God's Holy Fire: 'Who Was I to Stand in God's Way?'

Friday, June 5, 2026

"As I began to speak," Peter continued, "the Holy Spirit fell on [Cornelius and his household], just as he fell on us at the beginning. Then I thought of the Lord's words when he said, 'John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' And since God gave these Gentiles the same gift he gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to stand in God's way?"
— Acts 11:15-17 NLT

Key Thought

Breaking through prejudice and hatred is tough. We often need some dramatic act that captures our attention and moves our hearts. God gave his people that dramatic act through dreams, visions, and the direction of the Holy Spirit in the conversion of Cornelius and his household. God was determined to break down the barriers that stood between peoples and nations and races (Ephesians 2:14-18). If we oppose "the unity of the Spirit" (Ephesians 4:3), we need to understand that we are standing in the way of God! Disunity, prejudice, and division are actions that directly oppose and grieve the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:29-32).

Today's Prayer

Dear Father, I know that Jesus prayed for unity, so I join my Savior in his prayer. Help us be one. Convict us when we are divisive. Open our eyes to the damage our hurtful and hateful words and actions can cause. May your Holy Spirit move us, change us, and draw us closer together in you. In Jesus' name, I offer my prayer. Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

4 Related Resources by Heartlight

Who Was I to Stand in God's Way?
Devo: Unstoppable!
"[Peter explained why he baptized Cornelius and those with him:] "The Holy Spirit fell on them... Then I thought of the Lord's words when he said,..."
The Spirit Fell on Them!
Devo: Unstoppable!
""As I began to speak [to Cornelius, along with his family and friends]," Peter continued, "the Holy Spirit fell on them, just as he fell on us at the..."
Discovering the Character of your Church: 'Are' Values or 'Should' Values?
Article by Tim Woodroof
How do we get down to our true values? Tim Woodroof talks about the values of churches and distinguishes between the values that are and the values that churches feel like they should have.
Surely!
Article by Phil Ware
A hardened elite soldier in Rome's army comes face-to-face with the Son of God. Phil Ware looks at the Centurions in the New Testament and reminds us that they often believed in Jesus.

Illustration

Illustration of Acts 11:15-17 NLT — "As I began to speak,"

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Friday, June 5, 2026

Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Accepted, but Sent Away' (Acts 9:28-30)
"So Saul stayed with the apostles and went all around Jerusalem with them, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. He debated with some..."
Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by Thomas à Kempis:
"For a small reward, a man will hurry away on a long journey; while for eternal life, many will hardly take a single step."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Building Up Each Other' (2 Co. 1:23-2:11)
"Dear Father, giver of great joy, I hope that in my effort to get others to live for you that I will never lord it over their faith. Help me work with..."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'Proclaim the Good News' (1 Ch. 16:23)
"Let the whole earth sing to the Lord! Each day proclaim the good news that he saves."

About This Devotional

God's Holy Fire is a daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

More God's Holy Fire

Translations