Daily Devotions
June 11th, 2012 by Pastor SolleyActs 3:1-8
3:1 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. 2 And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; 3 Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. 4 And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. 5 And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. 6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. 7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. 8 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.
As Peter and John went up to the temple to pray they were met by one they must have passed by many times before. This was not the first time they went to the temple and not the first time that man lay at the gate, that man was there daily. It could be that they had given him money or food in the past. When he saw Peter and John he at once asked them for an alms. It could be that they had helped that man many times but something was different that day. Instead of giving him silver or gold they would give him something else that day, they would give him Jesus Christ, they would give that man what he needed the most. There was a miracle that took place in the life of that lame man that day but there was a greater miracle that took place in the lives of Peter and John. That day they found out what they could do by the power of the Holy Spirit, they found out what they could do in the name of Jesus Christ. Far too often Christians go through this life never knowing what they could do by the power of the Holy Spirit in their lives. What they could do for Jesus, the souls that they could reach, the miracles that could be seen in their lives. We have the very same one within us as was in Peter and John. What we need to do is depart from an old way as they did that day and walk as one yielded to the Spirit of God. We need to stop giving people what they want and begin to give them what they need, Christ. That is the need of every person and Christ wants all to receive Him. What will you give to those in need that you meet today?