563 - Just Give You All That I Have#
(JP Text Group - shalom 整理)
Peace, dear family, welcome to your arrival. Today is Sunday, and let's take a look at God's words together.
The topic of sharing is: Just Give You All That I Have.
Acts 3:1-10:
1 Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2 And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple. 3 Who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. 4 And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them.
6 Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” 7 And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up; and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. 8 So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them, walking, leaping, and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God. 10 Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
Let us pray together first.
Heavenly Father, thank you and praise you. Thank you for starting our new week of life. Through the sharing of your words, let us gain faith and wisdom, knowing what is most important from your words. We receive your words to start a new life, relying on your words to make life different. You are the most important in our lives and will change our lives, allowing us to know you more. Through such truth, we gain revelation and provision. In the name of Lord Jesus, we pray, Amen.
Devout Jews pray three times a day, at nine in the morning, twelve at noon, and three in the afternoon. What we are talking about today is that Peter went to the temple to pray with John at three in the afternoon. Most early Christians came from Judaism and were influenced by the law for many years. Even after believing in Jesus, they retained some of the rules and rituals from Judaism. So they had developed a habit of going to the temple to pray and gather.
When the gospel of Jesus Christ arose, Jesus led his disciples not limited to the temple. Especially during the three and a half years Jesus led his disciples, he was rarely in the temple; most of the time, he led them to preach the gospel, pray, and gather in various places like mountains and rivers. After the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Peter preached the gospel in the holy city of Jerusalem, leading many to salvation. Unexpectedly, Peter returned to the previous Jewish way of life, praying three times a day.
Is this good? Of course, it is good to pray at set times; it is definitely a good thing. But God's intention is not limited to this; He hopes they will not be influenced by past thinking and can pray anytime and anywhere, without being restricted by time and place. Later, we know that when persecution arose, they left the temple, left Jerusalem, and left the previous synagogues. After several decades, these disciples finally walked out of those fixed mindsets and were no longer influenced by the past law.
Including today, many people who believe in Jesus are still influenced by these ideas, thinking that Sunday is definitely a time blessed by God, and gatherings at other times may not have such an anointing. This idea is actually incorrect. Every day, as long as you seek Jesus, you can receive the power of the Holy Spirit and be heard by God in your cries. So we should also walk out of these time and place constraints because the anointing given to us by the Holy Spirit will not be affected by these times and places. Amen, returning to the events that happened in this text.
Verses 1-2:
1 Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2 And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple.
At that time, the temple, that is, the Jerusalem temple, was very magnificent, and many people entered and exited the temple every day. At the entrance of the temple, there were many doors, and the Beautiful Gate was a very spectacular door at that time. Not far behind this gate was the offering box. At the entrance of the temple, at the place where one would enter through the Beautiful Gate, many people begged there, which was considered the best spot for begging. Because when people went into the temple to worship God, especially when they were willing to offer to God, these people often had compassion and were more likely to be generous to those begging outside the temple. These people chose the best position to beg.
He saw Peter and John about to go into the temple and asked them for alms. I encountered similar situations many years ago when visiting some large churches, where many people, dressed in rags, were asking for money at the church entrance, and many believers would give to them. But every week you go, these people are still there, and without discerning their motives, we can see that indeed many people give them alms.
Today, this man saw Peter and John about to enter the temple and began to ask them for alms, but Peter performed a miracle for this man. First of all, this man was lame from birth, so he should be helped. Some people pretend to be in need; I won't discuss their motives, but I want to say that this man truly had difficulties. He had no other way and was carried there every day, hoping that others could give him some alms to survive. Peter saw this man's need because he was lame, so he used the authority given to him by Jesus to completely solve this man's problem.
Verse 6: Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!”
At that time, Peter was a well-known figure in the church. You must know that after one of Peter's sermons, three thousand people repented, and five thousand people repented; many people knew Peter. Moreover, the Bible records that many believers sold their possessions and brought the proceeds and laid them at the apostles' feet.
They wanted to live a communal life because they felt that the apostles' power was too great, and their preaching was indeed too good. They thought that Jesus would soon return to take them back to the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, many felt that what they left in this world was no longer important, so they sold everything and went to live a church life. In fact, this idea was wrong.
