The funny thing about the book of Acts is that so much of it is so familiar. People preach about it. People talk about it. And the the first few chapters are pretty widely read.
This story here is a pretty popular one. Peter and John heal the lame man at the gate. We read the story, turn the page, and use it as an excuse to not give beggars money (silver and gold have I none). Check this story out again. Before the preaching, and after the silver and gold line. Verse 7 to be exact.
At this point there had been no physical change to the situation. They had walked up, talked to the guy for a second, and prayed for him, but nothing had changed. This is where Peter shows that he's either a man of great faith, or he's crazy. He grabs the guy and starts to stand him up. The guy is still lame! There has been no change in his legs, but Peter is standing the guy up. If I was there, I'd be telling Peter "What kind of nut case are you? You can't stand up a lame guy!" But apparently you can... who knew?
Peter didn't just talk a big game, he believed it with every fiber of his being. He believed it so deeply, that he was willing to risk looking like a fool for humiliating a lame man, in order to act on his faith. Faith isn't just believing. Faith is acting on what you believe. Faith reaches into God's presence, grabs hold of the impossible, and brings it into reality... Kinda like Peter reached out to stand up the limp-legged guy.
Lord, I pray that my faith would be an action and not just a feeling. Help me to stand up the lame things of this world and watch you completely change to situation. Help me put my faith in action.
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