A dash of faith brings a big miracle

For a while now, I have been reading through the Gospels. I finished them last week and as I began Acts, a certain passage caught my attention. Acts 3:1-16. The man who sat outside the temple gates called Beautiful everyday was healed because of his faith.

In the end of this passage it says that the people were astonished. If you continue reading, Peter raises a really great question..."Why does this surprise you? [vs. 12]" I think we should ask ourselves this question as well. Why is it that we are surprised when God moves in our lives? Why is it that we don't trust God to do what He says He will? These are questions that I have been asking myself lately in the situation I am seeing. There are so many promises and examples in the Bible that prove to us that God is a God of fulfillment. He is a worthy God who deserves our praise. I heard a song recently that really opened my eyes. I am trying my hardest to fully be able to say these words and mean them with all that I have within me.

I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait

I will move ahead, bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience
While I'm waiting
I will serve You
While I'm waiting
I will worship
While I'm waiting
I will not faint
I'll be running the race
Even while I wait

I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am peaceful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it's not easy
But faithfully, I will wait
Yes, I will wait

I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve you while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting on You, Lord

Waiting is not always easy, but I have found in past experiences that it is so worth it. All my days, I believe it will be worth it to wait for the answer God provides, even when it is not convenient for us. I am trying to wait on God right now to provide answers and praying that He would use people in my life to show me the right direction to go. [I know how that sounds, but I hear Him a lot better when He does this.]

The crippled beggar was determined and went to those gates everyday and he had people to help him get there. In our lives, we have to stay focused and determined to find what God's will is for our lives even if it takes a little waiting. I am learning to be content in Christ, rather than using my circumstances to measure my level of contentment. I believe Paul said it best when He said, "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret to being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything who gives me strength. [Philippians 4:11-13]"

He says it all. I believe if Paul could do it, we can do it too. I can do it. I can be content with what the Lord has for me and when He decides to change my circumstances, I will be waiting. Paul faced so many hardships that I probably will never have to go through. Paul is a great example for us to follow. I admire him dearly and thank God for allowing him to be a part of His letter to us.

I am learning what true surrender is all about and finding that as I fix my eyes on the cross, they will be opened all the more. I am trying my best to lay everything at the foot of the cross. We are all like onions with so many layers; as one layer goes, another is revealed. Once they are peeled back, the heart is shown. I seek to have my heart released and given solely over to the will that God has for me; to His plans. While this is a tough process for me, I will go at it with my all. I will allow Him to break me and put me in my place. I thank Him for the grace He gives and praise Him for what He has, what He is, and what He will do with my life.

Til next time...
Chels