This event happened nearly two thousand years ago, and Jesus has not yet returned. Their misunderstanding led to their wrong behavior, which was not living life on this earth but waiting in church for Jesus' return. In fact, at that time, Peter, as a pillar in the church, had a lot of silver and gold at his disposal, but Peter believed that these silver and gold were not his but God's, so he did not casually distribute them. Those who serve in today's church should emulate Peter's mindset and let Peter become our example.
This verse also produced a very famous story. In the thirteenth century, the power of the Roman Pope reached its peak. It is said that a famous theologian named Thomas Aquinas once went to meet the Pope. At that time, the Pope was counting a large sum of money and, feeling inspired, said to Aquinas, “The church no longer needs to say, ‘Silver and gold I do not have,’ for we now have plenty of silver and gold.”
However, Aquinas replied, “Of course, but unfortunately, the church can no longer say, ‘In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.’” Nowadays, many churches have silver and gold but have lost their authority, which is a pity. They have misplaced their focus, causing the authority of Jesus Christ to lose its effect.
What we need to see is how Peter used the authority given to him by Jesus to help others. “Just give you all that I have.” What does Peter mean? “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you.”
What is your all? Is it silver and gold or Jesus Christ? Of course, having a lot of wealth and material possessions in this world is beneficial. We cannot say that these things are secular or bad; they are all good. However, silver and gold cannot make the lame man stand up and walk, nor can they provide true rest for the soul.
Many very wealthy people cannot sleep at night because they worry about losing their wealth, treating silver and gold as the most important part of their lives, which leads to insomnia. Only when Jesus Christ is the source of your life and your everything will you be different. Because Jesus can provide life to people, give them true rest, and satisfy the deepest needs of the heart.
“Silver and gold I do not have.” The power of this statement lies not in whether a person possesses silver and gold but in the fact that these things are not the most important in his heart. Peter would not run around for silver and gold; Jesus Christ was what he cared about most in his heart, and thus he lacked nothing. Paul, who had a wealth of knowledge, described this situation in more detail.
Let’s take a look at 2 Corinthians 6:9-10:
9 As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
This passage describes very clearly what it is like to treat Jesus Christ as everything and how one lives on earth. As unknown means that it seems like it is not a fact, but the latter part is the fact. As unknown, yet well known.
Take service as an example. If someone serves to be recognized by others, he may become eager for quick success and ultimately gain nothing. If he treats Jesus Christ as the most important and serves according to Christ's way, not for fame or profit, he will instead be known by many.
As dying, yet behold we live. It is interesting on the path of service; if you live for death, not caring about life or death, you can instead live. Because you know that what you are doing is in the path of truth, God will surely keep you. You are not seeking death on your own but are truly serving according to God's way. Even if you seem to encounter a dead end, you can always live. Paul had a deep understanding of this.
As chastened, yet not killed. What does it mean to be seemingly chastened? It means that it seems like you are about to face great danger, and many wicked people want to harm you, yet you will not die because your life is in the hands of the Lord Jesus. This is the mindset of someone who treats Christ as everything.
Verse 10 says: As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing.
But what is sorrowful? It seems to be quite troubling. You see, it seems like he has nothing and does not seem to plan much for the future, yet he lives joyfully. We indeed encounter similar people. Some people may not live very abundantly, and it does not seem like they have everything, making it look like life is hard to live, which is quite troubling. Yet they live happily. This is a very peculiar thing because they are satisfied in their hearts. In contrast, many people may lack nothing and have high fame but are often troubled, sleepless, and unhappy. So what is the meaning of their lives?
As poor, yet making many rich. What is the definition of poverty and wealth? People in this world think that poor people are those without money or fame, and no one knows you; you are poor. What do people think is wealth? Having money, status, and fame is wealth. However, this is not necessarily true. If someone treats Jesus as his everything, he may seem poor. The word “seems” means that he is not really poor; it just looks like he has nothing, and people do not understand him.
