Meeting the God Who Has Been Seeking Your Heart

“To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him
receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
Acts 10:43 (ESV)

The first time I read the story of Peter and Cornelius, I remember thinking how beautifully God works behind the scenes.

Cornelius didn’t know exactly what God was doing in his life, only that he felt drawn to pray, to seek, to listen. And far away, on a rooftop in Joppa, God was preparing Peter at the very same time.

Two different men.
Two different situations.
One God working with perfect intention.

It reminded me that long before we ever understand His plan, God is already shaping our hearts to receive His truth.

The God Who Goes First

Cornelius was devout, generous, sincere, and prayerful, yet Scripture tells us he was not yet saved (Acts 11:14). He needed to hear the message of Jesus. He needed forgiveness of his sins. He needed grace.

And God made sure he would hear it.

At the same moment Cornelius was seeking God, God gave Peter a vision that shattered everything he thought he knew about who could come to Christ. In that moment the Lord was doing two things: preparing Cornelius to hear the gospel, and preparing Peter to speak it.

God always goes first in salvation.
He stirs the heart.
He brings the messenger.
He opens the door.

The Gift We Cannot Earn

When Peter entered Cornelius’ home, he preached the message that changes everything: salvation comes through Jesus alone.

Not through ‘being a good person’.
Not through effort.
Not through sincerity.

Only through believing in the One who lived, died, and rose again.

This is the message Peter shared:

We have all sinned (Romans 3:23).
Sin separates us from God and leads to death (Romans 6:23).
But Jesus bridges the gap we could never cross.
He is “the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).
Salvation is a gift of grace, received by faith alone (Ephesians 2:8–9).

The graphic “The Bridge to Life” from The Navigators illustrates this message. It shows how sin separates humanity from God and how Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection provide the bridge to forgiveness and eternal life. Take a moment to reflect on the graphic, consider where you are in your walk with God, seek to understand His gift of salvation, and respond to Him with faith.

This is exactly what happened with Cornelius. He listened and believed. And while Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard (Acts 10:44).

God’s preparation met God’s message, and salvation came to an entire household.

Finding the God Who’s Been Looking for You

One of the most beautiful truths in Acts 10 is this: while Cornelius was reaching toward God, God was already reaching toward him. Long before Cornelius understood the gospel, God saw him. God heard him. God knew his desire to find truth, and God moved heaven and earth to bring the message of Jesus to his doorstep.

If you are searching for Jesus, if you feel a pull toward Him or a longing to understand who He is, that is not accidental. That is God Himself drawing your heart. He is not hiding. He is not distant. He is inviting you to know Him, to trust Him, and to receive the salvation He freely offers through His Son.

Would you do that right now?

A Clear Invitation

If God has been stirring your heart, giving you a longing to know Him, a desire to be forgiven, or a recognition of your need for Christ, that is His preparation.

Salvation is His gift to you.

And His arms are already open.

Romans 10:9 reminds us: “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

If today you want to call on Jesus, here is a simple prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus,
I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness.
I believe You died for my sins and rose again.
I turn from my sins and invite You into my heart and life.
I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior.
In Your Name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, heaven rejoices, and so do your sisters in Christ!

In His Word

Ephesians 2:8–9 (ESV)
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

These verses draw our hearts back to the true source of salvation.

God’s grace.

Take time to thank Him that salvation does not depend on your worthiness, but on Christ’s finished work. Pray that He keeps your heart anchored in grace, not effort.

John 3:16 (ESV)
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

Pause here and pray: “Lord, help me rest in Your love. Help me believe deeply that You gave Your Son for me. Teach me to trust You with the whole of my life.”

In Your Life

• Has God been preparing your heart in a specific way? What do you sense He might be drawing you toward?
• Have you trusted in Jesus alone for salvation? If not, what is holding you back?
• Who in your life might God be preparing, and how might He be inviting you to share the gospel with them?

We Recommend

What Does It Mean to Be Born Again by R.C. Sproul
This short, clear, and biblically grounded book explains what it truly means to experience new life in Christ. Sproul breaks down the concept of being “born again” in a way that is easy to understand, showing that salvation is not about our efforts but about trusting Jesus and His finished work on the cross.

For anyone whose heart is being stirred or who is exploring faith for the first time, this book reinforces the message from Acts 10 and 11. God prepares hearts, offers forgiveness, and invites all people into His family.

For someone new to the faith, or someone wanting to explore Jesus for the first time, we also recommend reading the Gospel of John. It offers a clear, compelling picture of who Jesus is and what He came to do. Begin slowly, chapter by chapter, asking God to open your eyes just as He opened Cornelius’ heart.

Do you need a Bible? The ESV Women’s Study Bible is a good one.

Let’s Connect

Kris is a daughter of the Most High King, Jesus, and a devoted wife of 28 years. She is the proud mother of four grown children and they share their Wyoming home with their sweet labradoodle, Mocha. Kris serves on her church’s Women’s Ministry team and enjoys date nights with her husband. She can often be found fly fishing, reading, or working in the yard. She shares her faith journey and reflections on Instagram.