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     Good morning Church. As I was reading in the Bible this morning I came across some very interesting verses in the 3rd chapter of Acts. The chapter starts out with an incident that is quoted often; Peter and John were going to the temple to pray and came across the lame man who was lame from birth. He had never walked in his whole life and was making his living by asking alms from those who entered the temple. I believe Peter’s compassion rose up at the sight of this man as he asked for alms:

Acts 3:4-8

     “And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.” So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. (Keep this sentence in mind Church.) Then Peter said, “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.” And he (Peter) took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God.”

     Now first Church we need to go back to where Peter and John first said something to the lame man; “Look at us.” The lame man’s attention needed to be totally focused on Peter who he thought was going to give him money for living, but what he was given was new health and a new life. Think about that Church, he couldn’t move about and work for his well being. Instead of mere money for a small reprieve from starvation he received a whole new life of health and the ability to live and care for himself. What amazing miracles can come through the Name of Jesus; through our own faith in that wonderful Name! That is where most people stop reading---but we can’t stop there we need to know and accept by faith how and why this miracle happened. Remember Church, God’s Word IS our “Living” example from our Lord and Savior, He did and said everything through His Father. (Now with no veil to separate us from The Father, shouldn’t we do the same?)

     Back to the Word; in verses 12-15 Peter was responding to the amazement of the people for what just happened. Read for yourself Peter’s second sermon in his walk for the Lord and man-kind. I’m going to start writing again from verse 15 to set up the verse that caught my heart with joy.

Acts 3:15-16

     “and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses.” “And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.”

     You need to read the rest of Chapter 3 for the full understanding of our Lord and Savior, but I would like to focus on verse 16 for right now.

     Through Peter and John’s “faith” in Jesus’ Name the lame man was made whole and well. Peter and John “KNEW” God in their hearts and “KNEW” what compassion Jesus has for the people. So they had the “HEART” confidence in that Name to reach out to heal “IN” Christ’s Name!

     Saints, can our minds really comprehend what our hearts already know as truth from our God?

     Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was ordained for us before time began. Now we, as Born Again Children of God, have the right, authority and yes, the responsibility to speak and act in the Name above all other names---JESUS CHRIST---through faith and trusting and believing in our God. A profound statement that is the Truth from God’s Word.

     Before we end this amazing chapter in the Word I’d like to give us some word definitions that will help us in knowing our Liberties as Christians.

     Let’s look at the word Hope first because it is the word we all need to embrace for our strength, joy, and peace:

Hope: trust, reliance (or confidence, firm belief; trust)

     The next three words are essential for our salvation and future with our God and Creator; Trust, Belief, Faith:

Trust; noun

     A firm belief in the honesty, truthfulness, justice, or power of a person or thing; faith. Verb: to have or place confidence or faith in…

Belief:

     to accept as true or real.

Believe in:

     to be convinced of the actual existence, occurrence, validity, or truth of..(something)

Last but certainly not least; Faith:

Faith:

     A believing without proof; trust. (which leads us back to Hope)

     Everyone of these words interconnect with each other, they rely on each other for their purpose; just as we need to rely on our God for His and our purpose in life.

     Paul quoted Isaiah in Romans 15: 12-13 for all the Gentile’s Hope.

Romans 15:12-13

     “And again, Isaiah says: “There shall be a root of Jesse; and He who shall rise to reign over the Gentiles, in Him the Gentiles shall HOPE! (Isaiah 11:10) Now may the God of “hope” fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in Hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 12:12; 14:17)

     As Born Again Children of God we already have God’s Spirit, the Holy Spirit, with/in us. WHAT ARE WE LACKING IN OUR LIBERTY AS CHRISTIANS THEN? MAYBE THE FAITH IN BELIEVING IN THE POWER OF HIS NAME!

     How can we change this lack, Church? By a personal, intimate relationship with our God, each and everyone of us---then a corporate unity with other ‘liked-faithed’ people.

                         How? By: (Our first step)

 

Trusting and Believing in God’s Love for me/us.

 

All scriptures are from: New King James Version of Prophecy Study Bible, General Editor-John C. Hagee unless otherwise stated.

World Book Encyclopedia Dictionary copyright 1964 Doubleday & Company, Inc.