Take Peter as an example. Did Peter have a lot of silver and gold? He really did not. But did he lack anything? No, he could make many rich. Why? Because he had Christ within him. When Jesus Christ came to this earth, he also had nothing; he seemed poor. Growing up in Nazareth, everyone thought nothing good could come from Nazareth, yet he indeed made many rich. This situation continues.
As having nothing, yet possessing all things. It seems like he has nothing, yet he lacks nothing. When Jesus sent his disciples out to preach the gospel, he told them, “Do not take two tunics, do not take food, drink, or clothing; wherever you go, you will naturally have provision.” This is the mindset of treating Jesus' words as the most important; it seems like he has nothing, yet you will find that he has everything. Peter was in such a situation. What is to be feared is that we seem to have everything, yet in reality, we have nothing; such people are the most miserable.
Revelation 3:14-18:
14 “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: 15 I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,’ and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.”
The words spoken to the pastor of the Laodicean church by the Holy Spirit are very shocking to us. It says here: I know your works. What are the works of the Laodicean church pastor? Neither cold nor hot. When does a person show lukewarmness? It is when he thinks he lacks nothing; he becomes unmotivated to do things actively because he feels he has no lack.
This is what we fear most in pastoring a church. When someone feels he is already wealthy, he will not care about the lives of others. Since such a person is neither cold nor hot, God says, “I will vomit you out of My mouth.” This means that such a serving pastor is unwanted by God; this church may be disbanded, and these believers may leave, leaving only him. If everyone no longer recognizes him as a pastor, then his position will naturally cease to exist.
But what did the pastor of the Laodicean church say? He said, “I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing.” Unexpectedly, in God's eyes, he is wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. This means that everything he does is according to his own will and not in accordance with God's heart. Therefore, in God's presence, this person is very miserable; he has nothing, and all his service is of human will.
It may seem prosperous and thriving, but in God's eyes, it is worth nothing. That is why God says, “I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich.” Gold refined in the fire refers to the work of gold, silver, and precious stones. It must be done according to God's will, treating Jesus Christ as the priority and the most important; then you can accomplish such things.
Returning to Peter, Peter said, “Just give you all that I have.” In Peter's heart, Jesus Christ is the most valuable and precious. Thank the Lord. Both Peter and Paul were like this, so we see that they performed many miracles and were recognized by God. Amen.
Philippians 3:7-9:
7 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith.
Peter and Paul had a recognition of Jesus that surpassed others. Especially the Apostle Paul, he said, “But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.” What did Paul think was beneficial to him before? His identity, everything he possessed, his eloquence, etc. All of these, Paul considered beneficial to him. He was zealous for the Lord, becoming a religious fanatic persecuting Christians, thinking he was doing something beneficial to God. Later, when he recognized Christ, he realized that these were not good; the things he boasted about in the past became his hindrance. So Paul said, “I also count all things loss.”
It does not mean that material wealth is a loss in this world; that is not the point. It is just that Paul previously treated these things as the most valuable, which led to actions that harmed the gospel. Now, he has turned around, believing that Jesus Christ is the most precious, and that is all.
You cannot take an extreme view and say, “I understand that material wealth is a loss, so we should not want these things and become poor to be spiritual.” That is not necessarily true; even if you have nothing, it does not mean you are spiritual. The key is to treat Jesus Christ as the most precious, and then you will certainly be a spiritual person. Hallelujah, you will do what pleases the Lord.
Because Paul knew that Jesus was the most precious, he discarded all things, counting them as rubbish, meaning that he no longer pursued those things he once fought for in the name of fame and profit. Now he no longer competes for those empty names; he has discarded all of them and only does what he considers important for Jesus Christ.
What does Jesus consider most important? Of course, it is souls; of course, it is preaching the gospel. Therefore, after Paul recognized that Jesus Christ is so precious, his entire life was spent witnessing for the Lord Jesus. Paul said, “I can gain Christ not by the righteousness which is from the law.” This means that it is not because of my good deeds or because I did more good works, but because I believed in Jesus Christ. The best blessing I received is through faith in Jesus Christ. Hallelujah! Therefore, we can understand all the seemingly extreme things Paul did later.
