About the ninth hour of the day he clearly saw in a vision an angel of God who had just come in and said to him, “Cornelius!” And fixing his gaze on him and being much alarmed, he said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and alms have ascended as a memorial before God. Acts 10:3-4
Would it surprise you to know that God keeps track of your prayers and giving to Him? When we read what the Angel said to Cornelius, it is almost as if God likes to pull your book of good deeds out and read it from time to time. On this day, God would read about Cornelius faithfulness in his acts of praying and giving, and then choose him to be the first Gentile that would usher in a new era of grace toward all mankind. Like a proud father remembering what Cornelius did, God shows you off to His Angels when he see’s his nature shining bright in you. Regardless of how much we pray or give, God loves us all equally, yet God grants assignments and rewards to the faithful. Giving and praying also tap into Spiritual Laws that can unlock favor and provision in your life (Luke 6:38).
Devotion in your ‘doings’ toward God is an act of worship. God has such a hunger for conversation with you that James 4:5 says that He ‘longs for the spirit in you’. When you are talking to God, you are praying and when you are praying, God is already answering. Jesus promised that God knows what you need before you ask, He even has the hairs on your head numbered. That is how important your needs and your words are to the Father. The story of the Angel talking to Daniel in Daniel 10:12 teaches us that God heard his prayer the moment he began to seek the Lord. This means that God answers prayer instantaneously when you talk to him, yet it could take time for the answer to appear. If you do not have a regular practice of praying and giving, may I invite you to add these to your spiritual disciplines. Acts of praying, giving, fasting, obedience, singing, and speaking scripture to one another are all forms of worship. These warm His heart because they all draw you closer to Him.
REFLECT TO CONNECT:
- If your book of prayer was opened in heaven today, what would it reveal you are talking to God about these days?
- In what ways do you give to God’s work using your talent, time, or treasure?
- What are the acts of devotion you like to perform in your worship to God?
Principle:
Your prayers and giving to God are recorded so you can be rewarded and with increase.
