Surprised? ...men of Israel, why are you so surprised and wondering at this? Why do you keep staring at us as though by OUR OWN POWER or GODLINESS we have made this man able to walk? Acts 3:12 John 6 brings to light more than ever the amazing personality of Peter! So drawn to the Lord and His eternal message was he that even in the hardest moments where many turned and abandoned this new gospel, Peter stood firm. His conviction had grown from the miraculous catch of the fish through the miraculous feeding of the 4000 and 5000, and now, His faith had matured. Peter had come to KNOW CHRIST! Nothing else mattered. His centre of attention was Christ. He had grown to trust the Lord, to believe Him, to love Him, and the more Peter knew of the Lord and yielded to Him, the more the Lord released His Power into Peter. Peter embraced all that Jesus represented, that to him there was little or no difference between the supernatural and the natural. It was Christ in everything and around everything. One day (Acts 3), an ordinary day at that, not a special prayer meeting, nor retreat, Peter and John were on their way to the temple for the routine 3p.m prayers. Coincidentally, they met a cripple who daily was carried out and placed in front of one of the Temple gates called Beautiful. This cripple man saw them both and in his usual manner begged them for financial help. The next few moments were simply unbelievable. Peter declared that he had no money (what a disappointment), but in the same breadth claimed he had JESUS! He knew he had Jesus Authority, Power, Permission and Presence and so with boldness, he stretched his hands and raised this cripple up as strength flooded into his body. As amazing as all this is, it isnt the focus of our text. Our focus is what Peter said in verse 12 (quoted above). Wow! In a moment he introduces Jesus to the people and a revival of sorts breaks through in the city. Notice that to Peter, this shouldnt be an unusual event! Followers of Jesus are expected to intervene in the lives of the oppressed by exercising supernatural graces! Secondly, he exercised a free gift! Not one that came by anything he did-not even his godliness It was purely an act of grace and mercy! Beloved, there is no inheritance greater than Christ. If only we can receive all of Christ as Peter did, what a glorious world we would all live in. Peter was totally transformed in all areas and so also can we if we can embrace Jesus fully. Shalom! PRAYER CONFESSION Heavenly Father, take my life and let it show forth your glory. Grant unto me the boldness to present Jesus to the world everywhere I go. Let the knowledge of Christ cover the earth as waters cover the sea in Jesus Name. Amen.
Posted on: Thu, 22 Jan 2015 13:31:33 +0000