Walking, And Leaping, And Praising God

Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.

And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;

Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.

And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.

And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.

Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.

And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.

And all the people saw him walking and praising God:

And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.

And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly wondering. 

                                                                                (Acts 3:1-11 KJV)

Lame at birth; now healed, he held onto and followed Peter and John into the temple praising God. The man had only asked for help to exist and received so much more. He received a life in which he would no longer have to beg and be looked down upon. He could walk! And, had so much more reason to praise God.

Miracles happen in our lives all of the time. If we would only look back on our lives and see how the hand of God has touched us in so many wonderful ways.

It may sound cliche; but, sometimes it is most worthwhile to "count our blessings." If and when we do we will surely praise God for the life He has given us in Jesus Christ our Lord.

"For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen."

                                                                                      (Eph 3:14-21 KJV)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

His Light Shines!

"But for you who revere my name the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall." Malachi 4:2 NIV

As we head further and further into the season of winter, the days get shorter and shorter. The sun is seen for less and less hours. For those who are afflicted with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) it can be a very trying time. They must make a more intentional effort to be out in the sun during the daylight hours to avoid ending up in debilitating depression.

The good news is that even though the sun may not be shining as much as we'd like; the light does shine in the person of the Son, Jesus the Christ. He is the Rise Son and his light shines upon the whole world. It shines upon all who would have their ears and eyes and hearts opened so that they might be healed. We may not go about leaping like calves from the stall as Malachi suggests. Some of us are a little wary about acting looking like fools. But, we will live life and we will live it abundantly in the light of Jesus the Christ. 

Thanks be to God for the sun of has risen; the morning has dawned. Even when we cannot see the light of the sun; the Son of the Most High God shines his light upon the world.

God's Peace - Pr. J