Your part . . . the generosity of God.

Listen along here:  https://www.pastorwoman.net/podcast/episode/308c5fd1/your-part-the-...

Here is an invitation to Pray BOLDLY!

We have shored up some good and right thinking about trusting God with all of life in the last week,

[https://conta.cc/3T70VzS] Now, back to Acts, where Scripture provides a historical, biographical narrative of what happens next. What is happening with the early Jewish Christians in Jerusalem? We learn so much from reading the biblical accounts of God's dealing with these early Christians.

Several new folks have joined us, so we do well to remember that their numbers are exploding! Jesus ascends into Heaven leaving 120 followers praying and waiting, just as he had told them to do. The Holy Spirit comes with a rushing wind, and the Jewish pilgrims in town for Pentecost get far more than they came for--they get the gospel, the sacrificial love of Jesus Christ, all in their own unique languages. Why, this changes everything! When Peter stands and preaches, more than 3000 are added to the First Church of Jerusalem in one day.

Having never experienced anything like it, they want more--more of the gospel message, more of all that Jesus had taught the disciples, more of the shared love and power of the Holy Spirit poured out. So besides going to the Temple to pray, they gather together daily to grow in the love and outpouring of God--they enjoy the rich value of community, of doing life together. [https://conta.cc/466sJvJ]

More on that? See Acts 2.42-47: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts 2.42-47&versi...

And then this:

“Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o’clock prayer service. As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in. Each day he was put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he could beg from the people going into the Temple. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money.

Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!”The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money. But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!”

Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them.

All the people saw him walking and heard him praising God. When they realized he was the lame beggar they had seen so often at the Beautiful Gate, they were absolutely astounded! They all rushed out in amazement to Solomon’s Colonnade, where the man was holding tightly to Peter and John.”1

The man was just asking for money, but Peter and John gave him what Jesus had in mind for him. Jesus wanted him to join in community, to be part of the temple goings-on. ‘Twas a new day in town—no more thinking small... no more just getting by. Peter and John could have given the fellow a shekel, but God wanted more for the one who had never walked before that day. So God gave him far more than he asked for--he was given his legs and a standing in the community—far more than he had ever imagined! Reminds me of Jesus' words, So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.2

Perhaps you have a small view of God - you have only given him one small area in your life; practically speaking, you have painted God into a corner. As a result, you only ask for alms/for a shekel when God is ready and willing to pour out so much more. It is time to trust him to truly be God in your life! God is so much more than we think of him, so let's ask.

A prayer: Dear God, I want to learn from this man Luke described, who just asked for a penny, when you had so much more in mind for him. Heavenly Father, what do you have in mind for me? What would you like to come and do in my life? I am ready, and I feel there must be so much more; honestly, I am tired of just getting by. Come, Holy Spirit, show me the better way--your way. May I not be so distracted by my phone3 that I miss you. In your powerful name, Amen.

With the generosity of God in mind, I am standing on these verses written years later by one who saw that lame man at the Beautiful Gate get up and walk that day. John wrote, "And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him."4

Pray boldly, Friend.

Listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVITQPGlI30&list=RDes8KfGbTKkE&a...

God gives us way more than we ask for.

Christine - PastorWoman.net

Acts, no.11

1 - Acts 3.1-11

2 - Matthew 7.11

3 - Ugh, do you see that sentence: distracted by my phone?? Lord, help.

4 - 1 John 5.14-15