My Life As A Memorial

Devotional | Acts 10:4 AMP

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”Cornelius was frightened and stared intently at him and said, “What is it, Lord (sir)?” And the angel said to him, “Your prayers and gifts of charity have ascended as a memorial offering before God [an offering made in remembrance of His past blessings].“

Acts 10 begins with an account of a Roman by the name of Cornelius. If you know, than you know that Romans have MANY gods to choose from yet Cornelius chose the God of Heaven and earth.

Not only did Cornelius choose God but he knew Him intimately! Cornelius had ears to hear and eyes to see even as a Roman.

The angel of God in this vision in Cornelius' spiritual eyes revealed that his prayers and alms have come up in God's remembrance!

No doubt this was a lesson in addition to Apostle Peter's mandate but this also teaches us that no one is UNNOTICED...

To others, Cornelius was a devout Roman but to God has was redeemed!

This biblical account has many lessons within it from Apostle Peter's revelation concerning God's mind towards the Gentiles, a Roman's willingness and faith to believe God, and a scriptural practice that Cornelius may not have even known.

This word alms means a charitable deed, a donation to the poor, mercy, and compassion extended towards those of lesser fortune.

Proverbs‬ ‭19‬:‭17‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬ says,

”One who is gracious to a poor man lends to the Lord, And He will repay him for his good deed.“

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Cornelius desired to belong to God and this was the time it was made official. Because of his willingness to go outside of his societal norms, he was engrafted into the royal lineage of God, receiving the Holy Spirit and water baptism.

As we know, God shows no partiality nor is He a respecter of persons. So it was not Cornelius origin that called for the attention of God but it was Cornelius' lifestyle.

Let's take a moment here to reflect on our lives before God, what is God remembering about you? I would even challenge you to think what do you want God to remember about you?

If we apply Cornelius' desire to our own lives in this time of reflection, we should begin to list out all of the societal norms that you go against in pursuit of God!

This verse says it was because of his prayers and alms or charitable deeds that brought him notoriety with God. Now, understand customarily Romans, we're very prideful people. The posture and stature of Cornelius could have easily warranted him to overlook those who were in need, the very people that he instead freely gave alms to. And it was no secret that the Romans had a god for everything to pray to, but instead Cornelius took his prayers before the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Make a mental note here that scripture does not tell us that Cornelius prayed because he was desperate... This scripture outlines a lifestyle that Cornelius developed even though it was outside of customary normalcy.

What kind of lifestyle does your life memorialize about you? Naturally, we all have areas that we'd like to see the hand of God more in, right? But what I mean is your path, your dedication, your devotion to God. If this were a one-sided relationship, praise God that it's not, what would the angel of God speak to you concerning your memorial before God?!

Right now in the name of Jesus, I rebuke the spirit and agenda of condemnation! As mature and maturing saints of God, we should aspire to look at a situation in the face from the bare lens of truth without condemning ourselves.

As we are called to a life of repentance we ought to love every occasion we can repent and turn away from our own ideals, traditions, and broken principles to the sovereign and perfect word of God!

Are you paying attention?! I sure hope so...

What God has been speaking in this last quarter of 2023 is a call to oneness with Him but first, we must take a closer look at our garments!!

As we reflect on this devotion begin to ask Holy Spirit to show you the truth about your memorial before God, and partner with Him to see that any areas of necessary adjustments be made intentionally.

Know that you're not alone, you have community here!

Share in the comments what Holy Spirit allows during your time of meditation.

Waiting well,

Apostle Tash