He gave up his Roman citizenship for Jesus, faced persecution everywhere, and lived a life that we cannot understand, asking, “What do you gain from this?” Paul was certainly not foolish; he was knowledgeable, cultured, and thoughtful. His determination was not a momentary impulse. Because he knew that Jesus was the most real and substantial, witnessing for Jesus was the most valuable thing, so he continued to do the most valuable things throughout his life.
Many people are still walking the path Paul walked before he recognized Jesus, still striving for fame and profit. So we must ask ourselves a question: What position does Jesus hold in your heart? We cannot give what we do not have to others. If Jesus is not in the first place in your life, then something else must be in the first place, whether it is money, reputation, or your children, etc.
If these things are in the first place in your heart, you will strive for them continuously. When you give to others, you will also tell them, “Without money, you cannot live in this world; you should put your children first; everything else is not important.” You will bear witness to others in this way.
If Jesus is your first place, everything will be different. The worries you have about food and drink, God will provide for you. The worries you have about status, God will also provide for you. The worries you have about your children's future, God can give you even more. Perhaps what God wants to give you is better than what you strive for yourself.
As those who serve God, if we have nothing, what can we give to others? Even if you are a believer, you are constantly giving what is inside you to others, to your friends, to your family. If there is no truth of God inside you, what do you give to others? Is it your past experiences, your encounters? Can these truly build others up?
Therefore, if someone wants to bring real help to others, he must first equip himself, ensuring that what he gives to others can indeed benefit them. For example, if we plan a beautiful future for our children, we should first ask ourselves if this path will truly benefit them.
You should repeatedly ask yourself if you can do it again. If there are many uncertainties in between, it is best to ask God and let God lead them; that will definitely be a certain path. Amen. Do not let everything be “I think it’s good, I believe it’s good.” Not necessarily; many people's failures in the world are due to “I think this is quite good.”
Returning to the text, Peter said, “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” What Peter gave to this man was not what the man asked for but something beyond what he asked for. Because this man was lame from birth, he had no way out and could only live by looking at others' faces every day. Therefore, everyone who came to the Beautiful Gate pretended to be pitiful, hoping to elicit compassion from others.
Peter knew what this man's deepest need was. Although the man asked for alms, Peter knew what he truly needed. People always long to solve their immediate problems, just like this lame man; he only wanted some money to solve his basic needs. But a truly spiritual person does not see only this man's immediate need but can see where the root of his problem lies.
As those who serve God, to help others, what we give to them is not just a solution to their problems but to give them Jesus. When this person encounters a problem, you can give him some advice to solve it. But if you do not give him Jesus, and he does not rely on Jesus, the next time he encounters a problem, he will come to you again. How many times can you help him?
Colossians 1:28-29:
28 Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. 29 To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.
We see the truth Paul gives us; we preach Him, warning every man and teaching every man. What is the purpose of using wisdom? To admonish and teach, ultimately to present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.
Take Peter's situation as an example. Peter, in the name of Jesus Christ, made this man stand up and walk, and then he learned to rely on God. Previously, the solution he could think of was: I sit in the most advantageous position—the Beautiful Gate. This gate is the most splendid, and the people coming are the most; I will solve my life problems at this gate. That was all he could think of. But Peter completely solved his problem, bringing him entirely to God. Hallelujah! This is what we should do with faith and wisdom.
We cannot just solve this person's current problem and then ignore him. When you solve someone else's problem, you must encourage him to read the Bible, listen to sermons, and meditate, teaching him to learn to rely on God. If you only solve a person's problem without introducing that person to Jesus and teaching him to rely on Jesus, then the person's problems will come one after another, endlessly. The more people you serve, the more your own issues will increase, and you will become more tired.
Indeed, many service workers are very tired, busier than those who work in jobs. Why? Because believers may call them at any time, saying, “What should I do about this problem? I don’t know what to do.” He gives some advice to solve this problem; a few days later, he encounters another problem and calls him again, and he uses his truth to give him some advice to solve the problem. Year after year, day after day, his service continues like this, becoming busier and busier. There must be some issues with this.
