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Dear Family of our Lord Jesus Christ,
I pray you are all filled with the wonder, beauty and anticipation of Christmas! This is Kelly Snelgrove filling in for Pastor Dewey Moede here at the CUP.
Let us lift Dewey up in prayer as he injured his knee and is in pain. He will be driving to Reserve, NM to preach on Sunday.
LORD, we thank You for Dewey. He is such a blessing to so many. We are grateful for his preaching of Your Word in truth, his fellowship in the Gospel and for his influence and example by his godly life. We thank You that You are the God who heals. Thank You, Jesus, that by Your stripes we are healed. Thank You that You took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses. We pray that You bring healing to Dewey’s knee and that no plans of the enemy will succeed. We give You the glory as our Creator and Healer. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
The sun was rising as I prepared my daily post for FGGAM. Through my office window I could see snow had fallen through the night and now the sun was rising and shining so beautifully on the snow-covered mountain. Drawn to be in His presence, I stood captivated by the beauty and reflection of His Glory, giving all praise to God!
As we follow Jesus, our lives will reflect His light and life. We should be generous with our time and love. Genuine in our care, compassion and commitment to the will of God and to others. Jesus was also receptive and would welcome anyone who approached Him.
Peter, with John at his side, looked him straight in the eye… He grabbed him by the right hand and pulled him up.
Acts 3:4,7 (MSG)
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. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. (Ac 3:1-5)
What do we see when we see someone hurting, homeless, hungry, sick, disabled, lost. Do we have eyes like Jesus? Do we respond like Jesus? What if our attention to someone in need could reduce their pain?
When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. (Mt 9:36)
Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology defines compassion as a human disposition that fuels acts of kindness and mercy. Compassion, a form of love, is aroused within us when we are confronted with those who suffer or are vulnerable. Compassion often produces action to alleviate the suffering.
Peter and John didn’t hurry past the man because they had other plans. They stopped and acknowledged him. It may be hard to look at someone who is suffering, but they didn’t turn away because it was too emotional. They did not dismiss him or act irritated because of his begging. Instead, they fixed their eyes on him and gave a genuine look. Think of what this communicates to people when we look directly at them, into their eyes.
In certain Zulu areas of South Africa, people greet one another daily by saying “Sawa bona”, which means “I see you”. The response is “Sikhona” which means “I am here”. This exchange is important, for it communicates that until you ‘see’ me, I do not exist and when you ‘see’ me, you bring me into existence. The people of these tribes go about their day with this personal validation from everyone they encounter – seen for who they are.
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. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. (vv. 6-8)
Peter and John were willing vessels when the time and opportunity arose. They stopped and looked at a man who was looking for a handout. They saw his need and reached down and lifted him up. The crippled man was given something much better than he asked for. God gave him what he really needed — he received the use of his legs.
When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. (vv. 9, 10)
As the crowd gathered around the three men, Peter made use of the opportunity to share Jesus Christ.
“By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see now was made strong… Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.” (vv. 16, 19)
Peter explained that faith in Christ leads to a clean slate with God. And what Jesus did for the legs of this crippled man, he does for our souls. Brand-new!
It all began with a genuine look– that led to a helping hand– that led to a conversation about eternity.
Let us see those who He puts in our paths. Really see them– with all their hurts, needs, joys, longings and challenges. Let us open wide our arms to offer whatever help and encouragement we have to give.
“First, kind eyes meet desperate ones. Next, strong hands help weak ones. Then, the miracle of God. We do our small part, he does the big part, and life at the Beautiful Gate begins to be just that.” –Max Lucado
Blessings to you as you reflect God’s glory.
Love in Christ,
Kelly
For God’s Glory Alone in the love of our Lord Jesus Christ, Dewey, Sharon, Family and FGGAM Team
Let us keep praying for each other and our families and neighbors.
And all of God’s people said, AMEN!
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