The Beggar at the Temple Gates: Acts 3:3-8:

³ Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. ² 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, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; ³ Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. ⁴ And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. ⁵ And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. ⁶ Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. ⁷ And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. ⁸ And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. (KJV)

*********************************

More Than A Story

For the longest time this has just been a story and a metaphor for me but recently it hit squarely between the eyes. I was sitting

in a bus at the traffic lights at the General Post Office in town, thinking about all the things I needed to do and how my means were inadequate. In this instance, means included time, finances, ideas and host of other things I couldn’t even begin to understand. I was wondering how God could place such a heavy demand on my life yet I couldn’t fulfil it.

As I stared out of the window watching the flow of traffic I noticed that many people were waiting for the lights to change and the cops to stop cars for them and the numbers grew on either side of the road. Suddenly I heard my heart sing a part of the chorus of a song we used to sing in Sunday that says:

Silver and gold have I none, But such as I have give I thee,
In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.
I sat up straighter as my heart and mind connected the dots. It hit me that the things I needed to do are God given assignments and they have their supply in my obedience.

Simple In Purpose

I am here for a reason and purpose and I came fully loaded for it. The first time I heard those words it was from Dr. Cindy Trimm in 2012 and for a long time I wondered how I could be fully loaded yet I was struggling so much. Now revelation unfolded. My purpose on this wonderful planet is to lend strength, serve above the call of duty and create room for God to function. Therefore, every situation I am in requires a different expression of this purpose but I have all I need to achieve the set goal in me through Christ Jesus.

So, if the situation needs impact to the economics of a household I will either have work I need done and the money I need to pay for it or I will have money to just give. If it is about building someone’s faith, I will have an unexpected gift, a word or something else. This means I am a joint always ready to supply. Supplying as a joint is not confined to money, words and prayers. It could be that someone feels unwanted and a warm smile, hug, listening ear or invitation to visit will change their circumstances. The critical thing is to have the right focus and mindset so that I understand what is needed from me, by whom and I supply in the right amount at the right time.

The Reality

When Peter and Paul met the beggar at the gate, they heard from God. The beggar was lame from birth and was focused on money to meet his needs. God however, knew that his next season was bigger and He had to change the beggars mind. The beggar unaware that the next people who would speak to hime heard from the Creator Himself and would receive revelation that of what he (the beggar) needed for the next phase. Imagine his surprise when Peter and Paul helped him to rise and walk in the Name of Jesus. The fact that he didn’t know he needed to walk for his next season didn’t stop God from sending His servants to make it possible. The fact that he had accepted his place at the gate and his disability didn’t mean that God’s plan would change.

The Power to Release

The question that remains is: how many people are stuck somewhere because you and I am so caught up thinking about what we don’t have yet we have something that they need & are sitting on it?

I realised that the joy of serving Jehovah is not in being able to meet the visible needs but rather in meeting the needs people aren’t even aware of or the ones that are unseen and unspoken. Oh the joy of giving what God says to give and not what I think that person needs.

• Has God sent you with a word for your pastor or spiritual authority that seems simplistic and you have not given it yet? Give it.
• Has God sent you give someone something small when you know they earn more than you do? Give it.
• Has God asked you to share his love in simple silent ways to people and you have deemed it too small? Share it.
• What is it that God has asked you to do that is seemingly foolishly simple and you are wondering about its value? Do it all the same.

The Call

Get up and do whatever God says then watch and see how HE turns it around for HIS glory. I stood amazed when I did the little thing that God asked me to and my availability answered the prayer of a friend with time and a listening ear. It provided encouragement and strength in a way I could never have grasped if I hadn’t seen it myself.

Oh how I pray that I continue to be a #LivingEpistle and obey these small simple things and watch and see the goodness of God unfold for me and those around me. I also pray that you would join me on this wonderful journey to living out our God given purpose.