Same Mission
This man heard Paul speaking. Paul, observing him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed. Acts 14:9
As we read through the book of Acts, there seems to be a recurring theme of: opportunity, obstacles, overcoming and growth. Today’s reading is no different. Paul and Barnabas were in the town of Lystra, preaching the gospel again. People are there to listen and receive the message, but when Paul saw a man that was never able to walk, he noticed that the man was listening intently, and Paul could even see that faith was rising up in the man to be healed. The passage makes it sound like Paul stopped preaching and told the man to get up, so the man did. Now there was an obstacle. The people that saw it happen immediately jumped to the conclusion that Paul and Barnabas were mythical gods that they had been worshipping up to this point.
There is another person in this passage that was facing opportunity, obstacle, overcoming and growth and that is the man that was healed. This is where I want to set my focus today. What happened to this man long ago can still happen today and does in many cases. When we need miracles in life, we can follow this man’s example and we will see our answers to prayer.
First off, the man was at the meeting hearing the Word of God. This is a critical step in building your mountain moving faith. Romans 10:17 says that faith come from hearing and hearing the Word of God. Paul could see that the man had faith because that man was in the place to hear God’s Word and it was growing inside of him. The man believed what he was hearing and allowed it to build up his faith for his healing. If you are in need of answers in you life today, this is the first place you should start too. Get into God’s word and get to know Him on a personal level. Spend quiet time with Him each day in prayer and reading His promises to you in the scriptures. Go to weekend service where you can hear a message of faith directly from God’s word and also be encouraged by other believers. When you begin here, you are building a foundation for your faith to grow on.
Next, the man believed. He believed what he was hearing from the apostle Paul. He believed that God sent Jesus to save and heal him. He believed that if he continued to listen, his faith would grow, and he too could have the gift of salvation and all the benefits that come with it. You must believe it also. No matter what you are up against or what obstacles are coming your way, believe that God has a solution and answer for you, and it is a supernatural one. Believe that He not only wants to save you, but He wants you to walk out all of your days in His grace and blessings. He has healing for you, and He has strength for you to walk out your mission in victory. He will restore your life and any relationships that may have been broken.
Lastly, the man acted. When he heard Paul’s command to get up, he didn’t even hesitate or make excuses. He could have said: “No, I have never stood on my feet so there is no strength in them to stand.” Or “I have never walked since the day I was born.” Instead, he acted on the word he was given because his faith had grown, and he believed that God would give life to his legs. You must also act if you want to see your miracle. If you are not sure what action you need to take, begin to ask the Holy Spirit for your part in the answer. It may be obscure and not make sense to you, but one thing you can know for sure is that it will be different than what you think the answer is. It will line up with the Holy Spirit’s character (fruit) and His Word and it will never be manipulative or deceitful. But sometimes you have to step back before you step up. Ask the Lord what was the last thing He asked you to do and if you have not done that yet, it is a good place to start. Your obedient action is key. Not so He can control you but so He can get you to the place where your miracle is waiting for you.
Today I want to encourage you to follow the pattern of Acts when opportunity and obstacles comes. Remember that when you see an opportunity, obstacles are not far behind. This doesn’t have to be a bad thing; it is just another opportunity to trust God’s direction to get you through the obstacle and eliminate the objections. Be determined to overcome the obstacles and take hold of your victory. Follow the example of the lame man at Lystra and get yourself in the secret place with God each day and keep Him with you all day long. Commit to weekend service at your local church and come together with others to reinforce your faith in His Word. Know that His Word and promises are also His will for what you are going through. Believe that God is for you not against you and with God on your side nothing will be impossible. Lastly, act on His Word and follow the direction the Holy Spirit speaks to your heart. He will not lead you astray, but His instruction will line up with His Word. You can even ask for a scripture to stand on as you walk out the things He puts in your heart. Take hold of your miracle and answers to prayer today by stepping your faith walk up as you press into the love of your heavenly Father. He has miracles for you, but you have a part in them too.
Today’s scripture reading: Acts 14:8-18
8 And in Lystra a certain man without strength in his feet was sitting, a cripple from his mother’s womb, who had never walked.
9 This man heard Paul speaking. Paul, observing him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed,
10 said with a loud voice, “Stand up straight on your feet!” And he leaped and walked.
11 Now when the people saw what Paul had done, they raised their voices, saying in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!”
12 And Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker.
13 Then the priest of Zeus, whose temple was in front of their city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, intending to sacrifice with the multitudes.
14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their clothes and ran in among the multitude, crying out
15 and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from these useless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them,
16 who in bygone generations allowed all nations to walk in their own ways.
17 Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.”
18 And with these sayings they could scarcely restrain the multitudes from sacrificing to them.
The Daily Dose 