Lenten Virtues

SCRIPTURE

Acts 10:1-8 (NRSV)
The vision of Cornelius

In Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of the Italian Cohort, as it was called. He was a devout man who feared God with all his household; he gave alms generously to the people and prayed constantly to God. One afternoon at about three o'clock he had a vision in which he clearly saw an angel of God coming in and saying to him, "Cornelius." He stared at him in terror and said, "What is it, Lord?" He answered, "Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. Now send men to Joppa for a certain Simon who is called Peter; he is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the seaside." When the angel who spoke to him had left, he called two of his slaves and a devout soldier from the ranks of those who served him, and after telling them everything, he sent them to Joppa.


DEVOTION

This Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2010, the Christian Church will observe Ash Wednesday and the beginning of the Lenten Season.

Many of us are beginning to pray about how we will choose to observe the 40-days, plus Sundays this year.

We know that Lent is a time of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving as we journey with Jesus to the cross of Calvary. We also know that it is a time for honest introspection and repentance for sin.

I love today’s scripture reading because it describes a man named Cornelius who seems to have lived the Lenten virtues--year round!

He is described as a Gentile man who was devout, respected God, led his family in righteousness, gave alms generously, and prayed constantly. Moreover, his faithfulness was renown in the community and even to God.

When he received a vision, giving him instructions to send for Simon Peter, he did so immediately! In other words, he was also radically obedient to the word of God.

How I want to be like Cornelius when I grow up for he exhibited a maturity of faith that is rare amongst even the most committed of Christians.

Scripture records that Cornelius “prayed constantly to God.”

He kept the lines of communication open between himself and the throne room of Heaven and as a consequence he and his entire household came to put all of their hope in Jesus!

When one person makes up his or her mind to be devout, honor and respect God, give alms to the poor, and pray constantly, s/he can impact their entire community for the good!

On this day, I want to challenge all of us to be bold in our witness that God loves us so much that God gave Jesus to die on the cross to save us from our sin and gift us with eternal life.

I believe that there are many non-Christians, like Cornelius, who are reading, willing, and eager to hear our good news message!


Won’t you pray with me?

Righteous One, how we love you! You are wonderful! Thank you that you love and have concern for all of us. Thank you that Cornelius caught your attention and thank you that I do too! Please forgive me for failing to share your good news message with others. Please fill me with the Holy Spirit, so that I will be bold in declaring that Jesus saves and He saves to the utmost! I pray this in Jesus Name, Amen.


INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaL