In Acts 3, the broken man, unable to walk since birth, is an illustration of the gospel. His condition kept him out of the temple, the celebration God's presence and relationship with him, and he was unable to help himself--completely dependant on mercy. God was merciful to him: raising him up, strengthening him, causing him dance in God's presence. The crowd wants to know how this can be, and Peter's answer is: Jesus--who died for us but God raised, whom we rejected but need to receive, who is risen-will return-and will restore all things as they should be.
Where am I, where are you in this story? Like the lame man, I was helpless, but wanted to dance in His presence. Like Peter I want to be God's messenger, bringing His good news to others. But, still, at times, we feel so...lame...unable to do we want to do...what we know we should do.
How can we, like Peter be used by God as He changes lives? We can do good to those who need grace. That's what the men's group does in Summer of Service, that's what our Students do in their Saturday work projects. Extending grace to others, because God has shown grace to us. He tells us to love our neighbor--our church neighbor is PHS. They're asking for help and we can give it. It may be a simply as when someone shares their burden with you, you offer to pray for them, do it, and then check back in with them. Practicing "praying for you" puts action to your empathy and opens a spiritual door. Maybe they'll ask you, "Why do you pray?" and then you can say...
In seeing, listening, praying, doing, and telling...Lord use us to do your work in real life.
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Romans - Living in God's Great Work
The book of Roman's is perhaps the apostle's opus, Paul's great work about God's great work. God's great work through history is the restoration of humanity. Our series in the book of Romans will take us deeper into God's great work. As you follow the series, join the conversation by adding your comments below.
How to Add a Comment
1. Click on the comments link underneath the post you want to add to, pose a question or comment on. This will take you to the comments window. (Right click and open in a new tab or window to keep these steps available...)
2. Type you comments in the the Leave your Comment box.
3. Under "Choose an Identity" section underneath the comments box, select "Name/URL" and type in your name as you want it to appear after your comment.
4. Click the orange "publish your comment" button.
That's it, you're in and part of the conversation!
2. Type you comments in the the Leave your Comment box.
3. Under "Choose an Identity" section underneath the comments box, select "Name/URL" and type in your name as you want it to appear after your comment.
4. Click the orange "publish your comment" button.
That's it, you're in and part of the conversation!
1 comment:
It occurred to me God used a broken man (Peter), to heal another physically broken man. Imagine how Peter felt after he denied Christ three times -- the anguish, agony and sorrow he went through. When we are a broken people, this is when God steps in to comfort, and then to use us as his witness.
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