Acts 3:6-8 "Peter said, 'I don't have a nickel to my name, but what I do have, I give you; In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk!' He grabbed him by the right hand and pulled him up. In an instant his feet and ankles became firm. He jumped to his feet and walked. The man went into the Temple with them, walking back and forth, dancing & praising God." Man, to have faith like both Peter and the beggar. God's still in the miracle business, I just have to have faith to believe and to see it! v16"-yes, faith & nothing but faith put this man healed and whole right before your eyes."
Acts 3:19 "Now it's time to change your ways! Turn to face God so he can wipe away your sins, pour out showers of blessing to refresh you, and send you the Messiah he prepared for you, namely, Jesus."
Acts 3:26 "But you are first in line: God, having raised up His Son, sent Him to bless you as you turn, one by one, from your evil ways." God really does want to bless me, I just have to be willing to trust and turn away from my desires and ways. Lord, help me as I strive to live your ways and not mine.
Psalm 3:3 "But you, God, shield me on all sides; You ground my feet, you lift my head high." God's protection is better than any we can devise. If I live my life for Him and not for myself, while everything won't be easy, I'll be protected, because v. 8 "Real help comes from God. Your blessings clothes your people."
Proverbs 3:3-12 "Don't loose your grip on Love and Loyalty. Tie them around your neck; carve their initials on your heart. Earn a reputation for living well in God's eyes and the eyes of the people. Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; He's the one who will keep you on track. Don't asume that you know it all. Run to God! Run from evil! Your body will glow with health, your very bones will vibrate with life! Honor God with everything you own; give Him the first and the best. Your barns will burst, your wine vats will brim over. But don't, dear friend, resent God's discipline; don't sulk under His loving correction. It's the child He loves that God corrects; a father's delight is behind all this." Wow, what an amazing passage to live by. So many commands that I need to put in my heart and remember. Don't loose love and loyalty, Trust God, don't try to figure everything out, Listen for God everywhere, Don't assume I know it all, run to God, run from evil, honor God, give to God, don't resent God's discipline. I pray that I will stive to live by this example and work on each one of these commands. Allow me to always listen and look for you in my life. All of these will be difficult, and will be hard to follow through on, but with you and your love, I will try.
Proverbs 3:21-32 "Dear friend, guard Clear Thinking and Common sense with your life; don't for a minute loose sight of them. They'll keep your soul alive and well, they'll keep you fit and attractive. You'll travel safely, you'll neither tire nor trip. You'll take afternoon naps without a worry, you'll enjoy a good nights sleep. No need to panic over alarms or surprises, or predictions that doomsday's just around the corner, because God will be right there with you. He'll keep you safe and sound. Never walk away from someone who deserves help; your hand is God's hand for that person. Don't tell your neighbor 'Maybe some other time' or 'Try me tomororw' when the money's right there in your pocket. Don't figure ways of taking advantage of your neighbor when he's sitting there trusting and unsuspecting. Don't walk around with a chip on your shoulder, always spoiling for a fight. Don't try to be like those who shoulder their way through life. Why be a bully? "Why not?" you say, because God can't stand twisted souls. It's the straightforward who get His respect." More commands to live by. Guard clear thinking and common sense, never walk away from someone who deserves help, don't take advantage of your neighbor, don't walk around with a chip on your shoulder. And what a great promise in these verses if you follow these that "God will be right there with you." With you by my side, God, I can do whatever you want me to. Father, thank you for that promise and for the promise that your ways are the better ways. I pray that you would give me the strength, encouragement, and support to live like you would want me to live. Whatever you would have for my life, allow me to allow you to do it. I'm sure that I'll try to stand up to you, but help me realize that your plans are better than mine. Thank you for all your blessings in my life and show people you through me. Allow me to have good attitudes at work, deal with people in my life in the appropriate ways, handle adversity and trials with joy and with grace. I should have no reason for stress in my life, and help me remember that, because you have taken care of the greatest concern in the world, and that's death and sin. Thank you for the blessing and knowledget that because I believe and trust in you, I don't have to worry about it. Help me live your life with mine. I love you, praise you, and desire more of you in my life, Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.
