There are times in our lives when we need a "miracle", not simply for survival, but to continue the promised virtue of being overcomers. Have you ever needed a miracle from the Lord? We live in a world where wholeness,joy and happiness seem to be constantly threatened by the daily conflict and turmoil all around us. But are we willing to be deliberately obedient and allow Christ to bless us to rise above the circumstances and remain calm despite the raging storms of life. Do you have a sense of assurance that no matter what happens, everything will be alright, and that we serve a trustworthy God who is always in control. If we believe that our blessings are inextricabily tied to our obedience, then this revelation will strengthen your faith!
This biblical revelation comes to us at a time in the life of the church when most would think it impossible. But we serve a God who specializes in making the impossible possible! For nothing is impossible to Him! It is lifted up in the accolades of scripture following a magnificent outpouring of the Holy Spirit that bought the manifestation of anointing of the church for greater works. It follows Jesus’ pilgrimage of appearances after His crucifixion. It maintains the promises of Jesus in miracles being made manifest in His name to give glory to God. Do you believe that Jesus will use people who are already doing the right things (vs 1)? Peter and John were on their way to worship. What are you doing with your time? Are you on the way to worship.....or simply ignoring the opportunity to do so.
Jesus uses people who can be interrupted. vs 2- “And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; (3:3) Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.”
Most of us don’t like to be interrupted. Our schedules are way too busy for that, aren’t they? If interruption is not in our plans....then we simply choose to ingore it. Fortunately, Peter and John did not. As a matter of fact, most of Jesus’ "miracles" occured during "interruptions". Its akin to being like "fish with no water". We love to claim Christianity, but seem to fail or choose to deny the opportunities to minister. But God will use those who recognize or discern the opportunities to minister in His name. Every opportunity will not come before a great crowd of observers. Opportunities will not wait for cheering observers. Opportunities will not be selective about who chooses to take advantage of them. But, this was a purposed time, and Peter and John were on a mission for God. What kind of mission are you on?
Jesus uses people who inspire hope in others. vs 4- “And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. (3:5) And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.” Everybody expects to receive "something". No matter what your station of life is, the truth is that most people, whether rich, poor or destitute expect to somehow receive something. I don’t know of any person who perfers to be omitted from the blessings of this life, regardless of their contemporary circumstances. While pride may keep some from acknowledging their needs, necessity will urge them to perservere in their expectations of their needs being met.
Jesus uses people who use what they have. “Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee:” That is a "hallmark" statement of our comtemporary church. We are so accustomed to throwing money at our problems, that it has become a temporary release valve for our accountability. Many would rather put money in a collection plate, as opposed to actively participating in the work. But the final analysis is that if it is not budgeted, or special offerings, then we must not deal with it. I wonder if people would prefer our dollars to our participatory sympathy? Peter and John chose not only to acknowledge the need and the person, but to do something about it. Jesus uses people who know their Source. vs 6b. “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” Please notice, that the man could not receive unless and until he was obedient to the request/command to "rise up" followed by "and walk". This man asked for money......and instead received healing. Perhaps, the suggestion here is that we can be so overcome by our condition(s), that we accept it as normal, and do not expect relief from its conditions. We must always be careful not to make permanent decisions based on temporary circumstances. Of course, the Word is prudent in acknowledging that this man was born blind...but it also acknowledges that this is not a permanent condition if given over in obedient expectation of God’s delivering power.
Jesus uses people who are willing to not only strive for the best, but who will trust Him to do the rest. vs 7. “And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.” Please note that the instructions said to "rise up". Rising up can be difficult for most of us. Is there something that you need to "rise up" from? Is something crippling your growth? Is there something preventing your "walking"? We must develope the intense desire to "rise up" from our circumstances. Isaiah 43:18-25 says "I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. The church is in the midst of a paradigm shifting. It is in need of those who have not only been awaiting deliverance, but also those who believe in their hearts that this deliverance if available and about to be made manifest to "those who believe". God speaks to us through the prophet Isaiah: Don’t even remember the former things, the past ways of life. Because I God, am about to do something new, something special, something that will forever change how you look at each other and at me. I, God, will come and take you home; I, God, will turn this barren desert into an oasis; I, God, will bring water, bring life, to the places where no water, no life previously existed. And I, God, do this so that you may remember My name and live in a covenant of love with Me and with your neighbor and with yourself. The prophet Isaiah reports all of this to the people who are, at the time, living in exile. So, don’t quit living and expecting deliverance during the crisis of this life. Don’t deny your feelings. They will be buried alive and later come back to haunt you. I believe that is why the man only asked for "alms" and not for healing. He had become a slave to what seemed to be a "norm" of life for him. We are not orphans.......we do not have to live without expectation of His blessings, regardless of what we perceive as our circumstances. Like water in the wilderness, like rivers in the desert, like an aqueduct with a promise of abundant life-giving water in the heart of town, God’s New Creation gives us hope and life. Because we know that God isn’t done with us yet, that God is still creating, using you and me to create, to bring forth water in the desert – this is what gives meaning and purpose to our lives.
