Hidar 23 — December 02

Saint Cornelius, the Soldier Who Searched for God

Cornelius (say it: kor-NEEL-yus) was a captain in the army. He was in charge of one hundred soldiers in a city called Caesarea. For a long time he did not know the one true God. Instead, he prayed to the stars in the sky.

Then Cornelius heard the apostles teaching about God. They were Jesus' closest friends, the ones He sent out to tell the world about Him. Cornelius watched what God did through them, and his heart began to wonder: maybe the stars are not God at all. So he stopped praying to the stars and began to pray to the true God, morning and night. He shared what he had with people who were poor, and he was kind to everyone.

God saw Cornelius' kind heart. He sent an angel to tell him that his prayers and his kindness had risen up to heaven like a sweet gift. The angel told him to send for a man named Peter, who would show him God's way. So Cornelius sent for Peter the Apostle, and Peter came.

Peter told Cornelius all about Jesus: how God became a person, how He loves us, and how He rose from the dead and went up to heaven. Cornelius believed! He and his family and his friends were all baptized, and God's Holy Spirit filled their hearts with joy. Later Cornelius became a bishop, a church leader, and he traveled far to teach many more people about Jesus.

O God, since I am afraid to know You, have mercy upon me, and guide me into Your way.— the prayer of Cornelius

Obadiah the Prophet, the Servant of God

Today we also remember Obadiah (say it: oh-buh-DY-uh), a prophet of God. A prophet listens to God and tells God's words to the people. Obadiah's name means "servant of God," and also "he gives thanks to God." What a beautiful name to carry!

Obadiah learned about God from the great prophet Elijah. Hard times came, but he stayed patient and kept trusting God, and God carried him through every trouble. He was a brave, gentle leader who always chose to follow God.

When Obadiah grew old, he died in peace and was buried near his family. The Bible says he was "clothed with the spirit of knowledge," which means God filled his heart with wisdom and understanding. We can ask God to help us be patient and faithful, just like Obadiah.

The Church of Saint Marina

On this same day, long ago, a church was set apart for God in honor of Saint Marina. When a church is consecrated, it is made holy and given to God as a special place where people pray and worship together.

It is a happy thing to thank God for our churches. They are quiet, loving homes where we sing, pray, and learn about Jesus together.