Heart Meditations

Scripture Acts 3:1-10 Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.^[a] 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. ⁹ Andall the people saw him walking and praising God, ¹⁰ and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Observation – Vs 6 what I do have I give to you

Application – I spend a lot of time thinking about what I don’t have, the things I lack materially, physically, spiritually.  I often look at other people and the gifts God has given them or the oppertunites they have in life and I wish to have what they have.  I wonder whether many of those going into the temple that day at the time of prayer felt like me.  They were going to meet with God primarily to ask HIm to give them things they didn’t currently have.  Maybe some wanted forgiveness from sin, maybe others wanted healing, still others financial help, or peace in their relationships.

Everyone who went to that templt that day was able to walk in without needing any help.  We know this is truth because the law of Moses stated that only able bodied people could come into the temple.  It is ironic that everyone walked by this lame man in a hurry to ask God for what they did not have, while not recognising the blessing which even allowed them to go to God in the first place.

Peter and John, newly filled with the Holy Spirit, however were aware not only of what they didn’t have but also of what they had.  They did not have silver and gold but who needs money when you have the Spirit of God living in you to the point you are able to heal people?  If you have ever had a loved one who was desperately sick you know you would willing trade all the money in the world for their health.  Peter and Joh shared with this man what they had and it transformed this mans life.  What if by sharing what I have I can transform a life?

I might not have what others have, or what I think I want, but God has given me certain gifts.  He has given me the ability to communicate for Him in a way that connects with people.  He has given me a wonder family.  He has given me an understanding of who He is.  Rather than feeling being aware of what I don’t have God is calling me to share what I do have with people.  After all, if each of us share what we do have, then we will all have what we need.

Prayer– Lord today, help me to focus on what I do have.  Help me to be confident in how you have made me and gifted me.  Help me to share what I do have with those I meet today.  Help me to love you more

Amen