Life isn’t about acquisition of wealth. It’s not about dominance or power, or beauty, or even good health.
Life is about the bringing of good out of desperation, the redeeming of time, the restoration and redemption of our heart and soul, the recovery of loss respect, and the rising up of courage. In the swamp of this life, from out of the reality of the muck and the mire of our circumstances, God is about to do a new thing! If only we are willing to obey. All we need to obediently do is believe....so that we can ’rise up and walk". Never forget that God is in absolute control of you and your situation/circumstances. Though we mistakenly allow our feelings of powerlessness to lead us to despair and greatly reduced expectations from an Almighty God. But, remember that an all-powerful God loves you and will never forsake you. Give your problems to Him, over and over again, and learn to be obedient enough to "rise up" and gain His peace over the situations that seek to trouble your soul. We are constantly challenged to "rise up" in our daily walk. Let’s be willing to let go, just a little bit, of the past horrors and debilitating circumstances that we cling to unfaithfully: the high moments in our lives, and even the ancient history that inspires us; let’s be willing to risk responding like the man who was given the command to rise up and let go, of those low moments, predisposed conditions and sad physical circumstances. Be willing to rise above those nonproductive and destructive mentalities and fearful, dreadful times that make us wonder... and let’s embrace an "unknown unfolding of God’s Grace in this great age of paradigm shifting. By our actions, let us acknowledge the forgiveness, the grace and the re-creative, resurrection power that can only come from the Living God, in whom Christ lived, and lives again; in whom we lived, and live again. There are times in our lives when we need a "miracle", not simply for survival, but to continue the promised virtue of being overcomers. Have you ever needed a miracle from the Lord?
This biblical revelation comes to us at a time in the life of the church when most would think it impossible. It is lifted up in the accolades of scripture following a magnificent manifestation of anointing of the church for greater works. It follows Jesus’s pilgrimage of appearances after His crucifixion. It maintains the promises of Jesus in miracles being made manifest in His name to give glory to God. Do you believe that Jesus will use people who are already doing the right things (vs 1). Peter and John were on their way to worship. What are you doing with your time? Are you on the way to worship.....or simply ignoring the opportunity to do so, in order for God to get the glory?
Jesus uses people who can be interrupted. vs 2- “And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; (3:3) Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.”
Most of us don’t like to be interrupted. Our schedules are way too busy for that, aren’t they? If interruption is not in our plans....then we simply choose to ingore it. Fortunately, Peter and John did not. As a matter of fact, most of Jesus’ "miracles" occured during "interruptions". Its akin to being like "fish with no water". We love to claim Christianity, but seem to fail or choose to deny the opportunities to minister. But God will use those who recognize or discern the opportunities to minister in His name. Every opportunity will not come before a great crowd of observers. Opportunities will not wait for cheering observers. Opportunities will not be selective about who chooses to take advantage of them. But, this was a purposed time, and Peter and John were on a mission for God. What kind of mission are you on?
Jesus uses people who inspire hope in others. vs 4- “And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. (3:5) And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.” Everybody expects to receive "something". No matter what your station of life is, the truth is that most people, whether rich, poor or destitute expect to somehow receive something. I don’t know of any person who perfers to be omitted from the blessings of this life, regardless of their contemporary circumstances. While pride may keep some from acknowledging their needs, necessity will urge them to perservere in their expectations of their needs being met.
