Reading Plan:

Acts 10

Whosoever

Author: Mellanie Alexander

"So Peter opened his mouth and said, 'Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation, anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.'" Acts 10:34-35

Have you ever felt excluded? Left out? Not good enough? I think every single one of us could raise our hands. Whether it's friends or family, someone didn't include us in something and it hurt. We can be overlooked because of our skin color, our economic status, or because we weren't born in the community where we now live. Maybe you are an introvert and feel overlooked because you will never be the life of the party. Maybe you are an extrovert and feel left out because you aren't invited into intimate conversations. I have felt left out even in church culture. I think it's safe to say, at some point and in some way, we all have felt excluded.

In a world where it can often feel like we are overlooked, I'm thankful that God still sees us. He shows no partiality. He accepts anyone who believes in Him. He's a God of the “whosoever.” Peter was shown that anyone who follows Jesus is no longer unclean. It didn't matter what their nationality was, what their skin color was, or what their economic status was. It didn't matter what they had done in the past, if they repented, they were acceptable in God's eyes. God chose them. He saw them for not only who they were, but for who they could be. In John 15:16 Jesus said, "You did not choose me but I chose you..."

He chose us to live differently. He chose us to love those who are overlooked. He chose us to bear fruit that would last. He chose us to listen to the Holy Spirit's guidance and make changes in our lives. He CHOSE US.

I'm an introvert and struggle with being left out. I have to constantly fight the feelings of being overlooked and not invited. It's really easy for me to live in my feelings, but when I take those hurts to God, He reminds me that I am seen. He reminds me that my life has purpose and that I am living out my calling. He reminds me to be intentional with my friends so they feel seen. He calls me to love and serve my children and husband, so they feel loved. He reminds me that he shows no partiality and that the same people who may have overlooked me are offered the same love and grace He shows me. Yeah, that one stings a bit, but it is God's truth.

Today, let's go about our day remembering that God really sees us. When we feel lonely, we have a friend in Jesus, and He is the best friend you could have. Let's also be intentional in seeking out those who are often overlooked. Text that friend. Give a compliment to that co-worker who is hard to deal with. Invite someone outside of your circle to lunch. Remember what it's like to feel left out and then go show the love of Jesus to others. Be a “whosoever” and then invite others to join you in your journey.

Reflection:

• How does it feel knowing God shows no partiality?
• How can you be intentional in your day to show the love of Christ to others who are often overlooked?

Family Content: All Who Believe Are Made Clean

Author: Mary Boleware

• Do you like ketchup? What a strange question to ask! Well, I do not like ketchup—at all. I don’t like to even see it or smell it. My family knows that if they eat ketchup in my house, they have to wash it off the dish.
• We all have foods that we like and don’t like, but let’s talk about bigger things than food. Sometimes we make the mistake of letting our preferences separate us from those who have different opinions from us. This can be as simple as not sitting with fans from a rival team, and as complicated as not hanging out with someone because they look or speak differently from us. This is favoritism.
• In the Old Testament, we read about laws that said Jewish people could not associate with non-Jewish people. In today's passage in Caesarea, there was a man named Cornelius who was not a Jew but a Roman leader. He was a devout follower of God and prayed to God regularly. While he was praying, God told Cornelius to send men to get Peter and have him come to Caesarea. The next day, God revealed to Peter that men were coming to get him, and he should go with them to Cornelius. Peter was still used to many of the Jewish traditions and even questioned God to be sure he should associate with non-Jewish people such as Cornelius. God said, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” Over the next few days, events happened just as the visions of Cornelius and Peter had predicted.
• Peter arrived in Caesarea and spent time with Cornelius and a large gathering of people. After hearing about Cornelius’s vision, Peter told others that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation. He told the large gathering about the story of Jesus and His death and His resurrection. Peter explained that everyone who believes in Jesus receives forgiveness of sins through His name.
• So, what can we learn from these happenings, and what does it have to do with ketchup? As believers in Christ, we are called not only to share the message with others but to share it with ALL people. We are called to love our neighbors—no matter what team they cheer for, what they look like, or whether they like ketchup or not. In Matthew 28:19, we are called to “Go and make disciples of ALL nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
• At Venture, we often have “bringvitation cards.” Think of someone at your school, on your team, or in your neighborhood who is not like you who you can give a bringvitation to and share the message of Jesus with. You can also give them to a waiter/waitress at a restaurant or drive-thru window.
• Prayer: Dear God, You are always working things out for our good and Your glory. You plan things perfectly and lead us to spread Your message. Give us wisdom to know Your voice and courage to follow Your instructions like Peter and Cornelius did in today’s passage. Forgive me for judging others and avoiding interactions with those who are different from me. Show us areas in our life where we unfairly judge others. Thank You for making us all equal in Your eyes. Thank You for our salvation that comes through our belief in Your Son, Jesus. In His name, we pray, Amen.