Serving Genuinely

¹² When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? ¹³ The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. ¹⁴ You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. ¹⁵ You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. ¹⁶ By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.

Acts 3:12-16

Peter heals a lame man and the people are astonished praising the servant not the one who gave the servant his power. Peter has some anger in this passage. He knows that the same people who crucified Jesus to the cross are the same ones who are praising Peter for his ability to heal. The crowd is so focused on the miracles that they miss the whole point of who is truly in charge of the miraculous signs. Peter does the right thing and points this healing back to God.

I think I get too caught up in the acts of God rather than who God is. The only purpose I should trust Jesus is what he did on the cross. Too many times, I get influenced by the signs and miracles, but not on the content of why Jesus became man as an sacrificial lamb. Likewise, I need to be more like Peter, as in given credit where the credit is due. God deserves all praise. My gifts, and blessings need to be given back to God not forcefully, but willfully. Peter could have been famous and used that power for his own gain, but he didn't. He knew the greater purpose in his gifts, which was to serve God and build his kingdom. I need to do the same.

Jesus forgive me for getting caught up in the flash of ministry rather than doing it solely for the love of you. I do get caught up in praise, media, or other areas of serving hoping to get noticed and acknowledged by men. I pray you break down my evil desires and change me to be humble. Help me to have a heart of servitude and to serve out of love.

In Jesus Name Amen.