Nine words

Unfortunately, there are many poor and crippled people on this earth. I think in many instances, we have become so use to seeing beggars/panhandlers that we tend to ignore then. In some situations (mostly in larger cities), there are people who intentionally panhandle for a living. These individuals deliberately seek and take advantage of the good will and charity of others in order to make a living. In fact, there are numerous surveys where (depending on the location) a panhandler can make between $150-$200 a day.

There are many things that have changed over the past 2,000 years, but petitioning the charity of others certainly has not...

and many less fortunate people actually rely on it for their very survival.

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Gospel Story:

One day, (this was after Jesus' ascension) Peter and John were making their way to a temple around prayer time (3p in the afternoon). As they made their way up the temple stairs a crippled man called out to them. He had been a cripple since birth and begging was his only means for paying for a meal. Upon hearing him both Peter and John turned toward the man and Peter instantly 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 leaping, 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.

While the beggar held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon's Colonnade.

Acts3:3-11

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Try to imagine the absolute joy felt by the man as he stood up for the first time in his life. Imagine the emotion and adrenaline that poured through his body. I'm quite sure that before that day he had accepted his fate. He most likely had come to terms with the fact that he would never walk and would remain a crippled beggar for the remainder of his difficult life.

He was down, but through the power of Jesus Christ he stood up.

For many us we get knocked down on a daily basis. Most of us have the power to stand back up. For God has blessed us with the ability to walk and work in order to take care of ourselves and our families. It's these small things that we take for granted every day. But for this man...his life changed the instant Peter spoke those nine words. "In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." Acts 3:6

The road in life is riddled with challenges and the walk down the path toward Christ is not easy. Read 1 Peter 4-18

So my question is this...Do we have to wait for a miracle before we go walking and leaping and praising God? Does it always need to be a "what's in it for me" scenario? The answer to that question is simple.

What's in it for us = Eternal Life.

God bless you. And this is for His Glory!

Repercussions of sin

Have you ever done a good deed, but held a little something back? Our actions might fool those on this earth, but the Lord knows what stirs in our hearts and He cannot be deceived.

Let’s be honest – we are human and it’s difficult to constantly do the right thing. Many times we sin and may not even consciously realize it. The devil is always looking for an opportunity to sneak into our hearts and minds…no one is perfect and even in the times that we do slip, its important for us to reflect at the end of the day and ask God for forgiveness for the things that we did, as well as for the things that we failed to do.

Below are two passages from the Acts of the Apostles. This was around the time when the Apostles were spreading the word of Jesus Christ and building up followers. They roamed from country to country and city to city gathering more disciples and spreading the word of truth.

The passage below shows that there might be some actions that we think aren’t that big of a deal. However, in the eyes of God this might be a different story all together. A part of the second passage is a bit shocking, but I think it is worth sharing in order to remember the consequences of sin.

The Believers Share Their Possessions

32All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.

33With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all.

34There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales

35and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.

36Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement),

37sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles' feet.

Acts 4:32-37

Ananias and Sapphira

1Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. 2With his wife's full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles' feet.

3Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?

4Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God."

5When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. 6Then the young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.

7About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8Peter asked her, "Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?" "Yes," she said, "that is the price."

9Peter said to her, "How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also."

10At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband.

11Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.

Acts 5

I think everyone that reads this passage takes something a little different away from it. Think about the times that you should have done the right thing and did not. And then pray to the Lord for forgiveness…I know that I will.

God bless you. And this is for His Glory!