Daily Worship (March 23)
Devotional 1: God Shows No Favoritism
Romans 2:9–11 (NIV)
“There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism.”
Devotional Thought
In Acts 10, Peter learns that God accepts people from every nation who fear Him and do what is right. That was a big deal because, for a long time, Jews thought salvation was just for them. But this passage from Romans reminds us that God doesn’t play favorites. He judges fairly and gives His grace freely—not based on where you’re from, how much money you have, or how good you seem to be on the outside.
Cornelius was a good man. He prayed, gave to the poor, and feared God. But even with all that, he still needed Jesus. Peter was a faithful Jew, but he had to let go of his old way of thinking. He had to realize that Jesus came to save everyone, not just his group. This passage reminds us that we can’t earn God’s love by doing good things. We also don’t have to come from the “right” background. God sees our hearts.
Every person matters to God. Whether you’re rich or poor, Black or white, popular or unknown—Jesus welcomes all who believe in Him. The gospel tears down walls and brings people together. In a world full of division, that’s powerful news.
COMMA Questions
Prayer
Father, thank You that You do not play favorites. Thank You that Your love reaches everyone—no matter who we are or where we’re from. Help us see others the way You see them. Teach us to tear down walls of pride, racism, and division. Help us trust in Jesus alone for salvation and welcome others into Your family with open arms. Amen.
“There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism.”
Devotional Thought
In Acts 10, Peter learns that God accepts people from every nation who fear Him and do what is right. That was a big deal because, for a long time, Jews thought salvation was just for them. But this passage from Romans reminds us that God doesn’t play favorites. He judges fairly and gives His grace freely—not based on where you’re from, how much money you have, or how good you seem to be on the outside.
Cornelius was a good man. He prayed, gave to the poor, and feared God. But even with all that, he still needed Jesus. Peter was a faithful Jew, but he had to let go of his old way of thinking. He had to realize that Jesus came to save everyone, not just his group. This passage reminds us that we can’t earn God’s love by doing good things. We also don’t have to come from the “right” background. God sees our hearts.
Every person matters to God. Whether you’re rich or poor, Black or white, popular or unknown—Jesus welcomes all who believe in Him. The gospel tears down walls and brings people together. In a world full of division, that’s powerful news.
COMMA Questions
- Context: What is happening in Romans 2 before and after this passage that helps you understand these verses better?
- Observation: What do you notice about the way Paul repeats “first for the Jew, then for the Gentile”?
- Meaning: What does it mean that “God does not show favoritism”? How does that shape the way we treat others?
- Main Idea: What question does this passage answer about who can receive God’s glory and peace?
- Application: How can you live today like someone who knows God treats all people fairly and with love?
Prayer
Father, thank You that You do not play favorites. Thank You that Your love reaches everyone—no matter who we are or where we’re from. Help us see others the way You see them. Teach us to tear down walls of pride, racism, and division. Help us trust in Jesus alone for salvation and welcome others into Your family with open arms. Amen.
Devotional 2: Clean in Christ
Titus 3:4–7 (NIV)
“But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.”
Devotional Thought
Peter saw a sheet full of clean and unclean animals and heard a voice say, “What God has made clean, do not call common.” That wasn’t just about food. It was about people. God was showing Peter that people who believe in Jesus are made clean—not by rules or rituals, but by grace.
This passage in Titus explains it clearly. We are saved, not by being good, but by God’s mercy. When we trust in Jesus, the Holy Spirit washes us clean on the inside. That’s what happened to Cornelius and his friends. They heard the gospel, believed, and were filled with the Holy Spirit—even though they weren’t Jewish. They didn’t need to follow all the old laws to be accepted. They were already clean in Christ.
This matters for us, too. We might try to clean ourselves up with good behavior or compare ourselves to others. But none of that saves us. Only Jesus does. And when He saves us, He makes us new. We are washed, renewed, and given the hope of eternal life. That’s what grace looks like—and it’s good news for everyone.
COMMA Questions
Prayer
Jesus, thank You for making me clean—not because I’ve earned it, but because You love me. Thank You for pouring out Your Spirit and making me new. Help me stop trying to prove I’m good enough. Let me live each day knowing that I’m already accepted because of what You’ve done. Help me share that good news with others. Amen.
“But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.”
Devotional Thought
Peter saw a sheet full of clean and unclean animals and heard a voice say, “What God has made clean, do not call common.” That wasn’t just about food. It was about people. God was showing Peter that people who believe in Jesus are made clean—not by rules or rituals, but by grace.
