Beyond the Weekend

April 3 | Lifted

April 3, 2018

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Acts 3:7-8a

Read: Acts 3:1-10

Listen: Acts 3

TODAY’S MESSAGE

The book of Acts tells the lame man’s story in great detail. A real story of a real man who experiences a real miracle. He is lame from birth, 40 years old, and always at the gate begging. He’s commanded to walk and Peter seizes him and lifts him up. His feet and ankles become strong. He jumps upright, then enters the temple leaping and praising God.

Jews witnessing this miracle would not miss the similar imagery of being lifted up in the Psalms. “I will exalt you, Lord, for you lifted me out of the depths…Lord my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me” (Psalm 30:1-2). King David who wrote this wasn’t lame but experienced the kind of troubles in life that lay you flat on your back.

We are no different. Life has a way of knocking us down. David likens it to falling into a “muddy, slimy pit” (Psalm 40:1-2). Grief, anxiety, addiction, and failure are many of the pits that can envelop us in mud up to our necks. The lame man’s story says God is able to reach down and pull us up.

IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY

We’ve all been in the pit. Thank God for how he has pulled you out. Maybe you are in one now? Ask him for his help and power to move forward to lift you up and out. If you would like to talk to someone, send us an email at btw@adabible.org.


Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.

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