Today’s reading: Acts 3:1-10
I’ve read the account of Peter and John healing the crippled man outside of the temple many times. But today, God drew my attention to a detail that I had never taken note of before. After Peter and John hear the lame man pleading for money, they tell him that they don’t have any money to give him and then tell the man “‘In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!'” (vs. 6). What happened next is the part I’ve failed to note until today. After instructing the man to get up and walk, Peter then reaches out to the man, physically helping him to stand so that he can take his first steps. “And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. And leaping up he stood and began to walk…” (vs. 7-8). What a lesson we can learn from Peter. Most of us are quick to offer advice when we see someone who’s struggling. But often times for that struggling person to succeed, they also need us to help them take that critical first step forward.
Why is it important to help someone take the first step forward after you’ve offered them counsel or given them advice? Who has helped you take a “first step” forward? Is there someone in your family, at church, at work, in your neighborhood who needs your encouragement and assistance today? Tami
Source: Tami’s Blog
