I love taking care of our 2.5 y/o granddaughter for several hours each week. She is just so full of energy and loves learning new things. Everything is exciting for her. I might show her one time how to do a simple household task, but that’s all it takes and she says, “I do it now, Mimi!” It would greatly benefit me if I could tap into that 2.5 y/o old energy and excitement about doing housework!
In our passage today, the apostles are tapping into the energy and work of the Spirit to reveal the life of Christ. Just as Jesus had promised, Peter and many others have been baptized, filled and now serving in the power of the Holy Spirit. It is the same Spirit who hovered over Creation in the beginning, the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead, and now the same Spirit who is providing miraculous power to believers.
All of the apostles are learning—one experience at a time—what the resurrection of Christ has made possible for every believing heart. Peter is tapped into the Spirit and moving to reveal Christ’s authority and love in the town of Lydda—25 miles northwest of Jerusalem. Those who witnessed the power of the Spirit through Peter, turned toward God for salvation. The Church was expanding in numbers as believers lived out Christ’s commands of love.
God has the power to make all believers effective witnesses, but we must tap into the Spirit’s power, because our flesh can produce nothing of eternal value. Let’s start each day knowing God has made power available and we can tap into it 24/7. Let’s not grieve or quench the Spirit; instead let’s be empowered and energized for our King and his Kingdom work.
Acts 9:32-35 NLT Peter Heals Aeneas
32 Meanwhile, Peter traveled from place to place, and he came down to visit the believers in the town of Lydda. 33 There he met a man named Aeneas, who had been paralyzed and bedridden for eight years. 34 Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you! Get up, and roll up your sleeping mat!” And he was healed instantly. 35 Then the whole population of Lydda and Sharon saw Aeneas walking around, and they turned to the Lord.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for our lesson from Luke in the Acts of the Apostles. Your Word reminds us these early believers lived and operated in the fear of the Lord and in the power of the Holy Spirit. Even the communities around them noticed, although they were ordinary men, the Spirit made them powerful. Help us to live by faith and in reverence to your will, so in the Spirit we can be a part of expanding your Kingdom. In Jesus’ name. Amen.