February 14, 2020
Acts 11:19-22
Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews.  Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus.  The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.
News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch.
New International Version (NIV)
So many in our world celebrate love today.  After Valentine’s dinner with our daughter in Waco last night, I head home to cook dinner for Melanie tonight.  Loving our family is easy, because they are easy to love.  Sometimes though, as Peter would discover, loving others is a bit more complicated.

What would happen if we really began to love people, all people as fellow “image-bearers of God?”  When the apostles and the believers heard that Peter went to Cornelius’s house and baptized Gentiles, they had serious questions (11:2).  Peter answered their concerns, “The Spirit told me to . . .” (11:12).  Even the church, especially the church needs to be taught about the breadth and depth of God’s love for others.  Peter’s God-story convinced them that God loves all people (11:18).

Meanwhile, others who had been dispersed decided to share the good news  about the Lord also with Greeks.  God’s love grows exponentially, bursting boundaries.  Peter’s example bore fruit.  What was the confirmation that they were doing right?  The Lord’s hand was with them.  Jesus had promised that his disciples would make disciples of all nations and that he would be with them always.  God’s power and presence always attend God’s purpose.  When we love all as God loves we experience God’s love more fully ourselves.

Peter’s obedience to God’s call to share Christ with Gentiles led others to do the same.  We may be sure that what we do will influence others, positively or negatively.  So by all means we should love others.  The world still waits to be loved.  Not all are easy to love.  Neither were we.  We have work to do!  As Bob Goff put it, “Do love.”  
Pray with me:       
Father, help us never to cease to be amazed by your grace and love.  Thank you for loving all people as your image-bearers.  Let us not keep your love to ourselves.  Today if we hear your voice calling us to share your love, let us obey gladly.  Teach us to love so that we may take your good news to all people.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.
Join us in memorizing the Word.  Scripture for this week:    
Matthew 5:13-14
You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.   You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.
Our 2020 Every Day with Jesus readings will follow the Foundations New Testament reading plan.  Copies of the reading plan are available at Tallowood Baptist Church, or download your copy at REPLICATE.ORG 
We would love for you to join us as we read the New Testament through this year, five chapters a week.  In addition I will continue my long-standing practice of reading one Psalm a day through the year.  Use Robby Gallaty’s H. E. A. R. plan to study each chapter (also found at REPLICATE.ORG). Highlight verses which speak to you, explain what they mean in your own words in a journal, apply them to your own life, then respond by doing what God tells you to do.  
Joyfully, 
Duane 
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