Whenever I find myself walking the halls of a high school, I always gravitate toward the trophy case. I’m drawn in by the brass cups and tarnished medals, surrounded by snapshots of smiling faces taken at someone’s moment of success.
I nod my head in understanding…
Hard work gets rewarded.
Pedigree propels us forward.
Elbow grease and effort come with ribbons and cheering crowds.
Since we were big enough to earn a gold star, this is what we’ve been taught. It’s why, in part, God’s gift of grace can feel so slippery inside our hearts. A system where salvation is earned through sacrifice and good choices makes sense to our task-minded brains. The idea that heaven is a club with membership requirements seems reasonable, especially since our sinful hearts can convince us that we have the spiritual résumé to be charter members.
But the right-side-up-way of Jesus is that no one deserves to be reconciled to God; still all are welcome who put their faith in Christ (Romans 3:23–24). This is the miracle that God has baked into human history and told in His Word since the days of Abraham.
Sure, there was a chosen people. God hand selected a tiny nation to live set apart for Him, but the point of their existence wasn’t to highlight their specialness. It was to display that the gospel is for the rest of us too—those who have neither the spiritual pedigree nor the perfect record required to live in unbroken fellowship with the God of the universe.
This “good news” must have been disorienting to Peter. When the Spirit gave Peter a vision of animals he’d always been forbidden to consume and commanded him, “Get up, Peter; kill and eat” (Acts 10:13), Peter responded with (self)righteous indignation. “‘No, Lord!’ Peter said. ‘For I have never eaten anything impure and ritually unclean’” (v.14).
But through the revelation of the Holy Spirit, it didn’t take Peter long to understand this wasn’t about food, animals, or keeping the rules. We hear this truth move the eighteen inches from Peter’s head to his heart, in the sermon he preached to a room full of Gentiles.
Now I truly understand that God doesn’t show favoritism, but in every nation the person who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.
—Acts 10:34-35
Through his obedience to the Spirit, Peter pulled the pin on a grenade that exploded grace on the whole world, not a select few. All of us who are in Christ, in every era and pocket of the world, remain in the blast zone today. May we never get over the awe of it. May we respond like the Jews in the room did the day Peter preached his first sermon to a room full of “others” who weren’t chosen people but still chosen.
The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were amazed because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles.
—Acts 10:45
Jesus, thank you that we are all trophies of your grace.
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99 thoughts on "Good News for Gentiles"
Amen! ❤️
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May we never get over the awe of it
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Please add AJ, Ryan and Sam. Thank you.
I’m so grateful to be chosen!
Commentary was so good!
Acts 10:4 reminds me of Revelation 5:8 where talks about the prayers in the bowls as an incense always before God.
Oh, Erin Davis… what beautiful words!
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Aren’t we glad that He saves us because we have faith in Him? We are his trophies, indeed… tarnished as we may be.
I love how it ended. ‘Jesus, thank You that we are all trophies of grace. WOW!! The visual is so appreciated. Peter pulled a grenade that exploded GRACE upon the world…. Not a select few but All of us. We aren’t deserving of Gods grace on our own but only through Jesus Christ. This is my third straight bible study through SHES and I feel like a different woman with a heart full of hope…. Renewed in my heart and soul. No matter who I am or What I’ve done or not done, i am chosen. Jesus chooses me. Sounds silly put like that but in all eras of a divided people WE ARE ONE and WE ARE ALL EQUALLY CHOSEN. AMEN
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I love that I am part of the chosen people of God because of the grace of Jesus. May I see everyone as God sees them, part of His creation, whom he would love to see saved. No one is too far gone to be saved.
I liked what Alex shared today in He Reads Truth. Jesus is where we all belong, regardless of background or “religion.” Thanks be to God!
Thank you Tami for making that list. We should have a file in the FB group that people can add to and then mark when the prodigal returns to Jesus.
Oh good Idea!
