FRIDAY 11TH MAY, 2018 MORNING PRAYER DEVOTION
SCRIPTURE READING:– ACTS 3:1-11
TOPIC:– YOU ARE NO MORE LAME [2]
TEXT:– ACTS 3:7
6. Another feature of the beggar’s state of mind appears in listless, mechanical way in which he asks an alms. He had not even troubled to look up. [There is no harm in asking for certain benefits every day of our life, and no harm in using the same words, if we have chosen these words as the fittest].
7. But there is harm in allowing a form of words to engender monotony and lifelessness in the spirit, so that we never consider carefully the object of our worship and what it is fit that He should give.
8. This cripple had come to be content with the few coppers which would furnish his supper and bed. [All the great world with its pleasures, its enterprise, it is surely a great art to know “who it is that speaks to us, and what is the gift of God”].
9. Peter’s first care was to arouse the man. “Look on us!” The man’s attention was commanded. When his face glance at the frank face of Peter tells him he is about to receive something. [That is a man to be trusted. This is a good beginning. Trust in Peter maybe the first step to trust in Christ. But many rest at the earliest stage, believing the messenger, but not coming into personal relations with Christ].
10. What is lacking is personal appeal to Christ. [They must recognise, with a conviction wrought in their own mind, that Jesus Christ is the source of spiritual power, and they must for themselves, appeal directly to Him].
11. The boldness with which Peter forms or, it might almost be said, forces this personal relation to Christ in the case of this man is surprising.
12. When the man’s faith is quickened, Peter could not confer health upon the man in spite of his state of mind. [If the man had so chosen he might have continued to lie where he was, a cripple].
13. Simultaneously with Peter’s faith and authoritative command, the man’s own faith was quickened. [He believed that in this name, that is, at the command and in the strength of Christ, he could get up; and he arose].
14. It was the contagious confidence of Peter which begat faith in the lame beggar’s spirit. [When Peter began his sentence the lame man had no faith, yet he boldly said to him, “In the name of Jesus Christ arise and walk”].
15. In order that such a summons be effectual, two qualities in the apostle are needful. [He must not fear failure or rebuff. He must have that humility which seeks the good of others regardless of its own reputation].
16. It was Peter’s own faith which carried this man’s unbelief by storm. In presence of Peter’s confidence he could not but believe. [Most men are far more moved by the contagion of others strong feeling and example than by arguments or verbal appeals].
17. For the diffusion of faith it is a man like Peter that is wanted, who if we are not propagating faith in Christ, it is mainly because our faith is meagre and timorous. [The joy of Peter, in discovering that he could impart health and brightness to those who were oppressed by various human ills, is a joy which may be repeated, and was meant to be repeated, in the experience of every Christian].
18. We are not to look hopelessly on the world at large or on our own friends.
19. We are to believe that Christ now has all power in heaven and on earth, and that those who have experienced this power are expected to be the channel of its communication to others.
20. The faith which strengthens and elevates our own spirit may be communicated, upon our effort and prayer, to the heart of others.
Prayer Points:-
1. O Lord my God, deliver me from spiritual lameness, in the name of Jesus Christ.
2. My Father, my Father, my Father, heal me completely from every lameness by Your fire, in the name of Jesus Christ.
3. My Father and my Lord God, I confessed, I’m whole, I’m saved, and I’m set free completely from lameness now by Your fire, in the name of Jesus Christ.
Have A Beautiful Weekend!
