“He 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.’” Acts 10:28.
Upon his arrival, Peter announces that he really should not even be there. After all, he was a Jew and the people he was visiting were not, and according to Jewish law, he was not to “associate” with them. But Peter now understood God’s purpose in bringing him to that place. God had shown Peter that no one was to be considered “impure or unclean.” In other words, the barrier that was in place between Jews and all other people was now to be broken down, and all people were to be accepted as the same.
While I know intellectually that all people are equal and that I am called to love all people equally, I still know that I struggle “associating” with some people. For instance, I am not so sure I could ever associate with anyone who was from the rival of my old high school! Okay, I’m kidding. I am actually married to someone from the rival high school! In all seriousness, each one of us could most likely name some people, or groups of people, that we would not like to associate with. We have barriers, in ways similar to Peter, that keep us away from “loving our neighbors”, as Jesus commanded.
Questions to consider: Who do you wish not to “associate” with? What does God have to say about that? Like with Peter, have there been times when you’ve been confronted with this type of barrier and you sensed God nudging you to deal with it? Who is your neighbor?
Prayer: Father, help me to notice when You are directing me to deal with who my neighbor truly is. Help me to love as You have called me to love; to love the unlovable, remembering how unlovable I was and still am, at times. Amen.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
October 22, 2009 - Acts 10:26
“But Peter made him get up. ‘Stand up,’ he said, ‘I am only a man myself.’” Acts 10:26.
Peter arrived at the house of Cornelius, having been escorted there by Cornelius’ servants. As he was coming into the house Cornelius knelt before Peter, as if Peter were a Caesar, a god of some kind, or at least a very special person. Peter realized that he was not worthy of anyone’s worship and commanded him to get up; after all, he was only a man, just like Cornelius. Peter apparently was not interested in lifting himself up or making himself of any importance. He was a man who was seeking to be a whole-hearted servant of Jesus.
Have you ever noticed someone that was an attention-seeker? Or possibly someone who did not mind being placed on a pedestal of importance or notoriety? I have witnessed pastors or leaders who really like, even crave, the attention, and have acted as though they were special and deserved notice or special treatment. When someone has this kind of heart attitude, it is difficult to smell the wonderful fragrance of Christ.
Let me make this very clear. One of the things that I do not like about myself is my own need for attention. If I were in Peter’s situation, I am not so sure how I would have responded. I might have enjoyed the notice and special attention. But my hope is that I would have done as Peter did.
Questions to consider: Do you seek, or, maybe even, crave, attention from others? If so, how do you act that out in your life? What does it make you feel like to see others who are acting in ways that draw attention to themselves?
Prayer: Father, it is my desire for less of me and more of You to show. Please help me to “deny myself, take up my cross, and follow” You. Help me to respond as Peter did, in order to draw attention to You, and You alone. Amen.
Peter arrived at the house of Cornelius, having been escorted there by Cornelius’ servants. As he was coming into the house Cornelius knelt before Peter, as if Peter were a Caesar, a god of some kind, or at least a very special person. Peter realized that he was not worthy of anyone’s worship and commanded him to get up; after all, he was only a man, just like Cornelius. Peter apparently was not interested in lifting himself up or making himself of any importance. He was a man who was seeking to be a whole-hearted servant of Jesus.
Have you ever noticed someone that was an attention-seeker? Or possibly someone who did not mind being placed on a pedestal of importance or notoriety? I have witnessed pastors or leaders who really like, even crave, the attention, and have acted as though they were special and deserved notice or special treatment. When someone has this kind of heart attitude, it is difficult to smell the wonderful fragrance of Christ.
Let me make this very clear. One of the things that I do not like about myself is my own need for attention. If I were in Peter’s situation, I am not so sure how I would have responded. I might have enjoyed the notice and special attention. But my hope is that I would have done as Peter did.
Questions to consider: Do you seek, or, maybe even, crave, attention from others? If so, how do you act that out in your life? What does it make you feel like to see others who are acting in ways that draw attention to themselves?
Prayer: Father, it is my desire for less of me and more of You to show. Please help me to “deny myself, take up my cross, and follow” You. Help me to respond as Peter did, in order to draw attention to You, and You alone. Amen.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
October 15, 2009 - Acts 10:17
"While 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." Acts 10:17.
Peter had just received a vision in which God was stretching the boundaries of his belief system by requiring him to "kill and eat" food forbidden to Jews. Peter was wondering what this would mean when the men sent by Cornelius arrived. Cornelius had sent these men to ask Peter to come to him, after God had told him in a vision to send for Peter. It appears that God was setting the stage for not only Peter's stretching, but also, for the young church's expansion.