I cannot say that this person's motivation for service is wrong; the motivation is also right, and being able to provide some solutions to problems is certainly good. But if this person, this person with problems, has not learned to rely on God in everything, he will keep bothering you, continuously seeking help from you.
As those who serve, we must not only provide him with solutions to problems but also teach him how to rely on God. You must teach others how to rely on God in everything. When I give others some solutions, I do it like this: I first give him a solution, then tell him how to rely on God.
If you also want to know how to rely on God, you should listen to my past sermons in order; it cannot be explained in just one sermon. Amen, it is a habit, a manifestation of life. Once you establish a correct relationship with God, you will know how to rely on God.
If you do not know this, you will keep seeking people. If this person does not work, you will change to another person; if this pastor does not work, you will change to another pastor; if this person’s course does not work, you will change to another course... You will keep changing people, becoming more and more tired. This is not the real solution; the real solution is to return to Jesus.
Our service to people is actually very simple; it is to bring people to Jesus. We are merely intermediaries, bringing people to God with various wisdom and bringing them to Jesus with various truths. Hallelujah. You cannot bring all the problems to yourself to solve; there are many problems you cannot solve.
For example, if a branch is broken off from a tree, even if this branch still has many leaves, no matter how much you care for it, what use are the leaves? Because it has already left the tree, it is already dead. No matter how you care for this leaf, it will surely wither. The only solution is to reconnect the branch to the tree. As long as it is connected back to the tree, the tree's nutrients will supply the branch, and it will naturally live; the leaves will turn green, and the problems will be overcome.
John 15:6-8:
6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
For believers, those who have believed in Jesus Christ, if they do not rely on Jesus, it is like a branch that is cast out and withered. I say “like” because it is not really withered. If believers abide in Christ, what does this mean? It means that God's words abide in the believers. Many people, after believing in the Lord, do not have God's truth in their hearts; their hearts are filled with various words from the world.
You cannot try all kinds of suggestions from people, right? Many times, the suggestions from the world are also very reasonable. You cannot encounter failure and try all their words; that will cause problems. But if you act according to Christ's words, you will surely overcome. Amen, because the wisdom God gives us far exceeds human wisdom.
It is clearly stated here that if God's words abide in you, whatever you desire and ask for will be done for you. God is willing to give you the best things, but many people do not have God's words in their hearts; how can they receive?
When the words of Christ abide in your hearts, you will bear much fruit, and my Father will be glorified. This indicates that you bear this fruit abundantly; it is not the result of your own efforts but the result of your correct faith. At that time, the world can see that you are different; you are a disciple of Christ. What a wonderful method!
If all believers could learn to rely on Christ and live, then everyone would learn to rely on Jesus when they encounter problems. Amen. Peter's method completely solved the lame man's problem; he would no longer need to be carried to the gate to beg for alms.
Verses 7-8:
7 And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up; and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. 8 So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them, walking, leaping, and praising God.
He could not walk before, but now he is leaping and walking; how joyful! His feet and ankle bones received strength immediately, meaning that he originally had problems in this area, which had deteriorated and become weak. Now, because of Peter's invocation of the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, he received healing, and the joints and muscles of his feet restored their normal functions.
What Peter provided to this lame man was not the alms of silver and gold, which could only solve his immediate needs. Although at many times this is also necessary, if you have the ability, you should do so. But what Peter provided to this man was far beyond what the man asked for because he completely changed the man's life. Finally, the man could enter the temple to worship God! Many might say, “If I had Peter's ability, I could serve like this; I would certainly rely on God in everything.” So where did Peter's ability come from?
Acts 3:11-12:
11 Now as the lame man who was healed held on to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch which is called Solomon's, greatly amazed. 12 So when Peter saw it, he responded to the people: “Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?”
Peter made it very clear: Do not think that this man was healed immediately; this is a miraculous thing, nor should you think it was by our own power and godliness. Here, Peter is not relying on his own ability and piety to possess such great power; what is he relying on?
Acts 3:16: “And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.”
Peter made it very clear: “It is through faith in His name.” It is the name of Jesus that made this man strong. You see, Peter directed everyone's attention to Christ, allowing everyone to rely on Jesus, right? This is a very successful example; Peter never said it was his own ability.
