SATURDAY May 6, 2023
A Praying Man
There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always.
Acts 10:1-2
Cornelius was a man of good character. He was a Roman Centurion and a God-fearing man. He had abandoned his pagan religion in favor of worshipping Jehovah. Yet he had not become a full proselyte to Judaism through circumcision. He was still considered a Gentile. God was going to speak to Cornelius, but He was also going to speak to Peter.
You see, some Christian Jews were still held back by legalism––the Law. Even though Peter was Christian, he still did not eat pork or anything else that was considered unclean, as written in the Law. Many Jews still followed God’s commands on what they could eat and drink. They were used to walking in obedience to God’s Word in their conduct for their lives.
God would speak to Peter about food that was unclean to eat, to help prepare him to share the Gospel with Cornelius. The Gospel was not only for the Jew, but for the Gentile. As Christians, we have been given the responsibility to take the Gospel to the whole world. Like Peter, we have been commanded to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19-20).
When I was saved, within the first ten years of my ministry, the Lord opened the doors for me to preach the Gospel in 71 different countries! I still feel the same way today, as I did when I first was saved. Missions is vitally important for the Church. The Church is to be a beacon of light to all nations.
When you are saved, it is not so you can just sit in a pew and listen to the service each week. God wants to use your life to reach others, whether it is in your work place or as a missionary to China or Europe. Just make yourself available, and He will send you to a person or place where people will need to hear the Gospel!
“Here am I! Send me.”
~Isaiah 6:8~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
