How can we strengthen our faith to witness God's miracles in our lives? The Scene in Lystra “ In Lystra sat a man crippled in his feet, who was lame from birth and had never walked.” (Acts 14:8) A real man with a real lifelong disability sat listening to Paul. Moments later he was walking and leaping (v. 10). The Holy Spirit recorded this snapshot so we can learn how faith is strengthened to see God move powerfully in our own lives. Faith Begins with Hearing • The man “listened to Paul as he was speaking” (v. 9). • Romans 10:17: “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” • Practical take-aways: – Feed daily on Scripture—read it, listen to it, meditate on it. – Position yourself under sound, Bible-centered teaching just as the man in Lystra did. – Replace voices of unbelief with truth from God’s Word. Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus • “Paul looked directly at him and saw that he had faith to be healed” (v. 9). • Hebrews 12:2 calls us to keep our eyes on “Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.” • Focus determines faith; whatever fills our vision shapes our expectation. • Choose to see Jesus’ ability instead of your inability. Cultivating an Expectant Heart • Paul perceived the man already “had faith to be healed.” Faith grew as hope rose. • Mark 11:24: “Whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” • Strengthen expectancy by rehearsing God’s past faithfulness—both in Scripture and in your own story. • Speak God’s promises aloud; let them reshape inner dialogue. Obedience: The Leap of Faith • “Stand up on your feet!” Paul commanded (v. 10). The man “jumped up and began to walk.” • James 2:17: “Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” • Steps to obedient action: – Identify what God is asking (often made clear through His Word). – Act immediately, even if it feels risky. – Expect strength to arrive in the doing, just as the man’s legs strengthened when he moved. Guarding Against Doubt • Matthew 13:58 reveals that Jesus “did not do many miracles there, because of their unbelief.” • Common doubt-starters: prolonged delays, negative reports, previous disappointments. • Countermeasures: – Memorize and declare verses like Luke 1:37, “Nothing will be impossible with God.” – Surround yourself with faith-filled believers who will speak life. – Fast from media or conversations that sow cynicism. Living Testimonies Inspire More Faith • After the miracle, Lystra’s citizens saw proof of God’s power (vv. 11-13). • Revelation 12:11 links victory to “the word of their testimony.” • Share what God has done—big or small. Each testimony builds an atmosphere where others dare to believe. Putting It All Together 1. Immerse yourself in Scripture until faith arises. 2. Keep your gaze fixed on Jesus’ character and ability. 3. Nurture holy expectation; let hope flourish. 4. Obey swiftly when the Spirit prompts. 5. Guard your heart from doubt by saturating it with truth. 6. Testify to every work of God, fueling fresh faith in those around you. Acts 14:8–10 shows that strengthened faith is neither mystical nor accidental. It is the Spirit-empowered result of hearing God’s Word, focusing on Christ, cultivating expectation, and acting in obedience. When we follow this pattern, we position ourselves to witness the same miracle-working God move mightily in our own generation. |
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