Thursday 16 June, 2016

3 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple. It was three o’clock in the afternoon. It was the time for prayer. 2 A man unable to walk was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful. He had been that way since he was born. Every day someone put him near the gate. There he would beg from people going into the temple courtyards. 3 He saw that Peter and John were about to enter. So he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him, and so did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 So the man watched them closely. He expected to get something from them. 6 Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold. But I’ll give you what I do have. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk.” 7 Then Peter took him by the right hand and helped him up. At once the man’s feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. He went with Peter and John into the temple courtyards. He walked and jumped and praised God. 9 All the people saw him walking and praising God. 10 They recognized him as the same man who used to sit and beg at the temple gate called Beautiful. They were filled with wonder. They were amazed at what had happened to him.

I have just taught this lesson to my scripture classes and it is so good to be reminded of what I have! The beggar needed money to survive because he couldn’t work. Peter and John (on the way to the temple – and therefore just “in their going…”) don’t focus on what they don’t have (money) – they give of what they do have – power and authority to heal in the name of Jesus.

The result of this is life- changing not just for the lame man – but for the community of people around him. They are awed and bewildered!

I carry around in me – the authority and power of God to see lives changed in Jesus name.

Lord I am so often blinded by what I don’t have – help me give freely to those around me from the power and authority I carry with me in Your name.

Written by Ps. Linda Quinn