What are You Powered By?

Acts 4:5-10

The next day the rulers, elders and teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and the other men of the high priest's family. They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: "By what power or what name did you do this?" Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: "Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed."

Thoughts for Today:

This first question posed of Peter and John was fully loaded. It had been carefully crafted to end the stir created by these two men. The question, "By what power or what name did you do this?", was founded in the Old Testament scripture of Deuteronomy 13, which says that stoning to death is the punishment for any miracle done in any name other than Jehovah (God). Peter was aware of these consequences yet he forged ahead.

This is amazing to me because it was this same Peter who just a few weeks earlier had denied knowing Jesus to a girl, yet was now speaking boldly to the leaders of the Jewish community -- the same leaders who had crucified Jesus. The difference was whose control he was under -- who was he powered by? In front of the girl he was under his own power (full of fear and doubt), in front of the Jewish leaders he was powered by the Holy Spirit (full of knowledge and courage).

The next time you feel unworthy, think of Peter -- an unschooled ordinary man, a fisherman. The next time you feel you've blown it so badly God would never use you again -- think of Peter who denied Jesus, not once but three times. Yet God sees through our imperfections and finds a way to use us in spite of them -- we just need to remain willing.

Questions to Ponder:

Are you willing or have you given up? Have you talked yourself out of any useful purpose in the kingdom? There are only two things you need to do to get back to grace -- confess your sin and ask God to fill you with the Holy Spirit. You will then have all the power, knowledge, and courage you need to accomplish any endeavor

Preparing to be Heard

Acts 4:1-4

The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand.

Thoughts for Today:

The leaders of the Jewish community had a pretty significant problem on their hands. Peter and John continued to talk to the people, they couldn't keep them quiet, and the people were beginning to listen, so they put them in jail until the next day.

Witnessing is like that. It seems as if we're making no progress. Our words are falling on deaf ears. We have nothing but opposition, disagreement, and argumentative people. To make matters worse, we're put in jail, even if only figuratively -- in the present day it might be a new policy at work prohibiting religious discussions.

Whatever the circumstances, it can feel like you are making no progress at sharing the message. The encouragement for me is in Verse 4, "but many who heard the message believed". Despite the fact that Peter and John were now in jail -- many who had heard believed.

In our story, the people's hearts were prepared to hear by witnessing the healing of a man crippled since birth, someone they had all seen or known about. It wasn't as if these people had never heard about Jesus, His claims, or the claims of His followers. The difference was the circumstance -- before their eyes the cripple was healed -- the example or demonstration of Jesus power.

Questions to Ponder:

What is the example or power that is evident in your life? Think carefully about that. If you are having a problem with getting people to listen to you about Jesus, then it could be He is not evident in your life? You are the witness, is your life convincing?

Listening to Inherit the Promise

Acts 3:21-26

[Peter continues to speak] "He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets. For Moses said, 'The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you. Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from among his people.' Indeed, all the prophets from Samuel on, as many as have spoken, have foretold these days. And you are heirs of the prophets and of the covenant God made with your fathers. He said to Abraham, 'Through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed.' When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways."

Thoughts for Today:

Peter is preaching on the porch of the temple, referencing Genesis, Deuteronomy, and 1 Samuel. How is it possible that Peter can speak with such force, confidence and clarity? He was certainly empowered by the Spirit, but he also knew the Scriptures and had paid careful attention to what Jesus said and did. In these verses, Peter is providing his listeners with an Old Testament prophecy road map to Jesus, the Messiah.

What do you think Moses meant when he said, "You must listen to everything he tells you," and "Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from among his people"? Jesus gives us the answer to these questions in John 15:5-6 when He says, "I am the vine, you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned."

Peter is telling his audience that Jesus is the fulfillment of the promise, He is Abraham's "seed" or "offspring" through which "all people on earth will be blessed." Peter's message is simple: all scripture was fulfilled in Jesus -- so you better pay attention to what He said. That promise and instruction extends to you and me.

Questions to Ponder:

Are you guilty of listening to some things in Scripture, yet disagreeing with or ignoring other Scripture? What needs to change? Are you paying careful attention? How can you pay more careful attention?

