Life Is A DIY Project
S: Acts 4:22NIV- For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old.
O: Peter and John where brought in by the rulers and the elders of the law to be questioned about healing a man that had been crippled since birth. They asked them, "by what power or what name did you do this?" Peter filled with the Holy Spirit told them the man was healed in the name of Jesus, the same man they crucified, that God had raised from the dead. Astonished by his answer and courage they knew these men had been with Jesus. They couldn't deny the power because of the evidence of the man crippled man that every one in Jerusalem was now talking about. In order to stop the testimony from spreading, they ordered Peter and John to stop speaking the name of Jesus. They refused because they couldn't help but speak about what they had seen and heard. Because all the people around were praising Peter and John, the law couldn't decide what to do with them. Then out of no where, we land on verse 22 that says, "For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old."
A: I've read this story so many times but always ignore that verse because it seems so out of place. Why after this epic battle between the Law and the Disciples, who are now operating under the grace of Jesus Christ, does the author decide to tell us how old, the man who was crippled since birth was, at the time he was healed? I believe God, in deciding to tell us his age, wanted to give us some more insight on this miracle that takes place in Acts chapter 3. As believers we must understand that in Jesus name, problems that last a lifetime can be fixed in a day!
This man had to wait over 40 years for a miracle, but as believers when we pray, we get impatient with God. When you pray, pray like TODAY will be the day that God wants to turn your life around! TODAY I'm debt free! TODAY my relationships will be better! TODAY I am healed! TODAY I know why God put me here! It doesn't matter how long an issue persist, TODAY can always be the day you receive your miracle in the name of Jesus!
This man had to wait over 40 years for a miracle, but as believers when we pray, we get impatient with God. When you pray, pray like TODAY will be the day that God wants to turn your life around! TODAY I'm debt free! TODAY my relationships will be better! TODAY I am healed! TODAY I know why God put me here! It doesn't matter how long an issue persist, TODAY can always be the day you receive your miracle in the name of Jesus!
What's even more interesting is, if the man was crippled from birth, after forty years, how did he know how to walk when he got up?
He never walked before! God is showing us 2 specific things:
1) God wants to give you miracles that redeem your time.
The average child takes 14-15 months to develop strength in their legs and learn to walk. Some children take 16-17 months. That's over a year! My brother-in-law damage both knees and it took him 9 months to walk again after walking for his entire life! That's why I love God because He strengthens the mans legs and he walks instantly! Things that take time to figure out, God doesn't want you to have to take the time to figure them out, He wants to give you time back, so that you can spend your time doing what He has called you to do!
2) God wants to give you miracles that show you, you have abilities you didn't even know you had.
Once again, the man never walked before! He never learned, he saw it, and I'm sure he believed he would never do it. I believe in Jesus name, that God has put abilities inside of us that are dormant, and at the right time, He's going to tell us to get up and walk them out! It doesn't matter how old you are, or if you think you are not qualified. The only qualification you need rest in the name of Jesus. It's never too late for God to do a new thing through you! He wants to pull things out of you, you never thought you would ever do!
I'm so glad I serve the God that can change 40 years in a day. God can redeem the time I lost, and most of all, God still wants to show me things I never realized I would ever do.
P: God thank You for being the same God yesterday, today, and forever. It doesn't matter what cards life has dealt me to this point, I still believe, in Jesus name You can change my life in a day!!!! Thank You for giving me back the time I have lost. Thank You for giving me abilities I never knew I hand. You deserve all the glory, honor, and praise. Amen!
