"Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the ninth hour, the hour of prayer. And a man who had been lame from his mother’s womb was being carried along, whom they used to set down every day at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, in order to beg alms of those who were entering the temple. When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he began asking to receive alms. But Peter, along with John, fixed their gaze on him and said, “Look at us!” And he began to give them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, “I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene --- walk!” And seizing him by the right hand, he raised him up; and immediately his feet and his ankles were strengthened. With a leap he stood upright and began to walk; and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God; and they were taking note of him as being the one who used to sit at the Beautiful Gate of the temple to beg alms, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him." Acts 3:1-10
THINK ABOUT THESE QUESTIONS before moving on....
*What was this lame beggar asking for?
*What did he really need?
*What did he end up receiving?
*By whose power did he receive it?
*Have you ever found yourself asking #God to solve a problem by requesting just a simple solution?
*Have you even found yourself asking people to solve your problems when you know the solution can only be found in #Christ?
This man was asking for money but his real need wasn’t financial, it was to be healed and able to walk again. #Money is a resource not a solution to our problems and often we turn money into an idol. This was also looking to people for help. Sometimes I find myself asking God to help me with the small #problems thinking that my big problems are just too much for Him to handle. Sometimes I feel that it is wrong for me to ask God to do big things in my life, thinking I am unworthy of His miracles. That is the wrong type of thinking. God can handle any problem big or small. He wants to give us a whole new life and help us with all our problems. When we ask God for help, he may say, “I’ve got something even better for you.”
Remember to ask God for what you want but don’t be surprised when He gives you what you really need. We need to remember to be careful not to limit God’s incredible power and surrender everything to Him.
Acts 3:19 – Therefore, repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.