Friday, June 5, 2009

Reading Challenge: Acts 3

Welcome back everyone. Happy Friday to you. Today we are in Acts 3

The first thing that jumps out at me from this passage is their boldness to tell this man to get up and walk. That took some amazing courage and humility to do. What if God didn't heal the man? What if they say that and the man can't get up? It appears that those doubts never crept into their minds, they were sure that Jesus would heal him. Why don't we live with that kind of faith and boldness today? I want that kind of living faith.

My favorite part in this chapter comes in the second section of it. Peter is speaking to the crowd and he says, "It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see." (Acts 3:16) May we never forget the simple, yet profound truth found in that statement by Peter. It is in Jesus that we find our complete healing. We find ourselves healed physically, emotionally, and spiritually when we surrender everything to him.

What stood out to you? What are your thoughts about this chapter?

6 comments:

  1. My take away
    v.6 - I love the confidence that Peter has in Christ and knowing that is all he needs and is all the lame beggar needs!

    Are most Christians confident in Christ being sufficient, some times we sure don't act that way...we'd rather give time and money than have confidence in Christ. Are we afraid he won't show up?

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  2. First, I think it's amazing this guy has someone to carry him to "work" everyday!
    Usually the inclination is to look away from a homeless person or beggar because if you "get caught" looking, you'll have to give them something.I like how Peter and John fasten their eyes on this guy.Their message is that they don't have what he's wanting, but they have what he's needing!
    I love how when Jesus and the disciples performed miracles, they didn't do it half way. Not only does God heal whatever made this man unable to walk, He gives his muscles strength so he can leap! Now a formerly lame man leaping instead of just walking is going to attract a lot more attention.
    I also was struck at the beginning of Peter's messaage. He really let's the hearers have it doesn't he?
    He's like, Hey people,We didn't
    heal this guy. Remember that man who said he was the Son of God and you killed him? He was the Son of God! But,don't worry about that now 'cause God had it all planned out.He's alive and back in heaven with his father now.
    He's the one responsible for this healing,and by the way, He forgives your sins.
    When Jesus was heard to have said that He forgave sins, the rulers became so incensed they tried to stone him.Later He was crucified for this "crime".I found it fascinating that Peter and John show so much boldness considering this prior knowledge.Peter loves to push the envelope and it made me smile to read the last bit of his message where he tells them they had not gotten rid of Jesus just 'cause they killed him. He was alive,and as the Son of God He could do more than heal, He could forgive sin!
    Take that!

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  3. Peter and John looked hard at the man. I love that they didn't do what so many of us do when we see someone begging for money...look away embarrassed or uncomfortable. They took a few moments to really look hard at the man. Maybe they saw him as a church outsider (and he literally was) who needed the kind of restoration only Jesus can bring.

    Maybe it was his "outsider-ness" that led Peter to start making the parallel between this new generation of believers, and the promise of Abraham, and the comparison of this generation with Moses' people. Maybe Peter is starting to get what Jesus was saying all along...'if you follow me, you are my brothers and sisters' and 'the kingdom of Heaven is near, but it looks very different than what you might expect'.

    I think it's cool when the light starts to turn on.

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  4. I love verse (19Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,).

    I love this idea that removing sin refreshes us. Its so true.

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  5. Verse 3:19 stands out to me.

    "Repent then and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord"

    This verse is so true. It seems like every time I repent of something wrong or stupid I have done, I do get this feeling of refreshment that only comes from the Lord. This reminds me of the times when I walk on the beach real close to the ocean. You can see the footprints of people that have walked before you and in a few seconds the waves just wash them away right in front of your eyes. Then the beach becomes clean again without any footprints.

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  6. Testimony ! Testimony ! When we are changed......those around us will take note

    "...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."

    I just love that verse !!!

    And I join in with the rest of you....Repentance and Refreshment...what a wonderful promise.

    Think of it in this way....I repent....get refreshed....a testimony is birthed...those watching me will be filled with wonder and amazement..now that is the great commission in our everyday life.

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