God's at the gate (3)

God works through his people. Peter and John (his first disciples) took on that role as they extended their hands to the lame on the street. The two disciples had an important event in their diary: 'Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer - at three in the afternoon' (Acts 3:1 NIV).

Disclaimer: God's way of working may not match ours. The prayer meeting took a back seat to the way God wanted to work that day. Wherever we're heading, God will point us to those hurting, needy, aren't-saying-much-maybe-not-ok individuals who weren't on today's list of notifications. Peter dropped what he was doing and let God redirect him towards helping a man who couldn't walk: 'Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up' (Acts 3:7 NIV). The moment their hands reached out, God started his work.

It's the same for the body of Christ today. We are Jesus' hands and feet. And, here's the beautiful thing - Jesus tells us that 'whatever you do for the least of these, you did for me' (Matthew 25:40 NIV). It's as if, to Peter and John, the man lying at the gate was Jesus. And Peter and John, extending their hands to him, were being Jesus to the man. This is God at work, transforming those in need and those who seek to reach out to help.



So what now? This coming week, use your hands to help as many people 'at the gate' as you can for Jesus.





— SCRIPTURE —

'Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up.' Acts 3:7 NIV
— SOULFOOD —

Josh 2:1-24, Acts 9:20-30