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Acts 3:1–10 (NIV84)

1 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon.

2 Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts.

3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money.

4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!”

5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.

6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”

7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong.

8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.

9 When all the people saw him walking and praising God,

10 they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

1. Do the best with what you have

The man’s dreams appear to be small

He would be placed by temple so that he can beg

I wonder if we took a look at his resume, if it would state, “Looking for a position as a beggar”

Every day. He was a man, so he was old enough to understand, possibly in his 40s

No ambition

He was entertained by his problems

Anyone entertained by his/her problems will always look to them for comfort

If you want a better future, stop looking to your past

If you can do what you dream about, your dreams are too small

If you can imagine your best life, it is not good enough

Your dreams have to scare you enough that you will depend on God

Every successful person has had the same amount of time in a day

The difference is often desire

I saw the Michael Jackson show in Vegas, one of the cast members only had one leg

He was doing things that I can’t do with two legs (maybe even four)

He had big dreams

2. Stop looking in the wrong direction

Most vehicle accidents happen because the driver is looking in a different direction than where he is going; the driver is distracted

This cripple had a plan, “Sit here and beg”

There was no need for him to look at people, if people wanted to help they would

Peter corrected his focus—reFOCUS

Peter told him, “Look at us!”

The cripple was looking forward, down, sideways, or in a different direction, Peter got his attention

The cripple looked up at them

His reFOCUS was the beginning of his miracle

James 1:17 “17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

We need to stop looking in the wrong direction—reFOCUS

Stop making excuses

I seem to attract the same type of person (you keep looking in the same place)

Keep doing the same things over and over, you will get the same results

3. Lift up your eyes—reFOCUS

The Psalmist said, Ps 121:1-2 “1 I lift up my eyes to the hills— where does my help come from? 2 My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”

You want to get out of your depressed situation—reFOCUS

Many people are depressed and they listen to depressing songs

You get your country songs going, “If you see him, tell him I wish him well…I still miss you more than ever…If you see her, tell her I’m doing fine, if you want to say that I think of her from time to tim....”

Some Spanish, “no me queda mas....” or Amor eterno, “Tu eres la tristesa de mis hojos…obligo que te olvide el pensamiento porque siempre estoy pensando en el ayer…como quisiera que tu vivieras, que tus ojitos jamas se hubieran cerrado nunca y estar mirandolos Amor eterno e inolvidable”

Lionel Richie, “You laughed at me, you said you’d never needed me, I wonder if you need me now, so many dreams that flew away, so many words we didn’t say” or “Let me hold you, I need to have you near me, and I feel with you in my arms, this love will last forever, because I’m truly.....truly in love with you girl”

Look in a different direction

Listen to encouraging songs

"At first I was afraid I was petrified kept thinking I could never live without you by my side, but then I spent so many nights thinking how you did me wrong and I grew strong and I learned how to get along” - I will survive

Rising up, back on the street Did my time, took my chances Went the distance, now I'm back on my feet Just a man and his will to survive

So many times it happens too fast You change your passion for glory Don't lose your grip on the dreams of the past You must fight just to keep them alive

Don’t worry be happy

Here's a little song I wrote You might want to sing it note for note Don't worry, be happy In every life we have some trouble But when you worry you make it double Don't worry, be happy Don't worry, be happy now

What a wonderful world

I see trees of green, red roses too. I see them bloom for me and you. And I think to myself what a wonderful world”

Remember, whatever you feed grows

Feed your expectation of miracles

4. Expectation is the breeding ground for miracles

The cripple was “Expecting to get something from them”

Have you ever seen the panhandlers? Many are just sitting behind signs they made, looking into nothing, until you get their attention. They run toward you because they expect to get something

Change your mind about who you think you are

The apostle Paul said, Col 3:1-3 “1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.”

You died. This world has nothing to offer you

You have been raised with Christ

Set your hearts on things above

Jesus taught us this, Mt 6:20-21 “20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Reimagine yourself as God made you

A victim no more

I promise you, if you just keep swinging, eventually you will hit something

5. Miracles happen because of faith

You don’t need money to get miracles

The cripple was probably disappointed when Peter said, “We don’t have silver or gold”

He probably thought, “Then why are you wasting my time” “You do realize that I am begging” “Then keep on moving”

His excitement probably was extinguished

He probably did not realize that what Peter was about to give him silver and gold cannot buy

Peter said, “But what I have I give to you”

The cripple probably stretched his hand hoping to get something, maybe some crumbs

If it wasn’t silver or gold, whatever it was was more than he had

But Peter didn’t hand him anything

He gave him a command, “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”

Peter gave him faith in Jesus Christ of Nazareth

Faith will make mountains and trees move

Faith will raise the dead

Faith will open blind eyes

Faith will open deaf ears

Faith will loose the mute tongue

Faith will cause the cripple to walk

Faith in Jesus Christ of Nazareth will empower you to do all things