The Time of Refreshing

Acts 3:17-20

Now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders. But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Christ would suffer. Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you --even Jesus.

Thoughts for Today:

Here is the sequence Peter gives us: repentance, a turn toward God, sin is forgiven and forgotten (wiped out) -- then a time of "refreshing" occurs. This same pattern was repeated every forty years or so throughout Israel's history. For example, the people turned away from God (idol worship, etc.); they then were oppressed and suffered at the hands of an enemy; they cried out and turned towards God and away from sin; God forgave them and raised up a leader; they were victorious over their oppressor; following the victory came the blessing (peace and prosperity) or the "refreshing" -- the living within God's will and intention for their lives. Unfortunately, about one generation later they were back to their evil ways.

How much like this are we? We are blessed, then we begin to ignore God and get caught up in the world -- things really start to go wrong, then we cry out to God -- repent -- and turn back to God. It's silly but that is the story of my life as well. I am so grateful that we have the God of second chances (third, fourth, fifth, sixth, etc. as well), because I seem to need a lot of them.

The question is: How do you stay constantly refreshed? In Exodus 16 the Israelites grumbled against God because they had no bread or meat to eat, so the Lord gave them manna and quail for their nourishment. Again in Exodus 17 they complained because they had no water to drink -- God brought forth water from a rock. Jesus, referring to this example of the Israelites total dependence on the Lord for their physical survival tells us in John 6:35, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never go thirsty."

It is Jesus who now provides us with this nourishment or refreshing. He is not only the "bread of life" He is also referred to as "The Word." We are refreshed when we spend time with Jesus -- in study of the Bible (The Word) and in prayer. When we drift off course and we become sick, depressed and angry, it's because we are not being fed the proper food.

Questions to Ponder:

Where does your nourishment come from? Does it come from television, magazines, friends, news media? Or does it come from Jesus? Who do you spend your time with? What can you do today to reverse that trend?

How Does Someone Get Healed?

Acts 3:13-16

[Peter speaking] "The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see."

Thoughts for Today:

We could probably spend weeks or even months studying and trying to understand healing (whether physical, emotional or circumstantial), and still not be completely sure how or why it happens. Most of us have prayed at one time or another for someone to be healed with mixed results. So what does Peter say about healing? "By faith in the name of Jesus... It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him ."

In Biblical times a name was an expression of the essence of a person -- it expressed their character and nature. Peter gives us a few of Jesus' names in this passage: "Servant," "Holy and Righteous One," and "Author of Life." What do these names tell you about Jesus' nature? About His character?

"Servant" tells us He is there to help us in our time of need. "Holy and Righteous One" tells us He is in control, His timing is always perfect, He will always make the right decision, and it is His choice (if, when and how to heal). "Author of Life" tells us He has the ability and power to do what He desires.

There is a lot in the "name" of Jesus. So what is our part? Faith in His name: faith that He cares; faith in the rightness of His decisions; and faith that He can and will heal.

Questions to Ponder:

Which area of your faith can use some work? Do you doubt He cares about your specific need or situation? Are you at peace if He decides not to heal -- that He is always right? Do you doubt He has the power?

What Do You Cling to?

Acts 3:11-12 while the beggar held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon's Colonnade. When Peter saw this, he said to them: "Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?"

Thoughts for Today:

A number of years ago the Lord moved mightily and visibly in my life. It was not hard for me to see the miracle of the Lord's work. It was crystal clear. Like in our passage today, people were amazed by the "before" and "after" pictures. People wanted to give me credit, but I knew it was not me, it was God. Describing the miracle to my Christian friends was easy (they were open to seeing God at work). For many of my non-Christian friends it was not so easy. Their explanation for my success was worldly: hard work, experience from the school of hard knocks, and lot's of good luck. It didn't matter to them that I gave the glory to God; they thought I was just being modest or foolish.

Try to imagine: If the beggar's healing had made today's news headlines -- who would get the credit? How would the world explain his healing? Would God get the credit?

There is a warning given to us in the last sentence of this story: "Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?" Our own power or our own godliness?

