Good day dear friends.
Let us continue in prayer for needs that have been shared with us. We know God is good and working even as we ask.
Here is our study guide:
Tuesday: Read Acts 3:1-10. If this wasn’t a “big payoff” what was? Which side would best identify you right now? The man who now could walk or the people who scoffed at such a thing even happening?
Acts 3:1 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, at three o'clock in the afternoon. 2 And a man lame from birth was being carried in. People would lay him daily at the gate of the temple called the Beautiful Gate so that he could ask for alms from those entering the temple. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked them for alms. 4 Peter looked intently at him, as did John, and said, "Look at us." 5 And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. 6 But Peter said, "I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand 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. 8 Jumping up, he stood and began to walk, and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. 9 All the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 and they recognized him as the one who used to sit and ask for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
It was on the way to worship that Peter and John were asked to do something for someone in need. The request was one that to this day still gets asked in front of or in the churches, please give us money. The man asking for help had been born lame and this was his custom to be set in front of the entrance to the temple and he asked all who would pass by, if they would help him. This man was used to staring down at his predicament rather than at people. Peter looks at him as did John, and says to the man, "Look at us." The man does and Peter says, "I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you." And then instead of giving him financial assistance, he says in the name of Jesus of Nazareth, stand up and walk." Peter's faith pays off. He trusted Jesus enough to say to this man who expected money, stand up and walk. Then, not just looking at him, which the man did not expect, now Peter touches him and gives him his hand and pulls him up by the lame man's right hand and immediately the man's legs and ankles strengthened up and he was able to stand! Already, this man received three unexpected things: A look of compassion, a touch of compassion, and the gift of being able to stand, something that he had never experienced. And knowing he could stand, he did the next big thing, he jumped! Joy filled this man's heart from all that he received. The disciple feared nothing, Peter was not afraid to look at this man, which goes against what so many say, "don't make eye contact!" and not afraid to touch this man and help him up. And then, the man finally completes his journey toward God by going in the church! I love the way the song goes and this scripture reads, He went "walking and leaping and praising God," all the way inside of church. Compare that to the ones who drag in. Or worse, the ones who don't even bother going. This one received a life full of blessings. And by going in to worship, he was recognized and everyone who knew his situation were blessed by the amazement and wonder of what had happened to him.
How do we use our faith on Sundays? Do we get up excited, wanting to go to church "walking and leaping and praising God?" Or do we say, I'll go next Christmas or Easter? Or if we are regular worship attenders, how do we use our faith on Sundays? Are we aware of the needs around our church and what are we doing about them?
God gave us faith so that we could use it. "Faith without works is dead."
PRAYER: Gracious God, bring us to life in our faith. Let us not fear to do that which needs to be done to bring glory to your name. Let us look and touch and share with all who are in need. We pray in Christ Jesus. Amen
Have a great and blessed day!
e.v.
