What I Have I Give

Daily Reading:  Acts 3

Look at us... 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!” (Acts 3.4, 6)

Devotional Thought: Peter and John, on their way to the prayer service, encountered a crippled man begging by the gate.  He wanted money from them, but they had none to give.  They did have something to offer him, though – healing and hope: “In the name of Jesus Christ…”

It was a pretty brave move to tell that crippled man to get up and walk.  Not only were they putting themselves on the line: Look on us…”, they were risking the reputation of the name of Jesus.  But they had confidence in that name: “In the name of Jesus Christ!”

I wonder sometimes how much I would be willing to risk the reputation of Jesus in order to provide healing and hope...

• Do I believe that Jesus can save my neighbors and friends?  “In the name of Jesus Christ…” 

• Do I believe that he can help them find jobs? “In the name of Jesus Christ…” 

• Do I believe he can mend their broken families? “In the name of Jesus Christ…” 

• Do I believe he can deliver them from the addictions that control and ruin them?  “In the name of Jesus Christ…” 

• Do I believe that he can set them free from the fear and hatred that imprison them?  “In the name of Jesus Christ…”

If we want to be used of God for life-change, then like Peter and John, we need to... 1) Go to the place of prayer regularly; 2) See the pain and suffering in the eyes that look at us; 3) Proclaim the solution in the name of Jesus.

Today, let’s look for that situation – whether big or small – in which God will use us to bring hope and healing.  Then, let’s boldly claim it in Jesus’ name!

Prayer: Lord, help me to arise from this place of prayer filled with the Holy Spirit and power.  Then give me compassion to see the needs around me and courage to say, "In the name of Jesus..."  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 69:13-21

13 But as for me, my prayer is to you, O LORD. At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness.

14 Deliver me from sinking in the mire; let me be delivered from my enemies and from the deep waters.

15 Let not the flood sweep over me, or the deep swallow me up, or the pit close its mouth over me.

16 Answer me, O LORD, for your steadfast love is good; according to your abundant mercy, turn to me.

17 Hide not your face from your servant; for I am in distress; make haste to answer me.

18 Draw near to my soul, redeem me; ransom me because of my enemies!

19 You know my reproach, and my shame and my dishonor; my foes are all known to you.

20 Reproaches have broken my heart, so that I am in despair. I looked for pity, but there was none, and for comforters, but I found none.

21 They gave me poison for food, and for my thirst they gave me sour wine to drink.