In Every Miracle, Point to the Miracle-Worker

“While the man held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade. When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?

By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.” -Acts 3:11-12, 16

This man who was lame from birth had a problem he couldn’t solve. He begged at the temple gate to survive, but God had something so much bigger than just surviving planned for his life (as He does for you)! This man was healed completely and made strong (v.16). It was an absolute miracle! This is what Jesus can do - complete healing, solving the problem you couldn't solve, and making you strong! What a miracle! People came running in astonishment (v.11)! This was something exceptional and worth celebrating! However, Peter quickly refocused the attention where it belonged - not on the miracle itself, but on the Miracle-worker behind the miracle!

Our natural response is to celebrate the miracles! People come running when exceptional things happen! We breath a deep sigh of satisfaction when we personally experience something extraordinary! Miracles naturally gather crowds and draw attention! However, we miss the point of the miracle and open ourselves up to spiritual liabilities when we start to worship the miracle itself. By the supernatural work of the Spirit in us, we can transform our natural instinct from just celebrating the miracle to worshipping the Miracle-worker behind the miracle! It's an opportunity to increase our praise and point others to the Source of every miracle! The importance of making this shift in attention is massive!

You’re surrounded by miracles every day! You are a miracle! Today is a miracle! Large miracles, little miracles, and countless miracles everywhere in between - they’re all over if you have eyes to see them! Recognizing the amazing work of God around us grows our awareness of His power, presence, and kindness. Taking the next step to point to the Miracle-worker behind each miracle builds our faith, strengthens our reliance on Him, and increases our worship! In every miracle, point to the Miracle-worker behind it and watch what it does in your heart and in the lives of others!

Right on?

Read/listen to Acts chapters 1-3

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Overcome Fear-Based Decisions

“Do you refuse to speak to me?” Pilate said. “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?” Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.” From then on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free, but the Jewish leaders kept shouting, “If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar.” -John 19:10-12

Pilate operated in the power of people. He was given power by Rome to govern and maintain order. He told Jesus he had power to free or crucify. Pilate ultimately capitulated to the will of the people in fear of their power. He knew they could inform Rome if he released someone that was a threat to their power. He was completely caught up in making decisions not based on what he wanted to do, but out of the fear of the power of people. You can see it so clearly when Pilate wanted to and tried to free Jesus (v.12), but was too fearful of what the people could do to him.

Jesus, on the other hand was in the room with someone who had the power to put people to death or free them and Pilate threatened the use of that power. However, Jesus knew where real authority was and that the only power anyone has is what God allows them to have. God can intervene at any moment and remove that power from them. However, if He chooses not to, the worst that someone can do is to kill the flesh. Our souls are secure in Jesus as we place our faith and lives in His hands! Even when people do their worst, God can bring good out of the bad for His glory as He did by bringing salvation through the crucifixion of Jesus!

Don’t fear people. Live in the fear of God… a reverent awe of His authority and power! Make decisions today not driven by fear of what others might think, say, or do, but instead live to please God! When you make decisions based in fear, you don’t make good decisions. The best decisions are made when you make them to please God out of fear and respect for His authority and with an awareness of His immense love for you! The Father could have pulled Jesus out of that situation and Jesus could have removed Himself, but God willingly chose this painful path because of how much He loves you! You don’t have to live in fear of worst-case scenarios! You can trust Him with your life because Jesus gave His life for you!

Right on?

Read/listen to John chapters 19-21

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