Monday March 28, 2022

Today is Monday, March 28 and this week we are exploring what the Bible says about growth in discipleship.

I begin this day with my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I quiet my mind and still my body. I breathe slowly and deeply as I focus on the presence of the God who loves me.

Pause and Pray

Holy and loving God, I long to hear the message you have for me. I seek you in the quiet of the morning and ask you to help me recognize your voice. Speak to me through the power of your Holy Spirit in the name of Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.

I join the ancient people of God and praise him with the words of Psalm 118.

Open for me the gates of the righteous; I will enter and give thanks to the Lord. This is the gate of the Lord through which the righteous may enter. I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation. The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. Psalm 118:19-23

Pause and Pray

In the book of Acts, Peter and John encounter a lame man begging at the gate of the Temple called Beautiful. They have no money to give the man, but offer to heal him instead. After a life of misery, in the name of Jesus, the man is instantaneously healed. He bounces to his feet and begins walking, leaping and praising God. The people in the Temple are astonished and come running to see this miraculous sight. Peter utilizes the opportunity to preach and share the good news with the crowd. Many who hear the message believe in the truth of Christ. The religious authorities are greatly disturbed because Peter is teaching the people that Jesus was resurrected. The temple guards seize the two apostles and put them in jail until the next day. In the morning they are brought before the Sanhedrin for questioning about the healing of the lame man. They are asked this question, “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 man who was lame and are being 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. Jesus is the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone. Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:8-12

The man was born lame (Acts 3:2) and carried to the same place everyday to beg for bread and money. Peter heals the man of his infirmity, setting him free from a horrible life of poverty and suffering. It is by the name of Jesus Christ that he is healed. There is power in his name. The crucified Jesus was raised from the dead. The rejected Jesus is the cornerstone of everything. I consider how I am like the man begging at the gate called Beautiful. My soul is trapped in poverty of spirit, separated from God, and born without the ability to walk in the way that leads to life. I am crippled from birth by original sin and unable to help myself. I need healed from the sickness of my soul, cured from the disease of my human nature; my spiritual legs strengthened so that I am able to walk, jump and praise God. My salvation is found in no one else but Jesus. There is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which I am saved. I call on the name of Jesus!

Ask: Where do I turn for healing, strength and salvation? Do I place my trust in the powerful name of Jesus, or do I place my trust elsewhere?

Pause and Pray

Come, Holy Spirit, fill me with your presence and inspire me to show kindness to those around me who suffer. Empower me to proclaim the name of Jesus Christ, crucified and risen, the cornerstone and bedrock of my faith. I praise the wonderful name of Jesus! I trust him in all things and am certain of my eternal salvation. I read the words from Acts again and listen for the message you have for me.

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 man who was lame and are being 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. Jesus is the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone. Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:8-12

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

I listen to the words of scripture with the ears of my heart, seeking God’s message for me today. Where do I find myself in today’s text? Am I Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, speaking boldly and proclaiming truth? Perhaps I am John standing quietly beside him during these events. Maybe I am one of the crowd listening to Peter’s message and coming to believe the truth of Christ. Maybe I associate with the rulers and elders who stubbornly and unknowingly reject the savior of the world. Perhaps I am the man born lame, adjusting to my “sea legs” learning to walk for the first time, set free for a joyful existence praising God. There is power in the name of Jesus, there is power in his name. I consider the places in my life where I need to claim that power and call upon the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Pause and Pray

Blessed Lord Jesus, I call upon your name. Come, Jesus, heal my crippled nature, repair my fractured heart, release me from the bonds of my captivity, free me for joyful obedience, and teach me to walk in the faith. Strengthen me to live a life of love and joy, turning to you in all my concerns and praising your name always. Amen.

She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. Matthew 1:21

As I leave this time of prayer, I go praising the name of Jesus Christ. I go with a heart of kindness to love and serve others in his name.

Amen