Day 167 One-Year Daily Bible Reading – 1 Kings 15:25–17:24; Acts 10:24-48; Psalm 134:1-3; Proverbs 17:9-11
I have Commanded a Widow Woman
And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee.
1 Kings 17:8-9
By This I Know…
And it came to pass after these things, that the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, fell sick; and his sickness was so sore, that there was no breath left in him. And she said unto Elijah, What have I to do with thee, O thou man of God? art thou come unto me to call my sin to remembrance, and to slay my son? And he said unto her, Give me thy son. And he took him out of her bosom, and carried him up into a loft, where he abode, and laid him upon his own bed. And he cried unto the LORD, and said, O LORD my God, hast thou also brought evil upon the widow with whom I sojourn, by slaying her son? And he stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried unto the LORD, and said, O LORD my God, I pray thee, let this child’s soul come into him again. And the LORD heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived. And Elijah took the child, and brought him down out of the chamber into the house, and delivered him unto his mother: and Elijah said, See, thy son liveth. And the woman said to Elijah, Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in thy mouth is truth.
1 Kings 17:17-24
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Present Before God to Hear
And the morrow after they [Peter and Cornelius’s men] entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends. And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man. And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together. And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean. Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me? And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, and said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee. Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God. – Acts 10:24-33
God is No Respector of Persons
Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) that word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judæa, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; how 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. And 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: him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; not 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. And 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. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
Acts 10:34-43
On the Gentiles Also Was Poured Out the Gift
While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And 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. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days. – Acts 10:44-48
What was the Gift? The Holy Ghost!!!
This group of Gentiles was saved, filled with the Holy Ghost, and baptized because God was moving and speaking and because those He was speaking to were obedient to His voice.
Peter was obedient to receive the vision God gave him and learn from it, and He was then obedient to go to a group of Gentiles when he was sent for. This obedience was significant because Jewish people did not go into the homes of the Gentiles
Cornelius and those with him were obedient to hear from God and call for Peter, a Jew. Once Peter was there, he was obedient to speak all that God commanded, and the Gentiles were obedient to hear all that God commanded. And the Holy Ghost was poured out on them.
These events and the obedience to God are important to us because as they were commanded of God and received all that Jesus died to give them, I (being a Gentile) can also now receive the same.
Thank You, Jesus, for dying for all of us and each one of us. Thank You, Jesus, for dying for me!!! Thank You, Holy Ghost, for filling me!!! Thank You, Father, for making a way that I might have eternal life through Your precious Son, Jesus, and that I might know of You through Your Word!!! Thank You for loving me! Thank You, my God, that You loved each of us and desire to be in a relationship with each one in this world that You created. Help us love like You love and see and remember the “each one” as we go throughout this day. In Jesus’ Name, I pray. Amen!!!
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Bless Ye the LORD
Behold, bless ye the LORD, all ye servants of the LORD, which by night stand in the house of the LORD. Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD.
Psalm 134:1-2
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He that Covereth a Transgression
He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.
Proverbs 17:9
