Making a Difference For the Kingdom
Where do you draw your strength??
 
Wednesday September 30, 2009
 

 1One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. 2Now 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. 3When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.
6Then 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.” 7Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. 8He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. 9When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10they 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. (Acts 3:1-11)

 
Reflection
Possessions seem to really define us.  What we have measures how much we’re worth whether it be the house we own, the neighborhood it is located in, the car we drive, how much money we have, how many kids we can send to private school, how much are clothes cost, it really sets us apart.  A true disciple of Christ, a man or woman who makes a difference for the Kingdom sees value not in the temporal things or the physical things, but on the eternal.

V. 6 stated by Peter is key, silver or gold I don’t have.  That is what he does not have.  He isn’t upset about it. He isn’t complaining about.  But, he does state what he does have, and using the name and authority of Jesus, he heals the man.  He has Jesus.  His relationship with Christ is what he has, and that is what matters to Peter more than silver or gold.  Because he has Jesus, he has all that he needs, and he shares Jesus with the poor man.

Would it matter that much if someone passed by and gave him gold?  It would matter, for a little while, but for eternity sake, it wouldn’t last.  Peter gave the man the one most important thing, and it made all the difference. V. 8, this man went from sitting and begging to leaping for joy and praising God.

Lord Jesus, search our hearts. Reveal to us what we value most.  Is it silver and gold?  Is it a nice house?  Lord Jesus may we never conform our pattern of thinking to the culture.  Would we value the things that last.  Would we see our relationship with You as mattering far more than anything in this world.  There are poor people who need You and rich, men and women, and we desire for them to go from lives of emptiness to being changed like this man, full of life, and full of joy.