He Praised God!

Acts 3:2-8

Now a man who was lame 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. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong.  He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.”

Greetings in the name of our powerful and precious Lord!

Have you ever felt like the lame man in the verse above?  His problem had been going on so long that he accepted it.  All he did was beg for money so he could at least have the basics of life.  No where do we read that he prayed for a healing, but we do see where he went near the temple to beg for money.  I hope it’s because the temple goers were generous – something all Christ followers should be known for. 

Regardless, we can learn a lot from this newly-healed man.  As soon as he received his healing he went straight into the temple courts praising God!  He did not complain that his healing had taken a lifetime to arrive.  He did not question why God had let him suffer so long.  He did not get angry that Peter and John had not shown up earlier or that he had wasted so much of his life as a beggar who had to depend on others for pretty much every thing. No! Instead, he did what we all should do when the answer comes: HE PRAISED GOD!

When he was taken by the hand, helped up, and made strong, he used it to first and foremost praise God.  That’s not to say he didn’t have questions.  All of us want to know, “Why?”  Sometimes, however, it is better to go with the flow of the good thing that has finally happened and just praise God.  It is better to forget the past and enjoy the new thing. (That sounds familiar!)

PRAYER: Dear Lord, We look to You to take us by the hand and help us get up into our healing.  When we get up, we will praise You.  We will not sit back down and wonder what took You so long.   Nor will we squander our lives being bitter about anything that was lost.  On the contrary, we thank You for all the good in our futures.  In Jesus’ name, Amen!

I'll Give You What I Have...

Acts 3:6 “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!’”

Greetings, all you blessed and highly-favored children of God!

Sometimes we feel as though we have nothing to offer – that there’s nothing we can do.  This past week I have been keeping close tabs on a buddy who has been battling a nasty case of pneumonia in the hospital.  So bad, in fact, that it has required several days worth of hospitalization, untold amounts of antibiotics and other medication, and struggles with collapsing veins and other stuff.

It is easy to feel helpless in situations like these; there’s not much we can do.  Or is there?  Right before the verse above takes place, Peter and John were on their way to pray at the temple when a lame man – a man who had been lame since birth and had to be physically taken to the temple – saw them and did what he did best: He begged.  His life was one of depending on others for life’s most basic needs and begging for money. 

I wonder how this man’s family felt?  Were they frustrated? Tired? Sad that he was in the condition he was? The Bible says he was lame from birth and now he was a full-grown man.

But I love what Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you.”  Likewise, what have I had that I could offer my friend this week while she’s been hospitalized? Or what could I offer my other friend whose daughter is in the midst of a nasty divorce? Or what do you or I have that we can offer in seemingly hopeless situations?  Let’s face the facts. This is a hurting and dark world, and many times I feel overwhelmed with all the crazy that is happening near and far.

Yet this morning as I was preparing for work, I read the above-verse and God whispered to my heart, “Yenisita, you have Jesus.  Share Him with others. PRAY!” And then I felt practically giddy because (A) I am all about that praying, and (B) When we invite Jesus into the messes of life, verse eight happens.

“The lame man jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them.”

We all have Jesus, and powerful, life-changing things take place when we share Him with others.  You may not have one other thing that can make a positive impact, but you have the One Who always makes a difference. Glory!

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Sometimes we feel that prayer is a waste of time.  Forgive us for ever feeling that way.  Every single time we share Christ or pray for someone, something excellent and miraculous is taking place.  Help us believe it. In Jesus’ healing name we pray, AMEN!

Confronting Matters Head On~

Tuesday greetings, dearest brothers and sisters, may our Lord mightily bless us today according to His unparalleled generosity!

Judges 4:21 “But Jael, Heber’s wife, picked up a tent peg and a hammer and went quietly to Sisera while he lay fast asleep, exhausted. She drove the peg through his temple into the ground, and he died.”

  

Friday’s prayer was a blessing to us all, but one particular part raised a bunch of eyebrows: “If necessary, You will help me hammer a tent peg in the temple of my enemy.” That line is straight out of the Bible; “She drove the peg through his temple into the ground, and he died.”

Sisera was a cruel army commander who had been oppressing the Israelites, and he had it coming.  Nevertheless, I am not suggesting physical violence, but there is a broader application here.  When we are praying about a matter, let us be relentless in our petitioning, supplication, intercession, crying out, pleas, beseeching, entreaties, and requests until the matter is settled.  Sometimes, to see a prayer through, requires bravery, strength, guts, determination, and the willingness to confront matters head-on (no pun intended).

And each part of this story is a mighty blessing to me because women were at the helm.  We will explore this in the next few DEVOs, but for today, let us rejoice.  We can pray about any struggles we have until they die.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, I praise Your mighty name.  Help me to deliver a death blow to this particular problem ________________.  Help me put a tent peg straight through its temple so that it never rears its ugly head ever again against me or those I love.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN~