February 03, 2020: SOAP #3714:  Exodus 35-36; Acts 10

Scripture:  Acts (NIV) 10:2 He [Cornelius the centurion] and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. …
3 One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!” 4 Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked. The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God….
30 Cornelius answered [Peter’s question]: “Four days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor.

Observation:  Cornelius was not a Jew; he was a Roman centurion.  He was over 100 Roman soldiers.  Yet he had developed some personal practices that got God’s attention—giving generously and praying regularly.

God is a giver and loves givers.  God created man for the purpose of fellowship; He loves it when we take time to be with Him.

Application:  Giving mirrors God’s character.  It is His nature to give.  He likes to see His nature being developed in people—in me.

When God first created man, He would come to the garden to visit with His prize creation.  Later He would visit with Abraham and tell him what he was planning.  He had the Israelites build a tabernacle so He could dwell in their camp.  He sent Jesus as an infant to grow and live among people.  God likes to interact with people—with me.

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, keep working to develop these two characteristics in me.  Increase my generosity.  Speak to my heart, calling me to times of prayer.  Remind me of this SOAP.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!