Abide in Him

“And Jesus said to the Jews who believed in him, ‘If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples.’” John 8:31

At this time, the Jewish people didn’t have a NKJ, or ESV bibles, with red letters of Jesus’ words. These people had JESUS, who is the word. They listened, and they followed him. I’m sure many of them followed to see if he was going to do miracles, or to hear an amazing sermon.  But, if you TRULY wanted to be a disciple, you needed to accept his word, and act in accordance to it. The same goes for us today. Many people go to church and listen; they follow the crowd, but not necessarily abide in the word. To be a true disciple of Christ, we must read and study His written word that we have, and it should reflect in our lives. The same words that Jesus spoke to the Jews are the same words he speaks to us. Abide in the word, and you are His disciple.

This week I am going to read through the gospel of Mark, so that I have a better understanding of the word’s of Jesus.

Acts 3:10

“And recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.” –Acts 3:10

This man was recognizable. Jesus must have walked by him many times, but he didn’t heal him. Why? God’s timing is better than our own. God knew exactly who needed to be in the temple when he came in, and he knew the state of that man’s heart. Maybe this man just became content with his disability or, maybe he didn’t think he could go any further living like this. Whatever the case may be, God orchestrated the whole thing, so that this man’s testimony would have the biggest impact possible. Not only this man’s life was changed, but everyone that was in the temple got to encounter God in an awesome way.

Often times in our own lives, we lose sight of the big picture. God knows everything that we’ve done, and that we have yet to do. He even uses the mistakes we’ve made to glorify Him.  I think back to times when I thought God was messing up, and laugh at the audacity I had to question God’s plan. He has everything in His hands, and he uses trials to bring glory to His name.

As I think of the lame man maybe being content with his situation, I wonder if there are areas of my life that I’ve become content, and the Lord would like to change.

Today I have confessed an area of my life that I’m wrongly content in, with Cortney, and will confess it to God. Cortney has agreed to hold me accountable in this area.

Acts 3:9

“And all the people saw him walking and praising God” –Acts 3:9

This verse makes me this of my older sister, who at the age of 14 was diagnosed with a virus called Guillain-Barre syndrome. This virus paralyzed her muscles from the neck down. She felt hopeless, and angry and didn’t understand why God had done this. She was wondering what she had done wrong, or what the purpose of this could possibly be. It took a year of grueling rehabilitation and physical therapy, but God gave her strength back in her muscles. I remember the first time she was able to walk into church. Everyone knew what had happened to her, and people got to see her praising the Lord for his healing, and their lives were changed. Since this illness, she has been able to share her testimony with others, and really show the healing power of God. Many lives were impacted through her story, which in my sister’s eyes made it all the suffering and pain worthwhile. 

The lives of the people in this temple must have been impacted too. They saw this man many times, and probably didn’t think very much of him. Now, he was WALKING and praising God.  This man’s circumstances gave him such an open door to the lives there in the temple. He can use the gift he was given to be a witness for God, and in turn brought many to faith in Christ.

Today I will pray for my sister, so that she continues to give God the glory, and pray for people that she encounters and shares her story with, that they would be impacted.

Acts 3:8

“And leaping up he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.” –Acts 3:8

He didn’t just stand up, he leapt. The definition of leap is move quickly and suddenly. This man didn’t just slowly stand up, gently leaning the weight of his body that his legs have never held up, and make sure he had his balance. No, he leaped to his feet, and began to walk.   This man had been giving an extraordinary gift, and he was well aware of that. There was no hesitation, just immediate acknowledgement of the power of Jesus Christ’s name. Unfortunately, many people don’t give glory where glory is due, and they take credit for what they have. Nothing that we have, or have done is from our own hands. God is in control, and as easily as he gave it to us, he can take it away.

Today I am going to thank God for all that he has done in my life, and has yet to do because he deserves all the glory.

Acts 3:7

“And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong” –Acts 3:7

I’m sitting in my usual spot, right by the synagogue, hoping people will take pity on me. I see two men that I see regularly walking by, and ask them for some money. The man tells me that he doesn’t have money, but he says get up and walk. …  My mind is racing. Does he realize I’m impaired? …is he joking? It’s absolutely impossible. But… He seems serious… and genuine, and confident…should I believe him? He grabs me by the arm, I’m surprisingly willing, and he pulled me to my feet. My ankles and feet feel like new. It was like I had been walking my entire life. Did this really happen? By the power of Jesus Christ I have been healed.

Over the years I ‘ve experienced many answered prayers.  Sometimes God answers immediately, but other times it takes patience.  So many times I overlook all that he does, and is doing in my life. Like this lame man, I need to rejoice in what the Lord has done in my life.

Today I will make a list of answered prayers, and unanswered prayers and praise and thank the Lord for the answered ones, and ask the Lord for patience for the unanswered prayers. 

Acts 3:6

 “But Peter said, “ I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk” –Acts 3:6

This man didn’t know all that he could have. He thought he needed money, but in reality, he could have so much more. He could walk here on earth, and have eternal life with God.  Sometimes I feel like there is so little that I can give. I don’t have very much money, and I only have limited skills. I want so badly to make an impact in people’s lives, but don’ have the physical means. But here, Peter doesn’t have any money, but he’s giving this man exactly what he needs. Money can help temporally, but Peter was helping this man with what he did have, that has far more worth than silver or gold. Sharing the healing and love of Christ holds the most value. The impact I need to be making is not for people’s lives here on earth, but for their eternal life.

Sometime this week, I am going to write a letter to my unsaved cousin, and tell her about what Christ is doing in my life.