“And Peter opened his mouth and said: Most certainly and thoroughly I now perceive and understand that God shows no partiality and is no respecter of persons,
But in every nation he who venerates and has a reverential fear for God, treating Him with worshipful obedience and living uprightly, is acceptable to Him and sure of being received and welcomed [by Him].” Acts 10:34,35, AMP
I am always amazed at the Length, width, height, depth of God’s love. Read and pray the prayer Paul prayed for us: EPHESIANS 3:14-21
“Then Peter (try putting your name here) replied, “I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right.” NLT
How clear are my eyes today?
thedailylily.com 
The Lord God spoke this in Jeremiah….” saith the LORD, I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be my people.Jeremiah 31:27
Behold, I am the LORD, the God of ALL FLESH: is there anything too hard for me?” Revlelation says that every tongue, kindred, tribe and nation shall come and worship the Lord God..”And they sang a new song: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.”
God tells us over and over He is no respecter of persons. IN James 2:9 he writes, ” But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. We must have the same faith as Jesus Christ that the nations who fear and worship the Lord Jesus Christ are our brothers and sisters in the Body of Christ.
“How clear are my eyes today?” Tough question. When I read this chapter of Acts and the discussion on favoritism, I seem to agree w/ it w/ my understanding, but Peter showed he understood it by his actions…the way he responded to people and shared his understanding so others could share in God’s love, too. His sight seemed no longer clouded by prejudice. I think that my actions are far from Peter’s so how can I say I see clearly.
“And he ordered us to preach everywhere and to testify that Jesus is the one appointed by God to be the judge of all—the living and the dead.” Vs 42
Debi, I think I am more aligned with your thinking in actions being the love vs. my closet thoughts or coffee chats.
I hope you also prayed Paul’s corporate prayer in Ephesians as well. This prayer reveals (clears my eyes) to me how opposite my love is for all by looking into, up-to and onto and through to the love of God for all. Paul did pray for us; “…that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height; to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge;…” This prayer really has heart for me. Thanks, Debi, for responded to me with some clarity on my blog thoughts and questions? Hope our interacting will help others to see and love as Paul prayed.
Lord, I agree in prayer, with Paul: “I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.” In Jesus name, Amen.
Interesting footnotes for verses 14 and 15 (Ephesians 3). “The family of God includes all who have believed in him in the past, all who believe in the present, and all who will believe in the future. We are all a family because we have the same Father. He is the source of all creation, the rightful owner of everything God promises his love and power to his family, the church (3: 16-21). If we want to receive God’s blessings, it is important that we stay in contact with other believers in the body of Christ. Those who isolate themselves from God’s family and try to go it alone cut themselves off from God’s power.”
“But in every nation he who venerates and has a reverential fear of God, treating him with worshipful obedience and living uprightly, is acceptable to Him and sure of being received and welcomed (by Him).
Sara, you asked how clear are my eyes today? After rereading the above scripture. I believe I understand that God accepts anyone, loves anyone, but there are some rules, if we want God to accept us? (“reverential fear of God, treating him with worshipful obedience and living uprightly) Am I beginning to see clearer?
I think so, Needles. And, as we share heart to heart and join with Paul, Peter, Jesus and the other greats we see clearer and farther. Do you remember the song your Grandmother loved so much. Farther along….we will know all about it…understand why!!!! Cheer up Tammy, Debi, MG and Sara, we will understand better by and by….
I’m having difficulty remembering that song, Sara, but we must cheer up, “we will understand better by and by”
Needles, your footnotes comment, “Those who isolate themselves from God’s family and try to go it alone cut themselves off from God’s power” are very interesting. I attended a recent “Model Schools” conference in Nashville and heard a talk by a neuropsychologist who warned us not to isolate ourselves if we wanted good brain health. Seems to me we need our brains to be healthy in order to be a vital part of the family of God and we need God’s power to do our part in the body of Christ. Isolation seems very harmful.
“Cut oneself off from God’s power.” And,”… isolation preventing us from having good brain health.”
When I think of these two phrases given by Needles and Debi, I am reminded how good and pleasant it is when brothers and sisters live together in unity! Psalm 133:1 It is so pleasant to sit and share with others. I love when someone shares their life story, experiences, learning, etc. from their heart. When one cares enough to share it heals the brain. It is like a mending of a hole in my thinking. It brings wholeness. Barnes’ Notes on the Bible says, ” And how pleasant – The word used here means lovely, charming, attractive; that which fills the mind with delight,..”