Daily Dose of the Word of God - Acts 3: 1-10

Kelly Day, Director of Coffee Break Bible Study

Transcript

Kelly Day  0:07  

Welcome to Elmhurst CRC's Daily Dose of the Word of God. It's Kelly Day on April 29th, but Sunday's coming. It's a season of Easter and we have the blessed opportunity to respond to the reality of Jesus' resurrection life. Today's Bible reading is from Acts 3, 1 through 10.

Kelly Day  0:27  

Peter heals a lame beggar.One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. 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. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.  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. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Kelly Day  1:47  

In the last few years, I've noticed there's been an increase in people begging for money along the numerous roads I frequently travel. I'll say that at first, I was surprised by this and paid attention to each one, thinking about how they got to this point. Some of them have physical ailments, others I'm not sure.Eventually, after years of the same street corners being occupied, I hardly even notice that they're there. I wonder if that's what it was like for the lane beggar in this story. He had been crippled from birth and placed at the beautiful gate each day. I'm sure some tossed him some coins and continued on their day, heading to prayer. He was a staple at the gate and most probably hardly noticed him at this point. But, God placed something new on Peter's heart that day - he stopped. He insisted that the beggar looked directly at him and offered him something new.

Kelly Day  2:46  

I love the line Peter uses, "But what I have, I give to you." What does Peter have? The gift of the Holy Spirit and knowledge of Jesus Christ. God gave Peter the ability to heal this man right there and then. But why? Because people noticed. They recognized the man walking and praising God, and they were filled with wonder and amazement.

Kelly Day 3:16  

Are we as Christians using what God has given us? We too have the power of the Holy Spirit living in us. Do you know the true story of the Savior, Jesus Christ? Share it. Do you possess any fruits of the Spirit? Act on them. The more I step out in faith, the more I see God at work around me. Let's use what God has given us and let people around us be amazed at what God our Father can do.

Kelly Day 3:46  

Dear Lord our God, you are mighty to save. You are the true King above all kings. I confess, I live so many of my days with blinders on, living in my own weak self. I pray that your Holy Spirit fill us so that we may see and do according to your will, Lord. Please soften hearts around us to be amazed with you. In the precious name of Jesus Christ, amen.