Tests are part of life. They come at us every day. Some tests are little while others are huge. Tests also come in our spiritual lives. God allows —-even brings tests in our lives for a purpose. He does not allow tests just for tests sake. He is preparing us for the most important test ever. The final test of our lives–the test that determines where we will spend eternity.

Romans 14:11-12

11 It is written:

“‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord,

‘every knee will bow before me;

every tongue will confess to God.’”

12 So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.

When tests come you can know that God is preparing you for great things!!

13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

They Saw the BOLDNESS of Peter & John. How can we have that kind of boldness?  A boldness that is recognized by those around us. A boldness that changes the atmosphere in the room when you walk in.

We are called to be witnesses in this world. Witnesses to those that we love–to those that we come in contact with in our daily lives. We are called to share the love-grace & mercy of Jesus.

How can we have a boldness that shines that love-grace-mercy into others. From this scripture it is obvious. When they saw their boldness they took knowledge that THEY HAD BEEN WITH JESUS. Spending time with Jesus will bring about the right kind of boldness in our lives. Spend some time with Jesus today–and get ready to boldly proclaim His love with all you meet.

Mephibosheth’s nurse screams for him to run….as they are running she scoops the little boy into her arms…stumbles and falls on him…crushing his ankles and crippling him for life. His life takes drastic changes…he winds up living a life full of pain-disappointment and regret.

Until the one day (many years later) when David the new king asked if there was anyone left from his friends family (Johnathan). His servants remembered there was one member of the family still living…Mephibosheth. David calls for him…ignoring the outcry’s of the palace staff who could not understand what good a cripple could be to the king or them.

Mephibosheth arrives at the palace…walking with an all to familiar limp into his new home. David assures him from this moment on he will always eat at the king’s table..he will daily be in the king’s presence..living in the kings provision.

On that faithful day Mephibosheth ran into the promise of a king. A promise that had been made many years before. A promise that he may not even of realized existed but when the king makes a promise–the king keeps it. On that day–Grace found him.

Today I sit and thank the King–for his promises–his provision–his mercy–his grace. Today I thank him that i will daily sit at his table–in his presence–in his provision. I am thankful that His GRACE FOUND ME!!

In Acts 3 we see Peter & John going to the temple to pray. Along the way the run into a beggar who has been crippled since birth. They command him in the name  of Jesus to get up and walk. Which the beggar grabs a hold of with all his heart. The three men then enter the temple with the beggar walking-leaping-and praising God.

When the crowd saw this–they came a running…

Acts 3:11 While the beggar held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade.

When Peter noticed the crowd gathering–he seized the moment and shared the good news of the gospel with them.

Acts 3:12
12 When Peter SAW THIS, he said to them: “Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?

Its time for us to see. There is a world around you full of family-friends and strangers who need to meet our Lord. Pray today to begin living a life that SEIZES THE MOMENTS that Lord places in front of you! He believes in you–you are His plan for reaching your world!!!

When it comes to our relationship with the Lord we have those same desires to move up planted on the inside of us. We want to MOVE UP in the things of the Lord. We love to hear things like “God is taking you up to the next level” or “Your about to go higher.”

Most of the time when we think of MOVING we think of it in the physical. Moving to a new position or new town or new home or new church or maybe new ministry. When God is truly moving us to a new level that move will be taking place on the inside of us.

There will be some STUFF that He desires to move in our lives. Maybe some things that we have let take His place inside of us. It might be some attitudes that need to be adjusted or maybe some old desires that need to move out the way to make room for more of His presence. When God starts speaking that He is going to move you–open up your heart and say “here you go Lord–move me from the inside out.”

Ps 139:23-24 (NIV)

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.

When Peter & John saw the beggar and focused their attention on them they began to see him in the way that Jesus does. Peter had compassion and wanted to see this brought up out of his situation.

Peter told him….

Acts 3:6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”

Next Peter…Acts 3:7
Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong.

Peter spoke the Word over this man. Told him of what or who he had and that Jesus able-ready and more than enough to heal him. Then Peter took it a step further. He put some action to his talk. He reached down and took a hold of the man.  He got involved in the situation.  He GOT A GRIP.

There are many people around us that need a HAND UP not a HAND OUT. Today GET A GRIP on someone. Get involved in their lives. Take your prayers and your faith to the next level and GET A GRIP of faith. take a good hold of their hand. Let them know that you are there. That you are going to be there UNTIL the Lord comes through. When people see your heart–they will see His heart!!!

GET A GRIP TODAY!!!

As Peter & John were about to go into the temple the beggar asked them for some money. Peter stopped and the LOOKED INTENTLY at the beggar. This look was a look that had more in mind than just looking. Peter told the man…LOOK AT US…the man focused all his attention upon them…he was expecting to receive something good from them.

Acts 3:6
6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.

WHAT I HAVE                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Today is the day to focus on what you have. So often we tend to focus on what we do not have. We focus on our lack…on our hurt…our pain…our shortcomings. Instead of focusing on what we have.  Today–choose to focus on WHAT YOU HAVE…draw your attention to the life that Christ gives you…the strength that He is you. Once your focus is on WHAT I HAVE then GIVE IT AWAY.

For God to flow TO you He must flow THROUGH YOU. SO what I have…I give!!!

The word BELONG is defined as “fitting into a group” or “to be properly in place.” This is of utmost importance in the life of a Christian. For you and me to grow into who God desires for us to be–we must BELONG.

First–we must know that we belong to the Lord.    Our names are imprinted on the palm of his hands.

Isaiah 49:15-16

Psalm 122: 1 I WAS glad when they said to me, Let us go to the house of the Lord!

King David said that he rejoiced when someone said let us go to the house of the Lord. Why? Because it is a place where there is singing, peace of mind, and the Lord is going to speak to you.

SO…Be happy…you can count on the Lord speaking to you in the morning. God’s Word is His way of speaking into our lives.
Get up expecting in the morning–head to church full of anticipation and listen to His Word with Joy!!
He desires to speak to you!!!!!