When things happen in our lives, we never know how wide ranging the effect will be. In Peter's case, it was dramatic. The church was thrust out beyond the boundaries of Judaism. I recently heard from an old friend, whom I haven't seen in years. She told me that her life had been deeply impacted by the work my wife and I did when we had a ministry with young people. After her college days, she became a volunteer leader, and impacted a number of high school students, who in turn went on to become youth leaders. Several of those that she worked with later joined the staff of Young Life, and years later, I ended up working alongside a few of them, without knowing about the connection. I only recently put together that this amazing cycle of impact on people's lives had taken place. We never know at the time how we are going to impact others. Each meeting holds potential significance. I can either choose to be present in the moment or to just coast along in neutral.
Questions to consider: In looking back, when have you seen events that, though they did not appear at the time to be significant, ended up being very significant? What can you do to make each moment with others more significant?
Prayer: Father, help me to be fully present when I am with others. Help me to be approachable and able to listen. Help me to see each meeting with others as potentially significant for Your kingdom's purposes. Amen.
Peter had just received a vision in which God was stretching the boundaries of his belief system by requiring him to "kill and eat" food forbidden to Jews. Peter was wondering what this would mean when the men sent by Cornelius arrived. Cornelius had sent these men to ask Peter to come to him, after God had told him in a vision to send for Peter. It appears that God was setting the stage for not only Peter's stretching, but also, for the young church's expansion.
When things happen in our lives, we never know how wide ranging the effect will be. In Peter's case, it was dramatic. The church was thrust out beyond the boundaries of Judaism. I recently heard from an old friend, whom I haven't seen in years. She told me that her life had been deeply impacted by the work my wife and I did when we had a ministry with young people. After her college days, she became a volunteer leader, and impacted a number of high school students, who in turn went on to become youth leaders. Several of those that she worked with later joined the staff of Young Life, and years later, I ended up working alongside a few of them, without knowing about the connection. I only recently put together that this amazing cycle of impact on people's lives had taken place. We never know at the time how we are going to impact others. Each meeting holds potential significance. I can either choose to be present in the moment or to just coast along in neutral.
Questions to consider: In looking back, when have you seen events that, though they did not appear at the time to be significant, ended up being very significant? What can you do to make each moment with others more significant?
Prayer: Father, help me to be fully present when I am with others. Help me to be approachable and able to listen. Help me to see each meeting with others as potentially significant for Your kingdom's purposes. Amen.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
October 8, 2009 - Acts 10:14
“’Surely not, Lord!’ Peter replied. ‘I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.’” Acts 10:14.
Peter, while visiting believers outside of Jerusalem, had a vision in which he was instructed to “kill and eat” food that Jews were forbidden to eat. This voice instructed him to do so three times, adding, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” Peter was deeply perplexed by what he had seen. He was certain that the voice speaking to him was from God because he called the voice “Lord.” What was so perplexing was that the voice was asking him to do something that was completely foreign to his experience, as a Jew. Much had changed in Peter’s life, and even more was now being required.
Have you ever felt like you were being pushed beyond your limits? Sometimes it has felt as if I was being pushed far beyond my understanding, but like Peter, I say to the Lord, “This is difficult, but You have the words of life. Where else would I go?” In looking back, I can see the wisdom in His pushing, but at the time, it is painful and is usually, well, perplexing. For me, these times are dark and unsure, and I am challenged to the core of my belief. On the other side, I recognize how God was with me throughout the time, but it was still very tough to go through. Thankfully, it was He who guided me along.
Questions to consider: Have you ever experienced any perplexing times that challenged your beliefs? What was that like for you? In looking back, do you see His hand guiding you through the situation?
Prayer: Father, help me to hear Your voice in the midst of challenging and stretching times. Help me to a willing learner, ever seeking to know You better. Amen.
Peter, while visiting believers outside of Jerusalem, had a vision in which he was instructed to “kill and eat” food that Jews were forbidden to eat. This voice instructed him to do so three times, adding, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” Peter was deeply perplexed by what he had seen. He was certain that the voice speaking to him was from God because he called the voice “Lord.” What was so perplexing was that the voice was asking him to do something that was completely foreign to his experience, as a Jew. Much had changed in Peter’s life, and even more was now being required.
Have you ever felt like you were being pushed beyond your limits? Sometimes it has felt as if I was being pushed far beyond my understanding, but like Peter, I say to the Lord, “This is difficult, but You have the words of life. Where else would I go?” In looking back, I can see the wisdom in His pushing, but at the time, it is painful and is usually, well, perplexing. For me, these times are dark and unsure, and I am challenged to the core of my belief. On the other side, I recognize how God was with me throughout the time, but it was still very tough to go through. Thankfully, it was He who guided me along.
Questions to consider: Have you ever experienced any perplexing times that challenged your beliefs? What was that like for you? In looking back, do you see His hand guiding you through the situation?
Prayer: Father, help me to hear Your voice in the midst of challenging and stretching times. Help me to a willing learner, ever seeking to know You better. Amen.
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