Unstoppable! 'Pushing Past the Racial Barrier' — Acts 11:19-20

Sunday, June 28, 2026

This week we're mailing annual US IRS donation records...

Please check your mailbox, inbox, and spam folder. Thank you for your support!

 More Info

Meanwhile, the believers who had been scattered during the persecution after Stephen's death traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch of Syria. They preached the word of God, but only to Jews. However, some of the believers who went to Antioch from Cyprus and Cyrene began preaching to the Gentiles about the Lord Jesus.

— Acts 11:19-20 NLT

Key Thought

"However, some of the believers who..." Let those sweet words flow over you. God's directly communicating in multiple ways through the Holy Spirit, an angel, and visions was necessary to tell Cornelius to send for Peter and then to convince Peter to go to Cornelius' house, tell him and his whole household about Jesus, and baptize them. "However, some of the believers who..." refers to regular people who had been persecuted for their faith in Jesus and driven out of Jerusalem, and then they shared Jesus in the places and with the people where they were scattered. These believers shared with people regardless of their race, language, or nationality! Shouldn't we?

Today's Prayer

O God, please give me the courage and the sensitivity to share Jesus wherever you lead me and with the people to whom you send me. I ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

6 Related Resources by Heartlight

Spreading a Limited Flame
Devo: Unstoppable!
"Meanwhile, the believers who had been scattered during the persecution after Stephen's death traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch of..."
The Lord's Hand Was in This!
Devo: Unstoppable!
"However, some of the believers who went to Antioch... [because of the persecution in Jerusalem] began preaching to the Gentiles about the Lord Jesus....."
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.
To the Ends of the Earth
Article by James Nored & Phil Ware
God uses the most amazing connections and people to fulfill his promises to bless all people! James Nored and Phil Ware share Jesus' plan to reach all peoples, like the Ethiopian Nobleman and the people in the farthest reaches of the earth, with the goodness of grace.
See All 6 Related Resources about Acts 11:19-20

Illustration

Illustration of Acts 11:19-20 NLT — Meanwhile, the believers who had been scattered during the persecution after Stephen's death traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch of Syria. They preached the word of God, but only to Jews. However, some of the believers who went to Antioch from Cyprus and Cyrene began preaching to the Gentiles about the Lord Jesus.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Sunday, June 28, 2026

A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Going Deeper than the Old Commands'
"Dear Precious One, Today's message is very important because many in your religious world turn grace into an excuse to do whatever they want rather....."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Inner Conflict' (Ro. 7:1-20)
"Dear Father, I have died to the world (and to the idea that I can be justified by keeping a set of rules) through the body of Christ that I might..."
What Jesus Did!
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
'How Do You Know Me?' (Jn. 1:47-49)
"As [Philip and Nathanael] approached, Jesus said, "Now here is a genuine son of Israel — a man of complete integrity." "How do you know about me?"..."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Don't Quench the Spirit!' (1 Th. 5:19-22)
"Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil."

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!