Galatians 6:9-10 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Cornelius is a perfect example of how God rewarded an obedient and devoted heart. He brought opportunity to Cornelius’ house. “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.” Acts 10:4.
Who created this opportunity for Cornelius? It was God alone. God sent an angel, God opened a door and gave a dream to Peter. God did it all while Cornelius was serving God in the private place.
Noticed by heaven
Cornelius is described as God fearing and devout, his example shows us that good works of giving to the poor and prayer that grow out of the good soil of heart, are as a fragrant offering to God. They rise up like incense before Him, pleasing to Him as worship and praise. To fear God produces a cultivated heart and a life pleasing to Him, the beginning of wisdom.
Worship is therefore more than just singing songs, it is how we live our day to day life. It’s more than just words it is actions. Do you know that heaven is keeping a record? Cornelius’ actions were noted as a ‘memorial’ before God. Cornelius prayers and gifts to the poor are on record in heaven. Your prayers and your gifts to the poor do not go unnoticed by heaven, they are on record Praise God.
God alone sends the opportunities
Cornelius’ good deeds made an opportunity for him. But it was not the people to whom Cornelius did good that provided that opportunity, it was not the Jews with whom he had a good reputation, it was not the members of his household, it was not the men he sent either, it was all God. He provided Peter with the vision and instruction. God provided Cornelius with the angel and instruction, the people at Cornelius’ home with the Holy Spirit and baptism.
So, too we can be encouraged that if we seek and give and pray from our hearts, God will likewise bring opportunity to us, to know Him more and have more of Him. His presence will find us out. And, we will be included in His plan and weaved into His great big story.
Psalm 75:6 -7 For not from the east or from the west and not from the wilderness comes lifting up, but it is God who executes judgment, putting down one and lifting up another.
God chooses a book by contents not cover
The common phrase ‘Don’t judge a book by its cover’ indicates our natural propensity to judge people by their outward appearance. People really do judge each other by outward appearance, but only God can truly know the heart. When God judges He reads the full book. God knows more about us than we know about ourselves.
You are the Lord’s treasure, you do not need to compete with the crowd for your promotion. God has a place for you in this world, work to do through you. The Holy Spirit is your greatest asset and being led by Him is your inheritance. When the time is right God will bring you into His best purposes for you.
God searches our hearts and He knows us thoroughly, He cleanses us when He shares that hidden knowledge with us and we obey. Do you find yourself in a low place without opportunity in life? The answer is not to renovate your book cover for men to see, neither is it to try and get them to read your book.
Psalm 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart: Try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.