Posts

Being a Vessel for God's Power

The story of Tabitha’s resurrection is extraordinary. Peter prayed, and God raised her back to life. This miracle reminds us that the Christian life is not about what we can do in our strength, but about what God can do through surrendered lives. Peter was simply a vessel for God’s power. He prayed, obeyed, and trusted — and God moved. We may never raise someone from the dead, but God still wants to display His power through us today. Sometimes it’s through offering hope to the hopeless, encouragement to the weary, or sharing the gospel with someone searching for truth. Every act of obedience opens the door for God’s power to flow through us. The challenge is whether we will make ourselves available. God uses ordinary people who are willing to trust Him in extraordinary ways. When we pray in faith, act in obedience, and give Him the glory, He does immeasurably more than we could ask or imagine. Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:9 - And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you...

Building a Reputation of Faithfulness

In Acts 9, Tabitha dies, and the disciples send for Peter. Why? Because Peter had developed a reputation as a man of God who walked closely with Jesus. His consistency in living a Spirit-empowered life had become known to others. They believed that if Peter came, God might work through him. As believers, our reputation matters. We are called to live in such a way that others recognize Christ in us. This doesn’t mean living perfectly, but it does mean living authentically. Over time, consistent faithfulness builds trust and credibility. People are drawn to lives marked by integrity, humility, and Spirit-filled service. The truth is, all of us are developing a reputation — whether we realize it or not. The question is: what are we known for? Are we known for our complaints and inconsistencies, or for our love, joy, and faithfulness to God? Our reputation can either draw people to Jesus or push them away. Scripture: Philippians 1:27 - Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gos...

Exalting Jesus and Giving Him the Glory

When Peter healed Aeneas, he didn’t claim credit for the miracle. Instead, he said, “Jesus Christ heals you.” This short statement reveals the heart of Spirit-led ministry: it always points people back to Jesus. In a culture obsessed with recognition and personal achievement, Peter models humility. He understood that the power to heal, serve, or minister does not come from us but from Christ working through us. As Christians, it’s easy to slip into self-reliance or even pride. We may want to be noticed for our good works or think ministry success comes from our talents. But true fruitfulness comes when we exalt Jesus above all else. When we give Him the glory, people are drawn not to us, but to the Savior. This matters because our lives are meant to reflect Christ, not ourselves. The more we exalt Him, the more others are led to worship the One who truly deserves it. Scripture: 1 Peter 2:9 - But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own poss...

Being Active and Intentional In Ministry

When we meet Peter in Acts 9, he isn’t preaching to a crowd of thousands but traveling from town to town, intentionally looking for opportunities to serve. This shows us that ministry isn’t limited to the pulpit or big moments — it’s found in the everyday, ordinary places of life. Peter encountered Aeneas, a man paralyzed for eight years, not because Aeneas sought him out, but because Peter was attentive to the Spirit’s prompting. Many of us wait for ministry opportunities to come to us, but Scripture encourages us to be active and intentional. God places opportunities in our paths daily — a hurting coworker, a struggling friend, or even a stranger in need of encouragement. The challenge is whether we are paying attention. Too often, we become distracted, busy, or self-focused and miss the divine appointments God has arranged. Living intentionally for God means waking up each day asking, “Lord, how can I glorify You today? Who can I serve?” It is through these small, faithful steps tha...

Living the Spirit Empowered Life

Peter’s story is one of transformation. In the gospels, he is impulsive, headstrong, and often stumbles over his words. He even denies Jesus at His most vulnerable moment. Yet, in Acts, we see a different Peter — bold, steadfast, and Spirit-empowered. This is a reminder that our past failures do not disqualify us from being used by God. The same Holy Spirit who empowered Peter is available to us today. As Christians, we often struggle with guilt from past mistakes or doubts about our abilities. We may feel inadequate, thinking God cannot use us because of where we’ve been. But the beauty of the gospel is that God transforms weakness into strength through His Spirit. Living a Spirit-empowered life doesn’t mean perfection; it means surrender. When we yield our hearts, minds, and daily actions to the Spirit, God equips us for what He calls us to do. A Spirit-empowered life is the difference between striving in our own strength and walking in God’s power. Just like Peter, we can move from ...

Pressing on Toward Maturity

Paul, even after years of serving Christ, admitted he hadn’t “arrived” spiritually (Philippians 3:12–14). His focus was on pressing forward, never becoming stagnant. This reminds us that spiritual growth is a lifelong journey. We will never outgrow the need to grow. God continually calls us deeper, urging us to leave behind what is past and pursue His upward call. As Christians, we sometimes plateau. We may feel like we’ve reached a comfortable level of faith. But comfort can be dangerous if it leads to complacency. Instead, God invites us to keep pressing on—to seek Him more, serve Him more faithfully, and become more like Christ each day. Spiritual growth is not about perfection but direction. The key is to keep moving forward in faith, trusting God to complete the good work He started in us.   Scripture: Philippians 3:12-14 - Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Chr...

Relying on Fellow Believers

Though we often picture Paul as a bold, independent leader, Scripture shows us that he relied heavily on the support of other believers. When his life was threatened, his friends helped him escape. When the Jerusalem church was afraid of him, Barnabas vouched for him. Even the strongest Christians need community. Spiritual growth is not meant to be a solo journey. God places us in the body of Christ so that we can encourage, challenge, and support one another. Too often, we isolate ourselves out of pride or fear. Yet God uses the voices and hands of His people to minister to us in powerful ways. Just as Paul accepted help, we too must learn to lean on the encouragement and counsel of other believers. Growth flourishes in the soil of community.   Scripture: Galatians 6:2 - Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.   Application: Reach out to a trusted Christian friend this week. Share one area of your life where you need prayer or support.   Praye...