Scripture:
Acts 10:9-16; 34-35; 44-48
Fri, 9 September 2022

When Prayer Transforms the Heart and Mind

Observation:

What significant observations can you make about prayer, particularly in relation to Peter?

Deeper Reflection
WHAT WOULD CONVINCE PETER, AN ORTHODOX JEW, to accept an invitation to visit the home of a Gentile? Nothing short of divine revelation.8 It was when he was praying (v.9) then, that God confronted Peter’s cultural scruples by way of a puzzling vision (vv.10-16), preparing him (as he later realised) for even more mind-blowing action to come.9In the fascinating development of events that followed, Peter soon realised that God’s desire to abolish cultural barriers reached far wider than Peter’s Jewish dietary restrictions. Not only had God cleansed all foods and made them edible, He had also cleansed the hearts of all peoples who sought Him by faith (cf. Acts 15:9) and made them acceptable to Himself. Just two days earlier, Peter would probably never have imagined that Gentiles, too, could receive the Holy Spirit (vv.44-46) and be baptised in Jesus’ name (vv.47-48)! Indeed, “God shows no partiality”, Peter conceded, “but in every nation, anyone who fears Him and does what is right is acceptable to Him” (vv.34–35).Such a watershed paradigm shift and openness of heart by the leader of the Christ-following community — embracing Gentile believers as equals in the faith — was essential for the advancement of the Gospel from Jerusalem to the nations, from the Jews to the Gentiles. God initiated this phenomenal transformation when Peter was seeking God in his regular time of prayer. This giant leap in the early church’s move towards discipling the nations took place when Peter was in prayer — a “condition to receive a divine message”10 and a state ready for God to radically transform one’s heart and mind.
8 F. F. Bruce, The Book of the Acts, The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1988), 205. 9 It can be safely assumed that, the day before, Cornelius, too, was praying when he received his vision from the Lord (cf. Acts 10:3-4), corresponding to Peter’s. 10 I. Howard Marshall, Acts: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 5, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1980), 196.
Application:

How can I submit myself in prayer, asking God to reveal my blind spots and transform me into what He wants me to be?

Prayer:
Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Pray for SGI leaders: To seek God earnestly in prayer and experience transformation in their lives
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self

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Daily Devo
Daily Devotional Journal
Scripture:
Daniel 5:17, 25-31; 6:1-2
Mon, 5 June 2023

Serving from Babylon to Persia

Observation:

What is the significance of Daniel serving in the Babylonian and Persian
courts successively?

Deeper Reflection
God’s word to Belshazzar that He would “put an end” to his kingdom and give it “over to the Medes and Persians” was fulfilled immediately – “that same night” (v.30) – after Daniel’s interpretation of the inscription on the wall (vv.25-31). God can fulfil His Word immediately or after a long time. Whatever time God may take to fulfil His Word, He is “trustworthy in all His promises and faithful in all He does” (Psa 145:13b, NIV).The demise of the Babylonian hegemony was not just a historical event, but primarily a theological one. Nebuchadnezzar was “My servant” whom God raised to judge His unfaithful people in the seventy-year Babylonian exile (Jer 25:8-9, 11). When God had accomplished His purpose through Babylon, “I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation” (Jer 25:12). This is how God deals with arrogant and evil nations: “And Babylon, the beauty of kingdoms, the glory of the Chaldeans’ pride, will be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah” (Isa 13:19).The end of Babylon does not mean an insecure future for Daniel. However drastically our circumstances may change, God’s call for our lives remains when we walk with Him faithfully. We are secure in God’s call, because it is God’s call. Daniel became one of “the three commissioners” in Persia (Dan 6:1-2). It wasn’t that having lost his job Daniel applied to serve the Persian king. Daniel couldn’t do that. It was purely by royal appointment. But behind the “It seemed good to Darius to appoint” (Dan 6:1) was God’s call for Daniel to serve Him from Babylon to Persia.
Application:

How do I relate God’s call for me in drastic changes of my life situations?

Prayer:
Lord, I believe You have a calling for my life which You have intended to be distinctive for me. I want to live my life with a deep sense of answering Your calling. Help me to walk with You faithfully, knowing that as I do so, You will unfold Your plans for me in that calling. Grant me wisdom and understanding to discern Your calling for my life.
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Pray for leaders
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self
 

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