SCRIPTURE: Acts 12:12-19
“You’re out of your mind,” they told her.” (Acts 12:15)
I take comfort in the fact that I am not the only one.
As a Jesus follower, I believe in a God of power, resurrection and miracles.
People who don’t share my beliefs would say I was out of my mind.
And yet here we have fellow believers dismissing the miraculous.
Don’t get me wrong, I get it, I really do.
My FIRST reaction when I hear a miracle story is, ‘yeah, right’.
There is room for healthy skepticism, with so many fakes and exaggerated claims.
But – and this is an important ‘but’ – God can intervene miraculously.
You don’t always have to believe it, but don’t be so quick to deny it.
Consider the claim with hopeful skepticism… open the door and see.
If God did it, there will be no denying it; if not, that will be evident soon enough.
If we leave the door closed, we may miss out seeing God’s miracle.
You are not out of your mind if you open your mind to the possibilities of God!
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, You are still at work today in amazing ways. Thank You for reminding me that I am not out of my mind to be open-minded.
Observations/Application
The people were praying probably also for Peter’s release and their own safety. When he stood there knocking they were shocked that the miracle of his release happened. How often does this happen? We pray and when God answers our prayers we too are shocked or out of our minds because we don’t believe that the miracle happened – the answer to prayer. Are we all ‘doubting Thomases?’
Tell the story about God’s goodness. You have seen and believe. Tell the brothers that they too believe. They were most likely in different households of faith praying for Peter’s release. Herod also needed to see and did evidence the miracle God provided. He searched the evidence but closed his eyes and got rid of the evidence. A hardened heart. Eyes that do not see God at work.
Open my eyes Lord that I might see You daily at work in this Your world using people Your purposes to unfold.
Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
Open the eyes of my heart
I want to see You
I want to see You
Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
Open the eyes of my heart
I want to see You
I want to see You
To see You high and lifted up
Shinin’ in the light of Your glory
Pour out Your power and love
As we sing holy, holy, holy
Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
Open the eyes of my heart
I want to see You
I want to see You.