Take the Opportunity
Peter saw his opportunity and addressed the crowd. “People of Israel,” he said, “what is so surprising about this? And why stare at us as though we had made this man walk by our own power or godliness? Acts 3:12
Have you ever missed out on an opportunity? Maybe it was a job promotion you were hoping for, a big sale you let slip by, or even a missed moment to strengthen a relationship. We’ve all experienced the disappointment of lost opportunities, some due to circumstances beyond our control and others because of choices we’ve made.
But the missed opportunities that sting the most are often those moments when we sense a nudge from the Holy Spirit and choose to ignore it. Maybe you felt prompted to pray for someone, but it just didn’t feel convenient. Perhaps you saw someone in need and walked past, telling yourself you’d help “next time.” That regret tends to linger because we know we could have made a difference. The good news is that God is gracious, and opportunities to follow His lead will come around again.
In today’s reading, Peter seized the opportunity presented to him at the temple gate called Beautiful. After the lame man was healed in the name of Jesus, Peter boldly addressed the astonished crowd. He didn’t take credit for the miracle, instead, he used the moment to point people to Jesus. (Acts 3:11-26)
We know that Peter wasn’t always so bold. Scripture records moments when Peter missed opportunities, like the time he denied Jesus three times. Yet, God didn’t give up on Peter. After being filled with the power of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, Peter was transformed and ready to step into the opportunities God placed before him.
The truth is, the Holy Spirit is continually presenting us with moments to follow His lead. As believers, we can’t simply turn Him off. However, we must be intentional about listening. Recognizing His voice often starts with understanding that His guidance will always be in agreement with God’s Word.
Here are a few truths to remember when discerning the Holy Spirit’s promptings:
- The Holy Spirit will never call you to ignore people. Love and compassion are always part of His nature.
- He won’t prompt you to withhold prayer. If you feel led to pray for someone, that’s the Spirit’s gentle nudge.
- He will never discourage generosity. Whether it’s giving your time, resources, or encouragement, the Spirit often moves us to act in kindness.
- He won’t lead you to act in anger or resentment. Instead, He calls us to respond with grace, patience and love.
Below are some steps that can help you to seize the moment when you have an opportunity to be led by God’s Spirit:
- Pause and Pray: When you sense a prompting, take a moment to pray. Ask God for discernment and courage to follow through.
- Act in Obedience: Don’t overthink it. Often, the simplest act of kindness or encouragement can have a profound impact.
- Stay Sensitive: The more you respond to the Holy Spirit, the easier it becomes to recognize His voice.
- Trust God with the Results: You may never see the full impact of your obedience, but God will use it for His glory.
Today I want to encourage you that the next time you’re faced with the choice to lend a helping hand, speak an encouraging word, or pause your day to care for someone, consider the prompting inside your heart. Don’t let busyness or fear hold you back. When you choose people, you are choosing God’s plan.
Remember, we are here to reflect Christ’s love and be His hands and feet in this world. And when you follow His lead, you’ll never have regrets. Take the opportunity. The Holy Spirit is with you every step of the way.
Today’s scripture reading: Acts 3:11-26
11 Now as the lame man who was healed held on to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch which is called Solomon’s, greatly amazed.
12 So when Peter saw it, he responded to the people: “Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?
13 The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go.
14 But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you,
15 and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses.
16 And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.
17 “Yet now, brethren, I know that you did it in ignorance, as did also your rulers.
18 But those things which God foretold by the mouth of all His prophets, that the Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled.
19 Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,
20 and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before,
21 whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.
22 For Moses truly said to the fathers, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear in all things, whatever He says to you.
23 And it shall be that every soul who will not hear that Prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.’
24 Yes, and all the prophets, from Samuel and those who follow, as many as have spoken, have also foretold these days.
25 You are sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’
26 To you first, God, having raised up His Servant Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities.”
The Daily Dose 