How can we cultivate faith like the man "listening to Paul" in Acts 14:9? The Scene in Lystra “ This man listened to Paul speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed, and called out in a loud voice, ‘Stand up on your feet!’ And the man jumped up and began to walk.” (Acts 14:9-10) What We Learn About Faith • Faith is awakened by hearing the Word (“faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ,” Romans 10:17). • Faith can be recognized—Paul “saw that he had faith.” • Faith responds—when told to stand, the man leaped before confirming that his legs worked. • Faith releases God’s power; the once-crippled man walked. Practical Steps to Cultivate That Same Faith 1. Stay in the Stream of Scripture • Read it daily. • Listen to faithful preaching/teaching. • Meditate on passages that reveal Christ’s power (Luke 7:1-10; Mark 5:25-34). 2. Listen Actively, Not Passively • The man “listened to Paul speaking.” Keep heart and mind engaged—take notes, rehearse truths aloud. • Search the Scriptures like the Bereans (Acts 17:11). 3. Fix Your Gaze on Jesus • “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.” (Hebrews 12:2) • Focus on His ability, not your limitations. 4. Nurture Expectancy • “All things are possible to him who believes!” (Mark 9:23) • Refuse the “maybe God won’t” mindset; align thoughts with His promises. 5. Act on the Word You Hear • “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only.” (James 1:22) • Obedience cements faith—pray for the sick, forgive, give, speak truth. 6. Guard the Environment of Your Heart • Cultivate worship and gratitude (Psalm 103:1-5). • Limit voices of unbelief; surround yourself with testimonies and Christ-centered fellowship. Encouraging Promises to Hold On To • Jeremiah 17:7-8—confidence in the Lord makes one like a tree that never withers. • Psalm 119:130—“The unfolding of Your words gives light.” • Ephesians 3:20—He is “able to do infinitely more than all we ask or imagine.” Putting It Into Practice This Week • Choose a Gospel healing account; read it aloud daily. • Replace one entertainment segment with a solid sermon or audio Bible. • Identify one clear command of Scripture and do it immediately—let action confirm belief. • Share one testimony of God’s faithfulness with someone else, reinforcing your own expectation. |
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