“One day at three o’clock in the afternoon, Peter and John were on their way into the Temple for prayer meeting. At the same time there was a man crippled from birth being carried up. Every day he was set down at the Temple gate, the one named Beautiful, to beg from those going into the Temple. When he saw Peter and John about to enter the Temple, he asked for a handout. Peter, with John at his side, looked him straight in the eye and said, “Look here.” He looked up, expecting to get something from them. Peter said, “I don’t have a nickel to my name, but what I do have, I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk!” He grabbed him by the right hand and pulled him up. In an instant his feet and ankles became firm. He jumped to his feet and walked.” (Acts 3:1-8 The Message)
It is Sunday morning, and you are about ready to attend church service, physically of virtually. The latter is the safer option at the moment. I fully understand. So get your coffee and whatever you substitute in place of your dearly missed church donut)s) before Sunday School. Let this quick meditation serves as your pre- worship service class.
Literally somebody, not planning to go to church may interact with you, asking for something. A child may ask you for some coins. Older children with grown up bodies, but no grown u jobs will ask you for some gas money. If you have it to give, nothing wrong with being benevolent. But, if you opt to do so, give them Christ from your heart and make sure you are not enabling them. If you do not have a dime to spare and you come across someone asking for coins, don’t give them nothing. That dime may have to be a stretch dime. Oh, what ten cents of potatoes used to something. But even if you don’t give your last dime, please give them what you do have. Give them Christ! Notice I did not say, “Give them hell,” but rather give them Heaven’s gift to us…Jesus. Give to them = in kindness. Give to them – in the word. Give to them – in kind deeds! Give to them – assigning no shame, but with a shining of what Jesus called you in the gospel, “the light of the world.” You always have Christ to give! Lesson over! Go to service! Get some more Jesus! Fill yourself with the good news! Amen! Be blessed!
“For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.” (Romans 1:16 NLT)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King