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Dailies November 2020 |
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12/25/2020 Daily Devotions: by Christina Farris 24 And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends. 25 And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. 26 But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man. 27 And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together. 28 And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean. 29 Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me? 30 And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, 31 And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. 32 Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee. 33 Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God. 34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. 36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) 37 That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; 38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. 39 And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: 40 Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; 41 Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. 42 And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. 43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. 44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, 47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days. It is a shame on Christmas day when their is segregation. Christmas should be the most uniting time of year. Yet this is a Christmas like no other. With that, the message of Christ changes not. Many people call the Bible book about bigotry and hate, but those that know it, knows it speaks of love and the fact God is no respecter of persons. God gives man a choice to receive HIm, gives him a choice to receive his Son and gives him a choice to receive the Holy Spirit. The absents of knowledge of one part is usually rectified by teaching on these subjects to people not knowing who they are and that they are one. Cornelius a man of faith in God by order of circumcision of faith, a gentile but a believer in the God of Abraham. He is called righteous because of faith. And God had him send to go and find Peter through a dream. Peter found himself not only worshipped but with a man seeking answers. Peter told him he was not God and not worship him. He believe there was no respecters of persons with God. Peter had to struggle with Jewish laws that were part of his history growing up and dealing with all things Christ taught as well. Yet God had told him to go and minister to this gentile, so here stood to tell Cornelius, his family and friends about Jesus. Peter had a call to preach peace by Jesus Christ:(who was Lord of all:) He started with how John was the forerunner of Jesus and preach everywhere, and had baptized Jesus. How this Savior went about doing good and healing the sick, and casting out devils, because God was with him. That whosoever believeth in him would receive remission of sins. That he had died on the cross and was buried. How he rose up and began to live and walk with his disciples once more after his death. That he eat with them showing he was alive by doing something not common to the dead or even spirit. Taught that Jesus was the judge of the quick and the dead. As soon as Cornelius, his family and friends heard it they began to praise God in many languages and Peter and those with him said there is no reason these people should not be baptized because they received the Holy Spirit. They received the Gospel message. Cornelius, family and friends were the first gentiles to receive water baptism. They were baptized in the knowledge of who Jesus and the Holy Spirit was. They knew who God the Father was through circumcision. God gave his disciples a commission to tell the world about what he taught and preached, depending on whether your reading the end of Matthew or Mark, if the word preach or teach is used. There is point Jesus commission to his disciples was to spread the truth of who God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. That there is a circumcision that comes by faith, with the knowledge of God, His Son and then the Holy Spirit. Then there is baptism of God that demonstrates who child we are because of faith by the Holy Spirit. No man can see the heart but God see the believers heart and unbelievers heart. Upon faith God seals/marks the believer as his child. Cornelius already had faith only lack the knowledge of who the Messiah Jesus was. Upon testimony of faith in Christ was received. The Holy Spirit in operation before the time of Christ in the flesh. Christ the word of God, was known as well, but not the knowledge of his coming in the flesh, coming to redeem his people of their sins and sins of the world. We need to share Christ is no respecter no respecter of persons that God loves each and everyone of us. That Jesus loved the world, He loved and was willing to die for our sins. That by receiving Christ we first believe and then ask for forgiveness of sin. Not only that but believe he rose again on the third day. Rose to victory taking away our sins permanently. For on that cross He said Father forgive them they know not what they do. Christ forgiving even before his death, taking our sin upon him and taking them to the grave and only remaining there for a few days because of Sabbath tradition or he would of arose immediately perhaps. He rose on the third day having victory over death, no long held down by the grave, no longer held to the punish that sin caused, because of who he was. God came to set us free from the yoke of original sin, of Adam. Go and make disciples scripture in Matthew says. to start at home by location of going first to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and then into the utmost part of the world. That we no longer entangled by a yoke of bondage of this world if we will only believe. Jesus talked to people from all backgrounds, from Jews to Gentiles, never showing bigotry of religious legalism. We are to share with everyone the Gospel. So Go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born this morning, and that he lives despite man crucified him. That he took away our sins right on the cross and rose to life in victory. Dear Heavenly Father, help us to go share with the world who Jesus Christ is, that he is no respecter of person, and that he is Lord of both Jew and Gentile, who forgive our sins upon our confession and, that he paid the price for both our sin on the cross, to rise to victory, in Jesus precious name, Amen. Continual Scripture Study: Matthew 28:18-20 KJV18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
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