My Mirror of Possibilities (Part 2)

I see myself in you

Philippians 3:17

(17) Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

Part 2; Other Examples

Of course, Jesus and the scriptures are our mirrors of possibilities.

But, God uses men to show us those possibilities (He did that in the scriptures, he always uses men)

Do you remember James’ story of Elijah,

James 5:16–18

(16) Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

(17) Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.

(18) And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.

James uses a man to teach an effectual fervent prayer. That means he’s telling them that Elijah’s pattern of prayer is a good example of how to be fervent in prayers.

1King 18:41–46

(41) And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain.

(42) So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees,

(43) And said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said, There is nothing. And he said, Go again seven times.

(44) And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man’s hand. And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not.

(45) And it came to pass in the mean while, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode, and went to Jezreel.

(46) And the hand of the LORD was on Elijah; and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.

Let me help write James' words in literal terms, “Elijah was a man just like you and he’s hacked the subject of effectual prayers with results to show, follow his examples of effectual prayers and you will have the results of effectual prayers.”

Elijah became a good example to learn about the attitude towards prayer in our Christian walk especially that particular incident of prayer (Be careful, James only referenced that particular incident and what we learned there is the attitude towards prayer.)

Your mirror of possibilities

Thank God for the gift of those men (My mirror of possibilities)

They’ve shown me things possible in God, Things I could become if I remain faithful to the call; Things that will definitely happen in and through my hands because I saw them happen in their lives.

God knows I have special reservations for shepherds. I’m always in awe. Jesus was his disciples' mirror of possibilities.

Do you remember Jesus’ story of walking on water?

Matthew 14:24–32 KJV

(24) But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.

(25) And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.

(26) And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit, and they cried out for fear.

(27) But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

(28) And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.

(29) And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.

(30) But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

(31) And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

(32) And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.

Peter saw Jesus walk on water (he saw his mirror of possibilities walk on water), and he said ‘…master bid me come unto thee…..’

He saw Jesus do it, He believed he could do it at Jesus' word. Guess what? He did it.

A lesson here: (30) But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

He began to sink when he took his gaze away from his mirror of possibilities and looked at the boisterous wind (issues of life, I can’t follow someone, what would people say, etc. ). Guess who went for him? The mirror. So what do you think Peter learned from that incident? He learned that he has to keep looking.

So, this new year, look at a lot of good examples, and take not your gaze away from those who through faith and patience have obtained the promise.

Hebrews 6:12 KJV

(12) That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

So, in Acts, the Apostles did the same thing, starting with Peter in Acts 2, He stood up to explain the supernatural experience of the upper room

Jesus must have taught them bible interpretation and how to read the scriptures together.

Luke 24:44–45 KJV

(44) And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.

(45) Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,

Acts 1:3 KJV

(3) To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:

He was just following Jesus’ example

Do you remember Peter’s experience with Dorcas?

Acts 9:39-41 KJV

(39) Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.

(40) But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.

(41) And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.

My emphasis is on how he went about shutting down unbelief and distraction by sending everyone out. You’re thinking just what I’m thinking. 😅😅 He must have learned it from Jesus.

Now let’s see,

Jesus did the same thing and he intentionally allowed 3 of his disciples to witness it;

Luke 8:51–55 KJV

(51) And when he came into the house, he suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John, and the father and the mother of the maiden.

(52) And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth.

(53) And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead.

(54) And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise.

(55) And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat.

Peter must have been taking note in the Raising of the Dead practical class he just had with Jesus.😅😅😅

Peter looked well, He saw Jesus do it. He did it!!!

Snippets of Part 3

Stephen must have paid so much attention to Peter’s sermon in Acts 2: 14–39 and Acts 3: 12–26. He had learned well, the pattern scripture explanation from the Apostles Acts 2:42 and Acts 5: 42, just like Jesus taught the Apostles (Acts 1:3).

Guess what???When it was his turn, he delivered a masterpiece of sermon (arguably the most detailed) Acts 7: 1 - 57.

He learned well, he kept looking steadfastly at his mirror of possibilities, the Apostles.

He did it!!!

He saw Peter do it Then, He could do it, too.