last one in montana

December 9, 2011

“And they were taking note of him as being the one who used to sit at the Beautiful Gate of the temple to beg alms, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. While he was clinging to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them at the so-called portico of Solomon, full of amazement.”

Acts 3:10-11

     The people around the lame man observed him as a man who had been changed. For his whole life he was the same person who begged for money every day on the street corner, then after God pouring His healing power on him, he was never the same again. He felt alive for the first time. I feel like I can relate to this man in a way. I came to Montana as one person, and am leaving a completely different person. When I look back on my experience I know why God brought me here. He wanted to break me down and make me get rid of certain things in my life, give me a boldness in my belief that I’ve always had inside me but never let it out very much, and force me to die to my desires and wants, in order to solely trust in Him. It’s been a memorable learning experience to say the least, one that I will never forget.

Application:

     I will keep up the new healthy habits, hold onto to my new friendships, and for the month that I am home, I will ask the Lord to continue to prepare me for the next part of my journey in Uganda.

December 8, 2011    

“And all the people saw him walking and praising God.”

Acts 3:9

     The people around them witnessed an amazing thing happen. They all saw a transformation in a human life happen right before their very eyes. They could choose to ignore that it was the Lord or admit the fact that they made a mistake about crucifying an innocent sinless man. The people could not deny that God had just used Peter to perform a miracle. So often in our lives we’re afraid to believe something because it’s not normal to what we are used to. But God is not normal; He is radical.

Application:

     I need to be more like Peter and believe in what God can do through a willing vessel that is not afraid to take a leap of faith.

December 7, 2011

“With a leap he stood upright and began to walk; and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.”

Acts 3:8

     One of the most difficult things for me to do is worship Jesus during hard times. Because during these times it seems like the most logical thing to do is tell God about how bad we have it and hope for Him to fix it. We go from a person with great faith to a person who is questioning and doubting God once a tribulation occurs. The lame man reminds me of how I get so excited when God comes through to me like He always does, and then I always ask myself “Why did I doubt You?” A valuable lesson I’ve learned up here is to worship God in the good times and the bad times and dive into His word. He doesn’t just deserve our praise when we feel like giving it; He deserves it all the time. I think we tend to stop worshipping Him during the hard times because we become extremely vulnerable, and that makes us uncomfortable, so we would rather just fix it ourselves. But we don’t have that capability so it comes to the point when we flat out have to make a choice; Surrender to God, or keep doubting and complaining and see where it gets us?

Application:

     I will work on maintaining this mindset that I have learned here and give God everything I have in the good and bad times, and not be afraid to be vulnerable.

“And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, know that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope.” Romans 5:3

December 6, 2011

“And seizing him by the right hand, he raised him up; and immediately his feet and his ankles were strengthened.”

Acts 3:7

     After reading this I tried to put myself in the lame man’s shoes. Here I am having been crippled my whole entire life. Every single day is the same. Wake up, a couple men carry me to the gate of the temple and I sit and ask for charity from everyone who walks by. I can’t imagine what it would be like to have thousands of people walk by me, a man who can’t do anything for himself, every day without even getting a glance from anyone. Then on that lucky day the first people to give me thirty seconds of their lives end up healing me and transforming my life. How radical this must have been to literally see his feet and ankles regain strength. This goes to show what the mighty hand of God can do through those who are faithful. I’ve been looking at this through the eyes of the lame man, but in closing I want to point out the fact that Peter and John had their eyes open to the need at hand and did not ignore it like so many of us do so often.

Application:

     At home especially, I need to be more aware of people like this lame man. And when I minister to them, I will think bigger of what God can do through me and not be afraid to say a prayer of healing over them.

“So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?” Galatians 3:5

December 5, 2011

“But Peter said, “I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene-walk!”

Acts 3:6

     The Disciples didn’t carry earthly values anywhere they went. Being rich and having all the cool things didn’t matter at all to them. How did they do such radical things then? I believe it was their confidence and faith in the Lord to heal and preach to all the people that they did. The disciples paint a perfect picture of what I want my faith to look like. “When He entered the house, the blind men came up to Him, and Jesus said to them, ‘Do you believe that I am able to do this?’ They said to Him, ‘yes, Lord.’ Then He touched their eyes, saying, “it shall be done to you according to your faith.’” (Matthew 9:28-29). There we have it, faith is key! It determines so much and it is the center stone of our belief in the Lord.

Application:

     I need to work on having more faith in God, and not limit what He can do for me and through me. Much easier said than done.

Not because of me

November 25, 2011

“Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.”

Colossians 3:17

     This is a high standard that nobody follows to the T. As I read this I am so thankful for grace, because it’s by grace that we are set free and that we have eternal life waiting for us. Since I am so blessed to be saying that, I know that I have done nothing to earn or deserve it, therefore every good deed or word should be all for His glory. There is nothing that I can do on my own strength, so who am I to think that I deserve credit for my own accomplishments? I don’t, God deserves it all because He gives me the ability to do great things, just like He did with His disciples as they humbly preached the gospel throughout all the land and healed many people in His name. In Acts chapter three, Peter and John came across a lame man who needed help. Peter healed the man in the name of the Lord and he was able to walk perfectly fine. John and Peter reacted to the people’s amazement at them by saying “why are you amazed at this, or why do you gaze at us, as if by our own power we had made him walk? The disciples took no credit for themselves, because they knew it was all the power of the Lord enabling them to heal the crippled man. This is the attitude I need to have all the time.

Application  

“But Peter said, “I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you.” Acts 3:6

     I don’t have much, but what I do have is a life that is fully surrendered to God. I will live my life according to His will and purpose only.