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“How beautiful on the mountains
are the feet of the herald,
who proclaims peace,
who brings news of good things,
who proclaims salvation,
who says to Zion, “Your God reigns”
The voices of your watchmen—
they lift up their voices,
shouting for joy together;
for every eye will see
when the Lord returns to Zion”.
This is talking about missionaries, evangelists, and all who preach and share the gospel message. This is God’s perspective. I love how the Lord regards His people, while the earth looks down and despises people of God so much. God sees the beauty in the obedience of the one who is sent (I send you out as sheep among wolves), the faithfulness of the one who speaks, the value of salvation being announced. Noah preached for decades and decades, built a big ark that cost his whole savings, end result, 8 souls saved. Perhaps sometimes it feels like the work is in vain. It is still so precious and beautiful in God’s eyes. How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news, who says “God reigns”. Four types of soil in Matthew 13 the Parable of the Sower shows the 4 types of heart. Only 1 out of 4 categories result in lasting reception. 1 out of 4. There are times I get so discouraged with continual rejections, indifference, eye rolling and then social distancing. Initial hearing is common, but true receiving is so rare. And even with “good soil”, fruitfulness varies (Mark 4:20). It takes time. It takes patience and endurance. But today, I am reminded again, refreshed, encouraged by the verses in Isaiah, to rejoice, watchmen, lift up your voice, shouting for joy, for every eye will see. Joy is strength. And praise is strength. Thankful for the Word of God and His comfort for a weary heart.
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I have a prayer request for my husband and his colleagues. He works in a social youth care setting, where they care for teenagers from dysfunctional situations. Last weekend, a distressing incident happened, and three teenagers assaulted many staff, one suffered from concussion. Thankfully my husband had some military training and was able to defuse the situation until more help arrived. Please pray for their physical and emotional safety caring for these kids who came from broken homes. The social workers here worked very hard to care for someone else’s kids to teach them kindness, respect, boundaries, rules and laws, yet were met with constant bad attitude, cuss words, ungratefulness and violence. Since our dear sister TAMI so kindly asked for the names of the prodigals, I would like to add the teenagers in the social youth care system if you can pray for them (I don’t know all their names, some are Brayden and Alex, and another girl and some more). They don’t have parents to pray for them (sadly in prison, no contact, addictions, alcoholism, domestic violence, etc). Please pray for these young people and all the staff and management involved that hearts may be softened, healing and change may take place. Thank you for standing with us in prayers. Be blessed dear sisters.
“Initial hearing is common, but true receiving is so rare. And even with “good soil”, fruitfulness varies (Mark 4:20). It takes time.”- So true!
Mercy, I am so sorry for the injuries and upheaval and pray for all involved! ❤
we can step in for these absent parents and pray. Praying for safety of these teens among themselves, and healing of their mental & emotional challenges. Praying for staff safety and guidance in working in this challenging situation.
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Mercy, I am
Praying who ur husband and colleagues as well as these young people
I’m forever grateful that His Blood and forgiveness includes WHOSOEVER will call on the Name of the Lord
Yes, Michelle! As the old hymn says, “Whosoever will may come…” ❤
Thankful to be a trophy of His grace❤️
So many morsels to chew on!
“Regardless of pedigree, merit, or any other measurable qualification, the God of the Bible is radically inclusive.
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He is where we belong.”
Written by Alex Florez
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Warren Wiersbe notes:
“The shift in this chapter is pivotal in the book, for it records the salvation of the Gentiles. We see Peter using “the keys of the kingdom” for the third and last time. He had opened the door of faith for the Jews (ch. 2) and also for the Samaritans (ch. 8), and here he would be used of God to bring the Gentiles into the church (see Gal. 3:27, 28; Eph. 2:11–22). This event took place about ten years after Pentecost.
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The difference between Cornelius and many religious people today is that he knew that his religious devotion was not sufficient to save him. Many religious people today are satisfied that their character and good works will get them to heaven, and they have no concept either of their own sin or of God’s grace. In his prayers, Cornelius was asking God to show him the way of salvation (11:13, 14).
