How Can This Be?

Warriors Arise: December 4, 2023

Matthew 6:1-4 “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly."

There has to be a way to do the charitable deeds before men, not to be seen by men yet to honor God. Isn't that what Cornelius did? Isn't that one of the reasons God sent Peter to share with him so he and his household would have the opportunity to know Jesus Christ and receive Salvation? God wanted Cornelius in His family. He sped things up and helped the disciples to begin seeing with His eyes.

Jesus had commissioned the disciples in Matthew 28:18-20

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

The disciples were missing something. Maybe they ere going to the "easy" places and what they perceived the be the easily approached people groups. God had to send a vision to Peter for him to even consider going to Cornelius' house.

After Peter went to Cornelius' house and share the Gospel, God stepped in again. He baptized Cornelius and his household with the Holy Spirit before they had been baptized by water. The disciples in Jerusalem were not happy. Peter had to defend himself. There really wasn't much to defend because Peter didn't do anything. He shared the Gospel. God did it because He saw what Cornelius was doing. Cornelius was rewarded by God! How can this be when everyone knew Cornelius' deeds?

Cornelius caught God's attention because he was doing two things. You can read the entire history of this in Acts 10. The servant who was sent to Peter tells him "everyone knows" Cornelius prays to God and gives alms generously to people.

Somehow we are able to give openly with the right motive, people are going to see and God is going to reward. Cornelius didn't do it to buy God's favor. Cornelius did it because he feared God. He was a devout man. He was not afraid of God. That is not what feared means in this passage. Feared in this passage means he was honoring, revering, and lifting up God. He wanted his giving and prayers to honor God.

In Daniel, we read he prayed three times a day; however, in Acts it says in chapter 10 verse 2 that Cornelius prayed to God always. Someone who wasn't saved, wasn't a Jew, and wasn't discipled by Jesus prayed ALWAYS.

Father, I desire to be one who prays to You always and is a generous giver to people. I desire abundance of resources, relationships and wealth in order to advance Your kingdom. Your Word says we are to lend to the nations. We have to have resources, relationships, and wealth to make that happen. I want to see the people I pass by every day and listen for an opportunity to share Your love, the gift of Salvation. I want to be a generous giver because of You. Yes, I work but You provide the increase, the more-than-enough, they abundance. I want to generously give testimony of Your goodness, faithfulness, power and love. I want to give generously through finances, resources and ability. I desire to bring honor to Your name in Jesus' name amen.

A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,

Veridee Joy Hand

Join together as Believers in Jesus Christ to pray and to push back the enemy as we release God’s power here on earth. If you have any questions please feel free to make a comment or private message me. If you would like this to come to your email directly please go to verideehand.com and subscribe.