“We need to talk.” Perhaps we can all relate to the inner cringe that happens when you hear these words or read them in a text message. Sometimes it’s nothing, but often it’s the prelude to a hard conversation. Conflict is part of making life together, and healthy relationships mean calling each other out from time to time. When done from a place of love and respect, hard conversations can be the start of great healing. That’s what we see happening in Peter’s electrifying sermon at Solomon’s Colonnade.
As Peter and John arrived for afternoon prayer, they met a man who was “lame from birth” (Acts 3:2), a daily sight at the temple gate. He asked for spare change, but Peter gave him something far more valuable—healing for his broken body. And of course, the crowd noticed. This once invisible beggar was “walking, leaping, and praising God,” and “they were filled with awe and astonishment at what had happened to him” (Acts 3:8,10).
No doubt Jerusalem was still buzzing with rumors about Jesus’s resurrection. And here, once again, miracles were springing up around two of Jesus’s closest followers. And this is where Peter started a sermon that might as well have begun, “We need to talk.”
“The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our ancestors, has glorified his servant Jesus,” Peter claims before issuing a volley of strong accusations. “You,” he says to these devout worshipers, “handed [him] over….You denied the Holy and Righteous One….You killed the source of life, whom God raised from the dead” (vv.13–15).
But even these strong words couldn’t break their familial bond. He called them “brothers and sisters,” even as he begged them to “repent and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped out, that seasons of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord” (vv.17,19–20). He called them fellow Israelites, appealing to the heritage and promise they shared.
It’s a striking response. But Peter knew what it is to repent, to be forgiven, to be refreshed.
Though they killed the source of life, an invitation to resurrection awaited. Though it would make sense for Jesus’s closest friends and followers to cut them off, Peter called them family. Though feeling the weight of sin called out can bring a whole set of painful emotions—shame, guilt, embarrassment, and regret—Peter’s sermon is a reminder that it doesn’t have to mean the fracturing of relationships. This calling back into community, to repentance, is one more step toward healing and restoration.
The good news of Jesus’s resurrection is victory over death, not just in our bodies. There’s hope for the healing of everything broken and an opportunity to restore humanity to life.
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130 thoughts on "Preaching in Solomon’s Colonnade"
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Amen. I needed this as we are dealing with conflict in our church and am praying for God to guide me in my speech to a couple in our church that is struggling but is also a hinderance in one of our ministries.
Amen ❤️
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Amen. ❤️
Amen
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Conflicts are hard, and part of life. The flesh and egos are strong. Reminds me of the verse, “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?” (James 4:1). Selfish desires control people’s actions. When Jesus told us to go preach and make disciples, did that mission imply learning how to navigate conflicts and persecutions? Yes I think so. Just like when He said, “feed the poor”, He did not offer cooking lessons or teach how to source food. The command to love and serve others include the life long learning of skills and development to maturity for those who carry out the mission. Presumably, when He said feed the poor, we are to learn how to cook, and serve, organizing, know distributing logistics, and that takes wisdom, careful planning, teamwork. There is a lot of hidden skills and unpacked responsibilities in the practicality of go preach and make disciples here. That is why the Lord prepares His people through many layers, and it can take very long. There are practical service training, conflict resolution, reconciliation, cultural intelligence and sensitivity, emotional regulation skill, how to overcome rejection and persecution trauma, how to guard the heart against bitterness by forgiving, etc. It is a lot. Jesus trained His disciples through many hardships in the Bible. Embrace His training in messy places. He also corrected them publicly, rebuked their fear, allowed them to fail. The call to serve and preach assumes many hidden skills, not just passive belief, but obedience and actions under real world pressure. He won’t take us as is, He will develop us layer by layer. May the Lord guide us, teach us, train us for His glory. Our job? Allow Him and stick with it. All glory be to God forever and ever. Be blessed dear sisters.
From Isaiah… “I am the LORD, and there is no other; there is no other God but me.” (Being sworn into office on the Quran… bad and sad decision I’m sure God’s heart is breaking.)
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How can we best witness to others… those are our marching orders. Let’s march!
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Prayer request for a friend (Matt) that had emergency heart surgery last night. Not sure how his brain is yet, and he may lose his leg. Please pray for him, his wife and daughter and extended family. Thank you.