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With this event, the period of transition in the early history of the church ended. Believers among the Jews, Samaritans, and Gentiles have all received the Spirit of God and are united in the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:13; Gal. 3:27).”
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A common reference as I read was “the keys to the kingdom”:
Matthew 16:15-19
15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
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This reading is such an illustration of obedience on every side. One of the commentaries said this event took place 10 years after pentecost. God speaks to hearts in His time. We must be ready when he speaks to ours.
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Love, hugs,and prayers! ❤
SONG SHARE will appear under this comment if I can find it! ☺
Found my song share- it’s old! ☺
Newsboys – He Reigns
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In my search I came across this beautiful song:
Steven & Hannah Musso – Every Tribe And Every Nation (LYRIC VIDEO)
I remember He Reigns. It’s a good one! I always love your song shares! ❤️
Wow. I like so many things in your share today. What a new and refreshing perspective ❤️.
❤ Mercy and Tricia C!
Thank you for sharing Cee Gee!
The list of prodigals is both beautiful and heartbreaking. It’s an honor to pray for them all. Please keep us all posted on your prodigal (s). I want be like the leper who can back to give thanks, not like the others who went on about their (healed) lives.
Good word, Faith! ❤
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Me too. I want to be like that leper who says, “Thanks”, as well.
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Amazing Grace how sweet it is…
As written in Acts 10
“25 When Peter entered, Cornelius met him, fell at his feet, and worshiped him.
26 But Peter lifted him up and said, “Stand up. I myself am also a man.”
I am blown away by this act of “adoration” by the centurion & the act of “admonition” by the apostle. Both acts were through the grace of God.
Faith, displaced, finds its true home. Not in man, but through Christ.
I want to be like both men. Hungering for salvation & seeking the source. Knowing even in my humanity, I might still meet & help someone else along the Way.
Lord, I pray, keep me open to receive & willing to reveal. In my frailty &
inadequacy You are my strength. Affirming the openness of Cornelius & the humility of Peter.
Thanks be to the Creator, behind every opportunity & each outcome.
Beautiful! ❤
Amen❤️
Amen
Happy Monday….oh wait…Happy Tuesday sweet She’s. I’m a little off today as I was off yesterday, and VERY off, kinda weird like. Plus the weather and overcast for most of the day didn’t help. Ironically some of my friends and I felt it. But TODAY is a new day! The gospel is for the rest of us too. We are The (His) Chosen people. All we need to do is “accept” His free gift. God does not have favorites! WE, you and I ARE His favorites! Love you so much! Please continue to pray for my son Caleb as he navigates through job search (a M-F job) and at the same time a coffee business.
I fortunately had the sun out all day yesterday, but it was still cold. It did get up to pretty nice weather though.
Yes, Caroline, it has been cold in our ‘neck of the woods’!
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Yes Mary V! The Gospel is for all of us! Hallelujah!
Please pray for Preston, Parker, & Lindsey.
What stood out to me today is how this part of the New Testament feels so much like the Old Testament— the visions, the words, and the whole feeling of what is happening. I read a commentary this morning about this, and it says:
“The Cornelius–Peter narrative feels Old Testament because Luke wants you to recognize it as a moment of divine continuity—God acting with the same authority, symbolism, and covenantal weight as He always has, now revealing that His promises were never meant to stop at Israel’s borders.”
Thank you God for your grace in including us in your “extended” covenant through your son, Jesus. May we never take for granted this gift that you have shown us, Gentiles.
Wonderful insights and connections between OT and NT. Further demonstrating continuity in God’s plan, as well as emphasizing Faith over Deeds (legalism).
Great explanation!
