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Listen while you read: "Give To Our God Immortal Praise"1 (Lyrics) |
Acts 3:6-8 – Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. (NIV)
A number of years ago, I purchased three young adult dachshunds: Dinah, Molly, and Casey. None of these dogs had ever been house dogs. They had always resided in a kennel. Thus, between housetraining, teaching manners, socialization skills, and forging a relationship with each one, I certainly had my work cut out for me. On top of this, I was busy packing, preparing to move across country.
One day when I was in my study, I heard a flurry of activity behind me. Glancing up from the box of books that I was sorting, I saw a virtual fountain of envelopes erupting like a whirlwind into the air from another carton. Leaning across a stack of packing materials to better see what was happening, I burst into laughter. Casey had leapt into a large box of office supplies and was having a blast. He was literally leaping and jumping and flinging forth envelopes with wild abandonment. He was free. When he came to live with me, a brand new way of life opened up for him, and boy, was he ever enjoying himself!
Whenever this memory surfaces, I am reminded of the crippled man whom Peter restored in the name of Jesus. One minute, he was imprisoned in one kind of life, and the next, he was freed from it. A totally amazing and unexpected healing had occurred, and his spontaneous response to this miracle was to walk and jump and praise God.
Sin, much like physical disease or limitation is also crippling. It has the power to affect our lives in ways that we cannot fathom, and no amount of silver or gold can cure this ravaging force. Only Jesus can and does, and will for the asking.
1 John 1:9 – If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (NIV)
These words are true. They are fact, and when we place our hope and trust in them, our lives do change. Sometimes, the change is immediate, bringing about a spontaneous burst of joy and renewal. Other times, it comes quietly, like a soft, almost inaudible whisper, but come it does, one day, one bit at a time, until, just like the man in today's reading, we, too, find ourselves walking and jumping and praising God in our new-found life and freedom.
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the forgiveness and mercy found through faith in Jesus Christ, who died for the sins of the whole world, that all mankind might have opportunity to discover new life and freedom in His love. Bless many this day with faith to believe and receive. In Christ's amazing name, we ask. Amen.
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Another good word Lynne. Blessings.
Ah Lynne I love your true to life animal stories!!
Amen!
Thanks for writing to us Lynne.
Amen – Jesus has the power to set us free from every kind of disease! Thanks Lynne for this encouraging message.
Blessings.
A beautiful devotional, Lynne, Thank you.
I knew it was one of yours without looking….because of your kindness to Animals.
St. Francis must surely be smiling.
Dear Lynne,
Thank you for the new life message with “walking and leaping and praising God” emphases.
Keep writing GOOD NEWS.
Thank you Lynne for this.
Picturing the joy in your pet’s new life and comparing it to the joy in Christ. Picturing God’s family leaping with steps off the ground for the pure joy Jesus gives to all who walk with HIM.
Dear Lynne,
I really liked your devotional from today.
Thank you for taking the time to write it.
(Ohio, USA)
Good Morning Lynne:
What a beautiful message. We are indeed free in Christ and your message made me realize just how free His life, death and resurrection has made us.
Thank you for your cute illustration, and illustration with a powerful meaning.
Hi Lynne, Your devotional went over big here.
We too have and adopted dog which we brought home from the S. P. C. A. where for years we have been volunteering. We were supposed to find someone to adopt her. We just could not do it. She was so emaciated and wretched neither of us could trust anybody else with her. Eight years later we cannot imagine life without her. And we often recall the time we nursed her back to health. It really confirms to us those words from the Ancient Mariner:
He prayeth best who loveth best
All things both great and small
For the dear God who loveth us
He made and loveth all.
Blessings.
Hi Lynn, Thanks you for the devotion and the picture of delight and happiness of a little dog.
A couple of years ago I was on a medical mission trip and it was a most amazing experience from a spiritually standpoint on many fronts and many times. At a clinic in a rural village an elderly man was brought in who was walking with a cane. Two team members prayed over him and as I watched it unfold there was a sense of the Holy spirit at work.
This old man was walking with a cane and was now healed and he literally started jumping and leaping and praising God.
The scripture you quoted in your devotion came to my mind and I felt so blessed to be a part of something special.
I will never forget that day and as I look back on it, I got a glimpse of the Holiness and Awesomeness of God that day and of two women who loved the Lord with all their heart, mind and soul being used by the Almighty to heal. It gives me such a warm feel to remember it and one of the Holy moments of my life.
Thanks for sharing you me memory which triggered mine. Blessings.
Thanks Lynne for sharing this. I could see your canine friend stirring up a storm of envelopes! How fun for him. Glad you found it funny. Thanks for the reminder that Jesus is the One who frees us. Blessings.
Lynne – Thank you for this life-giving message. Once again, I enjoyed reading your writing. May God continue to bless you in so many ways for His glory.