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The Curiosities of Christmas
“Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Read More
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Anne Broyles | Read Acts of the Apostles 3:12-19
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Sign Up TodayPeople express astonishment when Peter heals a “man lame from birth.” Rather than bask in the limelight as a miracle healer, Peter speaks plainly to the crowd. He walks them through the story of Jesus and reflects on the many ways God has worked throughout history. Peter’s words to the...
Reread Acts 3:12-23 and reflect on ways you can grow as a faithful follower of Jesus Christ. Do you consider yourself a witness to Jesus’ power? How can you manifest your faith? How is God speaking to you today? Choose a way you would like to increase in faithfulness, and record your commitment.
A repeating theme in scripture is our failure to recognize God’s work among us. In Acts, Peter declares that the death of Jesus happened because his fellow Israelites acted in ignorance. The psalmist decries the fact that so many people follow lies, yet God’s blessings for the faithful continue unhindered. John tells his audience to expect that the world will not recognize them as God’s children because the world did not recognize God to begin with. In Luke, Jesus appears to his doubting disciples. He proves the reality of his resurrection by allowing them to touch his body and by eating food in their presence. Only then do they feel certain that they recognize him. In what places in our lives do we not recognize God’s work?
• Read Acts 3:12-19. When have you initially bristled at someone’s remarks only to discover some truth about yourself as you reflected on your strong reaction? What did you learn about yourself?
• Read Psalm 4. How do you daily reinforce the idea that you are “more” rather than “less”?
• Read 1 John 3:1-7. When have you been an “upstander” for love on behalf of another? In what ways did that empower you to take more initiative to love?
• Read Luke 24:36b-48. To what do you look as a revelation of Christ’s presence?
Respond by posting a prayer.
I join many of those who will pray for you as you seek to discern what you are called to be at this moment. May God grant you the courage to fulfill that calling. May we all open our eyes and see the misery, open our ears and hear the cries of God’s people, and, like God through the Lord Jesus Christ, be incarnate amongst them.”
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