukraine that they make Cornelius their Patron Saint. Most officers had Orthodox or Roman Catholic backgrounds, although to be an officer in a communist government they had to profess atheism. I mentioned this in my blog on November 3rd (click here for the story in my “100 Personal Words”). I wonder also about the baptism of Cornelius, his family, and friends. Could it have happened in the bath house pictured here? I wonder, as well, if Peter was shocked when God interrupted his preaching to pour out the Gift of the Holy Spirit on these Gentiles. I think so. Because, “They of the circumcision (Jews) were astonished, as many as came with Peter.” I was astonished to witness an interruption by God once in my years of preaching. Please God, do it again and again!
Yours to help each of us to receive all God desires that we should have for the purpose of serving Him effectively,
David
P.S. Yesterday I was a guest on 100 Huntley Street. Our new CEO, Lorna Dueck, my co-host from 1994 to 2002, interviewed me. Click HERE to watch it. She needs our generous and sacrificial help to do her job! Some who read this are already supporting partners. All others, Lorna and Crossroads need you to pray about God’s will in helping us carry this heavy load. You can donate online HERE. Thanks and may God richly blessYou!!!
He who are weary come home…….am aski ng for u prayers David..as am like Daniel
Lord God, we lift up Joel to You, now. You know what all his needs are. We pray for You to strengthen him and draw him ever closer to You through Your Word, Lord. May he lean on you in prayer as You wrap Your loving arms around him. For Your peace, which transcends all understanding, will guard his heart and his mind in Christ Jesus. In Your precious Name, we pray, amen, amen and amen.
Yes, Amen, agreeing in prayer for Joel!!!
Streams In The Desert, December 1, Devil’s Burden
There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God. Heb 4:9 NIV
The Lord made them secure, in fulfillment of all he had solemnly promised their ancestors. None of their enemies could resist them.—Josh 21:44 NET
For the Lord takes delight in his people; he exalts the oppressed by delivering them.—Ps 149:4 NET
An eminent Christian worker tells of his mother who was a very anxious and troubled Christian. He would talk with her by the hour trying to convince her of the sinfulness of fretting, but to no avail. She was like the old lady who once said she had suffered so much, especially from the troubles that never came.
But one morning the mother came down to breakfast wreathed in smiles. He asked her what had happened, and she told him that in the night she had a dream.
She was walking along a highway with a great crowd of people who seemed so tired and burdened. They were nearly all carrying little black bundles, and she noticed that there were numerous repulsive looking beings which she thought were demons dropping these black bundles for the people to pick up and carry.
Like the rest, she too had her needless load, and was weighed down with the devil’s bundles. Looking up, after a while, she saw a Man with a bright and loving face, passing hither and thither through the crowd, and comforting the people.
At last He came near her, and she saw that it was her Saviour. She looked up and told Him how tired she was, and He smiled sadly and said: “My dear child, I did not give you these loads; you have no need of them. They are the devil’s burdens and they are wearing out your life. Just drop them; refuse to touch them with one of your fingers and you will find the path easy and you will be as if borne on eagle’s wings.”
He touched her hand, and lo, peace and joy thrilled her frame and, flinging down her burden, she was about to throw herself at His feet in joyful thanksgiving, when suddenly she awoke and found that all her cares were gone. From that day to the close of her life she was the most cheerful and happy member of the household.
“And the night shall be filled with music,
And the cares that infest the day,
Shall fold their tents like the Arabs,
And as silently steal away.”
—Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Thank-you for posting this.
Thank you Beverlee, very inspiring .
Amen Beverlee…special story!
Continuing to pray for everyone on this blog, that God’s Will be done
on earth as it is in heaven, Amen!
Pastor David Mains it was good to see you on 100 Huntley Street yesterday and thank you Beverly k for that very touching and inspiring story God blessings to all amen
Watched your interview with Lorna yesterday…I pray the financial need of the ministry be met: and to over and above: even more so than the over and above response for the Arctic need!!
Acts of the Apostles always full of the amazing, miracles God has done!!!
Saints, I will not be posting, tomorrow, as I leave tonight for a trip home to see my mom and attend Beth’s father’s funeral, tomorrow. Thank you for keeping me in your prayers for safe travels. God’s continued blessings to all of you.
Just able to read this blog as the electricity has been off nearly all day because of our second storm which was as severe as yesterdays. Agree with you in prayer David and fellow bloggers. God bless all.