Questions to Ponder:

The crowd's focus was on Peter and John, not on Jesus. We need to watch this as well. When God does a miracle, do I take credit for my own power (ignore God), or do I give God the glory but take credit for my own godliness (as if it was my faith that "allowed" God to perform the miracle)? This is tricky ground. How would you respond? How do you think God wants you to respond?

What I Have, I Give You

Acts 3:6-7

Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong.

Thoughts for Today:

A few days ago I was talking with a young man who is an alcoholic and had just relapsed after being sober for almost one year. It seems whenever I am confronted with a tragic circumstance such as this, I want to throw myself into it as if I alone -- my words or actions -- can save the person. The net result is, I don't get a vote when it comes time for this man to decide whether to have a drink or not.

Sometimes a person can feel so lost, so alone, and so helpless. They can feel powerless over their own lives. In the beggar's case -- his lameness since birth, or my young friend's case -- his addictive nature. Peter looked into this hopelessness; he spoke with the power of the Spirit, in the name of the one who has authority over all -- "walk"; then took him by the hand and helped him up.

This last action, helping him up, is a test of faith and humility. Faith because you must be absolutely convinced God can and will heal according to His sovereign will; and humility because if He chooses to heal or not heal, it is not because of your great faith or lack of it. I think a lot of miracles don't happen in front of our eyes, because God knows our nature, He knows we are one miracle away from going on the talk show circuit -- to tell everyone about our "great faith," rather than God's awesome power.

Questions to Ponder:

So what do we have that we can give someone who is in great need? Give them Jesus. He is the ultimate "one step" program. I am reminded of Peter's words, "_________ or ________ I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, _________." Fill in the blanks the next time you are working with someone in a desperate situation.

Okay, I'm Looking at You

Acts 3:4b-5

Then Peter said, "Look at us!" So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.

Thoughts for Today:

I have always thought this is a bold statement, when Peter says, "Look at us!" What would someone see if they looked at me? I'm not talking about Sunday mornings, but what about Tuesday when I'm late for work? Or at the gas station? Or waiting in line at a department store?

The man gave Peter and John his attention because he expected to get something from them. What would someone in need expect to get from you?

This question was made real to me on a recent Sunday morning (not an entirely fair test as I had on my "Sunday" attitude). I had just parked on the street (to make room for visitors in the parking lot) and was hustling up Ross Parkway (the main thoroughfare on which my church is located) to set up the Men's Ministry Table at church. A woman stopped me and asked if it was okay if she attended church here. You see she was homeless, carrying her possessions on her back, and didn't want other people to feel uncomfortable with her presence.

Later as I reflected on this experience and how I handled it, I was reminded of this scripture: "Look at us (the church, you, and me)." I thought as an extension of Jesus we were probably failing if anyone had to ask if they would be welcome to worship with us. Then I thought about how she perceived me -- did she see pity, arrogance, or impatience? Or did she see love, compassion, kindness, and patience?

Questions to Ponder:

What about you? What do people see when they see you -- the world's burdens -- or Jesus? What would you like them to see? What is in your heart and dominating your thoughts?

What do visitors see when they come to your church? Help them find a warm and welcoming congregation filled with people willing to share the Gospel. How is your church doing in terms of sharing faith in Christ? Have you introduced your pastor to the League's Pocket Powered Church program?

Seeing the Real Need

Acts 3:1-4a

One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer--at three in the afternoon. Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John.

Thoughts for Today:

It's sometimes hard for us to look at people in need. We don't want to embarrass them by paying too much attention. Our society has taught us to not look. A person confined to a wheelchair since birth once wrote about how she felt invisible. She longed for a warm smile, or a friendly nod. She asked that we allow our children to touch her wheelchair and touch her -- to not treat her as if she had a communicable disease. Her wheelchair and her deformity were not her choices. She wanted us to know, there was a real living person inside the shell we saw, who had the need to be loved and accepted, as well as to love others.

Questions to Ponder:

When we see someone in need do we reach in our pocket for some loose change and run the other way, or do we look straight at him or her and see the real person hidden inside? Be honest with yourself, how do you feel around people who are not like you -- in wheelchairs, deformed, homeless, alcoholic/addict, or mentally retarded? Are you willing to really look at that person? Are you afraid of what you might see?