Self Help

Have you ever known someone who refused to do anything to help himself?

In Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet and had never walked, for he had been crippled from birth. He listened to Paul as he was speaking. And Paul, looking at him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed, said in a loud voice, 'Stand upright on your feet.' And the man sprang up and began to walk. - Acts 14:8-10

In today's reading, Paul encounters a man willing and eager to be healed.  He had what it took, faith.

Is it possible that we have in our possession all that it takes to heal our wounds and stand upright?  Can we be the instruments of our own redemption?

According to Paul, it seems we can and we should.

It makes sense to me that if we are all members of the body of Christ, then we should have the power of the Spirit alive in us, ready to heal and change us for the better.

Paul was a facilitator of the healing power of the Spirit.  He gave the man permission to act on his faith.

How often are we waiting for someone from God, not believing we already have it? 

Jesus told his disciples to ask and believe, as if they had already received what they ask for.

How would our lives be different if we truly believed we could reap the benefits of the power we have dwelling within us? 

Of course there is a down side.  If we fail to believe, if we have little faith, nothing will happen.  It is all up to us. 

So, you could say that it is our fault if we are not healed, but even looking at it that way hinders our faith and diminishes the power and strength within us.

So, we should practice using the gifts we are given, putting each to work for us, like tools in a toolbox, provided by God.

What have we got to lose? 

More to come...