Read Acts, 3-4
Verses chosen for devotion Acts 3:3-8
3 Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2 And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. 3 Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. 4 And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” 5 And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. 6 But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” 7 And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. 8 And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.
Reflect
The lame beggar has never expected to receive such a great gift from God. He has nothing to expect (lame from birth and has to beg for food). He only expected John and Peter to offer him some food or money out of pity. But never did he expect that he got far more than what he bargained for - restoration of his leg and the gift of salvation. God knows what the lame man needs, not just money and food that could perhaps satisfy his hunger and needs temporarily but restoration and salvation! And most importantly the man believed in what Jesus (the resurrected messiah) could offer! He could have just refused and scorned John and Peter for asking him to stand up knowing his condition from birth. But he trusted and obeyed, he stood up and walked. After the healing, he could have just left and went on doing his own things with his newly restored legs and ability, but instead he clung on to the apostles, entered the temple with them, leaping with joy and praised God. His testimony and his courage (to face the opposing priests and the council) led many to believe.
Relate
Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Matthew 7:9. This is the nature of God, kind and always ready to give abundantly. He gave more than what we asked for and He knows what we need (just like the case of the lame man). I remembered that there was a time when I desperately needed a job, and I prayed for months. When I was about to give up, a very good job opportunity came by. And it was not just a job to provide salaries to feed the family but it was a work-life balanced career that gave me the much needed family time. I got much more than I asked for. With a grateful heart I started serving actively in church, sharing this testimony, giving back what He has given me. But very often what we give is just a tiny fraction of what God has lavished on us. There is a purpose behind every gift and blessing from God. God loves the lame man that he offered him the gift of healing and salvation. But at the same time through the healing the restored man became a testimony to others and brought many to faith, to fulfill God’s purpose. God blessed us in many ways, our skills, our financial resources and even time. How often do we share these testimonies about the grace we received from God with others? Has these grace and blessing become an entitlement to us that warrant no further actions? Do we just walk away with all these goodness, or do we use them according to God’s purpose for us? During pledge Sunday pastor mentioned about AgMC’s lease expiry and the need to raise funds. Many of us have been blessed abundantly by God through AgMC. What part would we want to play in this? Are we clinging on to this journey with AgMC and our mission in Jurong (as in the case of the healed man to carry out God’s purpose for him)?
Everything from God is free to us (including the life of Christ). How freely then, are we willing to give?
Rest
He said: ‘Freely, freely, you have received,
Freely, freely give;
Go in My name, and because you believe
Others will know that I live.’
Chorus - Freely, Freely You Have Received
Alan
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