DCLM Higher Everyday 4 February 2024 — Curious Gentile Conversions
DCLM Higher Everyday 4 February 2024 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Curious Gentile Conversions
Topic: Curious Gentile Conversions
Text: Acts 10:34-48
34Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
35But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
36The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)
37That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;
38How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
39And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:
40Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;
41Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.
42And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.
43To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
44While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
45And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
46For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
47Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
48And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
Key Verse: “To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins” (Acts 10:43).
Message
In 1956, five young missionaries had a vision of bringing the gospel of Christ to the extremely violent Waodani tribe of Ecuador. The mission outreach was codenamed Operation Auca. The savage people brutally speared the brave missionaries to death almost at first contact. Through sheer persistence and faith, some family members of the martyrs later moved in to live among the Waodani. Love, grace and prayer won in the end as Kimo and Mincaye, two of the murderers accepted Christ. Years later, Steve Saint – son of Nate Saint, one of the men of Operation Auca – was baptised by Kimo. Steve’s story is told in the feature film, End Of The Spear.
Also Read: DCLM Higher Everyday 3 February 2024 – Are You Growing In Grace?
Peter’s mission in Joppa was to introduce Cornelius, a total Gentile, to Christ’s saving grace. His ministry was a testament to God’s love and willingness to save whosoever would believe in Christ. Christians should not give up on anyone nor doubt God’s power to save the worst of sinners. God wants all men to be saved. He wants to use you as His agent for that purpose. Are you willing?
Quote: God wants all men to be saved.
Challenge: God’s love reaches the ends of the earth.
Prayer for today: Make me an instrument of Your grace, dear Lord.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