The boldness of Peter preaching truth with stands out to me and also how clearly the man praised the Lord – no quietness in his rejoicing. And how awestruck(or could it be dumbstruck?)the people were….”All the people saw him walking and praising God, and they recognized that he was the one who used to sit and beg at the Beautiful Gate of the temple. So they were filled with awe and astonishment at what had happened to him.” Goodness…to have forgotten so quickly the power, greatness and works of Jesus to be so utterly surprised by the work of His hand through a servant. And then further told to “Therefore repent and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped out, that seasons of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send Jesus, who has been appointed for you as the Messiah” Again, goodness people…this is quite the called out talking to.
I love the way the devotional ends “Though feeling the weight of sin called out can bring a whole set of painful emotions—shame, guilt, embarrassment, and regret—Peter’s sermon is a reminder that it doesn’t have to mean the fracturing of relationships. This calling back into community, to repentance, is one more step toward healing and restoration.”
Thank you, Lord for your grace, mercy snd forgiveness that meets us where we are at despite our doubts, failures, falling short and disobedience. Help me Lord to listen to truth, to correction and to always turn to you. Amen
Conflict is so hard. Right now I am going through it with a friend. She is not a Christian and this situation has caused me to really take a step back and pause to see what her true intentions are. I am in constant prayer over it.
I’ve had the same situation with a couple friends. I wrote them each a letter stating what I do stand for and what they may assume I do. One went well and she said she understood and respected me and still believed in God though not a Christian. The other stopped talking to me and never responded, though her issue was both religious and political. I continue to pray for her and I know I said things that were true and right and may end in tears she’s just not a friend for this new
This also happened to me within family dynamic and friendship too. I went through a period of ten year estrangement from the people I thought were for me. When I stopped being the “fun friend”, “fun family member” and searched righteousness and lived differently, people’s intentions were exposed. It is big cost for the narrow road sister. I learnt the joy in God’s presence, in being set apart for Him. Who is our family? not the one blood related, but those who do His will. The pain eases with time and His comfort.
please pray for me. i’m struggling with conflict with a co worker. I’m trying to pray through and over look the offenses but I’m struggling
I will pray and I ask that you pray for me. I am struggling with the boss.
Dear both.. I’m sorry for your troubles at work. Praying for some sort of peace covered ‘restart for you both, and that God will be in the mix of conversations, if possible.
The verse.. ‘If God is for you who can be against you’ came to mind. Hold fast to Him and as your day begins call on Him to be there at work with you, in the interactions and work related conversations.
He is near to ALL who call on Him in truth..
Hugs.
Ouch, Jen Yokel… “Adrienne” should be in parentheses not “You”…
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“The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our ancestors, has glorified his servant Jesus,” Peter claims before issuing a volley of strong accusations. “You,” he says to these devout worshipers, “handed [him] over….You denied the Holy and Righteous One….You killed the source of life, whom God raised from the dead” (vv.13–15).
Adrienne, ouch, indeed!
Hugs..❤️
Such hard truth even to face today. Conflict is so hard to manage and especially hard over topics of religion [or politics]. I’m so proud of Peter and can imagine it unfolding. The joy at seeing the miracles happening despite the death of Jesus and then the message that there is still hope if you turn away from evil. I’d run to Peter. I’m running now saying choose me… use me… please forgive my sins and thank You for the overflowing grace You provide even though I don’t deserve it.
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During Peter’s speech, the Spirit must have been flowing through him so purely. Don’t you love those moments when you recognize the feeling of the Spirit within yourself? We are blessed to be loved by YHWH.
This made me pause. Peter doesn’t avoid hard truth, but he also doesn’t withdraw love. Even while naming sin, he calls them family and invites them back toward repentance and refreshment. It reminds me that God’s correction is meant to heal, not to shame, and that restoration is always the goal
Truth..❤️
Amen. Speaking truth in love, for love warns of hell. Great observation, the gospel convicts to restore, renew, and never to shame, guilt trip or place heavy burdens like legalism/religion does.
Asking for prayers today as my grandma passed away last night. While still heartbroken, I know she is whole again and at peace with Jesus and reunited with her late husband and other family memories. Thank you Jesus for this peace in knowing this and the hope of being reunited with her again one day.
