Poor (Pt. 2)
I think of Peter and John—men who had given their all to follow Christ, men who lived on the day-to-day provision of God.
As they walk by the Beautiful Gate, a lame beggar—in rags and shame—calls out for money, for something, anything to ease his suffering.
Peter says, “Silver and gold have I none, but such as I have I give unto you.”
Such as I have.
They had no money. No extra food. No extra clothes.
But they had the Spirit of the Living God dwelling in them--a well of springing water that does not run dry.
They gave what they had. And what they had was pretty amazing: God’s Healing, His Grace, His Forgiveness.
I think of myself. My such as I have? Do I give it?
I scrape to give scarves and gloves and toothbrushes and food and toys to those in need this holiday season.
I even look for excuses to not give what I barely have, and I wonder what do I really have?
Am I poor?
Do I really have grace and forgiveness and the very Spirit of the Living God and the gifts that comes with that?
Because if I did, wouldn’t that be my such as I have? Wouldn’t it be my response in this season?
I think of churches. Food giveaways, conferences, soup lines, toy drives… and I wonder in this tight economic season where churches are foreclosing… where is the such as I have? Shouldn’t the Hope of the world be in abundance? Overflowing? Shouldn’t we see miracles here?
Okay, and I am totally not saying that all that aforementioned stuff is bad. It’s good! The Bible is clear about giving to the orphan, widow, and those in need. I guess I just recognize that I barely have anything of monetary value to give, and I let that be my excuse. I don’t give the one thing I should have in abundance.
And the cry of my heart this holiday season?
I am praying a crazy prayer. I want more God. I want my such as I have to be the abundance of grace, mercy, and the power of the Holy Spirit. I want to shake off fear and anything else that might hold me back. I want to relentlessly pursue the God of the whole universe. I want to live like I really know Him. I want to see God move in such a way I can’t take an ounce of credit.
I don't want to just do good. I want to do God-changing-lives.
And the craziest part of this:
I'd love to hear from you. If you don't want the "whole world" to see your response, maybe send it to me in an email? Just click the link in the top right hand corner of the page, reply to your email (if you subscribe by email), or email me at conqueringhousewife{at}the-cadence{dot}com. I have been working on a series about crazy obedience... it's a little terrifying but I SO want God and to see Him move. I'd love to know if anyone is right there with me.
By Grace,
Amanda
P.S. Email subscribers: big thank you for sticking with me through a season of my RSS email not working... and then my embarrassing little blunder. Your friendship (because truly I count readers as friends) is something I am so grateful for. Thanks for being on the journey with me. xo
Scripture Reference: Acts 3:1-10
As they walk by the Beautiful Gate, a lame beggar—in rags and shame—calls out for money, for something, anything to ease his suffering.
Peter says, “Silver and gold have I none, but such as I have I give unto you.”
Such as I have.
They had no money. No extra food. No extra clothes.
But they had the Spirit of the Living God dwelling in them--a well of springing water that does not run dry.
They gave what they had. And what they had was pretty amazing: God’s Healing, His Grace, His Forgiveness.
I think of myself. My such as I have? Do I give it?
I scrape to give scarves and gloves and toothbrushes and food and toys to those in need this holiday season.
I even look for excuses to not give what I barely have, and I wonder what do I really have?
Am I poor?
Do I really have grace and forgiveness and the very Spirit of the Living God and the gifts that comes with that?
Because if I did, wouldn’t that be my such as I have? Wouldn’t it be my response in this season?
I think of churches. Food giveaways, conferences, soup lines, toy drives… and I wonder in this tight economic season where churches are foreclosing… where is the such as I have? Shouldn’t the Hope of the world be in abundance? Overflowing? Shouldn’t we see miracles here?
Okay, and I am totally not saying that all that aforementioned stuff is bad. It’s good! The Bible is clear about giving to the orphan, widow, and those in need. I guess I just recognize that I barely have anything of monetary value to give, and I let that be my excuse. I don’t give the one thing I should have in abundance.
And the cry of my heart this holiday season?
I am praying a crazy prayer. I want more God. I want my such as I have to be the abundance of grace, mercy, and the power of the Holy Spirit. I want to shake off fear and anything else that might hold me back. I want to relentlessly pursue the God of the whole universe. I want to live like I really know Him. I want to see God move in such a way I can’t take an ounce of credit.
I don't want to just do good. I want to do God-changing-lives.
And the craziest part of this:
For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. (Matt 7:8)
You didn't choose Me, but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to You. (John 15:16)
So I ask you, what is your “such as I have?” And are you willing to give it this holiday season? And if you don't have it... are you willing to ask for it?
I'd love to hear from you. If you don't want the "whole world" to see your response, maybe send it to me in an email? Just click the link in the top right hand corner of the page, reply to your email (if you subscribe by email), or email me at conqueringhousewife{at}the-cadence{dot}com. I have been working on a series about crazy obedience... it's a little terrifying but I SO want God and to see Him move. I'd love to know if anyone is right there with me.
By Grace,
Amanda
P.S. Email subscribers: big thank you for sticking with me through a season of my RSS email not working... and then my embarrassing little blunder. Your friendship (because truly I count readers as friends) is something I am so grateful for. Thanks for being on the journey with me. xo
Scripture Reference: Acts 3:1-10