15th July, 2015
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| Sister Ercille French - Director of Turning Point International |
He was lame from his mother's womb. It was nothing him or his parents had done that placed him in that unfortunate situation. His friends left him outside the gate everyday to beg... not his enemies, BUT HIS FRIENDS!.
Many times the people who we think would show compassion to us are the ones who keep us outside the gate while they go in. Thank God for the strangers who extend a hand of compassion in times of need.
Some paid little or no attention to him as they passed by to go into the temple daily TO PRAY. We would say in our local term, "I just minding my own business. I can't be bothered with him. I want to reach early to get a good seat or I want to be right upfront." Sadly, in today's time, it seems to be all about me, myself, and I. The Holier than angels attitude. Have you noticed?
In Acts chapter 3 :1 -10, (the lame man's story), I can only imagine how this man must have felt all those years waiting for someone to help him move or to bring him to sit outside the gate called Beautiful just to beg.
How many of us today are just like those same people who just do the usual? The accustomed? Going through the motion?
The Bible says he was a grown man. Not a child! Therefore this means they had been taking him there year after year. I would take the liberty to say, this was done by different people. Not the same. It had to be at least two persons who assisted in laying him OUTSIDE the gate. Prayer meeting is going on inside. Isn't that so? Who is interceding for this man? Who is believing God for his healing? His breakthrough? No. They left him there and went INSIDE to pray daily.
Are we blinded to others' need, while we are trying to be so HOLY and can't see anybody else's need but our own? Are you taking it for granted that that person will never get better? Never change? Doesn't need your help or any help at all because in your eyes they seem to be okay? We need to stop assuming!
Take time out for someone else today apart from yourself!
Stop and ask someone a question. Do this out of genuine concern with the intent to help if they need help. Don't just to be nosy or newsy!
How did this happen to you? How long ago? It is sad though, that when they answer, many times we walk away with information and have no intentions of making a positive impact on the person's life.
How sad!
We may never know if all they need is an encouraging word until we give it or SAY SOMETHING POSITIVE. It isn't CHRISTLIKE that every time we see them or talk with them, we give the familiar line, "oh, I am praying for you and many times WE KNOW INSIDE THAT THAT IS A BIG LIE!.
Many times we don't even remember them after we would have walked away. Therefore, because its the polite thing to say. We say it!
In verses 6, Peter and John really did not have any money, but I would say they touched God for him. They took time out to touch him. That one touch changed this life forever!
The lame man got up. He leaped up. This man really wanted to walk. He longed for a change, but nobody thought that mattered to him. They wrote him off like so many of us do to others today because WE HEARS NEGATIVE THINGS ABOUT THEM AND DOES NOT KNOW THE TRUTH.
For years, the Bible records, that they left him in the accustomed spot. How sad!
Who have you written off global reader? That person needs to get back up on their feet again too!
Why are you labeling them as lame for life? Help someone today so they can walk with you, Walk just like you and live life again!
They may not be physically lame, but some circumstance has caused them to be lame financially, mentally, or emotionally or otherwise. What can you do to help that person leap out of that situation that they are in?
Don't ignore their silent cries because they hide behind a smile. I am almost certain this man smiled each time someone passed, hoping deeply to impress upon them his NEED. He wanted others to see that he was hurting.
Who are you ignoring today because they always have a smile and their present situation is staring you in the face crying out please help me? Maybe you were placed in a position to help that person regain strength. Don't you think?
Don't say it's a long time now so he or she is going to survive that! You don't know the mental trauma, the tears, and the sleepless nights they maybe going through. Ask yourself the question, "If life's table was to turn around and I find myself in that position how would I want others to treat me?"
Help someone leap out of a bad situation today! This is a WORD FROM GOD DIRECTLY TO YOU. If you are obedient to this word, YOU WILL EAT THE GOOD OF THE LAND in which ever country you are reading this from WORLDWIDE!
Life does take some unexpected turns. You never know where you might just fall off or how you will fall. Be kind to others because one day you never know, your fate may lie on that person's hand. You never know whose hands you may fall in. It can happen to you too. Life is unpredictable!
Do all the good you in, in every way you can, for as long as you ever can, DO ALL THE GOOD YOU CAN. (Author Unknown)
Sister Ercille French
Turning Point International (SKN)
. . . a division of Dare 2 Be Different International - www.daretobedifferentskn.com
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