Cornelius, a centurion in the army of Rome, was stationed in Caesarea. While he was praying, he had a vision. An angel from God called his name. God knew this man’s name, and He knows your name. (Acts 10:3)
The Lord God calls us by name and not our titles! We are important to the living God because we are His creation. Our titles are unimportant to Him. He loves us, He gave His only begotten Son as a sacrifice in our place… His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, took our sins (our very real sins) as if they were His. He paid the penalty we deserve for our sins, when He was scourged (whipped) and then as He hung on a cross. Jesus redeemed us, paid our penalty. Aren’t you thankful?
We have celebrated Easter … keep in mind the importance of why Jesus died on a cross… keep in mind that we recently celebrated Easter Sunday… because our Lord lives, we are people of the resurrection!
How did Cornelius respond to the angel’s instructions?
(NASB) Acts 10:7-8 “When the angel who was speaking to him had left, he summoned two of his servants and a devout soldier of those who were his personal attendants,
8 and after he had explained everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.”
What did Cornelius explain? He told them of his instructions the angel had given him.
(NASB) Acts 10:5-6 “Now dispatch some men to Joppa and send for a man named Simon, who is also called Peter;
6 he is staying with a tanner named Simon, whose house is by the sea.”
Cornelius acted immediately, he sent those three men to Joppa.
As we read the Word of the Lord God of the Holy Bible, do we listen to His instructions?
And after listening, do we act upon what God states? That’s obedience!
Among God’s instructions are the following:
(NASB) 1 John 1:8-10 “If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.”
(NASB) Romans 10:9-10 “… if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;
10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.”
(NIV) Proverbs 3:5-9 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
6in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
7Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.
8This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.
9Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first-fruits of all your crops…”
~ Take it to heart ~
Instructions From God ~ Are You Listening?