“The Spirit told me to have no hesitation about going with them. These six brothers also went with me, and we entered the man’s house.” - (Acts 11:12)

The apostle Peter had to justify why he went to the house of a Gentile and ate with him (Acts 11:1-3). Clearly Peter went to share the good news of Jesus, but the sticking point was table fellowship with Gentiles. While this seems unbelievable to me, I can still remember the time when racism was more widely accepted and openly practiced. Jesus had promised, the Holy Spirit — the promised power from God (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8) — would lead his followers to be witnesses to the “ends of the earth.” Peter makes clear that in this case, the Holy Spirit directly spoke to him and told him to go (Acts 10:19).

Once Cornelius and his household were brothers and sisters in Christ, fellowship was the result (Acts 10:48). While that seems so clear, think of the ways we segment people to keep from dealing with them as people, and even worse, as brothers and sisters in Christ. The Holy Spirit makes clear that we belong together, we are family, we are God’s children, and all those old worldly distinctions have to melt away (Gal. 3:26-39).

Prayer : Father, forgive us. Please forgive your children for our prejudice, selfishness, pettiness, and divisive attitudes. But more than forgive us, dear Father, transform us. Through the unifying power of the Holy Spirit, cleanse us and make us yearn to be with each other. Help us demonstrate the unity that outsiders need in our strife torn world. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

“As I began to speak,” Peter continued, “the Holy Spirit fell on them, just as he fell on us at the beginning. Then I thought of the Lord’s words when he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ And since God gave these Gentiles the same gift he gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to stand in God’s way?” - (Acts 11:15-17)

Breaking through prejudice and hatred is tough. We often need some dramatic act that captures our attention and moves our hearts. God gave his people that dramatic act through the work of dreams, visions, and direction of the Holy Spirit in the conversion of Cornelius. God was determined to break down the barriers that stood between peoples and nations and races (Eph. 2:14-18).

If we oppose ”the Spirit of unity” (Eph. 4:3), we need to understand that we are standing in the way of God! Disunity, prejudice, and division are actions that directly oppose and grieve the Holy Spirit (Eph. 4:29-32).

Prayer : Dear Father, I know that Jesus prayed for unity, so I join my Savior in his prayer. Help us be one. Convict us when we are divisive. Open our eyes to the damage our hurtful and hateful words can cause. Send your Holy Spirit to move us, change us, and draw us closer together in you. In Jesus’ name I offer my prayer. Amen.

“And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility.” - (Acts 6:3)

Almost every religion defines spirituality a little bit differently. However, a follower of Christ defines authentic spirituality based upon a person having the Holy Spirit living within them. A leader among Jesus’ followers is a person who is well respected and who is full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom. This is what qualifies that person to have the responsibility of leading.

Respect and wisdom are vital to lead well in almost any area of life. However, to lead well in the Kingdom of God, these qualities must be informed and empowered by the work of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer : O Lord God, my Abba Father, I pray for those who lead your people. Please be with us, your children, as we seek to recognize leaders in whom you are at work. Help us to see their wisdom and to follow them with respect. Most of all, Father, please help us see those whom your Spirit is influencing, maturing, and leading. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.