My sympathy to you and your family, AG, and thankful forbthat peace. Prayers for the days ahead. ❤
Prayers for you and your family. May you find comfort in the Lord during this time of mourning.
Praying for you and all who loved her as you negotiate the new normal without her presence. Give yourself grace as you grieve.
Hugs and love to you!
So sorry for your loss.
just prayed. I’m so sorry for your loss
Holding you and your AG in prayer. I’m sorry for your loss. ❤️
So sorry for your loss.❤️
So sorry. Praying for comfort and strength for you and your loved ones during this difficult season. Hugs.
I want to truly be Jesus to be the people around me. I want to follow the Holy Spirit’s direction in my life.
Amen, Hennifer! Im with you in that desire. ❤️
From Enduring Word:
“ The lame man at the Beautiful Gate wanted something; but God wanted to give him something much greater. The same was generally true of the Jewish people Peter preached to. They expected the Messiah in a certain way, but God wanted to give them something much greater. They looked for a political and military Messiah, and not so much one to turn every one of you from your iniquities. It shows how important it is for us to expect the right things from God.”
I kept re-reading the phrase “seasons of refreshing.” Refreshing comes AFTER repentance. Oh, that 2026 may be a season of refreshing for us all
Amen! ❤
Amen.
Amen! I know that’s right!
Amen, Amanda, A season of refreshing for all.❤️
Refreshing comes AFTER repentance – I love this.
This is such a power filled chapter! I love that BEFORE “going out into the world”, the apostles focused on the ones in their midst!
I also love how Peter used Deuteronomy 18:19 as the ‘evidence’ to convict. But… he also offered a defense- ignorance or as we might say- being at the wrong place at the wrong time with the wrong crowd.
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Warren Wiersbe Study Bible says this:
v.16- Peter turned the temple into a courtroom and laid all the evidence out for everyone to see. How could two ordinary fishermen perform such a great miracle unless God had been with them?
v. 17- The Old Testament law distinguishes between deliberate sins and sins of ignorance (see Lev. 4–5; Num. 15:22–31). The person who sinned intentionally was a rebel against God and was guilty of great sin. This person was to be “cut off” from the community (Num. 15:30, 31), which meant excommunication or even death. The defiant, blatant sinner was condemned, but the person who sinned unwittingly and without deliberate intent was given opportunity to repent and seek God’s forgiveness.
v. 19-26- Having announced the crime, presented the evidence, and explained the nature of their sin, Peter then offered them pardon. First of all, they had to repent of their sins (see 2:38; 5:31; 17:30), which meant to have a change of mind about themselves, their sin, and Jesus Christ. Second, they had to “be converted,” and exercise saving faith in Jesus Christ. The biblical message is “repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” (20:21), and the two go together.
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Another great note from Wiersbe re: the lame man-
The beggar’s encounter with Peter and John illustrates the process of salvation. He was born lame, just as all of us are born unable to walk in a way that pleases God. Our father Adam had a fall and passed his lameness on to all of his descendants (Rom. 5:12–21). Also, the man was poor, and we as sinners are bankrupt before God, unable to pay the tremendous debt that we owe Him (Luke 7:36–50). He was outside the temple (Acts 3:2), and all sinners are separated from God, no matter how near to the door they might be. The man was healed wholly by the grace of God, and the healing was immediate (Eph. 2:8, 9).
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Also…John MacArthur notes on v.11-
porch . . . Solomon’s.
A portico surrounding the temple’s Court of the Gentiles. This was also where Jesus had taught about the Good Shepherd (John 10:23). Cf. Is. 35:6).
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I love this from He Reads Truth
“Like the lame man who thought he knew what he needed and didn’t dare hope for more, we think we just need a little respite, a little pause in the madness of our lives. But what if God wants to offer us more than we dare to ask? In Jesus, the kingdom of God is present (Mark 1:15Open in Logos Bible Software (if available)). By repentance and faith, we can enter into the peace and breathing space He offers even now.” – Written by Elliot Ritzema
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Sorry my points are scattered today!
