"Get up and Walk" - A Lent series that starts tomorrow

The Beggar - by Rembrandt

We live our lives like those with a million pounds available to us in the bank.  Every day these resources are there for us to draw on.  This is the presence of the Spirit of our Creator.  And yet so often I sit in the courtyard, needy and begging, like the man Peter and John met when they went to pray in the temple.  

 Acts Chapter Three

Two of Jesus’ friends, Peter and John, set out to the meeting place. As they entered the courtyard, a paraplegic man, who survived by begging for money called out to them, as he did with everyone passing that way. He was hopping for some charity. Peter stopped and looked the man straight in the eye. “I’m sorry”, Peter said, “we have no money; but willingly give you what we do have. In the name of Jesus, get up and walk.” At that instant the man knew that he could walk, and was completely better. He began walking and running around in complete joy. Lots of people recognised him and were astonished. Word passed swiftly around the place and soon a large crowd of wondering people joined Peter and John as the man hugged them tightly. Peter then engaged with the people. He explained this was no magic, but a continuation of the work of Jesus, and through Jesus, the Creator of all. “Do you remember Jesus, who was handed over to the colonial authorities, despite never having done anything wrong? Indeed, having done many wonderful things, he was condemned by you lot, and executed. Well, you are witnesses that this was not the end, and what has happened proves that he is alive today. It is through trusting in Jesus’ life that this man is now walking.” “I know that you did not know the enormity of this error as you supported the death penalty. You did not realise that you were ‘stabbing a knife straight into the Creator’. But the Creator had planned that this would happen, and the very act was foretold hundreds of years ago by many wise people. The Creator used this death to free all people from being locked into evil and ignorance. By turning to Jesus and rejecting wrong motives, you can heal your relationship. Look, every single person from the past who we revere today has pointed to this event, which we are now a part of.”

For the next forty days I have prepared a thought provoking quote, and a bible passage and prayer.  The theme is "Get up and Walk".  I am challenging myself to stop sitting, begging, and start living my life to its full potential.  

PRAYER:  How much of the journey have I made so far?  Lead me on Lord.

Pancake Day, By Basile de Loose, (1845)
For Sale- Bindery Gallery, Braodway