TUESDAY - October 27

Read. Acts 10:34-35
34 Peter said, “I really am learning that God doesn’t show partiality to one group of people over another. 35 Rather, in every nation, whoever worships him and does what is right is acceptable to him.

Reflect. God led Peter to the home of Cornelius. By all accounts of this world, Peter and Cornelius should have been enemies. Peter was a poor Jewish man. Cornelius was a Roman centurion. As such Cornelius was a Roman military commander. Additionally, the story in Acts 10 shows us that Cornelius had wealth. Cornelius represented the empire to Peter, the same empire that was often hostile to the Jews. Additionally, regardless of Cornelius’s status with the Roman Imperial Army, he was a Gentile. Good Jews did not associate with Gentiles. From all outward appearances, Peter and Cornelius should not be associated together. 

• Despite the division and difference, God calls Peter and Cornelius together. Through this encounter, both are changed. Cornelius accepts faith in Jesus and Peter makes the statement we read in verses 34 and 35. 
• His whole life, Peter had been taught that his nation was particularly blessed by God. Peter had been taught that his nation had a special relationship with God and that set his nation apart from all other nations. Now, Peter realizes that God is doing something new. And this new thing is that “God doesn’t show partiality to one group.” Instead, acceptance before God is based on who worships God. 
• It is on this basis that all who call on the name of Jesus are One Nation. It doesn’t matter if you were born in Britain, The United States, Palestine, Peru, Libya, Iran, or China; if you call on the name of Jesus you are part of One Nation, one heavenly nation. The governments of this world desire ultimate allegiance and separate Christians from one another, but through Jesus you are joined with Christians in every corner of the world. In Jesus, you have more in common with a Christian living in Iran or North Korea or Mexico than you do with a nonbeliever in your own country. 
• What does it mean to you that followers of Jesus belong to one nation? How does this influence how you look at the rest of the world? How does this influence how you look at your own earthly nation? 

Pray. Lord, you are lord of all, and you have brought all that worship you together in one nation. Help me so to live a unity of spirit with all who call upon your name. Amen.

COMMUNITY PRAYER LIST

Doug Lawson. Collier. Glenn Ethridge. Adam Funderburk.  Mary Reber.  Linda Harmon. Betty Carolyn Ward. Albert Rasanke. Lois Robinson. Ross Henley. Tiny & Donald Creasman. Bill and Barbara Buchanan. Bonnie Brenner. Baker Family. Robert McKenzie Family. Kibler family. Carolyn Harlow. Jeff Green. Earl Graves. Mickey Huff. Huff & Welch families. Helen Leigh. Paul Huffman. Schools, Teachers, Staff, Parents, Students. Church regathering plans. Layman family. Charlene Withrow. Brandon Casteel. Dirk Orr family. Smith family. Crowder family. Lillard family. Family of Floyd Eaton. Family of Eddie Rynes. Robertson Family. Harmon Family. Nancy R