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SONG SHARE: Natalie Grant – More Than Anything (Official Lyric Video)
Partial Lyrics
Help me want the Healer more than the healing
Help me want the Savior more than the saving
Help me want the Giver more than the giving
Oh, help me want you, Jesus, more than anything
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Love, hugs, and prayers! ❤
Okay, I decided to come back and share a lengthy note from WIERSBE STUDY BIBLE. I was afraid earliet that I’d lose my comment like yesterday tranferring between windows. ☺
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WIERSBE NOTES:
Catalyst: Lessons in Witnessing
Acts 3:19
Consider some practical truths in Acts 3–4 that should encourage all of us in our witnessing for Christ:
1. God is patient with lost sinners (3:19). The leaders of Israel had rejected the ministry of John the Baptist (Matt. 21:23–27) and the ministry of Jesus, yet God gave them another opportunity to repent and be saved. They had denied and slain their own Messiah, yet God patiently held back His judgment and sent His Spirit to deal with them. God’s people today need patience as we witness to a lost world.
2. True witness involves the bad news of sin and guilt as well as the good news of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ (3:15). True faith in Christ must include repentance from sin. The Holy Spirit’s ministry is to convict lost sinners (John 16:7–11), and He will do this if we faithfully witness and use God’s Word.
3. We reach the masses by helping individual sinners (3:7, 8). Peter and John won the crippled beggar, and his transformed life led to the conversion of two thousand people! The servant of God who has no time for personal work with individual sinners will not be given many opportunities for ministering to great crowds. Like Jesus, the apostles took time for individuals.
4. The best defense of the truth of the Christian faith is a changed life (3:16). The healed beggar was “exhibit A” in Peter’s defense of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In his evangelistic ministries, the Methodist preacher Samuel Chadwick used to pray for “a Lazarus” in every campaign, some “great sinner” whose conversion would shock the community. He got the idea from John 12:9–11. God answered his prayers in meeting after meeting as infamous wicked individuals trusted Christ and became witnesses through their changed lives. Let’s go after the hard cases and see what God can do!
5. Whenever God blesses, Satan shows up to oppose the work and silence the witness, and often he uses religious people to do his work (4:1–21). The same crowd that opposed the ministry of Jesus Christ also opposed the work of the apostles, and they will oppose our ministry today. We should expect it—but we shouldn’t let it stop us! That we are comfortable is not important but that the name of the Lord is glorified through the preaching of the gospel.
6. God has promised to bless and use His Word, so let’s be faithful to witness (4:11–13). Jesus even prayed that our witness would have success (John 17:20), so we have every reason to be encouraged. God is with us, so we need not fear to witness and call sinners to repent.
7. The name of Jesus Christ still has power (3:6)! While we may not perform the same apostolic miracles today that were seen in the early church, we can still claim the authority of Jesus Christ as He has instructed us in the Word. We can preach “repentance and remission of sins” in His name (Luke 24:47) so that people might believe and have “life in His name” (John 20:31). We can give someone a cup of cold water in His name (Mark 9:41), and we can receive a child in His name (Matt. 18:5). These ministries may not seem as spectacular as healing a cripple, but they are still important to the work of God. We can ask in His name as we pray (John 14:13, 14; 15:16; 16:23–26). When we ask the Father for something “in the name of Jesus Christ,” it is as though Jesus Himself were asking it. Remembering this will help to keep us from asking for things unworthy of His name.
Jesus had said, “You shall be witnesses to Me” (Acts 1:8). That commission still stands. In your life, is it commission — or omission?
Copyright © 2021 by Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.
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I love that last paragraph!
Good gems. So much wisdom. Thank you!
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Wow Cee Gee! Thanks for sharing all of this. I’m going to be busy writing lots of this down in my notes.
Sweet! You’re most welcome, Annika! ❤
I love the words to this song, Cee Gee.. its not about ne but Jesus. Amen.❤️
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Peter: “I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers”. I said this to a person once in private and they didn’t like me after lol. Complete cut off. But God. He trained me. Dealing/overcoming rejections is part of the game. Some rejections are harsh, threatening and pro-longed. I admire Peter’s boldness and zeal for God at the cost of people hating him ( I am sure some do). Not all received what Peter said with repentance. Truth provokes either repentance or rage.
Amen. “Truth provokes repentance or rage.” I lost a friend ( years of friendship)and it hurt until I realized that it was truth she didn’t want to hear.
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I think it is harder for women to feel that they can speak out. I learned a long time ago, that people will like or dislike you no matter what. I have to speak out or it builds and then comes out harshly. It is better to pray and tackle something head on right from the get go. Peter did this in love calling them “brothers and sisters”.