Jesus uses people who use what they have. “Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee:” That is a "hallmark" statement of our comtemporary church. We are so accustomed to throwing money at our problems, that it has become a temporary release valve for our accountability. Many would rather put money in a collection plate, as opposed to actively participating in the work. But the final analysis is that if it is not budgeted, or special offerings, then we must not deal with it. I wonder if people would prefer our dollars to our participatory sympathy? Peter and John chose not only to acknowledge the need and the person, but to do something about it. Jesus uses people who know their Source. vs 6b. “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” Please notice, that the man could not receive unless and until he was obedient to the request/command to "rise up" followed by "and walk". This man asked for money......and instead received healing. Perhaps, the suggestion here is that we can be so overcome by our condition(s), that we accept it as normal, and do not expect relief from its conditions. We must always be careful not to make permanent decisions based on temporary circumstances. Of course, the Word is prudent in acknowledging that this man was born blind...but it also acknowledges that this is not a permanent condition if given over in obedient expectation of God’s delivering power.
Jesus uses people who are willing to not only strive for the best, but who will trust Him to do the rest. vs 7. “And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.” Please note that the instructions said to "rise up". Rising up can be difficult for most of us. Is there something that you need to "rise up" from? Is something crippling your growth? Is there something preventing your "walking"? We must develope the intense desire to "rise up" from our circumstances. Isaiah 43:18-25 says "I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. The church is in the midst of a paradigm shifting. It is in need of those who have not only been awaiting deliverance, but also those who believe in their hearts that this deliverance if available and about to be made manifest to "those who believe". God speaks to us through the prophet Isaiah: Don’t even remember the former things, the past ways of life. Because I God, am about to do something new, something special, something that will forever change how you look at each other and at me. I, God, will come and take you home; I, God, will turn this barren desert into an oasis; I, God, will bring water, bring life, to the places where no water, no life previously existed. And I, God, do this so that you may remember My name and live in a covenant of love with Me and with your neighbor and with yourself. The prophet Isaiah reports all of this to the people who are, at the time, living in exile. So, don’t quit living and expecting deliverance during the crisis of this life. Don’t deny your feelings. They will be buried alive and later come back to haunt you. I believe that is why the man only asked for "alms" and not for healing. He had become a slave to what seemed to be a "norm" of life for him. We are not orphans.......we do not have to live without expectation of His blessings, regardless of what we perceive as our circumstances. Like water in the wilderness, like rivers in the desert, like an aqueduct with a promise of abundant life-giving water in the heart of town, God’s New Creation gives us hope and life. Because we know that God isn’t done with us yet, that God is still creating, using you and me to create, to bring forth water in the desert – this is what gives meaning and purpose to our lives.
Life isn’t about acquisition of wealth. It’s not about dominance or power, or beauty, or even good health.
Life is about the bringing of good out of desperation, the redeeming of time, the restoration and redemption of our heart and soul, the recovery of loss respect, and the rising up of courage. In the swamp of this life, from out of the reality of the muck and the mire of our circumstances, God is about to do a new thing! If only we are willing to obey. All we need to obediently do is believe....so that we can ’rise up and walk". Never forget that God is in absolute control of you and your situation/circumstances. Though we mistakenly allow our feelings of powerlessness to lead us to despair and greatly reduced expectations from an Almighty God. But, remember that an all-powerful God loves you and will never forsake you. Give your problems to Him, over and over again, and learn to be obedient enough to "rise up" and gain His peace over the situations that seek to trouble your soul. We are constantly challenged to "rise up" in our daily walk. Let’s be willing to let go, just a little bit, of the past horrors and debilitating circumstances that we cling to unfaithfully: the high moments in our lives, and even the ancient history that inspires us; let’s be willing to risk responding like the man who was given the command to rise up and let go, of those low moments, predisposed conditions and sad physical circumstances. Be willing to rise above those nonproductive and destructive mentalities and fearful, dreadful times that make us wonder... and let’s embrace an "unknown unfolding of God’s Grace in this great age of paradigm shifting. By our actions, let us acknowledge the forgiveness, the grace and the re-creative, resurrection power that can only come from the Living God, in whom Christ lived, and lives again; in whom we lived, and live again. The most important thing Peter, John and those of us who believe have to offer is an invitation to experience healing,deliverance and new life in Christ. Silver and gold have we none, but we can offer Jesus to a needful and hurting world. If the man had not obeyed the admonition to "rise up" he would have missed this occasion for his deliverance and salvation. I challenge you to "Rise up and "walk"..in His name.
