Christians Unite: GOD'S "HOLY FIRE."...

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"As I began to speak," Peter continued, "the Holy Spirit fell on [Cornelius and his household], just as he fell on us at the beginning. Then I thought of the Lord's words when he said, 'John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' And since God gave these Gentiles the same gift he gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to stand in God's way?" — Acts 11:15-17 NLT

Key Thought
Breaking through prejudice and hatred is tough. We often need some dramatic act that captures our attention and moves our hearts. God gave his people that dramatic act through dreams, visions, and the direction of the Holy Spirit in the conversion of Cornelius and his household. God was determined to break down the barriers that stood between peoples and nations and races (Ephesians 2:14-18). If we oppose "the unity of the Spirit" (Ephesians 4:3), we need to understand that we are standing in the way of God! Disunity, prejudice, and division are actions that directly oppose and grieve the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:29-32).

Today's Prayer
Dear Father, I know that Jesus prayed for unity, so I join my Savior in his prayer. Help us be one. Convict us when we are divisive. Open our eyes to the damage our hurtful and hateful words and actions can cause. May your Holy Spirit move us, change us, and draw us closer together in you. In Jesus' name, I offer my prayer. Amen.