What happened to these men who were so afraid of the crowd and what they thought. Peter even lied to a very young girl, telling her that Jesus was not his friend. Never knew the man! The disciples could not labor in prayer for their friend about to be crucified.
Yet a Risen Christ appears in their lives and urges them to "wait for the promise of the Father." Acts 1:4. Wait. The Promise is for all. Providence will dole out varying measures of blessings but the Promise is for all who wait. And This Promise makes men stand up, not in their own piety and power, but in His. Acts 3:12.
So, when this Peter sees the lame man being carried to this gate, he directs his gaze straight edge to the beggar's eyes. You see, every day of his lonely life, this man was carried to the Beautiful Gate leading into the temple to serve one purpose. His livelihood. All he needed in one basket. Alms for the poor. No more, says Peter. "Look at us." And Peter raise him up. His ankles were made strong. He walked, no leaped, into the Temple. Is this the same Peter that cause the rooster to crow?
Turn your face to the One Who matters and wait. Like Peter. Like Daniel 9:3, when Daniel turned His face to God seeking Him by prayers and pleas.
The faith which comes through Jesus Christ heals souls in our paths. Acts 3:16.
Pierced to the heart by this Jesus, they asked: What shall we do? And Peter's reply: "Repent." The Promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the LORD our God calls to Himself. Acts 2:39
PRAYER FROM PSALMS
O LORD, for what do I wait?
My hope is in you.
Make me know my end,
and what is the measure of my days,
let me know how fleeting I am!
Psalm 39:4,7
Yet a Risen Christ appears in their lives and urges them to "wait for the promise of the Father." Acts 1:4. Wait. The Promise is for all. Providence will dole out varying measures of blessings but the Promise is for all who wait. And This Promise makes men stand up, not in their own piety and power, but in His. Acts 3:12.
Turn your face to the One Who matters and wait. Like Peter. Like Daniel 9:3, when Daniel turned His face to God seeking Him by prayers and pleas.
The faith which comes through Jesus Christ heals souls in our paths. Acts 3:16.
Pierced to the heart by this Jesus, they asked: What shall we do? And Peter's reply: "Repent." The Promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the LORD our God calls to Himself. Acts 2:39
PRAYER FROM PSALMS
O LORD, for what do I wait?
My hope is in you.
Make me know my end,
and what is the measure of my days,
let me know how fleeting I am!
Psalm 39:4,7
The scheduling for blogger has not been working. Sorry for the delay.
ReplyDeleteIs. 6:10 "Render the hearts of this people insensitive, Their ears dull, And their eyes dim, Otherwise they might see with their eyes, Hear with their ears, Understand with their hearts, And return and be healed."
ReplyDeleteOur hearts are calloused, our senses dulled. Were we to see, to hear, to grasp with our hearts, and return to the Lord, we would know healing. Lameness isn't just for beggars at the Gate Beautiful. It's a handicap that Satan loves to cripple Christians with.
OPEN our hearts Lord. TURN our souls to hear a fresh Word from You this day to COME and DRINK of Your Living Water. Render our hearts unto You that we may be exposed vulnerable, sitting lame at the gate no more! Bless our souls to RECEIVE a fresh outpouring of Your Spirit. Heal our sin sickness. Be powerful again in our lives. We need you desperately, Lord. Come quickly, Lord Jesus. Save us from this apathetic and uneventful spiritual lameness. We praise You as You raises us again to WALK with You. Amen.
Your words are beautiful, Annette. May we see God this day.
ReplyDelete