Yes, reminder of relationship! As your friend, as your wife…I need to say…
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Life experiences, right? Hugs, Traci,❤️
Peter told the man to look at him but Peter saw the lame man first! Help me to see those in need around me! I can get so busy that I don’t see those hurting around me.
Also, this verse stood out to me. “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,”
Acts 3:19 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/act.3.19.NIV
Even as a believer for a long time, I need to ask God to reveal any sin in my life and repent! It’s easy to become complacent with the routine. I must be obedient when the Holy Spirit lets me know of where I need to repent and do it quickly. We have to keep our hearts humble or we become like the religious leaders Peter was addressing.
Praying for all! Please pray for my back, experiencing pain at night.
Yes Cheryl!
I am praying right now for your back. I know how awful back pain can be.
So beautiful
Indeed, Cheryl, ask the Spirit to show where we fall short.. ❤️
“We need to talk….” It may not have been worded like that but it went along those lines. When my son Caleb was about maybe two or maybe three years old, my sweet friend called me out on something that was probably hard for her to voice, but necessary. So glad she did! I repented, asked for forgiveness (I can still hear her say, “I forgive you”) and we moved onto to be even better friends and became my best and closest friend. My lifetime friend! Who knew she would be the one to walk with me with one of the hardest times of my life. The separation of my husband along with kids. She’s the best! She was God’s gift to me! Our boys became best buddies as well and as mentioned recently, my son was her son’s best man at his wedding! God is SO good! All that to say, it’s worth getting called out on something even when it’s hard!
That’s a beautiful testimony/example! ❤
Amen!
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It’s not fun hearing them, and it’s not fun saying them. But yet…needed. How can we change if not corrected? How can we fine-tune our relationship with the Lord, if we don’t analyze our choices and decisions. The flesh will rule our lives! We are told we need accountability from our sisters and brothers. Iron sharpens iron! Peter, set to a higher standard…if you KNOW better you DO better, (no sweeping under the rug, or hiding in the dark..) as a disciple and a leader. We will be judged to a higher standard when you are leaders and ministers to new believers. It is not easy.
When it happens to us…the first reaction is offended..and then defensiveness. We get mad (hurt, wounded, prideful), and then we throw out OUR reasons to defend ourselves with excuses, and they can be good reasons- (I have to because…you don’t understand), and then we even deflect to others…(well THEY do this, I’m not the only one). We love to keep the heat going by telling others to get agreement with our right choices (which are really wrong choices)! I know this well, because it has happened to me a couple of big times in my past ministries.
It was a long time after that I saw how it WAS needed and for my best interests!! God was helping me, shaping me, pruning me!!
Peter was able to do this boldly in front of a crowd. And it to me is a great example of what more preachers need to do today in churches! They often preach only uplifting, feel good messages. But the church needs to be obedient (we probably wouldn’t be where we are today if they had!). Soft is fine…like baby food, but at some point we need to chew on meat! The whole word of God! We must be pruned and shaped, cut off even- to grow! May we remember this, and expect the best when we are “improved!” In church and my personal life. Let me, Lord, take discipline from my mentors for growth! And may I use discernment and prayer to discipline when I need to. And give me strength Lord. I am a person that likes no confrontation.
It’s Wednesday! May I be like Peter when I minister today…gentle, but as verse 20 says “…if you don’t believe on Jesus..you will be cut off from God!” Today we talk about that Belief! It can sound harsh, but it needs to be declared to find freedom! We must declare it in love to all!
Also in Acts 3- We find healing by a follower in the Power of Jesus!! Being in chronic pain for over 21 years and leading a pain group this “healing” subject is a constant in my life! We all want healing, and must have continued faith in that. BUT we can’t lay around waiting! We wait with hope and perseverance in asking (ask and you WILL receive!) but we “be about the Father’s business” ALWAYS!! Having chronic pain or illness, handicap, or condition is the perfect time to give glory to God IN YOUR SUFFERING!! It shows your faith as you praise and sing, and dance to God when you keep showing up! When we don’t grumble and complain, or use it to isolate ourselves. A high percentage of people live with some type of issue and illness today, so your example is huge and can impact others to believe! Everyone has challenges, it’s how they prevail WITH God that is so amazing!! It gives me empathy for others and that is a gift! Thank you Lord. I often say if I hadn’t been worse in the last few years….I would be, not at church, but off enjoying the world. When we get sat out (a time out), it gives us time to be and sit with Jesus!! But that too, is a choice. What do you do, are you going to wallow in the misery, and fall deeper into darkness, or are you going to walk into the light and shine as well?!
