“And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple, which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple, who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms.
And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.” So, he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God.”
Acts 3:2-8 NKJV
The Greek word for ‘receive,’ is lambano. It means to take a hold of something and make it yours, it means to actively reach out and take possession. That’s what the crippled man in our scripture above did. As soon as Peter released the healing power in the name of the Lord Jesus and commanded him to rise up and walk, the man’s bones received strength to walk and he leaped up, stood and walked. There’s a beautiful lesson to learn from this man. First, he expected to receive money from Peter and John when they first approached him. Then later on we see God giving him far more than he had expected, he received healing and wholeness instead. Now he could go and make his own money instead of being a crippled beggar.
Friend when you approach the Lord, always do it with an expectation that He will not only give you what you want, He will give you far more than you could ever imagine or ask. Also learn that the answer can come in a very different package than you had expected. So don’t put God in a box about when and how He will respond to you. Like this man, be open to receive from the Lord in ways you never had perceived. And when He does, don’t sit there sulking because it is not what or how you thought the answer would come, just receive with a grateful heart and thank the Lord for what He has done.
That’s how faith works, we ask with expectations and we receive with an open heart what the Lord gives us. A grateful heart is a heart of faith and humility, it attracts more abundance towards you. A complaining heart quenches the move and power of God in your life, but mostly it kills your ability to receive. So be expectant, receive and be grateful. Just lambano by faith! Glory to God!
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank You for opening my eyes to how faith walks. I receive the ability to approach You with an expectation to receive from You. I also open my heart to receive all that You have in store for me, I am grateful for all You give me and realize that how You respond doesn’t always come in the packaging that I might have in mind. Father thank You, I receive all that pertains to life and godliness in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ amen.
Good morning and have a glory filled day.
