Read Chapter 3
Reading through this chapter there are many different points that can be taken that bring us great encouragement. We see Peter and John walking to prayer and noticing a beggar sitting waiting for others to give him $$$. Peter tells him were broke, but we do have Jesus.
Peter and John had this understanding that earthly possessions could never be the solution to this man's problems, only Jesus could be that solution.
I find it so interesting that the crippled beggar had no problem accepting the solution that they offered, he completely received Christ; physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. But it was the religious, the ones who have been around the temple there whole lives that had a hard time accepting Christ as the solution.
Why is it that the longer we journey as "Christians" the fewer miracles we expect? Why is it that we find it hard to believe that God still today does the supernatural? Or allow me to ask, "Do we even believe in the supernatural anymore?"
Verse 17 tells us:"Now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders. 18But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Christ would suffer. 19Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord...
The problem with the Church today is not God, the problem is not that God's word was only meant for them, the problem is not the world, the problem is US!!!
And verse 19 brings home the solution. Repent! Repent and turn to God, so that our sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord. Hosea 6:3
Repent?
Repent for what? I believe that repentance is not only needed for the sinner to come to Christ, but also as we journey through this life and get so easily distracted, we need times of reflection and repentance. We see this throughout scripture as nations journeyed away from God's truth, that were necessary times of repentance.
Have we lost focus of the Truth? Have we because of our religiousness lost sight who our God really is? Can He still heal the sick? Can He still set the prisoner free? Can He still mend the broken heart? Can He still get the attention of the religious?
I believe that He can and that He is, He is doing it today. He is going to do it tomorrow and He will do it until He returns.
Let us have ears to hear and eyes to see!
Acts 3:
ReplyDeleteI find it interesting that Jesus Himself would have walked by this man knowing that Peter and John were going to be part of a miracle after His resurrection. There is so much there and after rereading it there were a few things that stood out to me.
Their eyes were open to the need: Even John and Peter would have walked by this man many times. However, on this day, their hearts were open. I believe that many times I miss what God wants to do b/c of tunnel vision. At the end of that tunnel is my will and everything/everyone else is shut out. Walking close to the Master means seeing a bigger picture. Because they saw clearly, a man's life was transformed, the gospel was preached and many more gave their lives to Christ.
They had more to offer: I am sure that that beggar didn't think he was going to be walking by early afternoon. He didn't know he was going to run into two Christians who truly believed that God could do anything He wanted and lived that way. When we live this way serving isn't just a chance to help someone, it's the door to showing God's love and power.
They maximized the moment: Verse 12 says Peter saw his opportunity and addressed the crowd. Wow, they were firing on all cylinders! A step of faith, obedience and the opportunity came. Too often I want to reverse that order b/c it's less risky. When the church operates in God's power, that power opens doors that would otherwise be closed.
Felix
As noted in the title of this BLOG, the book of Acts, and especially this chapter, is a book of action, not a book of wait and see.
ReplyDeletePeter and John could have walked right by the beggar, but they didn't. They took action and met the need at hand, allowing themselves to be used by God. I believe the beggar recognized something in them and wanted not only money, but the power and compassion that he saw in them. When we truly walk with God, those things, among others, such as integrity, peace, love and understanding, should be recognized in us.
Later in the chapter Peter again seized an opportunity to teach the crowd a lesson, using what had just happened with the beggar.
We must "seize the opportunity" when it presents itself. Once the moment passes, it won't come back. If we meet the need one opportunity at a time, through the power of God, the world can be changed.
JV
The lame man had a need and just like peter we can bring glory to God through prayer. We should see every need as an opportunity.
ReplyDeleteJim V
I love the fact that Peter says to the man what I do have I give to you freely. I love how I can learn so much from such a small sentence. Many times I can and do feel like the task is too big and I can't make a difference. What I do have is Christ and that hope I have is free. Everyone likes free. I think maybe Peter thought back to this when he wrote to always be prepared to share the hope we have inside. At that moment he was prepared and look what happened. We never know, god might want to use that moment to show a few thousand people what he is all about
ReplyDelete