By faith in the name of Jesus...

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 “Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.”  [Acts 3:7-8]

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 'By faith in the name of Jesus...'

It was 3:00pm when Peter and John went up together to the temple in Jerusalem at the hour of prayer. As they approached the temple, they saw men carrying a crippled beggar to his customary spot at the gate call Beautiful.

The helpless condition of this man, lame since birth, is in marked contrast to the beauty of the architecture of the temple. The lame man had obviously given up hope of ever being cured, so he contended himself to ask for a handout.

Instead of looking on this man as a helpless wretch, Peter saw him as one in whom the mighty power of God might be demonstrated! "If we are led by the Spirit, we will fix our eyes on those whom God intends to bless. Peter's command, "Look at us," was not intended to attract publicity to John and himself, but merely to insure the undivided attention of the beggar.

Still expecting nothing more than financial help, the cripple gave them his attention. Then he heard an announcement that was both disappointing and thrilling to him. As far as a handout was concerned, Peter had nothing to give. But he had something better to give. By the authority of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, he commanded the lame man to rise up and walk.

While the man 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 saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, 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? The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.

"But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." John 20:31

Are you washed in the blood,
In the soul cleansing blood of the Lamb?
Are your garments spotless? Are they white as snow?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?



"Silver and Gold have I none"

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

 



'...who meditates on His law day and night'

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 “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”  [Joshua 1:8]

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 '...who meditates on His law day and night'

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the lawof the LORD,    and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. [Psalm 1:1-3]

The truly blessed person is the one who steers clear of the lifestyle of the ungodly. In his contacts with them he avoids complicity with them or even tacit approval of their sin and scoffing. This does not mean that the happy man isolates himself completely from the wicked. Instead he witnesses to them of “sin, righteousness, and judgment,” and seeks to introduce them to Christ, the one source of lasting pleasure. The happy man is a real friend to the ungodly, but he is not a partner with them.

It is impossible to visualize a happy man who is not also a man of God’s Book. He has an insatiable hunger for the Word of the Lord. He loves the Bible and mediates on it day and night. By this means his own life is enriched and he becomes a channel of blessing to others.

The man who is separated from sin and separated to the Scriptures has all the qualities of a strong, healthy, fruitful tree:

Planted by the rivers of water—he has a never-failing supply of nourishment and refreshment.  It brings forth its fruit in its season—he displays the graces of the Sprit, and his words and actions are always timely and appropriate. Its leaf also shall not wither—his spiritual life is not subject to cyclical changes but is characterized by continuous inner renewal. As D.L. Moody put it, “All the Lord’s trees are evergreen.”

This kind of man shall prosper in everything he undertakes. The reason of course, is that he is living in fellowship with the Lord, and all his service is therefore guided by the efficient and successful in the Christian life is to be led by the Spirit of God. Self-directed activity is an enormous waste of time, money, and effort!

Are you washed in the blood,
In the soul cleansing blood of the Lamb?
Are your garments spotless? Are they white as snow?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?



"A tree planted by streams of water"

 “That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers”  [Psalm 1:3]

 





Are you born again?

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 “Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”  [John 3:3]

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 'Are you born again?'

Are you born again? This is one of life's most important questions. Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3).

First of all, John wrote: “No one born of God makes a practice of sinning...” (I John 3:9). “We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him.” (I John 5:18).

A person, who has been born again, or regenerated, does not habitually commit sin. But the true Christian hates sin, flees from it, fights against it, considers it his greatest plague, resents the burden of its presence, mourns when he falls under its influence, and longs to be completely delivered from it.

“If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (I John 1:8). But he can say that he hates sin and that the great desire of his soul is not to commit sin at all. He cannot prevent bad thoughts from entering his mind, or shortcomings, omissions, and defects from appealing in both his words and his actions. He knows that “we all stumble in many ways” (James 3:2).

Second, John wrote: “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God...” (I John 5:1).

A man who is born again, or regenerated, believes that Jesus Christ is the only Savior who can pardon his soul, which He is the divine person appointed by God the Father for this very purpose, and beside Him there is no Savior at all. In himself he sees nothing but unworthiness. But he has full confidence in Christ, and trusting in Him, he believes that his sins are all forgiven.

Third, John wrote: “If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him” (I John 2:29).

