BUT SUCH AS I HAVE I GIVE

Proclamation:

“Then Peter said, ‘Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you.  In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk’”  Acts 3:6 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by Luke, the physician, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  After the day of Pentecost, receiving The Holy Spirit, (Acts 2:1-4) and preaching to the crowd, (Acts 2:14-41) Peter and John went to the temple.  There was a man outside the gate, lame from birth, begging for money. (Acts 3:1-3)  Peter said to him, “Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have I give thee …” (KJV)  The man jumped to his feet, began to walk, and went into the temple with them and praised God. (Acts 3:8)  The people in the temple recognized the man and came running to Peter and John.  Then Peter admonished them and told them that this was done by the power of Jesus, The Christ, whom they had handed over to Pilate to be crucified. (Acts 3:12-13)  Peter also said that they disowned Christ before Pilate and asked for the release of a murderer when Pilate wanted to let Him go. (Acts 3:14-23)

Application:

There are plenty of people today begging for money.  There are also plenty of them who would appreciate something to eat or some warm clothing.  We who have been blessed with a lot should share with those who are less fortunate.  We have clothes that just hang in our closets, which someone else could make good use of.  If you don’t want to give them money, you could pay for their meal.  Such as you have, you can give to the less fortunate.  We are blessed in order to be a blessing to others.  He that blesses others shall himself also be blessed. (Proverbs 11:25)

DO IT IN THE NAME OF JESUS

Proclamation:

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts ... Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly ... And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of The Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God The Father through Him." Colossians 3:15-17

Explanation:

These The Holy Spirit of God inspired words were written by the Apostle Paul to the believers in Colossi.  Paul wanted them to have faith and let God rule their lives.  He wanted them to keep The Word of God in their hearts and let it guide their thoughts, words, and actions.  He wanted them to do all that they did in the name of Jesus so that God The Father would be glorified.

Application:

In this mean, stressful, hateful, war torn world in which we live, the only peace of mind we can enjoy is when we have the peace of God in our hearts.  Only if we believe in, and live by The Word of God can we praise God and give thanks to Him regardless of our situation in life.  As believers, The Holy Spirit of God dwells within us and if we let Him control us, then our words and actions would give God glory.  We have been blessed and the power of God has been shared with us to allow us to do things in the name of The Lord Jesus, The Christ. (2 Timothy 1:7)  We should do our best at whatever we do since all of our work is for The Lord and not for man. (Colossians 3:23 and 1 Peter 4:11)  May The Good Lord make us worthy of His calling, and that by His power may He bring to fruition our every desire for goodness and every deed prompted by faith.  May the grace of God enable us to behave in such a way that the name of The Lord Jesus is glorified by what we say and do. (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12)

Give And Share What You hve

"Then Peter said, 'Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you.  In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk."  Acts 3:6 (NIV)

According to The Holy Spirit inspired word written by Luke, the physician and frequent travelling companion of the Apostle Paul, as Peter and John were about to enter the temple they encountered a beggar, crippled from birth, who asked them for money.  Peter told the man that they did not have silver, or gold, or money, but that which they did have they would give to him.  What they had was the power of healing by The Holy Spirit of God, and they shared that with him and healed him.

Gifts of money are almost always appreciated, but giving and sharing is not always about money.  A gift of our time or a gift of our talent can also be a help to someone who is alone or in need.  When we share our knowledge and wisdom with others we can also be helpful.  Often giving a kind word, or a hug, or a shoulder to cry on, is more helpful, considerate, and compassionate than a monetary gift.  Jesus said that it is better to give than to receive. (Acts 20:35)  The strong are to help the weak. (Romans 15:1)  Those who are blessed to have are to share with those who have not. (Luke 16:19-31)  We are to give of such as we have, and we are to share it with those who are less fortunate.

Ask God For What You Want

"... You do not have, because you do not ask God.  When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures."  James 4:2-3 (NIV)

James, the half brother of Jesus, wrote to the scattered believers in Christ and told them that they have not because they ask not.  He also said that what they asked for, they did not receive it because they asked for things for the wrong reasons. 

We have not because we ask not.  We should ask God for what we want.  Jesus told His disciples that whatever they asked for in His name, they would receive.  (John 14:13, 14:14, 15:16, 16:23, & 16:24)  We are disciples of Christ, so that also applies to us today.  There are, however, times when we ask for things and do not receive them.  That is because we ask for things to increase our worldly pleasures.  Jesus said that He would do what we ask in His name so that He could give glory to God, The Father. (John 14:13)  If what we ask for is not designed to give God glory, we should not be surprised when we do not receive it.  God may choose to bless us with the desires of our heart, things which may not give Him glory, if we delight in Him, in His way, and in His Word.  (Psalms 1:2, 37:4, & 112:1)  So, ask God for what you want, you just may get it.

The Holy Spirit Will Remind Us Of God's Word

Jesus said, "All this I have spoken while still with you. But The Counselor, The Holy Spirit, whom The Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." John 14:25-26 (NIV)

The Apostle John wanted all believers to know that one function of The Holy Spirit is to bring to their remembrance all of the things that Jesus taught them while He was with them.

The Holy Spirit serves the same function for us today. Even though today we have the Bible to read, in print and electronic forms, The Holy Spirit still reminds us of what Jesus said and taught. By bringing to our mind the appropriate Bible verse for a particular situation, The Holy Spirit helps us to make better choices. He only reminds us of what The Word of God says, He does not make us say or do the right thing. We must choose what we say and do for ourselves. However, if you have never read or heard The Word of God, then He cannot help you. But He can enlighten you once you have been exposed to The Word. So, read the Bible and study it, so that The Holy Spirit will have something to remind you of to help you live a better life.