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‘But the right-side-up-way of Jesus is that no one deserves to be reconciled to God; still all are welcome who put their faith in Christ.’ Rom3:23–24
Thank you for this Erin Davis. Its grace upon grace upon grace. Brings the words of the traditional hymn, A grace greater than all my sin to mind. We are all welcome. No check list, no to-do list, no must do’s. we are all just welcomed. Thank you Lord. help me never to forget your extravagant grace.❤️
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It must have been so hard for the “chosen people” to realize God accepted All people..now. It was through the Messiah. This was foretold, yet, I’m sure they had been so used to the separation that it was hard to grasp all the sudden. I mean it makes sense, they were drilled in strongly these rules, the separation, the unclean things. Then all the sudden it is no longer accepted to do it that way. What a befuddled mess that probably was. People can never get along..just imagine the arguments and disputes then. Even Paul and Peter will tango a little.
Are we accepting today? We like our denomination, we like our Sunday service structure, we like our style of music, and our way of worshiping! And that’s just church.
We have thoughts and ideas of how Christian’s are supposed to look in actions and lifestyle. What we deem appropriate. But the truth is God loves all his creation. All people. He wants them to become children. John 1:12 “To all who did receive Him, who believed upon His name, He gave the right to become children of God.” All you have to do is receive it, the faith to BELIEVE on HIS NAME!! But it has to be truly in their heart. And that is the tricky part for us. Only God can truly know people’s hearts and intentions.
It is our job to love everyone as Jesus and WANT them in the family of God. Invite, share, be an example, and care for them Even when hard and challenging.
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Yes Rhonda! So good!
I have been rewatching “The Chosen”. Those rules were so ingrained in the people. Now, POOF! You’re right, Rhonda, that is what they knew. And now not!
So thankful for God’s grace that extends to even me! May my heart be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading to share the gospel to others who are lost!
Praying for all!
Amen! ❤
I love the fact that God was so merciful to Peter to prepare him in advance for his first sermon to the Gentiles by giving him a vision
Oh Erin this right here, “A system where salvation is earned through sacrifice and good choices makes sense to our task-minded brains.” Yes, for many years this shaped me and fueled some of my perfectionism. Then freedom came in a Thanksgiving study that helped me understand that Jesus salvation is a gift of love from the Father and Son, not to be earned, but accepted. Lord God thank you for the gift of salvation as we learn today you offer to all willing to receive it.
Amen! His trophies of grace. ❤️
“ Through his obedience to the Spirit, Peter pulled the pin on a grenade that exploded GRACE on the whole world, not a select view.” ❤️
I am a do-gooder and like to have the awards. It is a constant heart check to rest of God’s grace and not my own works.
Me too!
I have to check myself and my motives often!!
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Same!
Amen
Amen❤️
“God doesn’t show favoritism, but in every nation the person who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.”
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O how amazing is the grace and kindness of God! Since the days of Noah, He has shown His mercy to those who have lived according to His ways.
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TAMI – thanks for gathering the list
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CEE GEE – glad your card was found.
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Praying for your requests, Shes.
Amen, Kelly! ❤
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GM ladies, thank you for all of your prayers yesterday! I wrote a response there. GM ladies. Here is the list of our prodigals and some verses to claim for them. If anyone would like to add to the list, leave it in the comments below my name.
Acts 2:39 For the promise is for you and for your children, and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”
Acts 26:18:… open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God’s people, who are set apart by faith in me.
Jeremiah 31:16-17 But now this is what the Lord says: “Do not weep any longer, for I will reward you,” says the Lord. “Your children will come back to you from the distant land of the enemy.17 There is hope for your future,” says the Lord.“Your children will come again to their own land.”
Proverbs 20:7 The righteous who walks in his integrity— blessed are his children after him.
