Scripture: Acts 3
v 6:
"Then Peter said, 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."
Christians who are baptised in the Holy Spirit give gifts
of miracles and healings to those who are lame, ill or in difficulty. They have
authority from our Father in Heaven to use the name of Jesus to change the
lives of those who are oppressed, depressed or possessed.
People don't have to have special training to be used of
God, they just have to be available and obedient. Jesus is our Leader and we
are all followers, whether we are apostles, prophets, pastors or lowly members
of his body. We all follow the Lamb.
We all start out as the lame man at the beautiful gate
who begged for money. We are poor, blind, naked and compromised by the world of
sin. Someone walks by with godly authority and says forget the money, rise up
and walk.
Suddenly we become a new creation in Christ Jesus. We are
connected to the Highest power in the Universe. God has come alive in our hearts
and we are forever changed. Our needs are met, our hopes have come alive, our
destination is solid gold. We need to
rise up and walk in newness of life.
Throw off the shackles of the world and move into the
higher life of Jesus. Your eternal life has begun the moment you are born
again, you just need to find out what that really means. You are now upgraded
to the full stature that Adam had before he fell and cast every person born
between him and Jesus to be diminished by sin.
Jesus was the second Man, Adam was the first Man, created
in God's spiritual image, which is the full stature. Jesus was the last Adam,
ie the last of the old creation. Jesus became the first of the New creation. 1
Corinthians 15 v 45-49.
When we follow Jesus we identify with his death so that
the wages of sin which is death, dies with Him. In baptism we lose the old
sinful nature and gain the nature of Jesus, that hates sin. Coming up out of
the water we identify with His resurrection. We are then ready for the Holy
Spirit baptism which completes the transformation into the new creation.
Now we can rise up and walk in full stature to be a
witness of the way the living Jesus within has changed us to be like Him. You
cannot serve two masters so if the sinful world still appeals to you it can
suck you back in and you have gained nothing but guilt and shame.
So stand tall and walk in the footsteps of Jesus. Shun
the lure of worldly pleasure for a life of love, peace and joy every day of the
year. People spend Christmas celebrating the birth of Jesus, but we can
celebrate it every day giving the gifts of healing and life far beyond the
value of silver and gold.
Prayer: Father God we appreciate You and the abundance of
gifts you give us to bless those who need a touch from Your hand. Let us not
confuse the worldly season for Your eternal living gift of Jesus Christ, and
His salvation message. In Jesus' name. Amen.