THE HERALDS DEVOTIONAL

ARISE, KILL AND EAT PART 3: THE SHEET FROM HEAVEN Acts 10:11–12 (NLT) “He saw the sky open, and something like a large sheet was let down by its four corners. In the sheet were all sorts of animals, reptiles, and birds.” In Part 2, we discovered that God can interrupt an ordinary routine with an extraordinary instruction. Peter had gone to the rooftop to pray. He was hungry, lunch was being prepared, and everything seemed normal. But while Peter was praying, heaven interrupted his routine. We learned that not every interruption is a distraction. Some interruptions are divine invitations. Peter's rooftop was not the destination. It was the preparation ground. God was preparing Peter for an assignment he did not yet understand. But now the vision becomes even more unusual. Because heaven was about to show Peter a sheet. And inside that sheet were animals Peter had been taught not to eat. At first glance, it looked like a lesson about food. But Peter was about to discover that the she...

ARISE, KILL AND EAT PART 2: WHEN HEAVEN INTERRUPTS YOUR ROUTINE Acts 10:9–10 (NLT) “Peter went up on the flat roof to pray, about noon. He was hungry, but while lunch was being prepared, he fell into a trance.”   In Part 1, we discovered the man God was already preparing . Cornelius was a Roman centurion, yet he was a devout and God-fearing man. He prayed regularly, gave generously to the poor, and influenced his household to seek God. But we also discovered something deeper. Cornelius was being prepared for an encounter he knew nothing about. While he was praying, God was already arranging for Peter to come to his house. Cornelius needed a messenger. Peter needed a revelation. And God was preparing both sides of the divine appointment. We learned that preparation is not postponement . Sometimes what looks like waiting is actually God preparing us for an assignment we have not yet recognized. But now the story moves from Cornelius in Caesarea to Peter in Joppa. And Pe...

ARISE, KILL AND EAT PART 1: THE MAN GOD WAS ALREADY PREPARING Acts 10:1–2 (NLT) “In Caesarea there lived a Roman army officer named Cornelius, who was a captain of the Italian Regiment. He was a devout, God-fearing man, as was everyone in his household. He gave generously to the poor and prayed regularly to God.” Before Peter ever heard the name Cornelius, God already knew him. Before Peter was sent to his house, God was already working in his heart. Before the Gospel reached his ears, Cornelius was already seeking God. And this is where our journey through Acts 10 begins. Not with Peter. Not with the sheet. Not even with the famous command, “ Arise, kill and eat.” It begins with a man who was already being prepared for an encounter with God. THE MAN BEHIND THE NAME Cornelius was a Roman centurion. He was a military officer, a man accustomed to authority, discipline, responsibility, and command. But Acts 10 introduces us to another side of this soldier. He was devout. He feared God. Hi...