GPS-Hog Wild

AUG 27  / Sunday – Read Deuteronomy 14:2-3, 8 / Acts 10:15

Overview: God uses a food lesson to teach a story about people…people we might treat as unclean pigs, showing no respect, and deeming them unworthy.

28 / Mon – Looks can be deceiving  |  Read 1 Samuel 16:7

Pigs have a bad reputation as dirty and stupid animals. They are cleaner than you think. They never excrete near their living/eating areas if at all possible. Pigs don’t sweat so they roll in mud to keep cool. Pigs are smarter than most domesticated animals. Their ability to solve problems is well-documented and experts say pigs are more trainable than dogs and cats. Are you quick to judge someone because of the way they look and act? What might you try doing instead?

29 / Tue – Unclean  |  Read Leviticus 11:1-3, 7-8

The newly liberated Israelites knew little about governing themselves so God gave them laws to live by – moral, social, and dietary laws. These laws were very specific. Dietary laws, for example, listed ‘clean’ animals they could eat and ‘unclean’ that were prohibited, including pigs. What are some ‘unclean’ things God has made clear you are to stay away from? Will you be ready when the devil tempts you to indulge because “you can repent later”? What are the consequences of giving in?

30 / Wed – What Jesus did  |  Read Mark 5:1-20

Pigs don’t appear much in the Bible. And when they do, they are not portrayed in a positive light. In this story, it is not clear who owned the herd of pigs – Jews who were breaking the law or Gentiles who weren’t subject to the law – but it is evident they were distraught when the herd was destroyed. In fact, their financial loss seems to overshadow the miracle of a man being restored to his right mind. Do you know someone who is so focused on a loss that they’re missing the miracle?

31 / Thu – What Peter saw  |  Read Acts 10:1-20, note v 15

The Jews were rightly focused on honoring God’s laws and living differently than the rest of the world but, over the years, they forgot God’s promise to bless the whole world through them. The disciples were teaching the Jews the amazing truth about Jesus. It took this vision to help Peter understand that the gospel was for the Gentiles as well. Have you ever had a ‘vision’ that expanded the boundaries of your understanding? Are you open to God speaking His truth to you in unusual ways and through unusual circumstances? Will you obey what He tells you to do?

01 / Fri – What Peter did  |  Read Acts 10:21-48, note v 28-29, 34-35

It was forbidden for Jews to associate with Gentiles or to enter their homes. In the Old Testament, it was God’s way of protecting His people from the influence of ungodly nations. But this was a new era. Jesus had paid the penalty and the Holy Spirit had come to empower His people so they could influence the ungodly and preach salvation for them as well. Peter went to visit a Gentile’s home because God told him to. What was the result of his obedience? If you are a non-Jew, this story is the reason you have been able to hear the gospel all these years later. Who will you share it with?

02 / Sat – What happened next  |  Read Acts 11:1-18, note v 17

When you see a fellow Christian doing something that seems wrong in your opinion, what is your first reaction? Are you more likely to criticize them? Or would you have a conversation trying to understand their reasons? Peter’s actions seemed directly contrary to God’s laws in the eyes of the early Jewish Christians. But then they asked him to explain. How did Peter’s answer change their minds? Do you accept that God will do unusual things to save the most unlikely people?