One Day – Each Day

Reading: Nehemiah 11-12; Psalm 1; Acts 3 1 Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o’clock prayer service. 2 As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in. Each day he was put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he could beg from the people going into the Temple. (Acts 3:1-2 NLT) This is a story of a miracle of healing by the power of God – in Jesus’ Name. It’s also a story of convergence. One day just before three in the afternoon, Peter and John were on their way to the Temple to pray. This probably happened nearly every day at about this time. At the same time a crippled man was being set down at the Temple gate to beg. This probably happened nearly every day at about this time. One day—this day—it all came together. The crippled man was in his place, Peter and John were about to walk through that Beautiful Gate, and he asked for a handout. The Holy Spirit stirred in Peter and he responded in compassionate faith. The man was healed. The rest of the story is Kingdom of God history! I think much of what really matters in life involves convergence. People doing what they do “Each Day” converges with what God wants to do in the moment, and it suddenly becomes “One Day!” This convergence can involve encounters between people. It can involve encounters with God. It requires that we be faithful in the “Every-Dayness” so God can set up the “One-Dayness” that changes everything. I have my quiet time and Bible Reading and devotional journaling each day. It’s what I do. Sometimes it’s mostly discipline. Just do it. But because God knows where I’ll be and what I’ll be doing, he can choose to speak to me, to allow me an encounter with himself, and what I do “Each Day” becomes “One Day”—a “One Day” encounter that can change my life! The “Each Day” faithfulness is our part. The “One Day” thing is God’s part.

What is your “Each Day” pattern and practice? Prayer:

Father, I recommit to be faithful in the “Every-Dayness” of my life. I long for and look for the “One-Dayness”—the convergence that only you can create. Help me to be faithful to show up every day like the crippled man did, and to be Holy Spirit sensitive and responsive as Peter was on that One Day. Amen. May it be so.

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