The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Acts 10:9-16,
"About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles of the earth and birds of the air. Then a voice told him, 'Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.' 'Surely not, Lord!' Peter replied. 'I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.' The voice spoke to him a second time, 'Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.' This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven."
What a vision! Here in this vision the Lord tells Peter that he intends the Gentiles be called through the gospel message. As Peter says later about this vision, "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right."
As a Gentile that includes me! How wonderful that God does not show favoritism, but has called all mankind!! I take this for granted so easily. But not so the first believers who were Jews: it wasn't clear to them at all that anyone outside the Jewish nation would be called.
And to think, it didn't have to be this way. God could have called only the Jews. But as we read in John 3:16, "for God so love the world…"! I am also reminded of Paul's speech at the Areopagus in Athens in Acts 17:30, "now he commands all people everywhere to repent"!
What a wonderful God we have that has called all people to him through his gospel message!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
"About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles of the earth and birds of the air. Then a voice told him, 'Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.' 'Surely not, Lord!' Peter replied. 'I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.' The voice spoke to him a second time, 'Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.' This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven."
What a vision! Here in this vision the Lord tells Peter that he intends the Gentiles be called through the gospel message. As Peter says later about this vision, "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right."
As a Gentile that includes me! How wonderful that God does not show favoritism, but has called all mankind!! I take this for granted so easily. But not so the first believers who were Jews: it wasn't clear to them at all that anyone outside the Jewish nation would be called.
And to think, it didn't have to be this way. God could have called only the Jews. But as we read in John 3:16, "for God so love the world…"! I am also reminded of Paul's speech at the Areopagus in Athens in Acts 17:30, "now he commands all people everywhere to repent"!
What a wonderful God we have that has called all people to him through his gospel message!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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