8/22/22 Devotional from Ed
Text: Acts 9:32-43
32Now as Peter went here and there among all the believers, he came down also to the saints living in Lydda. 33There he found a man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years, for he was paralyzed. 34Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; get up and make your bed!” And immediately he got up. 35And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord. 36Now in Joppa there was a disciple whose name was Tabitha, which in Greek is Dorcas. She was devoted to good works and acts of charity. 37At that time she became ill and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in a room upstairs. 38Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, who heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him with the request, “Please come to us without delay.” 39So Peter got up and went with them; and when he arrived, they took him to the room upstairs. All the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing tunics and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was with them. 40Peter put all of them outside, and then he knelt down and prayed. He turned to the body and said, “Tabitha, get up.” Then she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up. 41He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then calling the saints and widows, he showed her to be alive. 42This became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. 43Meanwhile he stayed in Joppa for some time with a certain Simon, a tanner.
Devotional:
The text above lets us know that through these “acts” of Peter, many were turned to the Lord. However, you might be now saying, “Thanks, Captain Obvious. That’s why it’s in the Bible!”
There are many examples of being turned to the Lord by “biblical” figures like Peter, but have you thought, however, that you may be a “Peter” at Forest Lake Presbyterian Church, in your community, in your workplace, at home?
Each waking hour gives us a chance to represent Christ to someone through our actions and words. As we gear up for a new school year, as fall begins to ramp up, as temperatures rise literally and mentally in football stadiums (this is one I have to watch), and as we start new classes and opportunities at FLPC, remember you don’t have to be in the Bible to be biblical.
Prayer: Holy God, may your Spirit fall upon each of us so we can be your light and see your light in our daily lives. Amen.
