TUESDAY - JULY 14

TUESDAY - JULY 14
Read. Acts 10:1-8
There was a man in Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion in the Italian Company.[a] 2 He and his whole household were pious, Gentile God-worshippers. He gave generously to those in need among the Jewish people and prayed to God constantly. 3 One day at nearly three o’clock in the afternoon, he clearly saw an angel from God in a vision. The angel came to him and said, “Cornelius!”
4 Startled, he stared at the angel and replied, “What is it, Lord?”

The angel said, “Your prayers and your compassionate acts are like a memorial offering to God. 5 Send messengers to Joppa at once and summon a certain Simon, the one known as Peter. 6 He is a guest of Simon the tanner, whose house is near the seacoast.” 7 When the angel who was speaking to him had gone, Cornelius summoned two of his household servants along with a pious soldier from his personal staff. 8 He explained everything to them, then sent them to Joppa.

Reflect. In this reading we encounter Cornelius who is described as a centurion living in Caesarea in the Italian Company. Caesarea was the seat of the Roman government in Judea and was named after the emperor. As a centurion Cornelius commanded a hundred soldiers, in the Italian Company (or Cohort), which was 600 soldiers (1/10th of a Roman legion). 

• In v.4, we learn that God heard the prayers of Cornelius. Cornelius is not a Christian, yet God hears his prayers. From this we learn that God hears the prayers of non-Christians. 
• Imagine you are in the position of Cornelius in this story. Though not a Jew and not a Jesus follower, you have tried to follow God. What do you experience in the vision? What does the angel look like? What do you hear? What does this make you feel? What goes through your mind when the angel asks you to send messengers and summon Peter? As you are waiting on Peter, what are you praying? What are you expecting? 

Pray. Lord, you heard the prayers of Cornelius; teach me how to pray. Help me to listen more closely to you and follow you this day. Amen. 

​COMMUNITY PRAYER LIST

Doug. Bobby. Collier. Glenn. Adam.  Mary.  Clyde.  Linda. Betty Carolyn. Jeff. Albert. Richard. Lois. Ross. Tiny. Donald. Bill. Barbara. Andreas. Helen. Bonnie Brenner. Baker Family. Robert McKenzie Family. Terry Kibler. Carolyn Harlow. Jeremy. Jeff Green. Lyric. Earl Graves. Mickey Huff. Huff & Welch families. Helen Leigh.


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