Today's Scripture
TODAY’S READING SCHEDULE: Psalms 23 -25; Acts 14
believe with your heart – Acts 14:8-18
8 In Lystra there was a certain man who lacked strength in his legs. He had been crippled since birth and had never walked. Sitting there, he 9 heard Paul speaking. Paul stared at him and saw that he believed he could be healed.
10 Raising his voice, Paul said, “Stand up straight on your feet!” He jumped up and began to walk.
11 Seeing what Paul had done, the crowd shouted in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have taken human form and come down to visit us!” 12 They referred to Barnabas as Zeus and to Paul as Hermes, since Paul was the main speaker. 13 The priest of Zeus, whose temple was located just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates. Along with the crowds, he wanted to offer sacrifices to them.
14 When the Lord’s messengers Barnabas and Paul found out about this, they tore their clothes in protest and rushed out into the crowd. They shouted, 15 “People, what are you doing? We are humans too, just like you! We are proclaiming the good news to you: turn to the living God and away from such worthless things. He made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and everything in them.[a] 16 In the past, he permitted every nation to go its own way. 17 Nevertheless, he hasn’t left himself without a witness. He has blessed you by giving you rain from above as well as seasonal harvests, and satisfying you with food and happiness.” 18 Even with these words, they barely kept the crowds from sacrificing to them.
What does this passage mean to me/us?
There they saw a man who was crippled and never walked before.
Paul was talking to the crowd, and this man was listening to Paul.
While Paul was talking, this man had unwavering faith that he could be healed.
What is required to have unwavering faith?
For this man, the experience of injustice he had to bear might contribute to his faith. However, we have to remember that going through tough situations can easily take away our faith, so this man’s faith, despite his circumstances is notable.
It is often that unwavering faith God wants us to have to experience God’s work in our lives.
We need to find how that faith can build up in our lives.
Prayer
Lord, build up our faith to trust in you today. Help us see your ways. In Christ name, we pray, Amen.
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