A MEMORIAL BEFORE GOD!
From the time of Abraham Isaac and Jacob, no other nation or people group on earth had experienced the power of God quite like the Jews. But in Caesarea, there was a man, though not a Jew, who gained the attention of God. Here is what the Scripture says about him.
Acts 10:1-4 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. 2 He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. 3 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!” 4 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.
Dictionary.comgives this definition of the word “memorial.” "something designed to preserve the memory of a person, event, etc., as a monument or a holiday.
This man, Cornelius, had a heart for God and people and this is what procured God’s attention. From this Scripture, we know that two things can move the hand of God: 1. prayer and 2. gifts to the poor. It is indeed interesting that because of his actions, God chose him to be the connection through whom all the Gentile world would come into the Gospel of grace. His actions were so powerful in the sight of God caused him to be the connection between heaven and earth. Wow! You may be going along in your life, praying, serving and giving to people, not knowing that God is paying great attention! It may be that your actions are coming up before God as a precious memorial and it may be that God is getting ready to bless the world through you! God is not impressed with our talents or gifting's; he is impressed with our faith and obedience. He loves us, and when we are intimate with him and loving to people, he pays careful attention! Don't be weary in your effort to be excellent at the things that God has called you to because your undivided devotion to God's purpose and His kingdom may also be securing for you…