Acts 3:5-6 The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money. But Peter said, "I don't have any silver or gold for you. But I'll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!"
When you read that verse who do you identify with? Is it the man, always looking to others to supply what he needed or is it Peter who noticed someone else in need and reached out to help them up? It's tempting to focus on our own needs so much that we forget to notice others.
I think if we're honest we've identified with both parties at different times but I'd like to encourage us all to identify more and more with Peter because I believe that's what God wants of us, to take His help and healing power to others if that's what they need. They may need a listening ear, someone to care enough to hear what they have to say and to encourage them to look to God for help.
Peter didn't give the man money which would only solve his problem for a day. Instead he addressed the root of the problem and used the name of Jesus to deliver and heal the man so he could earn his own living and he gave him back his integrity. That's what Jesus does for people and He wants to do it through us too. Scripture says Peter grabbed him by the right hand and lifted him up and Jesus restored his legs so he could walk again.
Peter did his part, he gave what he had - faith in the name of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit inside him. We have exactly the same power living in each one of us and we have the name of Jesus. Romans 8:11 The Spirit of God who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. We may have to read that verse many times until we really believe it and act on it! The Holy Spirit and His great power that He used to raise Jesus from the dead lives in you and me and He wants us to use it!
As Peter reached out in faith to lift the man, and as the man responded, Jesus healed him and he jumped up and started leaping about! If Peter hadn't noticed the beggar, if he hadn't been listening to the Holy Spirit prompting him that man would have stayed as he was.
As we go about our day, listen for the prompting of the Holy Spirit, remember you have the name of Jesus and the power that raised Jesus from the dead living on the inside of you. God may want to use you to give someone a word of knowledge or a word of wisdom to help them. It may even be He wants you to reach out your hand and say be healed in Jesus Name. Notice Peter didn't say "I'll pray for you to be healed." And He didn't say "Oh God please heal this man." He just said "Get up and walk in the name of Jesus". Very simple, very straightforward. No religious prayers, no faffing about!
Let's be sensitive to what the Holy Spirit is saying today and obey his promptings. It may change someone's life!
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