Nougat 22

Have you ever desired a makeover? If you could what would you change about yourself? I’ll admit, there are different things that I’ve wished to change at different points in my life. It’s not always about physical traits. I suspect that God desires us to get makeovers too, preferably of the spiritual kind. Somehow, that’s what comes to mind as I read Today’s Holy Nougat

Acts 3:9-10 CEVDCI

[9] Everyone saw him walking around and praising God.

[10] They knew he was the beggar who had been lying beside the Beautiful Gate, and they were completely surprised. They could not imagine what had happened to the man.

Total Transformation

Even if the man had not known Jesus while he was lame, he certainly knew him after Peter and John healed him. We don’t have to wonder if he was elated – his exuberant dancing into the temple (v.  spoke for him. Moreover, we’re told that he was praising God all the way (v. 9). Before anyone had to question what happened to him, he was a walking testimony.

Self-Check

Have we ever thought of our spiritual transformation as God’s makeover? How often do we share our makeover story with others?

Application

For the former lame man, Y’shua, who effected his transformation was the One who earned his praise. We don’t know for certain that he knew Peter and John’s names. It wasn’t an issue for them, they did not introduce themselves to him, as they were focused on pointing him to Christ. In fact, after receiving God’s Spirit, we don’t hear of them doing Ministry in any name except that of Jesus Christ.

As agents of God’s true transformation. Our ministries should be Christ-centred, with less attention to ourselves. Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 3:6-8 that the glory belongs to God, not to us. Of course, it’s not always easy. With this, we realise that the Nougat seeks to affirm both the man’s transformation and that of the apostles. Peter’s character suggests that in the past, he might have been bragging about his skills.

The man’s transformation affected those who knew him. He was almost unrecognisable. Our Nougat tells us that those who knew he was the beggar who had been lying beside the Beautiful Gate … were completely surprised. They could not imagine what had happened to… [him]. But he did not leave it for them to infer the Source of his transformation. He was letting the whole world know.

Our transformation might not be as obvious as his. God’s makeover miracles are not only physical. But we must take the time to praise God for all that God has done for us through Christ Jesus. Whether it is financial, emotional, mental, and/or spiritual, we can testify to the goodness of God. And when others are unable to understand, let us be sure to help them discover our source for themselves. It is only then that they will understand … when they too, experience God’s goodness.

Point to Ponder

What does our testimony look like today?

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May all we seek be found in Christ