“While the man held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade.” Acts 3:11.
The once-crippled-now-healed man was not used to so much excitement, especially focused on him. His healing had created quite a stir in the Temple, and many people, in their astonishment, rushed to see what all the excitement was about. Not knowing what else to do and with no where else to turn, this man clung to Peter and John. Where else was he going to cling? In clinging to Peter and John, this man was clinging to God, who was the source of his healing.
When are some of the times that people cling to God? When we are desperate and do not know what else to do? When we are at the end of our rope? I know for me, these times are usually when I run out of answers in my own thinking, or I loose my ability to ‘do life’ on my own or on my own terms. I usually cling to God during those times of deeper need, when I have run dry on ideas and strength to get through. I do wish, though, that I would be more conscious of clinging to God as part of my daily routine. For example, as a man, I used to find it difficult to “just” sit and pray, for I thought that it was a waste of my time. I thought that I could be doing something while I am praying, and I struggled with seeing that praying was the most useful use of my time. It is a significant way to connect in intimate communication with my Father.
Or I would notice how I would depend on people or a few relationships to fulfill that which only God could fulfill. This was difficult to notice and then to accept about myself, but when I do see it, it is freeing to walk in it.
How about you? When are those times that you ‘cling’ to God? Who or what do you cling to other than God? What would it take to be free of the crippling affect that this has on our lives?
Prayer: Lord, please give me the eyes to see those things that I cling to that replace my need to cling to You, and please give me the strength and courage to take the steps to be free of their crippling affects on my life, so that I would be free to cling to You in my daily routine. Amen.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
November 22, 2007 - Acts 3:6
“Then Peter said, ‘Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.’” Acts 3:6.
Peter knew what the crippled beggar wanted, and he told him that he did not have any money. Instead, he had something of much more value for this crippled person: his healing! Peter and John didn’t just give this person some money and go on their way; they gave him back his life and his dignity. It says that, after he was healed, this man got up and starting leaping for joy. He could not believe it! The healing was amazing, for this person had never walked before…..ever…..and now, he was jumping and leaping!! Let that one sink in! What about his muscle development? And he had never learned how to walk, and now he was jumping and leaping! Amazing!
There was much to give thanks for, in this picture. Peter and John gave this person an incredible, priceless gift, out of their obedience to the Holy Spirit’s direction. This is a true picture of Thanksgiving. I do not know about you, but I have much to be thankful for. I usually focus on the relationships and the things that God has provided for me and my family. I do not, however, take intentional time to consider where God would have me invest myself to help those around me in need – the poor, the needy, and the lonely.
I heard recently someone say that we should not give in order to receive back. In other words, we should not give, to get. Instead, we need to give, in order to give. Giving is at the heart of Jesus’ message: “For God so loved the world that He gave…..”, and it can be at the heart of our message to those around us.
Questions to consider: What are we giving in the name of Jesus of Nazareth? Are we willing to do the same as Peter and John, who took the risk and stepped out of their comfort zone? How would God desire for us to give in this season of our lives? Bonus question: How are we any different than this beggar – really?
Prayer – God, help me to remember the priceless gift that you gave to me, and give me the hearing ear and caring heart to be sensitive to Your Holy Spirit, as He guides me to other “beggars.”
Peter knew what the crippled beggar wanted, and he told him that he did not have any money. Instead, he had something of much more value for this crippled person: his healing! Peter and John didn’t just give this person some money and go on their way; they gave him back his life and his dignity. It says that, after he was healed, this man got up and starting leaping for joy. He could not believe it! The healing was amazing, for this person had never walked before…..ever…..and now, he was jumping and leaping!! Let that one sink in! What about his muscle development? And he had never learned how to walk, and now he was jumping and leaping! Amazing!
There was much to give thanks for, in this picture. Peter and John gave this person an incredible, priceless gift, out of their obedience to the Holy Spirit’s direction. This is a true picture of Thanksgiving. I do not know about you, but I have much to be thankful for. I usually focus on the relationships and the things that God has provided for me and my family. I do not, however, take intentional time to consider where God would have me invest myself to help those around me in need – the poor, the needy, and the lonely.
I heard recently someone say that we should not give in order to receive back. In other words, we should not give, to get. Instead, we need to give, in order to give. Giving is at the heart of Jesus’ message: “For God so loved the world that He gave…..”, and it can be at the heart of our message to those around us.
Questions to consider: What are we giving in the name of Jesus of Nazareth? Are we willing to do the same as Peter and John, who took the risk and stepped out of their comfort zone? How would God desire for us to give in this season of our lives? Bonus question: How are we any different than this beggar – really?
Prayer – God, help me to remember the priceless gift that you gave to me, and give me the hearing ear and caring heart to be sensitive to Your Holy Spirit, as He guides me to other “beggars.”
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
November 15, 2007 - Acts 3:4-5
“Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, ‘Look at us!’ So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.” Acts 3:4-5.
Peter and John were on their way to the Temple to pray, as was their daily habit. They, most likely, passed through the Beautiful Gate, which was part of the regular route they took each time that they went up to the Temple. On this particular day, they took notice of the crippled beggar sitting at the entrance to the gate, hearing his cries for money. They must have sensed something in the Holy Spirit that was out of the ordinary, for they stopped, looked straight at the man, and had him look straight at them.
How much attention do you pay to beggars or street people? If you are like me, it is probably not too much. I notice them from far away, but rarely will I pay attention to them when I am up close. To my shame, I am affected by the smell, unkempt appearance, and abnormal behavior. I do not know many, if any, people who stop to pay attention and care for any needy street people. Normally, we just walk by, not paying any attention to them. In fact, we probably have complained that these people should not be cluttering up the sidewalk and ruining the appearance of our already-challenged urban centers.
