Author of Life

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"You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see." Acts 3:15-16.

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Peter is really laying into the crowd who just witnessed the miraculous healing of a lame beggar. He wants them to understand the significance of what just happened. It was more than a miracle. It was an unmistakable declaration that Jesus, the one they killed, is the "Author of Life", and Faith in Him is what was on display.

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When God does amazing things, and I get to testify about them, it should always be about Jesus. I sometimes get more excited about what He's done than the "why"!

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Dear Lord, may I always be so captivated by you that my first inclination is to point out the spiritually obvious to any who might hear: Jesus is the one who did this, so that they might come to faith.

"Denied!"

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And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”. Acts 16:6-9

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Paul, Silas, and Timothy were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to evangelize Asia. They, instead, went through Phrygia and Galatia. They were prevented again from entering Bithynia, by the same Spirit. They finally travel to Troas, where Paul receives a vision.

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I often get frustrated when God doesn't bless my plans. I have everything figured out; how it should all come together, and He fails to bless it. Why? If I'm reading this passage right, it is possible that when He blocks what I intend, it is because He has something else for in mind. In that light, I guess my frustration is often a result of pride: I know better than God what needs to happen. That seems so ridiculous as I write it.

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Dear Lord, may my response to Your "frustration" of my "plans" always be a sense of wonder and anticipation at what You're about to do next. May I always quickly obey You when you do point the way.