The day seemed busy. The companions were going through their ordinary agenda, but they did not realize God had placed an activity on their schedule that would take up most of the day. They were headed to the temple to pray when they noticed a group of folks bringing a man to the gate to beg. The man was lame, and he spent his days by the gate hoping to raise enough provisions to survive. He too did not realize God had placed an event on the calendar. It is now time for God’s change to the timeline to be revealed.

Peter and John looked at the man and the man looked back expecting money, but Peter said to him, “We don’t have any money. We will give you what we have. In the name of Jesus, get up and walk.” Peter then helped the man to his feet and took advantage of a natural opportunity to share the Good News. This concerned some of the religious leaders of the day, and they took Peter and John before their “Supreme Court.”

The next day as Peter and John stood before the religious leaders, they gave the credit to Jesus. “The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John. For they could see they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus, but since they could see the man who had been healed standing right there among them, there was nothing the council could say,” records Acts 4:13-14.

Peter and John were fishermen; they were ordinary guys, so the council was perplexed about how they performed this miracle and could handle Scripture with such authority. The council could reach only one conclusion. The reason for Peter and John’s success was Jesus.

What is real success?

People search for success all over the place, but the key to real success is the Lord. Author Charles Stanley comments, “Real success is never about your own intelligence, education, beauty, or talent. Rather it is about the Lord Jesus Christ shining through you.” Peter and John were recognized as men who had been with Jesus.

Are you recognized as someone who has been with Jesus? The Lord uses our intelligence, education, and all the other attributes he graciously gives us in our lives. But ultimately, success or failure is up to him. The road to success is definitely bumpy, but one day it comes. The goal of real success is the desire of all Christians – spending eternity in Heaven. Real success comes in spending time with Jesus.

Challenge yourself to spend time with the Lord. Spend time reading the Bible and in prayer. JC Penny once commented his success was the result of adversity and Jesus.

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