“When he saw Peter and John about to enter the Temple, he asked for a handout. Peter, with John at his side, looked him straight in the eye and said, “Look here.” He looked up, expecting to get something from them. Peter said, “I don’t have a nickel to my name, but what I do have, I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk!” Acts 3:3-6 The Message
God loves to encounter your life when your guard is down and your life is unrehearsed. The only thing The Lord wants from you is your everything … and everything is ALL He wants to give you. The life that Jesus is offering you is in the very places where you aren’t asking any longer or you’re expecting very little. What would the real you look like on your feet .. dancing and praising God? He knows exactly those places in your life today .. in your heart .. and in your circumstances where you want something but really don’t expect God to do anything … because you’ve asked and asked and nothing has happened. So … You live .. eat .. and work (or not) but in reality you’re lame and unable to believe that this Jesus Christ of Nazareth … the same One who put a lame man on his feet … would waste His grace all over your life! Sometimes we cover the scars and numb areas of our lives by making life .. faith .. and Jesus way too complicated. It provides convenient cover, but God knows just those moments when your heart is unguarded and wide open to real life. That real life is Christ .. nothing less. When was the last time you “wasted” the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth upon someone not even expecting such a gift? And just maybe .. Today .. is the day when you let your guard down for this same Jesus to pour His life into those unseen places known only to God. It only takes a moment …
“This is the testimony in essence: God gave us eternal life; the life is in his Son. So, whoever has the Son, has life; whoever rejects the Son, rejects life.” 1John 5:11-2 The Message
Ken Chester: Grace-Gripped is sent M-F to Bruised – Battered – and Begging followers of Jesus and friends of Priority One (kchesterp1@gmail.com)
