“Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o’clock prayer service. As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in. Each day he was put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he could beg from the people going into the Temple. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money. Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!” The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money. But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!” Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them. All the people saw him walking and heard him praising God.”

‭‭Acts of the Apostles‬ ‭3:1-9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

In this story the lame man couldn’t get close enough to go in that temple. I imagined he heard the praying and the praise coming from the inside but never participated. He could only get in hearings distance. I imagine he had no expectation of entering and no expectation of healing. How many people sit at the brink of healing, of freedom, of restoration but truly believe they could never receive it, mostly, feeling unworthy of change for their life.

I want us to look at when it all changed for the beggar…..

• When he came in contact with Jesus through two believers.
• Two believers that had experienced God in a miraculous way, they had just experienced Pentecost.

Two believers that noticed him and didn’t just pass on by.

Two believers on fire.

“The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.” Romans‬ ‭8:11

The same spirit that raised Jesus from the grave lives in us, we must believe this. We must walk in the power He died to give us, other people need to see this. There are people that need to come in contact with some faith filled, spirit filled believers.

Who in your life needs an encounter with a believer with a fierce faith?

I’m sure we can all think of someone. We must live in a way that those people see this fierce faith in us.

Does your life make people hungry and thirsty for God?

• A surrendered life. A life surrendered 100% to Him. Living a God first life in all areas of your life.

“And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.” Romans‬ ‭12:1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew‬ ‭6:33‬ ‭NIV‬‬

• A life of obedience to His Word. Read and know His word and you will know His ways.

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.” 2 Timothy 3:16

“For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.” Hebrews 4:12

“And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32

• A thankful life. A life always remembering what God has done for you.

Go back and remember what He did for you on the cross. He died for me and you and that inspires me to live for Him.

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

Look back over your life and remember all He has done even after the cross. Think back on your personal encounters with Jesus.

He saved me, redeemed me and forgave me when I felt so unworthy. He taught me who I really am, His daughter. This inspires me to live for Him and tell others all that He has done in my life.

So, are you so inspired by what Jesus has done for you that it inspires others to live for Him?

The lame beggars life changed because he came in contact with two believers on fire for Jesus.

How many lives are going to be changed by coming in contact with your faith?

It is time to live out inspired faith, a dying and hurting world need it. We need revival to spark in Christians and my prayer is that it starts with us!

Lord, give us fierce faith! Help us to live out our faith in a way others see you. Lord, let revival begin is us today!

Michelle