From: June 5, 2023
‘But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene get up and walk!”‘ (Acts 3:6 NLT).
Peter and John encountered a cripple asking for money on their way to afternoon prayers at the Temple. While many worshipers passed by the invalid without looking at him, probably even avoiding eye contact, Peter and John looked at him intently, fixing their eyes on him. They weren’t afraid of his need. In fact, they looked past his felt need for money to his deeper need for wholeness. Peter and John didn’t have money, but what they did have was better. They gave him Jesus and in Jesus’ name the crippled man was made whole.
When we have Jesus, we always have what people need. We don’t have to fear making eye contact with those in need. We may not have what people want, but we certainly have what they need. Give them Jesus. Be willing to look at others and pray for them in the name of Jesus.
PRAYER: Dear Father, You have given us Jesus. He is of surpassing worth, more valuable than all the world’s silver and gold. When we see those in need, empower us to meet their deepest need in the name of Jesus. We will not turn our eyes away from the hurting because of Jesus. He saw our need and saved us. Now we are sent as His body to do the same. In Jesus name, amen.
From: June 5, 2016
To the worshipers in the Temple courts who wondered at the healing of the lame man, Peter explained that the source of the healing power came from Jesus the Christ. He told them that this was the same Jesus they had crucified, but whom God had raised from the dead, ascended to heaven and who would soon return. Therefore, he challenged them to “repent” and “turn back” to believe in Jesus, so that their sins might be forgiven and that they would be ready for Christ’s appointed return. The Jews were looking for a Christ, a Messiah, that would set up an earthly kingdom and dwell with them as king, so it was important that Peter explained to them the prophetic reason why the Christ had ascended to heaven “until the time” of restoration. Peter was an eye witness to Christ’s ascension, and he had heard with his own ears, Christ’s promise to return. So, he preached with a sense of urgency and expectation that the Father would soon send Christ back again to restore all things.
From: June 5, 2015
Knowledge informs the mind, but wisdom controls the mouth. The fruit of the lips reveals the character of the heart. Does wisdom rule there? In Proverbs, wisdom is always seen as being from God alone. Therefore, asking does wisdom rule is the same as asking, “Does God rule?” Who monitors your mouth?
From: June 5, 2014
Peter and John encountered a cripple asking for money on their way to afternoon prayers at the Temple. While many worshipers passed by the invalid without looking at him, probably even avoiding eye contact, Peter and John “looked at him intently.” They weren’t afraid of his need. In fact, they looked past his felt need for money to his deeper need for wholeness. Peter and John didn’t have money, but what they did have was better. When we have Jesus, we always have what people need. We don’t have to fear making eye contact with those in need. We may not have what people want, but we certainly have what they need.
From: June 5, 2012
Worship means to ascribe worth to one who is worthy. It means to give what the recipient is worth. Worship should cost us something. Since Christ has saved us, He is worthy of our all. What have you budgeted for worship?