Message in September 2, 2024 Newsletter
One of my favorite stories in the New Testament is found in Acts 3 where Peter and John heal a man who had been crippled since birth. In my opinion, it is also one of the best Bible Videos (that you can watch here).
As this story begins, this likely was not the first time Peter and John had seen this man. In fact, they probably have seen him and walked past him each time they had been to the temple. Verse 2 notes he was “laid daily at the gate of the temple…to ask alms of them that entered into the temple.” And that happened again this time. “Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.”
But something changed when they saw him this time. Verse 4 has the phrase of “Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John…”. This time, Peter and John saw this lame man differently than they had before. Their vision changed. And because of that, a miracle occurred.
To his request for alms, Peter responds, “Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God” (Acts 3:6-8).
Because they acted differently, the outcome changed completely for both the lame man, and also Peter and John. Think about the difference this experience made for the lame man. He had never stood on his feet, but now he could walk and jump. But I also think about the difference it made for Peter and John. To heal this man must have had a great impact on them as well.
There are some great lessons we can learn from this story:
- To change our results in life, we have to change what we do. To change what we do, we have to change what we think. To change what we think, we have to change what we see.
- Thus, a key to getting different results is to have a vision of what needs to be accomplished. We have to see people differently. We have to see our circumstances differently. We have to see His work differently.
- This is so important with missionary work. A bold vision of the work can cause us to see things differently. As we see things differently, we begin to think differently. As we think differently, we begin to act differently. And as we act differently, results will begin to change. It all begins with obtaining a new vision of what needs to be accomplished…to see things differently.
With that in mind, what is your vision for the work? How can you see things differently? Don’t be afraid to try to new things – to act differently – to change your current outcomes. Always act within the standards we’ve been given, but change up your routines. Break out of patterns that may be limiting your thinking of what is possible. Break those lids!
See differently…think differently…act differently…results change.
We love you and are so grateful to serve with you. Let me or Sister Barlow know if you need anything!
Barlows in TKM 