Praise and Amazement

February 14

(Acts 3:8-10 NIV) "He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. {9} When all the people saw him walking and praising God, {10} 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."

(Matthew 9:33 NIV) "And when the demon was driven out, the man who had been mute spoke. The crowd was amazed and said, "Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.""

(Matthew 15:31 NIV) "The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel."

When we obey God, glory comes down and praise goes up. This ex-cripple was not subtle or sophisticated in his witness. He was ecstatic and out of control. He jumped up and down and danced around, shouting out praises to the Lord. Healed people praise God. Saved people tell of his wonders and mercy. God didn’t heal this man because He felt sorry for him and wanted him to have a better life. He didn’t heal him so Peter and John could rake in money for their ministry. God healed this man to bring glory to His name. God healed him so people would be amazed at the power to be found in the name of the risen Jesus. Dead men can’t heal anyone -- but a risen Lord can. God has come to earth and lives in the changed lives of His people today. He wants us to share our story -- maybe even dance and sing and shout about it. He wants us to give Him glory. How are you doing at that? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Partners with God

February 13

(Acts 3:7 NIV) "Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong."

(Acts 9:17-19 NIV) "Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord--Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here--has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit." {18} Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, {19} and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus."

(Psalm 18:16 NIV) “He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters.”

Peter reached down and took the crippled beggars hand. This is a potent reminder of how God wants to work through us. God could have just spoken a word and the beggar would have been healed. But God had Peter reach down and take his hand. God has chosen us to be His partners. We are His helping hands. We do the reaching and the preaching. Jesus does the healing. Silver and gold could never have purchased new legs for this man, but Jesus filled his life with healing and dancing because Peter reached down and took his hand. God can do great things through those who will partner with Him by doing small things. Don’t just pray for the hungry -- go work in a soup kitchen. Don’t just pray for the lost -- reach out to them in love and share the gospel with them. We are partners with Jesus. If we expect Him to do it all, we are in a dysfunctional relationship. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Giving What We Have

February 12

(Acts 3:6 NIV) "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.""

(Luke 21:1-4 NIV) "As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. {2} He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. {3} "I tell you the truth," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. {4} All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.""

Peter and John had little in the way of earthly riches, but they were willing to give what they had -- and what they had was Jesus. Jesus is better than silver and gold. Silver and gold only last for a while -- Jesus is forever. Money will only buy stuff that breaks and wears out -- Jesus is eternal. The beggar asked for something that would get him by for today -- Peter and John gave him something that would last for eternity. He wanted something to help him survive -- they showed him how to really live. He wanted them to support his way of life -- they gave him a new life. He was looking for a handout -- Peter and John gave him a hand up. Jesus still calls us to give what we have. Do you have Jesus? If you have Jesus, are you giving Him away, or are you hoarding Him? Give what you have. God will take care of the rest. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day 

Looking the Right Direction

February 11

(Acts 3:4-5 NIV) "Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, "Look at us!" {5} So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them."

(Matthew 6:22-23 NIV) "The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. {23} But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!"

(Psalms 121:1-2 NIV) "I lift up my eyes to the hills-- where does my help come from? {2} My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth."

At an early age, infants learn to look into our eyes for information and intimacy. Something spiritual happens when we look people in the eye. So it was with the beggar at the gate. Conditioned by years of shame, he kept his head down and didn’t look up. It was safer for his soul not to make eye contact. His posture portrayed weakness, defeat, and humiliation. But Peter demanded eye contact, because he knew that God wanted to heal more than just this man’s body. Peter and John could have given him a small coin and felt good for helping the poor like many Christians do today. But they wanted to give him more than that. They wanted to give him his life back. They wanted God to heal his soul. So the man looked up and his life was never the same… because when he looked into their eyes, he was looking into the eyes of Christ. The first step to healing is looking up. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day