The Stranger Within Thy Gates. Part [9] 08/03/2025 (Morning thought)

Acts 10:19 While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. 20 Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them. 27 And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.

This leads us to the story of the good Samaritan, by which Jesus sought to set the record straight on the compassion that is to be exercised towards every person, regardless of race, creed, culture, or their country of origin. The great lessons Jesus then taught are particularly pertinent, and applicable in our day, where there seems to be an increasingly warped perspective on the value of human life.

Every person on the planet belongs to God, and any unwarranted ill treatment of anyone is an affront to God who created them, and died to redeem all. The man in the narrative had fallen amongst thieves and he, being severely beaten and bruised, it was the moral duty of any other human being passing that way, to stop and render unconditional help. It just seems as if the humanity has gone out of the hearts of many in our day, hence the reason why it’s necessary to revisit the story, so that our views on what Christianity consists of could be informed, or otherwise corrected as the case may be.

Luke 10:25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 26 He said unto him, what is written in the law? how readest thou? 27 And he answering said, thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself. 29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbor?

Acts 10:28 And he said unto them, You know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.

May the Lord add His blessing to the study of His word. God bless!

The Stranger Within Thy Gates. Part [8] 08/03/2025 (Evening thought)

Acts 17: 24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands.

Acts:25 Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; 26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; 27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:

Acts 17: 28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, for we are also his offspring…. Acts 10: 9 On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: 10 And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,

Acts 10:11 And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending upon him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: 12 Wherein were all manner of four-footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. 13 And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. 14 But Peter said, not so, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.

Acts 10:15 And the voice spoke unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. 16 This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.

May God add His blessing to the study of His word. “Good night” and God bless!