Every Opportunity

Today we read in Acts chapter three how the work for Jesus' followers continued each day. Peter and John were going to the temple, and we see vividly how one opportunity led to another. You can read the entire story by clicking here.

To summarize the story, Peter and John met a crippled man who was begging at the temple gate. Peter told him "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." (Acts 3:6) He then helped the man up to his feet and the man was totally healed. As he began jumping and leaping and praising God a large crowd of people gathered in amazement.

Peter saw another opportunity and addressed the crowd saying, "Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see. Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord. (Acts 3:12-16, 19)

Did you notice where the healing came from? It was the name of Jesus that made the difference. There power in the name of Jesus. The Bible says, "Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together. God exalted [Christ Jesus] to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name. If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." (Psalms 34:3, Philippians 2:9, Romans 10:9, 13)

Today as an act of worship call upon the name of the Lord. There's power in the name of Jesus. He makes the difference in every situation. As God give us opportunities to shine brightly for him, may we truly point people to Jesus. "Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." (Ephesians 5:15-16)