Pastor Alex’s text this week was Acts 3:1-10. It is easy to connect with the lame man’s praise and joy but what about his despair? 2 And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. He was lame from birth. He had never known the joy of walking from place to place, jumping, or running. He had to be carried wherever he went. Each day his hope was in gaining a few coins to be able to live. He was dependent upon others and unable to go into the temple and worship his God.
3 Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. 4 And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” 5 And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. His pleading look was his asking for help. God stepped into this situation through Peter and John. He opened their eyes to see the needs of this man both physically and spiritually. Their truth filled reply went to the needs of this man. 6 But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” 7 And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. God did the healing but Peter and John were the agents. By their bold obedience, the lame man was made whole. God was gloried by both Peter and John’s boldness and the man’s responsive praises. 8 And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God,
Can you even imagine the joy the lame man experienced?
He had never stood, run, walked, jumped or gone into the temple. He was overjoyed and praised God, as he knew the healing came from Him. His reactions of praise and joy spilled over into the crowds at the temple. 10 and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. The crowds recognized the lame man and were in awe of his healing. They asked him what had happened and he praised God and told them. His joy was contagious as he leaped and jumped literally for joy.
My question to you is: when were you last an agent for God? John and Peter looked, saw the need and applied Jesus to bring glory to God and healing. Do you look at people and ask God to reveal their needs to you? Do you seek to bring Him glory by helping others? In 2 Corinthians 5:20-21, Paul says, “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. “ Do you see yourself as an ambassador for God- representing Him before the people you know, family you live with and those who you contend with daily? Making Christ known is our job. We probably won’t be able to heal like John and Peter but we can ask God for discernment to know what others are feeling, how we can help them physically or where to point them spiritually to Jesus. We want others to know Jesus as we do and have the assurance of salvation and freedom from the burden of sin that can only come from Him.
As Pastor Alex reminded us, what we ask for God will supply in abundance and more than we need. What is stopping you from asking for others or yourself, to better serve and glorify Him?
Linda
My question to you is: when were you last an agent for God? John and Peter looked, saw the need and applied Jesus to bring glory to God and healing. Do you look at people and ask God to reveal their needs to you? Do you seek to bring Him glory by helping others? In 2 Corinthians 5:20-21, Paul says, “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. “ Do you see yourself as an ambassador for God- representing Him before the people you know, family you live with and those who you contend with daily? Making Christ known is our job. We probably won’t be able to heal like John and Peter but we can ask God for discernment to know what others are feeling, how we can help them physically or where to point them spiritually to Jesus. We want others to know Jesus as we do and have the assurance of salvation and freedom from the burden of sin that can only come from Him.
As Pastor Alex reminded us, what we ask for God will supply in abundance and more than we need. What is stopping you from asking for others or yourself, to better serve and glorify Him?
Linda
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LINDA'S BLOGLinda is a member of Crossroads church and regularly blogs about her faith.
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