Week: May 21, 2023 – May 27, 2023

Read: Acts 3: 1-2

Key Verse: “Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer,
being the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they
laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful.”

The lame man who was brought to the gate of the Temple was a beggar, whose
sustenance was at the hands of others. He was incapacitated in his body and because of
his condition, he needed assistance. Each day, the paralyzed man expected people who
passed him, to help him meet daily needs. There was nothing wrong with this man in
many areas of his body. He could see, hear, touch, speak and move his upper frame. One
issue however, tied him up in life; his ankles had no strength.

One weakness can impact a person’s life and can make them feel as if everything is
wrong. That was the case with this man; one limitation created a life-problem, and it
made him dependent upon others. The paralyzed man had to be carried to and from the
Temple and due to that dependency on other people, he probably felt discouraged. Most
of us do not like being dependent on others because it diminished our capacity to function
on our own.

All of us have a weakness in our lives that keeps us from functioning in the manner we
desire. But what do many of us do? We dismiss our own lameness and when we see
others who are lame and need our help, pass hem by. Each of us has a need for God’s
healing power. Peter and John demonstrated that healing through the name and in the
power of Jesus, brings new life.

Here's some great news. God sends people to the gate where we sit to help us receive
what He has for us. There are two things we may consider: 1) Be watchful for the person
who is sent to help us and 2) Be cognizant that we may be the person God is sending to
bring deliverance to others.

Prayer: Father God, please help us be alert and attentive to the needs of others. Bring
healing and hope into our lives and show evidence of Your presence. In Jesus’ name. Amen!