Look at today; many people who perform even a little miracle say, “It is my ability; I made this person well.” What can we possess? Peter said, “It is the faith that He has given that has made this man completely whole in your presence.”
Peter gave the glory to Jesus; he knew that this man could be healed because of God's great power. Hallelujah. The next day, the religious leaders called Peter to clarify how they made this man well.
Acts 4:8-12:
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: 9 If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, 10 let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. 11 This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ 12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
In this passage, there is a very important word: Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit. This is what we need to pay attention to. We all wonder how Peter could have such great power. How did he release this faith?
First of all, Peter had studied the truth for three and a half years with Jesus; this is the truth part, which must lay a foundation. Many people have not even read the Bible once and want to have Peter's ability, which can easily lead to pride. Then the Holy Spirit dwelled in Peter, guiding him to do the right things. These are two indispensable things. Another is that Peter's prayer life was very regular.
Three important areas: foundation, the foundation of truth; the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, which is the filling of the Holy Spirit; and prayer life. If a person can develop the habit of persisting in these, then obtaining the subsequent things becomes very easy. Hallelujah. Peter was a person who often prayed in tongues because this allows you to be correctly guided by the Holy Spirit to do what you cannot do.
You see, many people do not have the foundation of truth, nor do they have a prayer life, so naturally, they do not know what the guidance of the Holy Spirit is. It becomes very difficult to obtain the subsequent things. If you can treat God's truth as the most important in your life, you will take time every day to read God's words, listen to His truth, and pray. You will also be able to make correct decisions. Because God not only gave Peter and Paul the Holy Spirit but also gave the Holy Spirit to all who believe in Jesus. At the moment a person believes in Jesus, the Holy Spirit dwells within him. As long as we have such a heart to seek, we can also be guided by the Holy Spirit like Peter and Paul. Thank the Lord.
Isaiah 35:3-7:
3 Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. 4 Say to those who are fearful-hearted, “Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God; He will come and save you.” 5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. 6 Then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the dumb sing. For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert. 7 The parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water; in the habitation of jackals, where each lay, there shall be grass with reeds and rushes.
The book of Isaiah is a prophetic book. At that time, the people of Israel had no hope because they had distanced themselves from God, resulting in this consequence. But the prophet Isaiah still gave the people of Israel a beautiful hope, teaching them to learn to rely on God and telling them: You should have faith in God because God can strengthen your weak hands, make your feeble legs stand firm again, and make those who are fearful strong again, no longer afraid.
God will change all this. Hallelujah! He will make the blind see, the deaf hear, and the lame leap. The tongue of the dumb will sing. In the wilderness, waters will burst forth, and rivers will flow in the desert. Even what seemed very bad in the past, God can transform it. This is what we long to obtain in the world. Start by having God's truth within you, putting Christ in the first place in your life, and equipping yourself with these truths so you can give to others.
Peter had no silver or gold, yet he could still continuously give and help countless people because he had the faith of Jesus Christ. In contrast, today, many people have silver and gold, as well as many resources and abilities, yet they are unwilling to give or help others, spending their lives in constant demand, never satisfied. So which kind of life is more valuable? Which kind of life is more meaningful? This is something we must reflect on and ultimately make a choice.
I wish our brothers could all emulate Peter, letting Jesus Christ become the first place in your life. You can also be like Peter—“Silver and gold I do not have, but I can give you Jesus Christ”—what Jesus Christ can give you surpasses what you ask for and think, and will surely change your life and your living! Hallelujah! May today's words bring some help to everyone.
Let us pray together.
Heavenly Father, we thank and praise you. Thank you for making us your children. Thank you for giving us Jesus, allowing us to reconcile our relationship with the Father through Jesus Christ, and letting the Holy Spirit dwell within us so we can live extraordinary lives. You also give us faith and strength, equipping ourselves to give the Jesus Christ within us to others, bringing help to others and transforming their lives. Thank you and praise the Lord. This week, lead us so that we can experience your great power in our lives. We are willing to become this channel of blessing, so that others may see the glory of the Father through us. All glory be to you. In the name of Lord Jesus, we pray, Amen.