Have a great day She’s!
Rhonda, this is so good!
Amen Rhonda, Amen.
Rhonda, this could have been said by me!
“Let me, Lord, take discipline from my mentors for growth! And may I use discernment and prayer to discipline when I need to. And give me strength Lord. I am a person that likes no confrontation.Also-even before reading your comment- I thought of you/jail ministry when I read some Wiersbe notes earlier:
v. 11-16-
This is probably not the kind of message we should give at an evangelistic meeting today because it was designed especially for Peter’s Jewish audience. As at Pentecost, Peter was addressing people who knew the Scriptures and were acquainted with the recent events in Jerusalem (see Luke 24:18).
It was not a group of ignorant pagans with no religious background. Furthermore, the Jewish leaders had indeed perpetrated a great injustice when they had arrested and condemned Jesus and had asked Pilate to have Him crucified.
v. 16-
Conviction must precede conversion. Unless a patient is convinced that he or she is sick, he or she will never accept the diagnosis or take the treatment. Peter turned the temple into a courtroom and laid all the evidence out for everyone to see. How could two ordinary fishermen perform such a great miracle unless God had been with them?
v. 19-26-
Having announced the crime, presented the evidence, and explained the nature of their sin, Peter then offered them pardon. First of all, they had to repent of their sins (see 2:38; 5:31; 17:30), which meant to have a change of mind about themselves, their sin, and Jesus Christ. Second, they had to “be converted,” and exercise saving faith in Jesus Christ. The biblical message is “repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” (20:21), and the two go together.
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Actually the best part is pretty long so I may just share it in anothet comment/post! ☺
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Good word you shared, sister! ❤
Yes, I RUN from confrontation! All that you shared is SO, so good!! I will have to copy and paste it all! I didn’t even see all the parallels from the lame man, and the rest! You know I love Wiersbe’s commentaries! His books are so good as well! And the new study I am doing will touch on a bunch of this, because it is our New Identity in Christ. How it changes us, but we have to see ourselves as sinners first…and that word is pretty much foreign these days!
I so wish I could retain all of today’s lesson, it is so full!
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Amen, Rhonda ❤️
“the first reaction is offended..and then defensiveness. We get mad..” Amen. True psychology :)
How great to be reminded that at the Birth of the church- Peter understood that part of the church’s mission is to be family.
Good morning she’s, this chapter really hits home this morning. My husbands back is worse again he woke of Sunday in agony and has been bed ridden since. I’d love prayer for healing, wisdom, Dr wisdom and urgency, peace and complete healing.
Praying for his complete healing!
Praying! Back pain is horrible.
Praying for your husband right now & will continue.
Praying for your husband right now Mollie.
So good!!
“I need to talk to you about something” – oh how daunting these words can be. Whenever I or my husband hear these words, we always think the worst – sometimes are reaction is valid, other times it is not.
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Its also hard to say these words to someone else. But…if I go prepared – having prayed and sought wisdom and guidance from the Holy Spirit, it makes it a whole lot easier.
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I praise God for the presence of the Holy Spirit – knowing we do not have to face things on our own, but have Him to counsel and guide us and give us the boldness to say what needs to be said.
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Father God, I pray for this broken world – first that they realize their brokenness and then, that they would see that You alone are the source of healing. Give me courage to boldly speak on your behalf and to give all the glory and praise to You. In Jesus Name.
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@Laura – praying that God will minister to your heart today and that He will lift you up. I struggle with some of the same feelings you do, concerning your adult children so my heart feels your pain. ❤️
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Happy Wednesday She’s!
Today is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24
“I praise God for the presence of the Holy Spirit – knowing we do not have to face things on our own, but have Him to counsel and guide us and give us the boldness to say what needs to be said.” – Amen!
This reminds me of the couple you had planned ‘a talk’ with back in the fall. Any update on them? ❤
Thanks for asking Cee Gee – we were able to get our nursery up and running once again, so little O. comes in the nursery each week. God worked it out and I never had to bring it up with them.
