Maybe you feel like you have so little to offer in life. Others are more pretty, or more handsome, or more trendy. You look at some Christians and you think "What Do I Have to Offer?" If you have Jesus, you have EVERYTHING to offer!! The following scripture tells how Peter and John established who they were in this encounter with a lame man. Acts 3:Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o’clock prayer service. 2 As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in. Each day he was put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he could beg from the people going into the Temple. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money. 4 Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money. 6 But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!” 7 Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. 8 He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them. 9 All the people saw him walking and heard him praising God. 10 When they realized he was the lame beggar they had seen so often at the Beautiful Gate, they were absolutely astounded! 11 They all rushed out in amazement to Solomon’s Colonnade, where the man was holding tightly to Peter and John.
Peter and John were headed to a prayer service at about 3 pm in the afternoon and as they were coming to the temple they saw a man who was being carried to be placed at the temple gate to beg for alms. The man sees Peter and John and asked them for money. Peter and John looked at him and said "Look at us!" They wanted his undivided attention so they could share the following words. 6 But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!” Getting money became a low priority when compared to walking after being lame for so many years. The man got up and his ankles and legs became strong and he actually began leaping for joy and praising God, and then he went into the temple with them.
Talk about changing a prayer service. The man was walking and praising God and the people realized this was the man who was lame and he was now walking and praising God. Peter and John did not give him the money he was asking for, but they gave him a changed life and he was able to walk. Beautiful healing at the Beautiful Gate!! What happened after this healing? Scripture says that the people rushed out in amazement to Solomon's Colonnade, which is a big porch that would hold many people. Peter saw the crowds and proceeded to share the gospel and began to tell the story of Jesus and at the end of his message, Peter got arrested, but not before 5000 people had believed. All of this is from God using a man begging for money, receiving healing for his legs, and then Peter preaching the Good News of salvation.
You never know what circumstances God will put together to give us a chance to share the Good News, so be prepared and ready for action. Peter wrote this in 1 Peter 3:13 Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good?14 But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats.15 Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. As you can quickly see in Acts 3 and 4 Peter was ready with the message of hope and even though he was arrested for sharing it 5000 people came to faith in Jesus. All Peter had to offer was Jesus and the Lord used that message and thousands were saved.
If you only have Jesus to offer, then you have enough. In fact, more than enough. Just offer Him to a lost and dying world and see what God can do through your offering. The gospel is still vibrant and impactful today and we must share it so others can find the way to eternal life in heaven. This is what you have to offer and be ready to share it by knowing it even better by studying God's Word.
The Pilgrimage Continues...
David Warren
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