Saturday, April 10, 2010

Acts 3:1-10

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

Questions to consider:

• How do Peter and John show their love to God and to others on this day?
• Contrast what the lame man expects with what he receives.
• What has God given you that you can share today with people in need?

Possibilities for prayer:

Imagine what would happen if people came into our church with all sorts of impairments—physical, spiritual, emotional—and came out healed from them! We’ve already seen some examples of the Holy Spirit’s power like this within our community, but it never hurts to ask for more. Let’s pray that God would be creating in our community a place where people come and are healed of all sorts of things, that our prayers and declarations would be genuine and filled with the Holy Spirit’s power, and that people would leave proclaiming the Good News, singing praises to God for His might and compassion.