Opportunity Knocks!

For Friday, August 14, 2026:

Acts 3:16 NLT, Peter, preaching in the Temple: “Through faith in the name of Jesus, this man was healed—and you know how crippled he was before. Faith in Jesus’ name has healed him before your very eyes.”

The man in question had been crippled from birth. The man was well known, and everyone was aware of his situation. To make ends meet, he begged at the Temple gate. As Peter and John entered, Peter explained that they had no silver or gold, but were willing to share what they had.

Previously, Jesus had sent Peter and John and the rest of the Apostles as well as numerous disciples to other towns in Israel to multiply his evangelistic efforts. They were all told to heal the sick, cure leprosy, raise the dead and cast out demons. These things were to be done in the name of Jesus, the power source for this project.

That day at the Temple, Jesus’ power had not ended. Peter took the man’s right hand and told him to stand up and walk. Everyone was amazed to see the man first walking, then running and finally jumping. They all recognized him as the crippled beggar at the gate. Suddenly, Peter and John were the talk of the town!

Peter allowed his impulsive nature to take over, and he began preaching to the crowd. He exalted Jesus, the one the crowd had handed over to Pilate. Peter called them out on this: “You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. And we are witnesses of this fact!”

Peter never missed a chance to tell others about Jesus. This healing miracle was opportunity knocking, and Peter opened the evangelism door! That’s our take-away from this scripture. Recognize when an opportunity has presented itself, and take advantage of it while the iron is hot. It’s what we do as Christians!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Get Up and Walk!

For Thursday, August 13, 2026:

Acts 3:6 NLT: “Peter said, ‘I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!’”

It was customary for Peter and John to attend the 3pm Temple Worship. As they entered, a man lame from birth was carried to his spot near the Wonderful Gate. He was in that same spot daily, begging for contributions since begging was his only means of support. People liked him and looked forward to seeing him there.

Enter Peter and John. Certainly they would show compassion for this man, but they had no money. Peter, who I sometimes call “Mr. Impulsive,” approached the man. Peter was known not known for thinking things through and then doing something. He oftentimes does something first, and then thinks later, wondering why it didn’t work out. But this time, everything worked out just fine!

Peter laid hands on the crippled man. “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have.” What Peter had was a spirit of being helpful, of doing the next right thing, those traits he learned from Jesus. Peter cried out, “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!”

Peter took the man’s right hand and helped him up. His ankles and feet were instantly strengthened and healed. The man walked, jumped and probably danced a jig! Everyone at the prayer meeting knew that this man had been crippled from birth. So this was a huge living testimony before a large group of people! Maybe now more would believe!

Let’s examine the timetable. First, Jesus was crucified and walked away from the tomb on the 3^rd day. 40 days later, his crowd of believers watched him ascending into the sky as he returned to the Father. Pentecost, 50 days after Passover, had come and gone. 3,000 were added to the number of believers that day. So at least a couple months had passed without Jesus’ presence, and now, out of the blue, one more healing, something for which Jesus was best known!

Jesus delegated quite a number of things to his followers, then as well as now. As he sent out evangelists 2 X 2, they were told to heal the sick, cure leprosy, raise the dead and cast out demons. They could do these things by using the name of Jesus. With Jesus, anything is possible. Without Jesus, nothing will get done. Believers were also told to share the Good News, the Gospel, with everyone, and let them know that the Kingdom of God is closer than it’s ever been! God had been walking on earth alongside mankind! Hallelujah!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Faith in Colossae!

For Wednesday, August 12, 2026:

Colossians 2:5b NLT, Paul writing to the church in Colossae: “I rejoice that you are living as you should and that your faith in Christ is strong.”

It would seem that Paul received a positive report regarding the Colossian church. No one is reporting problems. Everything seems to be running smoothly. As a group, they’re living the way they should, the way Jesus instructed.

But the best news of all was that their faith is unwavering. Some people’s faith plot looks like a roller coaster, up and down, up and down. But the Colossian church’s graph continued up and to the right. They celebrate their faithfulness daily, even increasing belief as time goes on.

Faith is the cornerstone of Christianity. Jesus will return, and on that day everything will happen just as Jesus told the faithful. The sheep will be separated from the goats. As we enter the next reality, we’ll arrive at judgment and be told that our sins are forgiven by the work Jesus did on the cross. And being without sin, we’ll learn that we have been chosen to reside in God’s eternal heavenly Kingdom. That’s Good News indeed!

We have faith because Jesus never told a lie. If everything else he said proved true, our destination in the life after this life must also be true. Jesus will be there to welcome us with open arms!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church