Embracing the Supernatural in Everyday Life

Devotional

Day 1: The Supernatural Life Begins with Divine Appointments

God orchestrates moments in our daily routines that are more than mere coincidences—they are divine appointments set by Him for a purpose. Like Peter and John, we often pass by people and situations without noticing the opportunities God has placed right in front of us. When we slow down, tune out autopilot, and ask the Holy Spirit to open our eyes, we begin to see these God moments that have our names on them. These encounters may not require us to go somewhere new, but rather to see with new eyes what has always been there, ready for God to move through us if we are willing to pause and respond. [01:25:43]

Acts 3:1-3 (NLT)
Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o’clock prayer service. As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in. Each day he was put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he could beg from the people going into the Temple. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money.

Reflection: Who is someone you regularly pass by or overlook in your daily routine that God might be nudging you to notice and engage with today?

Day 2: Seeing Beyond Surface Needs to True Soul Needs

The Holy Spirit gives us discernment to look past what people say they want and see what they truly need—an encounter with Jesus. The lame man at the gate asked for money, but his deeper need was transformation and healing that only Christ could provide. When we walk closely with the Holy Spirit, He heightens our sensitivity, giving us insight into the real needs of those around us. Our role is to listen, be available, and allow God to use us as vessels for His supernatural intervention, offering more than just temporary solutions but pointing people to the life-changing power of Jesus. [01:36:38]

Acts 3:4-6 (NLT)
Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!” The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money. But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!”

Reflection: When was the last time you asked God to show you the deeper needs of someone in your life, and how might you respond differently if you saw them as God does?

Day 3: Embracing Our Inadequacy and God’s Sufficiency

Feeling inadequate is not a disqualification but an invitation for God to display His sufficiency through us. Peter and John had no money or natural resources to offer the lame man, but their lack became the very stage for God’s power to be revealed. God is not limited by what we lack; He measures us by what He supplies. When we acknowledge our own weakness and inability, we make room for God’s strength to be made perfect in us, allowing Him to use ordinary people to do extraordinary things for His glory. [01:44:27]

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NLT)
Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Reflection: What is one area where you feel inadequate or unqualified, and how can you invite God to show His strength through your weakness today?

Day 4: Giving What Jesus Has Already Given Us

We are called to give out of what Jesus has already given us—His authority, His presence, and His power. Peter didn’t offer what he didn’t have; instead, he gave the man the name and power of Jesus, resulting in a miraculous healing. As believers, all of Jesus lives in all of us, and we are fully equipped to share His love, hope, and healing with others. When we step out in faith and obedience, even in small ways, we become conduits for God’s supernatural work, bridging the gap between human need and divine provision. [01:48:39]

Acts 3:6-8 (NLT)
But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!” Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them.

Reflection: What is one gift, word, or act of faith you can offer someone today in the name of Jesus, trusting that He will do the rest?

Day 5: Obedience Unlocks Supernatural Impact

Obedience to the Holy Spirit, even when it feels risky or uncomfortable, can have ripple effects far beyond what we can see. Peter and John made it clear that the miracle was not about their own power or godliness, but about God’s goodness and the authority of Jesus’ name. When we step out in obedience, God multiplies the impact—sometimes leading to transformation in many lives, as seen when thousands believed after the healing at the gate. Our willingness to be bold, take risks, and put Jesus’ name on our situations aligns our lives with the rhythm of the apostles and opens the door for God to move powerfully through us. [01:51:45]

Acts 3:12, 16; 4:4 (NLT)
Peter saw his opportunity and addressed the crowd. “People of Israel,” he said, “what is so surprising about this? And why stare at us as though we had made this man walk by our own power or godliness? ... Through faith in the name of Jesus, this man was healed—and you know how crippled he was before. Faith in Jesus’ name has healed him before your very eyes. ... But many of the people who heard their message believed it, so the number of men who believed now totaled about 5,000.”

Reflection: What step of obedience is God prompting you to take today, even if it feels risky, and how might your obedience become a testimony that points others to Jesus?

