More Than a Hand-Out
But Peter said, I have no silver and gold, but I give you what I have, in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk. (Acts 3:6)
Acts 3:1-16
What Is God Saying?
It was the ninth hour, the afternoon prayer meeting for Peter and John. For the man who could not walk, this day was not different from any other. From his place at the Beautiful Gate, he hoped a few people would toss him a coin, but most people passing by didn’t even look his way. For Peter and John, it was time to pray and give thanks for how Peter's faithful testimony was used and blessed at Pentecost (Acts 2:14 ff). David saw "the way of life and was full of gladness" with the presence of Jesus before He came (Acts 2:28). Peter and John were filled with the same gladness and life after He came. They had been witnesses of the Resurrection. They were bold. They were exultant. They were overflowing vessels. They had something more than money could buy. They had the power of God flowing from their lives. They had joy to share and blessings to impart. They saw something the others missed—a person in need, someone they could help, a problem for which they had a solution. God brought healing. The man at the gate would never be the same. The gate called Beautiful by others was now called Beautiful by him, for in that place, "faith which is through Jesus had given the man perfect health in the presence of all the people" (Acts 3:16).
How Does This Apply To Us?
We may not have physical limitations, but we could live outside the gate to a complete life. On examination, we may find that much of our life seems pointless and powerless. We spend too much of our life along the wayside. Christ wants us to walk. He wants us to leap with joy and enthusiasm, not sleep with boredom and lack of purpose. The Lord is still reaching down and lifting up. There is a way through the Beautiful Gate of faith to a beautiful life of service. Let Jesus touch your life today at the point of your need and for the sake of His glory.
Pray With Me
O Jesus of Nazareth, in Your name I pray. In Your name, I am healed, forgiven, and cleansed. In Your name, therefore, I would walk. The man at the gate looked for a few coins, a small hand-out, and a little assistance. Instead of a hand-out, he received a hand outstretched in compassionate, healing love. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, he walked!
Lord, by Your grace and in the healing, lifting power of Your name, I no longer need to envy those who are well and no longer need to sit by the gate day after day. You have enabled me to walk. Now, with all my heart, I want to use the God-given grace of walking to go on errands of love. I want to be the incarnation of Your grace to others. I want to move in the paths of righteousness for Your name's sake and go to others in need for Your love's sake. I want to walk wide around every trap set by the enemy of my soul.
As in Your name, I have the power to walk, so please show me how. My prayer, my desire, and my very life are in the name of Him, who makes walking not only possible but beautiful.
It is in His name, I pray. Amen.
Moving On In The Life Of Prayer
In prayer, we can speak honestly with the One who cares. The man in the story sits along the road leading to prayer. We can go through the gate called Beautiful to the Garden called Beautiful. We can claim the blessings of our living Lord.
