SOME COMMANDS “INTENTE” = “give me your attention” “QUIETE” = “at ease” “AB SIGNIS DISCEDITE” = “you are dismissed”

“At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. 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!” 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. Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea.” When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants. He told them everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa.”

Cornelius was a centurion in the Italian Regiment of the Roman army.

The gladius always led Roman soldiers forward; they followed their gladius. “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrew 4:12) The word of God led Cornelius forward in life.

Roman centurions were not well known for their compassion, but Cornelius is different, isn’t he? He “gave generously to those in need”. This sort of behaviour might have gotten him in trouble with his superiors were they to have learned of this care for the poor. Roman soldiers were permitted to worship whatever gods they desired, except Jesus Christ.

By caring for the poor among the Jews of Caesarea and participating in the public prayers at the synagogue, Cornelius was to some extent disobeying the wishes of the Roman army. Rather than following the lead of his gladius, Cornelius was following the leading of God in his life, even if it meant some potential problems for him.

Cornelius experienced a vison in which an angel told him to send for a man named Peter, who was staying in Joppa.

Cornelius probably had some exposure to the teachings of Jesus or at least had heard some stories about the man for whom he was sending. It would have been risky for Cornelius to send for the key guy in Christianity to come and stay at his home. When God called Cornelius, he responded in obedience. For us, we need to know that the correct response to God’s call is obedience.

God calls all kinds of people from all kinds of circumstances. OBEDIENCE SCALE 0 5 10

What is leading you in life? WAYS TO HEAR GOD’S VOICE Read the Bible Pray regularly Serve others

We live in a culture that is always trying to deny death. Culturally, do we wholly celebrate life in its entirety? It is not life that matters to us, but the quality of life that is paramount. The disturbing reality is that this allows us to devalue certain aspects of life, allowing us to permit abortion and embrace euthanasia as a culture. How can we remain ambivalent about life, when we follow One who fought for it and while we fight against one who seeks to destroy it? Jesus is decidedly for life … our attitude ought to be reflective of this reality.

In Lydda, it is said that people "turned to the Lord", while in Joppa, it is said that people "believed on the Lord". Sometimes when God acts in a mighty or miraculous way, people experience an orienting toward God in response, but it doesn’t always manifest itself as professed faith. Believing on the Lord or placing our faith in Him is an additional step of surrender; it’s a turning over of ourselves to Jesus.

“Submit yourselves, then, to God “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” (James 4:7-10) Will you not only turn to the Lord, but turn yourselves over to Him in submission and faith? My prayer is that today might be a day where some of you come near to God and submit to Him in faith.