Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living from The Global Church of the Nazarene in Lenexa, Kansas, United States for Tuesday, 7 July 2015 - "Fear In Surrendering" Scripture: Acts 10:1-8, 23-33

Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living from The Global Church of the Nazarene in Lenexa, Kansas, United States for Tuesday, 7 July 2015 - "Fear In Surrendering" Scripture: Acts 10:1 There was a man in Caesarea named Cornelius, a Roman army officer in what was called the Italian Regiment. 2 He was a devout man, a “God-fearer,” as was his whole household; he gave generously to help the Jewish poor and prayed regularly to God. 3 One afternoon around three o’clock he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, “Cornelius!” 4 Cornelius stared at the angel, terrified. “What is it, sir?” he asked. “Your prayers,” replied the angel, “and your acts of charity have gone up into God’s presence, so that he has you on his mind. 5 Now send some men to Yafo to bring back a man named Shim‘on, also called Kefa. 6 He’s staying with Shim‘on the leather-tanner, who has a house by the sea.” 7 As the angel that had spoken to him went away, Cornelius called two of his household slaves and one of his military aides, who was a godly man; 8 he explained everything to them and sent them to Yafo.

23 So Kefa invited them to be his guests.

The next day, he got up and went with them, accompanied by some of the brothers from Yafo; 24 and he arrived at Caesarea the day after that. Cornelius was expecting them — he had already called together his relatives and close friends. 25 As Kefa entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell prostrate at his feet. 26 But Kefa pulled him to his feet and said, “Stand up! I myself am just a man.”

27 As he talked with him, Kefa went inside and found many people gathered. 28 He said to them, “You are well aware that for a man who is a Jew to have close association with someone who belongs to another people, or to come and visit him, is something that just isn’t done. But God has shown me not to call any person common or unclean; 29 so when I was summoned, I came without raising any questions. Tell me, then, why did you send for me?”

30 Cornelius answered, “Three days ago around this time, I was at minchah prayers in my house, when suddenly a man in shining clothes stood in front of me 31 and said, ‘God has heard your prayer and remembered your acts of charity. 32 Now send to Yafo and ask for Shim‘on, known as Kefa; he is staying in the house of Shim‘on, a leather-tanner, by the sea.’ 33 So I sent for you immediately, and you have been kind enough to come. Now all of us are here in the presence of God to hear everything the Lord has ordered you to say.”

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"Fear In Surrendering" by Author: Paul Sheneman
Breaking down the walls of prejudice fills us with fear. Fear of the unknown because we don’t know what life looks like beyond the cozy little corner where God has graciously allowed us to live. Fear of becoming an outcast just like the people we have cast out of our presence by living out our prejudice. Fear that we will lose control of the boundary lines we have created when we submit to God’s will.
It is that last fear which God calls Cornelius and Peter to confront. Both must submit to God’s will, there is to be no dividing line between Jew and Gentile in God’s kingdom. They don’t get to define the boundary lines but must hear the new dividing line God has revealed. Both must give up control by releasing their prejudice toward the other in order to hear God.
When God brings our prejudices to light, fear crouches at the door waiting to seize us. It is in those moments we can pray the prayer that Cornelius’ actions teach us to pray, “I am here in your presence God to listen to everything you want to tell me.”
Hymn for Today: "I Surrender All" by Judson W. Van DeVenter

1. All to Jesus I surrender,

All to Him I freely give;

I will ever love and trust Him,

In His presence daily live.

Refrain:

I surrender all, I surrender all;

All to Thee, my blessed Savior,

I surrender all.

2. All to Jesus I surrender,

Make my, Savior, wholly Thine;

Let me feel Thy Holy Spirit,

Truly know that Thou art mine.

Refrain:

I surrender all, I surrender all;

All to Thee, my blessed Savior,

I surrender all.

3. All to Jesus I surrender,

Lord, I give myself to Thee;

Fill me with Thy love and power,

Let Thy blessing fall on me.

Refrain:

I surrender all, I surrender all;

All to Thee, my blessed Savior,

I surrender all.

Thought for Today:

"But now, you who were once far off have been brought near through the shedding of the Messiah’s blood."[Ephesians 2:13]

Please Pray:
That many people in Lesotho will come to know Yeshua the Messiah and receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit.
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