Acts 3:1-10
As we sit down and read today's devotional, we know that it is Sunday, the Lord's Day. There are many things we could be doing today. There is a battle for our time and our energy, but what are we going to give in to and do? What could be more important to us when Jesus says to "tarry in the city of Jerusalem and be endued with power from on high." (Luke 24:49) Peter, John, and the disciples did what Jesus said and stopped everything and found a place to pray and seek for His Spirit. They gave ten days of their valuable time to that prayer meeting, and they were greatly blessed. Filled with the Spirit of Jesus, they were able to stand up before the crowd, preach the gospel of repentance, and three thousand more believers came into the kingdom that day.
Later on, Peter and John again went together to the temple to pray. As they were about to go in, they met a lame man laying at the temple gate, unable to get around on his own and begging for anything from those who came by. When Peter and John heard him begging, they stopped and looked his way. "Then Peter said, 'Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.'" (vs. 6) Every day someone took the time to carry this man and lay him by the gate, but it was Peter and John who recognized exactly what he needed. How?—because they had spent those ten days in prayer, seeking for the Holy Spirit. They fought through the battle, possibly thinking they were wasting their time praying, and by the Spirit of Christ, they came to recognize themselves, what was more valuable—the name of Jesus! Peter and John could have, just like many others who passed by this man, thrown a few coins his way and the man would have been satisfied, but they gave him more. They gave him life. "And Peter took him by the right hand and lifted him up and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping and praising God." (vs. 7, 8) What could be more valuable than a man walking and leaping and praising God?
So as we finish up reading today's devotional, knowing that it is Sunday, the Lord's Day, what are we going to do with our valuable time and energy? First of all, there is a respect we should give the Lord on His Holy Day by going to church and worshiping Him. Secondly, we should not only limit ourselves to give one day to the Lord, but each and every moment of each and every day. The truly repentant heart desires to know Jesus, and reach out and give, "in the name of Jesus,
life," to others around us. "Those who know your name will put their trust in you, for you, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you." (Psalm 9:10) Are you willing to battle with yourself until you have received His Holy Spirit? What is more valuable?
~ Debbie Frantz
