LEAPING UP!

Today’s Bonus Leap Day Reading: Acts 3

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).

This is a model of the Temple from the time of Jesus, where it was situated on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. The Temple was destroyed in 70 AD by the Romans. Today, a Muslim mosque, known as the Dome of the Rock (seen in the background), is located on that same Temple Mount. This is where the miracle in today’s reading took place.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

Key Verse: Acts 3:8

And he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them — walking, leaping, and praising God.

This is a once in four years blog, as this year is a leap year! Therefore, we have one extra day, February 29th. Rather than change the regular flow of our two-year journey through the Bible, I’ve decided to add a special reading which should give us all great joy. Here were two Apostles, Peter and John, entering the Temple for a 3:00 p.m. prayer meeting. Those leading the Temple services were the very ones who had conspired to have Jesus crucified, but nothing would deter Jesus’ followers from participating in the life of their Jewish people. They had every reason to never enter the Temple again. As followers of Jesus, we must be there where the people are, in the midst of the culture, in order to meet human need and to impact that culture with the Good News of Jesus!!! It was not the “leaping man” who brought a great many to Christ that day. It was the preaching of the Word by Peter. The former lame man’s “leaping” succeeded in getting the attention of the people so that they would listen to the message. Let’s ask ourselves, What are we doing to get the attention of people so that we then can give out God’s Word? Be creative! Do something today to get someone’s time, eyes and ears, and then share Jesus!!! It may not be as dramatic as a miraculous healing. It could be as simple as a hug for a hurting person, which will provide the opportunity we need to bring someone to the Saviour.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord Jesus, with “leaping up” fervency I ask for Your Holy Spirit to empower me today to get someone’s attention, so that, like Peter, I can share Your Word. In Your all-powerful Name I pray. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

The leap year is necessary to adjust our calendars so that they will reflect accurately the movement of the Earth around the Sun and the Moon around the Earth. I don’t understand it all, but I have an extra day. I’m using this day to keep a check-up appointment at the Juravinski Cancer Centre in Hamilton, Ontario. I’m now two years past my predicted expiry date. I believe that the same power of Jesus that caused the lame man at the Temple to leap up is at work in my life. I feel great! Please pray for me that I’ll share Jesus effectively today. I’m praying for every blog partner!

Click here for an example of a time on live TV when I did leap up and dance for joy. I hope that occasion did rap the attention of some viewers so that they heard the testimony which followed.

Yours for a happy Leap Day,

David