Scripture: Acts 10:1-3, 34-36 (The Message)
1-3 There was a man named Cornelius who lived in Caesarea, captain of the Italian Guard stationed there. He was a thoroughly good man. He had led everyone in his house to live worshipfully before God, was always helping people in need, and had the habit of prayer. One day about three o’clock in the afternoon he had a vision. An angel of God, as real as his next-door neighbor, came in and said, “Cornelius.” 34-36Peter fairly exploded with his good news: “It’s God’s own truth, nothing could be plainer: God plays no favorites! It makes no difference who you are or where you’re from—if you want God and are ready to do as he says, the door is open. The Message he sent to the children of Israel—that through Jesus Christ everything is being put together again—well, he’s doing it everywhere, among everyone.
Observation(s): We are all given the ability to recieve and share the good news of Christ. I’m struck by the fact that Cornelius, a non-Jew, is more worshipful than say the “righteous” Jew. I must be open to what Christ wants to tell me, be in the right frame of mind, like Cornelius who according to verses 1-3, worshiped, served and prayed.
Application(s): If I put myself in the times and take on the role of the “Jew” interacting with a “non-Jew”/”Christian” interacting with a non-Christian I see that my devotional life is “canned”, particularly my prayer life. If He can give His message to a non-Jew can He not do it for me and allow me to have a more committed life to prayer!
Prayer: Dear Jesus, help me to be open to what you want from me. Allow my prayer time to be more reflective of what you desire most for me. Your will and not mine. Amen.
