Faith to Believe

 
  Thought For Today -March 23
   Faith To Believe!
  By: Robert A. Searles

    “And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked: The same heard Paul speak: who steadfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, said with a loud voice, stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked. And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men. And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker. Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people. Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, and saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein: who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness. And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them." Acts:14:8-18.

    In order for the Lord to heal us, spiritually, mentally, or physically, he must see in us the faith to believe that he can, and will heal us. We must recognize our healing when it comes and give him thanks, and walk, and leap, and praise him.

When the Gentiles saw the miracles which had been accomplished through Paul and Barnabus, they attributed them to their own false gods. They thought that Paul and Barnabus were their own false gods appearing in the flesh, and were ready to make sacrifices to them.

    The gospel that Paul and Barnabus preached was: that there is only one true God who performs miracles, forgives sin, heals our bodies, and provides for us everything we need. His name is the Lord Jesus Christ. We must offer our praise and thanksgiving to him alone, and believe that it is he who does it.

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