Missed Appointments

Are you too distracted to recognize the divine appointments and encounters in your daily life?

THIS WEEK’S BOLD STEP DEVOTION

“So if God gave them the same gift he gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?” (Acts 11:17)

Have you ever missed an important appointment? Whether it was with your doctor, your child’s school, or even a court appearance, it’s never a good feeling. Missing an appointment can often lead to feelings of disappointment, frustration, and even guilt, especially if it was an important or a time-sensitive matter.

Even greater than forgetting an appointment that you can most likely reschedule is missing out on an opportunity that God brings your way. It’s easy to get caught up in the busyness of life and unintentionally make God or the people you cross paths with less of a priority. In doing so, we risk missing moments that could lead to personal growth, meaningful connections, or acts of service that might impact others. These divine opportunities are often tailored for us to step into, but if we're not attentive, we can overlook them.

The story of the centurion Cornelius, and Peter is a powerful example of how God orchestrates divine appointments. Cornelius, a Roman centurion, was a devout man who feared God and sought to understand more about Him. At the same time, Peter, a Jewish disciple of Christ, was being prepared by God to break through cultural and prejudicial barriers.

God had been at work in both of their lives, setting the stage for a significant encounter. While Cornelius was praying, God sent an angel to tell him to send for Peter. Meanwhile, Peter had a vision that challenged his understanding of purity and inclusion, revealing to him that God does not show favoritism and, thus, making him open to meeting with Cornelius, a Gentile. Their divine appointment opened the door for the other Jewish believers at the time to accept Gentiles into the family of God.

This narrative reminds us that many people may not yet know God but are genuinely searching. God may be setting up appointments for you to engage with those individuals. However, in our daily routines, we might miss the opportunities, walking right by those who are longing for connection and truth. It's a call to remain vigilant and sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit, recognizing that God can use us as instruments in the lives of those He is drawing close to Him.

Remember, God is orchestrating encounters for you and me every day. Our job is to seek Him through His Word, be attentive to His leading, and stay open to the opportunities He presents. By doing so, we won’t miss the next divine appointment!

Listen to the sermon: Divine Appointments

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Ministry Update from Mark

Have you ever struggled to pray? Do you feel like you can’t find the right words to say to God? Ever find yourself just sitting and saying to yourself, “I don’t even know where to start!”? If so, I’m excited to tell you about my new prayer journal that will help you develop a deeper and more consistent prayer time with God. It’s called Teach Us to Pray—The Six Ps of the Lord’s Prayer. In it, you’ll learn how Jesus taught His disciples (and us) to pray!

This resource is available for a limited time. Request your copy with a gift of any size before time runs out.

Learn more at boldsteps.org