Pensamento:
Quebrar barreiras sociais e culturais nunca é fácil. Com a graça de Deus, o seu Espírito não nos deixa nos conformar com os nossos preconceitos. Pelo contrário, somos desafiados, levados e forçados a quebrar a ignorância do ódio racial e cultural. Vamos ser o tipo de pessoa que se regozija e louva a Deus com a queda de cada barreira que divide as pessoas. Vamos prosseguir até que a promessa triunfal do Evangelho seja cumprida: “Não há judeu nem grego, escravo nem livre, homem nem mulher; pois todos são um em Cristo Jesus.” (Gálatas 3:28)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
Breaking through racial and cultural barriers is never easy, but this was the challenge early church leaders faced when the Holy Spirit led Peter to share the gospel with Cornelius and his household, and they became disciples of Jesus. The Jewish disciples had not anticipated Gentiles to come into Jesus' church. Thankfully, God's Spirit didn't let them settle comfortably into their prejudices. Instead, the Spirit challenged, led, and pushed them to break through racial hatred and cultural ignorance. So must we, today. Let's be the kind of people, Jesus' people, who rejoice and praise God as every racial barrier dividing people fall in Jesus. Let's press on until the triumphant promise of the Gospel is fulfilled: "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:28). In doing this, we anticipate the incredible chorus of heaven as it praises God with folks from every language, tribe, people, and nation (Revelation 7:9-11). God longs to invite all peoples of the earth into his family of grace, love, and life!
Oração:
Santo Deus, eu peço que o Senhor abençoe todos aqueles em todos os cantos da terra que estão tentando cruzar barreiras culturais, lingüísticas e nacionalistas para compartilhar a graça de Jesus com aqueles que não conhecem o Senhor e não honram seu Filho com Senhor. No nome de Jesus eu oro. Amém. || Veja a imagem: http://www.iluminalma.com/img/il_atos11_18.html
My Prayer...
Holy God, we ask that you bless all those everywhere who are trying to cross cultural, linguistic, and nationalistic barriers sharing the grace of Jesus with those who do not know you. Help them know they are bringing you joy and anticipating the praise that surrounds you in glory! In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