This passage in Titus explains it clearly. We are saved, not by being good, but by God’s mercy. When we trust in Jesus, the Holy Spirit washes us clean on the inside. That’s what happened to Cornelius and his friends. They heard the gospel, believed, and were filled with the Holy Spirit—even though they weren’t Jewish. They didn’t need to follow all the old laws to be accepted. They were already clean in Christ.
This matters for us, too. We might try to clean ourselves up with good behavior or compare ourselves to others. But none of that saves us. Only Jesus does. And when He saves us, He makes us new. We are washed, renewed, and given the hope of eternal life. That’s what grace looks like—and it’s good news for everyone.
COMMA Questions
- Context: What does the rest of Titus 3 say about how we lived before Jesus saved us?
- Observation: What words or phrases in this passage stand out to you about how God saves?
- Meaning: What does “justified by his grace” mean? How is it different from being saved by works?
- Main Idea: What big truth is this passage teaching about how someone becomes clean in God’s eyes?
- Application: How does this passage help you stop trying to earn God’s love and rest in His grace?
Prayer
Jesus, thank You for making me clean—not because I’ve earned it, but because You love me. Thank You for pouring out Your Spirit and making me new. Help me stop trying to prove I’m good enough. Let me live each day knowing that I’m already accepted because of what You’ve done. Help me share that good news with others. Amen.
Devotional 3: The Holy Spirit for All
Joel 2:28–29 (NIV)
“And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days.”
Devotional Thought
In Acts 10, something amazing happened. Peter was preaching, and before he even finished, the Holy Spirit fell on Cornelius and everyone in his house. This was a turning point. The same Holy Spirit who came at Pentecost to Jewish believers now came to Gentiles. It was just like God had promised through the prophet Joel—He would pour out His Spirit on all people.
This passage reminds us that the Spirit is for everyone who believes, not just for a few special people. It doesn’t matter if you’re young or old, male or female, rich or poor. The Spirit of God is poured out on everyone who belongs to Jesus. That means we all have access to God. We all can pray, hear His voice, grow in faith, and serve His mission.
It also means we need to expect God to work through people we might not expect. Just like Peter had to get over his prejudice, we sometimes need to open our hearts and see what God is doing in others. The Holy Spirit is alive and working across all kinds of people—and He wants to work through you, too.
COMMA Questions
Context: What does the book of Joel say before and after this passage about God’s plan for His people?
Observation: What do you notice about the different kinds of people mentioned here?
Meaning: What does it mean that the Spirit is “poured out”? How is that different from just being given a little?
Main Idea: What is the main idea of this passage when it comes to who receives the Spirit and why?
Application: How can you live today with confidence that the Holy Spirit is with you and working through you?
Prayer
Holy Spirit, thank You for coming to live in me. Thank You for being with all people who believe in Jesus. Help me not to look down on others or think I’m not good enough to be used by You. Fill me with Your power. Work through me to bless others and show the love of Jesus wherever I go. Amen.
“And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days.”
Devotional Thought
In Acts 10, something amazing happened. Peter was preaching, and before he even finished, the Holy Spirit fell on Cornelius and everyone in his house. This was a turning point. The same Holy Spirit who came at Pentecost to Jewish believers now came to Gentiles. It was just like God had promised through the prophet Joel—He would pour out His Spirit on all people.
This passage reminds us that the Spirit is for everyone who believes, not just for a few special people. It doesn’t matter if you’re young or old, male or female, rich or poor. The Spirit of God is poured out on everyone who belongs to Jesus. That means we all have access to God. We all can pray, hear His voice, grow in faith, and serve His mission.
It also means we need to expect God to work through people we might not expect. Just like Peter had to get over his prejudice, we sometimes need to open our hearts and see what God is doing in others. The Holy Spirit is alive and working across all kinds of people—and He wants to work through you, too.
COMMA Questions
Context: What does the book of Joel say before and after this passage about God’s plan for His people?
Observation: What do you notice about the different kinds of people mentioned here?
Meaning: What does it mean that the Spirit is “poured out”? How is that different from just being given a little?
Main Idea: What is the main idea of this passage when it comes to who receives the Spirit and why?
Application: How can you live today with confidence that the Holy Spirit is with you and working through you?
Prayer
Holy Spirit, thank You for coming to live in me. Thank You for being with all people who believe in Jesus. Help me not to look down on others or think I’m not good enough to be used by You. Fill me with Your power. Work through me to bless others and show the love of Jesus wherever I go. Amen.
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