*DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL* *SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17 2019* *NO PREJUDICE PLEASE!* TEXT: ACTS 10:9-20.

*DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL*

*SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17 2019*

*NO PREJUDICE PLEASE!*

TEXT: ACTS 10:9-20.

_🔑KEY VERSE: "... What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common" (ACTS 10:15b)._

Prejudice is an unreasonable dislike or preference for a person, group, custom, etc. especially when it is based on their race, religion, social standing, etc. Prejudice blinds people to rational thinking, decisions and actions. However, God loves all men and wants all to be saved.

Cornelius, the Italian Centurion, feared God and give much alms. God, through an angel, instructed him to call for Simon Peter who at the time was in Joppa, to show him the way of salvation. And he sent his servants. As they approached Joppa, Peter had a trance. God had to deal with the prejudice of Peter in order to make him effective in reaching to all with the gospel.

The reluctance or even refusal of the apostles and disciples of Christ to reach out to the gentile world is really surprising, considering that the Lord made it clear before His ascension into heaven that they were to preach the gospel to "every creature" and "unto the uttermost part of the earth." It shows the rift that existed between the Jews and the Gentiles and the greatness of the chasm which Christ, by His death, filled up to make both one, "Having abolished in his flesh the enmity... to make in himself of twain one new man." The Church of Christ is one Body and must remain one without schism irrespective of gender, tribe, education or even denomination. Every member is useful to God and to one another and has a duty to uplift, uphold and edify one another.

Thank God, the Gentiles are saved today. Let them also work in unity, righteousness and in love to see that the will of God for world evangelization is achieved. Do away with prejudice, as it will limit your reach and effectiveness for God.

*✍THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:* All men are loved by God.

COVER TO COVER: EZEKIEL 22-24.

*MEDITATION*

Can you give up your prejudice for the will of God?

1. The dilemma
a. The Jewish race believed that the Gentiles were unclean and not fit for God's mercy Luke 7:6,7.
b. This feeling of pride or superiority complex of the Jews was compounded when Jesus, while with them, told them to go and preach to the Jews only and not the Gentiles Matthew 10;5,6. This is because they had not gotten the power and the knowledge to deal with the challenges of preaching to the Gentiles.
c. Even though Jesus later corrected their wrong impression and told them that the Gospel is also for the Gentiles, they found it difficult to change their prejudice Acts 1:8. Partial knowledge of the word of God coupled with deep seated prejudice and mindset made Peter to say NO to His Lord and almost missed his greatest opportunity to minister to the Gentiles.

2. Is Peter justified for his reluctance to yield to the Lord's will?
a. Peter knew that it was the Lord speaking to him in a trance v14.
b. The message had to do with fellowship (eating) with a mixed race of both Gentiles and Jews (ceremonially clean and unclean animals) v12.
c. This episode was repeated to Peter three times and he knew it was from the Lord vv15,16.
d. The Lord backed it up with a message that he who God has cleansed is no more unclean, yet Peter found it difficult to swallow v15.
e. Thank God that Peter eventually yielded to the will of God for good v23.

3. Our deep seated prejudice can stand in the way of the Lord
a. Tribal prejudice, denominational prejudice, etc can affect the way we respond to God's will in marriage and in our fellowship with "cleansed" believers in other denominations.
b. Which ways do we allow social and religious prejudice to hinder us from doing the will of God?
It always pays to give up our prejudices and pride and submit to the will of God at all times.
*Lord* search me out and deliver me from every deep seated prejudice that may be affecting my response to your will in any area of my life🙏
*Lord*, perfect my knowledge and understanding of your will where ignorance is keeping me from doing your will.
*Lord*, let the Holy Spirit and your word deliver your children from satanic, social,tribal and racial prejudices and pride that hinders them from doing the perfect will of God🙏
*Interceed* for the Sunday service.

HYMN: Where he leads me

1 I can hear my Savior calling,
I can hear my Savior calling,
I can hear my Savior calling,
"Take thy cross and follow, follow me."

Refrain:
Where he leads me I will follow,
Where he leads me I will follow,
Where he leads me I will follow,
I'll go with him, with him all the way.

2 I'll go with him through the garden,
I'll go with him through the garden,
I'll go with him through the garden,
I'll go with him, with him all the way.
[Refrain]

3 I'll go with him through the judgment,
I'll go with him through the judgment,
I'll go with him through the judgment,
I'll go with him, with him all the way.
[Refrain]

4 He will give me grace and glory,
He will give me grace and glory,
He will give me grace and glory,
And go with me, with me all the way.
[Refrain]