The man who is born again, or regenerated, is a holy man. He endeavors to live according to God's will, to do the things that please God and to avoid the things that God hates. He wishes to continually look to Christ as his example as well as his Savior and to prove himself to be Christ's friend by doing whatever He commands. He knows he is not perfect. He is painfully aware of his indwelling corruption. He finds an evil principle within himself that is constantly warring against grace and trying to draw him away from God. But he does not consent to it, though he cannot prevent its presence.

Fourth, John wrote: “We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death” (I John 3:14).

A man who is born again has a special love for all true Disciples of Christ. Like his Father in heaven, he loves all men with a great general love, but he has a special love for those who share his faith in Christ. Like his Lord and Savior, he loves the worst of sinners and could weep over them; but he has a peculiar love for those who are believers. He is never so much at home as when he is in their company.

Fifth, John wrote: “For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith” (I John 5:4).

A man who is born again does not use the world's opinion as his standard of right and wrong. He does not mind going against the world's ways, ideas and customs. What men think or say no longer concerns him. He overcomes the love of the world. He finds no pleasure in things which seem to bring happiness to most people. To him they seem foolish and unworthy of an immortal being.

Sixth, John wrote: “the one who was born of God keeps him safe' (I John 5:18).

A man who is born again is careful of his own soul. He tries not only to avoid sin but also to avoid everything which may lead to it. He is careful about the company he keeps. He knows that evil communications corrupt the heart and that evil is more catching than good, just as disease is more infectious than health. He is careful about the use of his time; his chief desire is to spend it profitable.

How should we react to these things? We can logically come to only one conclusion—only those who are born again have these six characteristics, and those who do not have these marks are not born again. This seems to be the conclusion to which the apostle intended us to come. Do you have these characteristics? Are you born again?

Are you washed in the blood,
In the soul cleansing blood of the Lamb?
Are your garments spotless? Are they white as snow?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?



"Give us this day our daily bread"

 “Give us this day our daily bread,and forgive us our debts,  as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil”  [Matthew 6: 11-13]

 





This same Jesus,...will come back...

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 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”  After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. ”  [Acts 1:8-9]

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 'This same Jesus,...will come back...'

He(Jesus) said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them.  “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

As soon as the Savior had commissioned His disciples, He was taken up into heaven. Such a spectacular event, yet it is described so simply and quietly! The restraint which the writers of the Bible used in telling their story points to the inspiration of the Word; it is not customary for men to handle such unusual events with such reserve.   The appearance of two men in white apparel follows Christ’s ascension.  These were obviously angelic beginnings who were enabled to appear on earth in the form of men. Perhaps these were the same angels who appeared at the tomb following the resurrection.

The angels first addressed the disciples as men of Galilee. As far as we know, all the disciples except Judas Iscariot came from the region west of the Sea of Galilee.  Then the angels awoke them from their reverie, as they looked into heaven. Why were they gazing up into heaven? Was it sorrow, or worship, or wonder? Doubtless it was a mixture of all three, through primarily sorrow. So a word of comfort was given. The ascended Christ would come again.



He will return to the Mount of Olives (Zech. 14:4).

He will return personally (Mal. 3:1).

He will return visibly (Matt. 24:30).

He will come on the clouds of heaven (Matt: 24:30).

He will return with power and great glory (Matt. 24:30).

Why do you...looking into the sky?

 “They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them.  “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”  [Acts 1:10-11]

 



The LORD is my Shepherd

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 “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”  [Philippians 4:19]

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 The LORD is my Shepherd

 

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
   for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
   I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
   your rod and your staff,
   they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me
   in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
   my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
   all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
    forever.

 Despite its worldwide popularity, the Psalm is not for everyone. It is applicable only to those who are entitled to say, "The LORD is my Shepherd." It is true that the Good Shepherd died for all, but only those who actually receive Him by a definite act of faith are His sheep. His saving work is sufficient for all, but it is effective only for those who actually believe on Him. Everything therefore hinges on the personal pronoun my. Unless He is my Shepherd, then the rest of the Psalm does not belong to me.  On the other hand, if He is really mine and I am really His, then I have everything in Him!



Overseer of your souls

 “For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls ”  [1 Peter 2:25]

 

The LORD is my Shepherd