O that’s fantastic!
Oh, what wonderful news, Sharon! So thankful for that outcome for you and for them! ❤
“There’s hope for the healing of everything broken and an opportunity to restore humanity to life.”
This. Beautiful. I am so grateful for a God who forgives and restores.
Always keep your eyes open for opportunities to share about Jesus!
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The song, Times of Refreshing keeps going through my mind after reading this scripture. Thank you, Jesus
Thanks, Carla! Beautiful new-to-me song! I found this video with lyrics. I’ve listened to many of his videos- beautiful voice!
Times Of Refreshing | Steven Moctezuma
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Amen!
Only the Holy Spirit can bring such great restoration and healing.
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Peter really steps up in his actions and words, living his faith in Jesus in a public and important way. Forceful, yet kind. In their faces with hard truths, yet reminding of the path to forgiveness and restoration while at the same time calling their attention to the cost of rejection of God.
Were they listening and taking his words of truth to heart? Are we?
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Praying we will ourselves see amazing healing and restoration all around this weary world. Praying for physical healing and seemingly more important, healing of those suffering with mental health challenges. Praying for restored and strengthened faith, marriages, relationships, friendships. Praying for peace around us all that seems to slip farther away with every headline. Praying.
I mean who better to preach that sermon than Peter who himself knew what it was like to deny Christ and later repent. Powerful preaching, I’m sure.
Amen!
Amen!
Agreeing with you in that prayer! ❤❤❤
Amen!
Amen. Praying with you Searching.
Amen
The man, lame from birth, would have never been allowed inside the temple gates to offer worship to God. But now he entered almost like David (2 Sam. 6:14), leaping and praising God!
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Jesus, as You wait in heaven “until the time of the restoration of all things, which God spoke about through his holy prophets from the beginning,” may we be about the work you have given us to proclaim “repent and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped out, that seasons of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.”
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Praying for your requests!
Amen and Amen!!
Amen!
Your prayer:
Jesus, as You wait in heaven “until the time of the restoration of all things, which God spoke about through his holy prophets from the beginning,” may we be about the work you have given us to proclaim “repent and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped out, that seasons of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.”
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Amen! ❤
Amen❤️
2 Peter 1:21 (ESV) “For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”
I’ve never studied Acts and it’s so amazing that the apostles were given the gift of miracles through the Holy Spirit. Then I later realized that miracles still happen if we call upon the Holy Spirit/Jesus. So many stories of healing and prophecy through dreams. This is why prayer is so important and powerful. Ask and you just might receive. Ask directly to be healed, not to just be able to get by with our limited human means.
Yes! Growing up, I thought miracles only happened in biblical times. Last year, I witnessed God heal someone close to me of stage 4 cancer that was “untreatable”. God took him from seeing visions of Jesus in his room & being on his deathbed to full healing!
Hallelujah! Yes, I have seen/heard of many cancer healings! Praise God that your friend was healed! Share that testimony often!
I have learned more about the power of prayer in recent years. Miracles happen every day! Praise Jesus!
As our devotion writer shares, conflict can be a very tenuous thing and must be handled with care. Peter models speaking the truth in love amazingly well here. He does not sugar coat what happened – ‘you killed the Author of Life’ – but he offers the benefit of the doubt when he says they acted in ignorance and encourages them to repent. Now the ball is in their court, and just like in today’s culture, some of them don’t take it very well as we will see in Chapter 4.
Father give us great wisdom and discernment when confronting others about their sin – help us humbly bring light and not heat as is so prevalent in our world today! And only after we’ve taken the log out of our own eye. Amen.
Great reflection. Thanks and amen.
Thank you, Amen!
Sally B. I was also struck by the fact Peter told them they acted in ignorance. It made me think of the many prodigals associated with the Shes here and of Saul who had scales on his eyes. Lord please remove the scales on the eyes of the prodigals. May they turn away from their ignorance.
I relate to your comment so well. Thank you.
“Father give us great wisdom and discernment when confronting others about their sin – help us humbly bring light and not heat as is so prevalent in our world today! And only after we’ve taken the log out of our own eye. Amen.”
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“light and not heat”!!! ❤
❤️