Alice V – Brian, Rachel
Kim Mullins – Tyler
Tami – Chela, Quentin
Sharon – Nicholas, Jonathan
Rebecca W – Brett, Jake, Joey, Lindsay, Kelly, Abby, Katelyn, Katie
Emma Rageth – Olivia, Ali
Indiana Elaine – Kent, Shelley
Mari V – Rick, Marta, Toby
Tricia C – David, Allison, Christopher, Lina, Travis, Nicole
Mia Faith – Parker, Isaiah, Alexandra, Griffin, Annalee, Bill
Aleida – Victor
Maddie – Michelle, Julia
Rhonda – Michael
Charlotte Hill – Casey, John, Emma
Deb – Brandon, Angel
Linda J – Matthew
Mollie – Sam
MMD – Ethan, Hayden, Rachel
Carol H – Justin, Ezekiel, Elijah, Andrew
Kari – Rachel, Josh, James, Ayano
Mi Sherry – Kaitlyn, Aaron, Will
Cheryl Read – Renee, Jason, Kayden, Kylee
Wendy B – Amy, Colton, Kirk, Nick
Anne Klinkhammer – Molly
Sue Dalos – Chelsea, Kenny
Bessie – Ben
Annie Hewitt – Annie pls give me name/s:)
Sandy Lynn – Andy
Diane – Jon, Keith, Roger, Mike
Jane K – Leah
B – M, B
Susan B – Tammy, Amy
Carla – Cierra, Stephen
Lisa H – Cora
Kimberk – Megan, Randy
Adrienne – Raelynn, Tyler, Tracy
Please pray for my children- Levi, Sarah, Ellen, India
Rodney and Brian
My children: Emerson and Zoe
Ryan, Amanda, Matthew, Stefanie
Yes, please add my loved ones, Adam and LaShonda
Thank you Tami for making this list. Here are mine to add: Benjamin, Mark, Mike, Patrick
Thank you for this so we can also pray for them. Please add my stepchildren Chris, Tristan and Madeline. As well as my nieces, Cristal, Shanty, Nicole and my nephew Luis.
Please add Matthew, Dylan, Courtney and Lydia.
Love that you are adding the names of our prodigals. I am going to copy and paste this to my notes. Please pray for Ryan, Brittany and Sydney.
Please add my step-children, Kara and Andrew. Thank you
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Please add Katy to the list
This list is getting quite long. We have so many prodigals… Lord, Jesus, bring them back!
My favorite verse to pray over my brother and nephew: “The Lord does not delay His promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9
Thank you for sharing this verse. I have prodigals as well. Both my daughters (20 and 17). It is my prayer daily that they return to the Lord.
Could you add my daughter, Karys, and my niece, Amber and her family, to the list?
Please add AJ, Ryan and Sam. Thank you.
Please add Daniel, Stephen, and Meagan.
Thankful us Gentiles are welcomed into God’s family!
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Grace Greater Than Our Sin, Julia H Johnston, 1910
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Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within; Grace, grace, God’s grace, Grace that is greater than all our sin!
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I see obedience all over in this recounting of Peter and Cornelius, in the end it’s for God’s glory and the salvation of the willing. Reminds me of the phrase, hungry for the word of God.
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From HRT:
“ … Every tribe, nation, fraternity, club, and secret society in history has defined itself by inherently exclusionary terms: To be one of us, you have to do this or wear that; eat this, but not that; be born here, not look like that; think the right thoughts and say the right words. Otherwise, you’re out … Not so with Jesus.”
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Sadly, our churches and denominations could be included in this list of groups that define themselves by exclusivity.
Amen to the grace!
True, I was a member in one and left asap! ❤
So true.
It is equally beautiful as it is difficult to grasp the “right-side-up” ways of God. “God deliberately chose men and women that the culture overlooks and exploits and abuses, chose these nobodies to expose the hollow pretensions of the somebodies” 1 Cor 1:27
Don’t we who are not of Jewish descent LOVE this story of Cornelius!! Thank You, Jesus that Your grace covers the one who “has neither the spiritual pedigree nor the perfect record required to live in unbroken fellowship with the God of the universe”!! As our devotion encourages – may we never get over the awe of this truth and remember we are all one in Jesus Christ – there are no labels or tribes!!
Yes, yes, yes! Thankfulness for being included in God’s family is in my notes today, hallelujah!
Amen!!