Unstoppable! 'God's Spirit' — Acts 11:12

Wednesday, June 21, 2023

[Peter continued telling the story of Cornelius' conversion:] "The Holy Spirit told me to go with [the messengers Cornelius had sent] and not to worry that they were Gentiles. These six brothers here accompanied me, and we soon entered the home of the man who had sent for us."

— Acts 11:12 NLT

Key Thought

God had used all sorts of ways to reveal his desire for Peter to go and speak the Good News of Jesus to Cornelius and his relatives and friends. With the arrival of Cornelius' three messengers (Acts 11:11), the Holy Spirit made sure the message was clear. The Spirit said, "Go! Don't worry that they are Gentiles!" Heaven expended great effort to awaken Peter and the early church to Jesus' last words: "Go!"* Following Christ is not primarily about just trying to attract people a church building but about our going to them with the message and love of Jesus. And for Jesus, our "going" is not limited to nearby; it involves going "to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8). We are to go as witnesses with the message of Jesus. Going is a vital part of our DNA as disciples of the Son of God who came to us, for us!

* See Matthew 28:19-20; cf. Luke 24:44-49.

Today's Prayer

Dear Father in heaven, may your Kingdom come on earth. May the world see your will being done through our actions here on earth. Inspire us and empower us to go and take the message of Jesus into all the world. Use us to bring your grace to those who have not heard and your love to those who are trapped without hope. I ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Luke 11:1-4
  • Luke 4:14-20

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Illustration

Illustration of Acts 11:12 NLT — [Peter continued telling the story of Cornelius' conversion:] "The Holy Spirit told me to go with [the messengers Cornelius had sent] and not to worry that they were Gentiles. These six brothers here accompanied me, and we soon entered the home of the man who had sent for us."

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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