Unstoppable! 'Responding with Grace' — Acts 10:21-23

Sunday, June 4, 2023

[After Peter's vision and Cornelius' messengers asking for him,] Peter went down and said, "I'm the man you are looking for. Why have you come?"

They said, "We were sent by Cornelius, a Roman officer. He is a devout and God-fearing man, well respected by all the Jews. A holy angel instructed him to summon you to his house so that he can hear your message." So Peter invited the men to stay for the night. The next day he went with them, accompanied by some of the brothers from Joppa.

— Acts 10:21-23 NLT

Key Thought

God had tuned Peter's heart for this moment with Cornelius and his messengers through the vision given to him three times. The three messengers Cornelius had sent conveyed the message of this Roman officer to Peter. Peter responded in two ways. First, he offered them hospitality — he invited them into his house to stay for the night. Second, Peter accompanied these messengers to return to Cornelius and share the message of Jesus. Peter responded to their presence and their mission with grace so that he could be God's messenger of grace to Cornelius!

Today's Prayer

O, dear Father, I fear that I often make things so much more complicated than they need to be. I ask for the Holy Spirit's help in discerning where you want me to go, what you want me to do, and when you want me to do it. Lord Jesus, I pledge to be kind and hospitable to those you send my way so that I can be useful to you and those seeking to find you. I ask for the Spirit's guidance and make this commitment to bring honor to you, my Redeemer and Rock, O God, made known as Father, Son, and Spirit. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Acts 17:22-31; 2 Peter 3:8-9
  • Romans 8:28-29; Philippians 2:12-18

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Illustration

Illustration of Acts 10:21-23 NLT — [After Peter's vision and Cornelius' messengers asking for him,] Peter went down and said, "I'm the man you are looking for. Why have you come?" They said, "We were sent by Cornelius, a Roman officer. He is a devout and God-fearing man, well respected by all the Jews. A holy angel instructed him to summon you to his house so that he can hear your message." So Peter invited the men to stay for the night. The next day he went with them, accompanied by some of the brothers from Joppa.

About This Devotional

Unstoppable! is a one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage, a reflection and a prayer. The reflection opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges one to live for Jesus.

Unstoppable! is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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