The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
"Freely Receive. Freely Give"
"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. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength…. And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly wondering. And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?" (Acts 3:6-7; 11-12).
The Apostles Peter and John, through whom the great miracle of healing flowed, directed all glory and attention to the Source of such grace and mercy, the Lord Jesus Christ. They recognized themselves for what they were, namely, those in personal need for a "power" and "holiness" beyond themselves, who could become tributaries of the River of life as they received it.
"Freely ye have received. Freely give" (Matthew 10:8).
We have nothing to bestow upon others apart from that which the Lord Jesus has so graciously bestowed upon and within us. The Apostle Paul also testified to such blessedness received and then given:
"By the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me" (I Corinthians 15:10).
This is written as a simple reminder of our calling in this day to give of our time, attention, effort, dedication, and grace to others. "Freely give." We do so by remembering and affirming that we can only impart that which has been imparted to us. "Freely ye have received." Our service to God and others begins and forever continues by His service to us through the One who "came not to be ministered unto, but to minister and give His life a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:28). Such a calling constitutes our labors and sacrifice in terms of a privilege beyond all comprehension. Indeed, whatever we may do in this day for others must be viewed as "I get to" rather than "I have to." Or, "I give that which I have been given." This is truth. This is reality. And this is the Christ we have so freely received, who now blesses us even more as through His presence and working within our hearts we "freely give"…
"It is more blessed to give than to receive."
(Acts 20:35)
"He that believeth on Me, as the Scripture hath said, out of His belly shall flow rivers of living water."
(John 7:38)
Weekly Memory Verse
"He that believeth on Me, as the Scripture hath said, out of His belly shall flow rivers of living water."
(John 7:38)
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