Luke the physician wrote how two servants and a soldier of Cornelius went to Joppa to find Peter. After arriving at Simon's house where Peter was staying, they met Peter and convinced him to go see their master Cornelius. After entering Cornelius house, Peter found many people gathered there, and he told them, “You know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God has showed me that I should not call any man common or unclean. Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent you have sent for me? And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, ...”, and in chapter ten and verse thirty-one of the book of Acts Luke shared how Peter said, “Cornelius your prayer is heard” where we read:
And said, Cornelius, your prayer is heard, and your alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.
The verse begins, “And said, Cornelius, your prayer is heard, ...” Luke began with the words, “and said, Cornelius” which means “and uttered, declared and proclaimed Cornelius whose name means of a horn and was a Roman centurion of the Italian cohort stationed in Caesarea”, “your prayer is heard” or “your, Cornelius', orations, supplications and worship to God is given heed, listened to and assented”. Luke shared how “Cornelius” told “Peter” how “the angel” said that God “heard” his supplications and worship.
The verse continues, “... and your alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.” Luke added the words, “and your alms” which means “and your, Cornelius', charity, giving, mercy and pity” “are had in remembrance” or “are recalled, mindful and recollected” “in the sight of God” which means “before and in the presence of the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit”. Luke shared how “Cornelius” told “Peter” “the angel” said that his giving and charity were also brought to mind in God's presence.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how the “prayers and charity” of “Cornelius” did not go unnoticed by “God”. Though “Cornelius” had no idea what was happening with his “orations and givings”, God did, and “Cornelius” told “Peter” how God sent His “angel” to let him know. God loves when people reach out to Him, and as they do, they will find that He has observed them for a long time. Anyone who comes to God through His Son Jesus will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life, and all are invited to “pray and give alms” to be noticed by Him.
Next time Luke shares how Cornelius tells Peter the voice said, “send therefore to Joppa, and call here Simon”, 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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