After wonderful worship, Joel Munoz reminded us to spend time in the secret place with the
Lord. He stated that our private time with the Lord is the well from which our public life comes. I parallel Joel’s reminder to appetizers versus main dishes. Do I really want to spend time eating appetizers when I could really glean on the main dish? That is the same with our Lord. I can do a swift,”Thank you, Lord, for this day.” Then go on my way, or I can spend some time reading a devotional, writing in my gratitude journal, reading and learning from the Bible app and reading my Bible Through the Year. When I begin my day steeped in Him, I am better prepared for the day. I do not want to give Him my scraps but my best.
Pastor Michel Espinoza shared how much he enjoys working with the kids’ ministry and
informed us that FC ’s Kids Ministry needs people to help since our numbers are growing. That is a good situation, right? Then Pastor Michel invited Mike Conway to the platform and
explained about a time a homeless man came into the office to ask for help. Pastor Michel
called Mike, who informed him that they could go to the Teen Challenge site the next day.
Pastor Michel took the man to TC where he is still doing well in the program. That was Pastor
Michel’s first introduction to Mike Conway, and he was blessed.
Mike Conway is the director of the local Teen Challenge which houses fifty men and is a
graduate of the Teen Challenge program. He introduced Darren who shared how his life was
before. Both his parents were in gangs, and he followed suit. After a seventeen year stint in
prison, he was released and returned to the same life style which included overdosing three
times in one week. He went to Teen Challenge which helped him to pursue a relationship with God. After graduating from a year of training, he has decided to continue in his walk with the Lord and serving Him. What a testimony! Teen Challenge pointed Darren to God, and he will never be the same.
Mike invited us to read Scripture with him. The first verse in the notes is “He has made
everything beautiful in its time.” Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NIV) For Mike wanted us all to be
encouraged. That verse is the theme for the Acts 3:1-10 account of the first healing after Jesus’ ascension.
In Acts 3:1, we learned that Peter and John were going to the temple ”at the time of prayer.”
They were seeking God and His righteousness. We need to put God first in our lives. When we do, He orders our steps. He has given us His Word, and it is powerful. With His Word, we do not have to strive, for the Word has power and is like a two edged sword. It does not return void.
The next man in Acts 3 was the man who was lame from birth. Someone took him to the temple gate, “Beautiful.” That was probably a great place for him to be, for many people would enter through the beautiful gate, and he could beg them for help. On this day, he saw Peter and John, and he asked them for money. “Peter looked straight at him, as did John.” Acts 3:4a (NIV) Mike questioned,”Had Peter and John seen him before?” And he nodded yes, but did they really see the lame beggar? “Sometimes we can get used to brokenness. We stop looking,” stated Mike. May we be sensitive to those around us, and may the Spirit soften our hearts to those who are broken. God says,”I see your brokenness.” God not only says that, but He did something about our brokenness and sin. He sent Jesus.
“Then Peter said, ’Look at us!’” Acts 3:4b (NIV) Why does someone have to say, “Look at us,” unless the person is not giving him or her eye contact? Was he heavily burdened? Was he discouraged? The Lord is the lifter of your head. “Don’t give up!” Mike encouraged. “If I don’t get my eyes on Him, I won’t change.” Had the man given up? God is able to change the downtrodden to the overcomer.
The man gave him his attention and expected to receive money, but Peter said, ”Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,
walk.” Acts 3:6 (NIV) What a shocking response! Peter blessed the man in the name of Jesus
Christ. Why do we use that phrase “in the name of Jesus”? Is it an add on, a habit? No, it
acknowledges His power and authority. His name has tremendous power, and He is interceding for us at the right hand of the Father while the Holy Spirit intercedes for us in our hearts. Peter transferred the authority to Him. Then Peter said,”Walk.”
The lame man needed help. “Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly
the man’s feet and ankles became strong.” Acts 3:7 (NIV) Mike emphasized that Teen
Challenge’s goal is not sobriety but to help people find their identity and purpose-each is the son our daughter of the King. Our purpose is to worship and praise Him. Peter spoke the words and took his hand. Pastor Josiah states that we need to proclaim and demonstrate His love and forgiveness.
Jumping up, the healed man began walking and praising the Lord. Act 3:8 The people saw and recognized him, “and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.” Acts 3:10 (NIV) What happened to the healed man affected others.
Yes, we could be amazed at the healing, but even more it is that “He has made everything
beautiful in its time.” Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NIV) From Acts and Ecclesiastes, may we be
encouraged and be salt and light in this discouraged world.
Calendar:
11/20 Midweek Encounter
11/24 Great Gobble Giveaway-12-3
11/24 Prayer night 6-7
11/30 Operation Christmas-decorating party 9:00—-
12/6 LB potluck, caroling
12/7 Women’s Christmas tea 11:00-1:00-Have you registered yet?
Submitted by
Larry and Annette Linthicum
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