Faith-2

Linking up with Tuesday at Ten. Today the word is Faith.

What is the object of your faith? When you walk up to the ATM machine, you insert your card with some assurance that at the end of transaction, you will have the cash desired; this is faith. When you start your car, you drive from point A to point B, you are expecting the car to take you to your destination; this is faith. When you sit in a chair, you expect the chair to be there, to support your weight; this is faith.

Jesus’ transfigured risen to heaven. We read in Act 2, the promised Holy Spirit indwells the apostles and believers. Peter preaches and a revival occurs, faith is born, faith in Jesus Christ. Peter’s preaching added 3,000 faithful believers.

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Follow Peter and John on their faith highway in Acts 3:

Traveling to the Temple, heat was stifling, Peter and John’s clothes were sticking to their backs. Flies were swarming as the local vendors were trying to sell their goods. Jesus no longer present. The rumors were still fresh that he had risen from the grave and now was in heaven. Near the Temple grounds, a cripple beggar sits, he is here every day, begging for monies. Little does he know this day is different. His friend leaves him, sweat on his brow, he sees two men approaching the Temple, he was always placed by the Beautiful Gate.

As Peter and John prepare to go into the Temple, the beggar says “Money,” “Any money for me, I am cripple,” Peter gazes down intently, the lame man looks up, their eyes lock. The blind man expects money. But we read in the scripture in Acts 3: 6-10, he receives more than money, he receives his life back.

Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

In the name of Jesus of Nazareth, WALK!  [Tweet “Faith requires action.”]  Peter offered him his hand, he helped him up. Beloved, look at the result of faith. This man no longer lame complete healing, walking, jumping and praising God. Beloved, is your faith fresh? Do you need to renew your faith? Come to the Beautiful Gate, walk and praise God.

Beloved, what are you doing daily to renew your faith? In Hebrews 11:1 says, Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. The lame man had to take Peter’s hand, he needs willingness to try to stand up, he had to be willing to change. Are you willing to change?

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 3:16

Father God, may we always have faith in the name of Jesus. Allow each of us to have the faith and the courage to change. We know that faith requires action at time and sometimes we have faith and don’t even think about the faith, just like when we sit in a chair. Help us when you ask us to change. When you ask us to walk through the Beautiful Gate, help us on the other side to walk, jump, and praise you regardless the circumstances. Father for the woman who is helpless, give her hope. For the woman who is stressing, ease her stress, for the woman who does not have a friend, bring friendship in her life. For the women that has no joy, fill her up with joy.  Continue us on the highway of faith.

So I asked what is the object of your faith? but the question should be who is the object of your faith? Jesus is the object of my faith. What highway does he have you traveling?