Good Morning Friends,
It was a great miracle that God worked in the
life of the crippled beggar through Peter and John. A crowd was attracted
because they were so astonished at what God had done. They wanted to find out
more about the amazing power that was displayed that day. And Peter and John
were very willing to talk about what happened and what it meant. They pointed
people to God and offered people the opportunity to tap into that same power
that healed the crippled man.
But when Peter and John offered the power to
people who were attracted, it wasn’t healing that was offered. It was something
better than healing -- something that would last longer and mean more than mere
healing would. Listen to what was offered the crowd if they would respond to the
Lord.
“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. 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.’” (Acts 3:19-23)
To come to God required a change on the part
of the crowd – they needed to repent and turn to God. The fact that they had
participated in killing Jesus was a clear evidence that they were walking away
from God, not toward Him. That had to change!
Repentance would bring forgiveness. Their
sins would be wiped off the slate of their hearts. That’s more impressive than
mere physical healing.
And even more -- times of refreshing would
come upon them. Real rest, the kind that comes from a heart that is at peace
with God. The kind of rest that knows that although life may be hard, God is with
them and He can be trusted. That’s better than healing, too. It makes even the
most difficult infirmity bearable.
And one more thing would come through the
power of God -- an eternity that Jesus would usher in when He comes again.
Those same miracles are available for each
one of us and every person that is around us.
His, by Grace,
Steve
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