Saturday, January 17, 2015

2015 January 17 - Morning Manna

There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do. (Acts 10:1-6)

Today's Morsel: God seems to use the heavenly host to bring good news to those He chooses.  Cornelius, a soldier, was a devout man.  The Bible lets us know that he feared God and gave much alms to the people and that he prayed always.  By all accounts, Cornelius, according to some teachings, would be classified as a man that was saved.  But he wasn't.  And so the Lord sent an angel to him to send for Peter who would tell him what he needed to do to become saved.  You see, our good works cannot save us.  Just confessing Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior cannot save us.  God has put a plan into place for our salvation.  And that plan is found in John 3:3-5.  We must be born again of the water and the spirit to see and enter the Kingdom of God.  Notice, the end state of Cornelius after he sent for Peter and Peter told them what they needed to do.  Scripture says: "And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days" (Acts 10:42-48).  You see, the message of Acts 2:38, which is the fulfillment of John 3:3-5, was already implemented by Peter on the Day of Pentecost.  Therefore, Cornelius, who was already a devout man, could easily receive what other things God had for him because his heart was right.  When our heart is committed to prayer, wisdom will flow to us.

Sing: The wind is blowing again, the wind is blowing again, just like the Day of Pentecost, the wind is blowing again.

Thought for Today: When our heart is committed to prayer, wisdom will flow to us (Parker).

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