SECOND CHANCE ; REPENT AND MOVE ON

SCRIPTURE

Acts 3:9-19 9 All the people saw him walking and heard him praising God. 10 When they realized he was the lame beggar they had seen so often at the Beautiful Gate, they were absolutely astounded! 11 They all rushed out in amazement to Solomon’s Colonnade, where the man was holding tightly to Peter and John.

Peter Preaches in the Temple

12 Peter saw his opportunity and addressed the crowd. “People of Israel,” he said, “what is so surprising about this? And why stare at us as though we had made this man walk by our own power or godliness? 13 For it is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—the God of all our ancestors—who has brought glory to his servant Jesus by doing this. This is the same Jesus whom you handed over and rejected before Pilate, despite Pilate’s decision to release him. 14 You rejected this holy, righteous one and instead demanded the release of a murderer. 15 You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. And we are witnesses of this fact!

16 “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.

17 “Friends,* I realize that what you and your leaders did to Jesus was done in ignorance. 18 But God was fulfilling what all the prophets had foretold about the Messiah—that he must suffer these things. 19 Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away.

OBSERVATION

"This is the same guy you crucified because of your ignorance. Now repent and turn to God, your sins will be wiped away" . Despite everything they have done, the Saviour was not angry , yet willing to accept those who had repented. So simple? They released a prisoner, crucified him and yet the father was so magnanimous in his actions. Even the simplest of misactions makes us angry. We hope that "justice is served" praying that "vengeance belongs to the Lord" instead of " Father forgive them".

APPLICATION

My heart is troubled. Many have taken advantage of me. Many has mocked me. Many has made me feel "Is Christianity worth it?" and doubt my faith wondering if a holy life makes sense at all. I must forgive. I hope that like Jesus, I am able to forgive others 77  times 7.

PRAYER

Lord, my heart is hart. Please soften me. As you have me a infinite chances of repentance, help me to forgive others as you have forgiven me. Thank you LOrd. Amen.

God's Prosperity Plan

SCRIPTURE

8 So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.

9 But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.

Paul’s Final Instructions

11 But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have confessed so well before many witnesses. 13 And I charge you before God, who gives life to all, and before Christ Jesus, who gave a good testimony before Pontius Pilate, 14 that you obey this command without wavering. Then no one can find fault with you from now until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. 15 For at just the right time Christ will be revealed from heaven by the blessed and only almighty God, the King of all kings and Lord of all lords. 16 He alone can never die, and he lives in light so brilliant that no human can approach him. No human eye has ever seen him, nor ever will. All honor and power to him forever! Amen.

17 Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. 18 Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. 19 By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life. 

  

OBSERVATION

 God has the simplest prosperity message. Trust in him, keep away from evil and he will bless you in His time. How much more simple can that be? How could pursuing righteousness has anything to do with prosperity. It sounds so distance. Paul dosen't even come up with a sure 10 step way to success like current biz gurus do. Only God knows the time for everything. In due time, he will bless us because we are faithful. 

APPLICATION

I must learn to  trust God and focus less on making money but more on glorifying Him instead.  

PRAYER

Lord , let me trust in you. You created the world, You feed the birds and I know you know all my needs. I surrender to you now and please teach me not to be greedy. Amen