Unstoppable! 'The News Spread Quickly' — Acts 11:1

Sunday, June 15, 2025

Soon the news reached the apostles and other believers in Judea that the Gentiles had received the word of God.

— Acts 11:1 NLT

Key Thought

News that Gentiles had heard the message of Jesus and responded appropriately to that message spread quickly. For some, Gentiles coming to Jesus was a welcome dawning of a new day. For others, it was puzzling, threatening, or even abhorrent. It took years for the church to appreciate the implications of Gentiles and Jews being brothers and sisters through Jesus, the Messiah, and for that fellowship to become reality - and in some places, that type of fellowship unfortunately still isn't a reality. The message for you and me today is clear: God wants all people in his family. We must be committed to making this fellowship a reality in our day and work to break down every barrier to fellowship with everyone who calls on Christ Jesus as Lord.

Today's Prayer

Dear Father, I am so sorry that we make fellowship with all people so difficult. I confess that we don't always reach out with the passion we should to those who are different than we are. My heart breaks that we don't practice full fellowship with many other people because of cultural, racial, and language differences. Please, dear Father, make your Kingdom come on earth, through us; may your will be done here and now as it is in heaven. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

1 Related Resource by Heartlight

Challenging, But Joyous Fellowship
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Child of the King, You are royalty. However, your royal lineage is not established by your race, your culture, your language, your education, or..."

Illustration

Illustration of Acts 11:1 NLT — Soon the news reached the apostles and other believers in Judea that the Gentiles had received the word of God.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Sunday, June 15, 2025

God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Don't Break His Heart' (Ep. 4:30)
"Don't grieve God. Don't break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don't..."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
James 5:12
"Above all, my brothers, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your "Yes" be yes, and your "No," no, or you will be condemned."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Our Great High Priest' (He. 4:14-5:6)
"Dear Father, Eternal God, Enable us to hold fast to our confession of Jesus as our great High Priest. We adore him, for even though he passed through..."
What Jesus Did!
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
'Not Enough?' (Mt. 20:10-12)
"[Jesus continued his parable about the Kingdom of Heaven being like workers hired at different times during the day:] "When those hired first came to...."

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.

More Unstoppable!