I can't forget those words. They hit me right here in my heart. They made me re-look at the story of Peter and John healing the beggar in Acts 3:1-8, a story that I never perceived as more than just another miraculous healing.
The preacher asked: if people were doing religious things day in & day out in the temple, and the beggar still laid there crippled & begging, day after day, year after year, something is very wrong.
I was troubled in my heart. It's one of those moments that I feel God speaking directly to me.
I ask that you read the verses below:
Act 3:1-8 "One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer at three in the afternoon. Now a man crippled 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 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."
I have to agree with the preacher.
If the God whom we worship is as described in the Bible, there would be positive impact on people's lives wherever we go. Anything less would be a tragedy. Look no further than the life of Jesus. His was a life of positive impact wherever He went. His immediate disciples were transformed from their ordinary existence to extra-ordinary folks. Fishermen to Fishers of Men. The woman at the well was reformed and instantly transformed into an evangelist and many in turn believed a formerly immoral woman because of her testimony (John 4). The woman who bled for years was healed at a touch of Jesus' robes. The apostle Paul was transformed by the power of God from a persecutor of Christ to a promoter of Christ, and many have in turned been blessed by the ministry, faith, and letters of Paul.
Just as a pebble dropped into a body of water creates a ripple that radiates outward, cutting across the previously unbroken tranquil surface, something has to happen when God moves in our life. He cannot work in us, and yet leave us the same as before.
In like manner, when we live and interact with the people around us, something has to happen. As ambassadors of Christ (2 Cor 5:20), we represent Christ, and all His glory and power. Power to forgive, power to heal, power to touch lives, power to counsel, power to pray, power to edify, power to teach, power to transform, etc.
A city on a hill cannot be hidden (Matthew 5:14-15), & the light of Jesus shining through us will give light to everyone around us. Lives will be touched, lives will be changed, because we serve and believe in a God of change.
May God bless you,
Thomas
Category: cf_tht, sounding board
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