Peter and John stopped, told this man to look right at them and give them his undivided attention. They did not apparently do this to every needy crippled person that they came into contact. They seemed to be directed by the Holy Spirit to do what they had done.
Questions to consider: Have you ever felt the nudge of the Holy Spirit to do something like this, and done it? Or not done it? How open are you to be directed by the Holy Spirit to do what He has for you to do? Would you stop for a street person, a handicapped person, or someone out of your comfort zone?
Prayer: Father, thank you that you care for all humans, no matter our condition. Thank you that you care for “the least of these.” Please give us a heart that would be sensitive to your Holy Spirit, as He nudges us every once in awhile towards caring for those who are out of our comfort zone. Please give us a heart to care and to love. Amen.
Peter and John were on their way to the Temple to pray, as was their daily habit. They, most likely, passed through the Beautiful Gate, which was part of the regular route they took each time that they went up to the Temple. On this particular day, they took notice of the crippled beggar sitting at the entrance to the gate, hearing his cries for money. They must have sensed something in the Holy Spirit that was out of the ordinary, for they stopped, looked straight at the man, and had him look straight at them.
How much attention do you pay to beggars or street people? If you are like me, it is probably not too much. I notice them from far away, but rarely will I pay attention to them when I am up close. To my shame, I am affected by the smell, unkempt appearance, and abnormal behavior. I do not know many, if any, people who stop to pay attention and care for any needy street people. Normally, we just walk by, not paying any attention to them. In fact, we probably have complained that these people should not be cluttering up the sidewalk and ruining the appearance of our already-challenged urban centers.
Peter and John stopped, told this man to look right at them and give them his undivided attention. They did not apparently do this to every needy crippled person that they came into contact. They seemed to be directed by the Holy Spirit to do what they had done.
Questions to consider: Have you ever felt the nudge of the Holy Spirit to do something like this, and done it? Or not done it? How open are you to be directed by the Holy Spirit to do what He has for you to do? Would you stop for a street person, a handicapped person, or someone out of your comfort zone?
Prayer: Father, thank you that you care for all humans, no matter our condition. Thank you that you care for “the least of these.” Please give us a heart that would be sensitive to your Holy Spirit, as He nudges us every once in awhile towards caring for those who are out of our comfort zone. Please give us a heart to care and to love. Amen.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
November 8, 2007 - Acts 3:2
“Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts.” Acts 3:2.
It was this man’s life to be carried to the Temple so that he could make his living by begging. He had, most likely, not known any other way of making money to provide for himself. I would add that this crippled man probably had worked himself up to be in this prime location, just outside the Beautiful Gate. It would be one of the best locations for him to make the most money possible. Many Temple-goers would have to pass right by the place where he sat begging, and it would be hard to ignore him. Yet this man, day after day, conducted his ‘business” and made his living as best he could. Little did he know that his whole world was about to be turned upside down, or, should I say, turned right-side up.
Like the man in this verse, I realize that most of us have jobs that we go to on a daily basis. We may not be crippled in the way that this man was, but each of us has things that ‘cripple’ us, keeping us within our own comfortable paradigm. It was risky enough for this crippled man to beg at the gate of the Temple, and it is risky enough for us to do those things in our jobs that are uncomfortable. Risky enough, but not too risky.
Questions to consider: Do you relate to this crippled man in any way? If so, how? If not, why not? How comfortable are you in your life and in what you do with it? Are you willing to be more risky for God? If not, what is holding you back?
This man’s life is about to radically change, and he was willing for that to happen. Are you willing to allow God space to invade your life in order to deal with those things that cripple you? It can be a fearful thing, requiring a radical change, but would it be worth it?
I am challenged to not be satisfied with my status-quo. I want to always allow God the space to come into my life and transform me. How about you?
Prayer – Father, thank you for the story of this crippled man, and how it challenges me to reflect on my own ‘crippled-ness.’ Help me not to hide behind my ‘crippled-ness’ and to allow You the room to invade my life, in order that I might serve You with a pure heart and mind. Amen.
It was this man’s life to be carried to the Temple so that he could make his living by begging. He had, most likely, not known any other way of making money to provide for himself. I would add that this crippled man probably had worked himself up to be in this prime location, just outside the Beautiful Gate. It would be one of the best locations for him to make the most money possible. Many Temple-goers would have to pass right by the place where he sat begging, and it would be hard to ignore him. Yet this man, day after day, conducted his ‘business” and made his living as best he could. Little did he know that his whole world was about to be turned upside down, or, should I say, turned right-side up.
Like the man in this verse, I realize that most of us have jobs that we go to on a daily basis. We may not be crippled in the way that this man was, but each of us has things that ‘cripple’ us, keeping us within our own comfortable paradigm. It was risky enough for this crippled man to beg at the gate of the Temple, and it is risky enough for us to do those things in our jobs that are uncomfortable. Risky enough, but not too risky.
Questions to consider: Do you relate to this crippled man in any way? If so, how? If not, why not? How comfortable are you in your life and in what you do with it? Are you willing to be more risky for God? If not, what is holding you back?
This man’s life is about to radically change, and he was willing for that to happen. Are you willing to allow God space to invade your life in order to deal with those things that cripple you? It can be a fearful thing, requiring a radical change, but would it be worth it?
I am challenged to not be satisfied with my status-quo. I want to always allow God the space to come into my life and transform me. How about you?
Prayer – Father, thank you for the story of this crippled man, and how it challenges me to reflect on my own ‘crippled-ness.’ Help me not to hide behind my ‘crippled-ness’ and to allow You the room to invade my life, in order that I might serve You with a pure heart and mind. Amen.
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