Luke the physician wrote how, “There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, ...”, and in chapter ten and verse two of the book of Acts Luke shared how Cornelius was, “a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house” where we read:
A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house,
which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.
The verse begins, “A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, ...” Luke began with the words, “a devout man” which means “and a pious and dutiful male human being”, “and one that feared God” or “and a particular person who reverenced, venerated and was in awe of the Heavenly Father God” “with all his house” which means “alongside each, every, the whole and everyone within Cornelius' dwelling place, family and home”. Luke shared how “Cornelius” and his household were “pious” and in “awe” of the Heavenly Father God.
The verse goes on to say, “... which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.” Luke continued with the words, “which gave much alms” which means “who granted, produced and provided a lot and great number of charitable donations” “to the people” or “toward the human beings”, “and prayed to God alway” which means “and made orations, worship and intercessions toward the Heavenly Father God at all times”. Luke shared how “Cornelius” also “furnished and supplied” charitable offerings to the “people” who were around him, and He “worshiped and made supplications” to the Heavenly Father God.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn about “Cornelius”. “Cornelius” was “pious” and one who was in awe of God. His household was alongside him, and He was a giver and one who was “constantly in prayer” to God. God acknowledged “Cornelius”, and we shall see how He speaks to him in our next few verses. God is interested in every person because He loves them. He desires to have a personal relationship with them through His Son Jesus, and when they submit their lives to Him as their “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive their sins and grant them everlasting life. Let all who read these words carefully examine the life and character of “Cornelius” and be willing to hear the Lord speak to them while they serve Him and others.
Next time Luke shares how Cornelius, “saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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