“Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” Acts 3:6 (NKJV) In Acts 3:6 we find a quote from Peter that shocks many believers. Peter walked past a crippled man who was begging at the city gate when he said the line quoted in our verse today. The shocking part lies with what Peter did not say. He didn’t say, “God has the ability to heal you, but since He’s up in Heaven, let’s have a little prayer meeting and see if He wants to do something about this situation.” That’s the way most Christians pray today, but that’s not what Peter said. Instead, Peter said …
PRAY FOR REVELATION
Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions. Psalm 119:18 (NLT) Even when you’re in the midst of a storm, you can focus in on God’s grace and realize that the peace and power you’ve needed have been within you all along. Actually, focusing on what Jesus has made available to you is one of the best ways to pray. You won’t really find begging prayers in the New Testament from the book of Acts and on. You find the disciples speaking to a demonically oppressed person and setting them free. You find them speaking to storms like Jesus did. They lived a unique, new creation type of life that many seem unaware of today. Prayer changes completely when you realize that …
KICK THE DOORS DOWN!
I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency]. Philippians 4:13 (AMPC) When you think about it, Philippians 4:13 provides a completely different look at the Christian life than what you may have been taught. You’re not a weak-willed sinner—you’re infused with inner strength because of the nature of God within you. You’re not helpless and hopeless. You’re self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency! A lot of strong people abandon the church because they’re tired of weak, wimpy religious ideas. Strong, independent people aren’t interested in lowly, poor self-esteem Christianity! But this verse speaks of how strong we are through Christ. In …
YOU CAN UNDERSTAND GOD’S WILL
But we have the mind of Christ (the Messiah) and do hold the thoughts (feelings and purposes) of His heart. 1 Corinthians 2:16 (AMPC) Isaiah 55:9 says that God’s thoughts are higher than our thoughts, and it is often quoted to explain disaster. The assumption is that God causes calamity for reasons we can’t understand. The first part of 1 Corinthians 2:16 says, “For who has known or understood the mind (the counsels and purposes) of the Lord so as to guide and instruct Him and give Him knowledge?” (AMPC). However, we can’t forget the second part of 1 Corinthians 2:16! It says that believers have the mind of Christ! We hold the thoughts, feelings and purposes of His heart, so we can understand His …
KNOW THE TRUTH SETS YOU FREE
And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. John 8:32 (NLT) Have you ever tried something new that came to you naturally? When some people sing, it looks as easy as breathing. Others can run with such ease that it seems effortless. You can likely think of something you can do that’s easy and natural for you, even though others find it difficult. Well, the blessed life that God has for you is meant to come to you naturally in much the same way. You see, as a follower of Christ, you’ve received the nature of God and the mind of Christ. So… walking in God’s promises and His blessings can be as natural as breathing for you. For example, …