Hands

Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them (Acts 19:11,12 NKJV)

Ordinary hands. Unusual miracles.

Not your ordinary, everyday, common, plain, typical type of miracle.

“…so that EVEN…” Unusual miracles PLUS!

All of this extraordinary stuff through the hands of a guy who said he was “chief of sinners.”

Hands that once held the coats of those who stoned Stephen to death.

Hands used to carry letters, authorizing him to find and imprison believers in Jesus Christ.

Isn’t it amazing what hands can do after the heart has been changed by Jesus?

Just think what God does (and has done) with His hands:

-Formed the dry ground
-Formed man from the dust of the ground
-Held Adam’s head while He breathed into him the Breath of Life
-Placed Adam in The Garden
-Measures the size of the universe, and the waters of the earth
-Delivered the children of Israel from Egyptian bondage
-Upholds all who trust in Him
-Defeats His enemies
-Feeds His creation
-Works truth and judgment
-Leads His people
-Opens blind eyes and deaf ears
-Heals the sick and raises the dead
-Holds the keys to Death and Hell

“His coming is as brilliant as the sunrise. Rays of light flash from his hands, where his awesome power is hidden.” (Habakkuk 3:4 NLT)

“Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God.” (Romans 6:13 NLT)

Just think what God could do with your hands; your “instrument of righteousness”, if you’d let Him have your heart.

I believe I know what you’re thinking. You’re saying to yourself, “I’m a Christian! He has my heart.” Okay, I’ll buy that.

But is there a bit of fear in your heart? A fear of allowing God the freedom to use you in unusual and uncomfortable ways? A fear of letting go of your dreams and desires, and taking His plans into your hands? A fear of embracing those whom society has simply discarded, abandoned, and left for an eternity separated from the God of Love?

Is fear present in your heart? A fear that you’ll fail if you start obeying God’s voice, His leading? Do you fear God won’t answer or confirm His word with an accompanying sign, after you’ve laid your hands on the sick?

You don’t need to fear! Remember His hands? They are pointing you in the direction you should go, AND they are upholding you AS you go. His hands are protecting and empowering you, so release the fear and allow faith in God to rule your heart.

Your heart, my heart, isn’t different than anyone else’s, including Paul’s.

Neither are your hands.

Ordinary hands.

Hands God can use to work unusual miracles.