Sermon Summary

Today, we gathered to reflect on what it means to live a life that is “naturally supernatural.” From the very beginning of our faith journey, we are born into something that is not merely intellectual or philosophical, but deeply spiritual and transformative. The work of Jesus on the cross and the ongoing presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives is nothing short of supernatural. We are not called to simply modify our behavior or follow a set of rules; rather, we are invited into a process of inner transformation that only God can accomplish.

We explored the story in Acts 3, where Peter and John encounter a man who had been lame for forty years. This man was a daily fixture at the temple, yet on this particular day, the Holy Spirit orchestrated a divine appointment. Peter and John, who had likely passed by this man many times before, were suddenly made aware of his true need—not just for money, but for an encounter with the living Christ. This moment was not about their own adequacy or resources, but about their willingness to be vessels for God’s power.

The tension we often feel between our human inadequacies and God’s supernatural nature is real. We may feel unqualified, lacking, or unable to meet the needs around us. Yet, it is precisely in our weakness that God’s strength is made perfect. Our limitations become the stage for God’s sufficiency. The supernatural life is not reserved for a select few, but is the normal Christian life for all who are willing to listen, obey, and take risks in faith.

We are called to be attentive to the Holy Spirit’s nudges, to look beyond surface needs, and to offer what we have—namely, the presence and power of Jesus. When we do, God moves in ways that ripple far beyond the moment, touching lives and drawing people to Himself. Our obedience, even in small things, can have eternal impact. Let us be bold, sensitive, and obedient, trusting that God will use our lives to bring about His supernatural purposes in the world.

Key Takeaways

1. The Christian life is inherently supernatural, beginning with the transformation of our hearts by the Holy Spirit. This is not a result of intellectual effort or family tradition, but a divine work that changes us from the inside out. Recognizing this truth grounds us in humility and expectation for God to move beyond what we can accomplish on our own. [69:45]
2. Divine appointments are often hidden in the ordinary rhythms of our daily lives. God orchestrates encounters and moments that may seem coincidental, but are actually invitations to participate in His work. Being attentive to the Holy Spirit means slowing down, breaking out of autopilot, and being willing to see and respond to the needs right in front of us. [85:43]
3. True spiritual discernment allows us to see beyond surface requests to the deeper needs of those around us. People may ask for resources or temporary relief, but their greatest need is always an encounter with Jesus. The Holy Spirit gives us insight and boldness to address these soul needs, often in ways that surprise even us. [96:38]
4. Our sense of inadequacy is not a disqualification, but an invitation for God to display His sufficiency. We often measure ourselves by what we lack, but God measures us by what He supplies. When we acknowledge our limitations and offer what we do have—faith in Jesus’ name—God is able to do the extraordinary through ordinary people. [102:57]
5. Obedience to the Holy Spirit, even in small or risky steps, can have far-reaching impact. The miracle at the temple gate led to thousands coming to faith, showing that our willingness to act can multiply in ways we may never see. The call is not to be perfect or always right, but to be available, courageous, and obedient, trusting God with the results. [111:45]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[30:34] - Worship and Praise
[45:09] - Continuing in Worship
[55:37] - Exalting the Holy Spirit
[63:37] - Announcements and Harvest Festival
[66:53] - Life on a Mission: Naturally Supernatural
[69:45] - The Supernatural Nature of Faith
[74:16] - Setting the Scene: Acts 3
[78:28] - The Tension of Human Inadequacy
[82:20] - Divine Appointments in Daily Life
[89:13] - Recognizing God Moments
[96:38] - Seeing Beyond Surface Needs
[100:33] - Acknowledging Our Limitations
[106:26] - Giving What Jesus Has Given
[109:34] - The Ripple Effect of Obedience
[115:05] - Invitation to Prayer and Ministry
[117:26] - Closing Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Acts 3:1-10 (ESV) — 1 Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.
2 And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple.
3 Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms.
4 And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.”
5 And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them.
6 But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!”
7 And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong.
8 And leaping up he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.
9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God,
10 and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Observation Questions

According to Acts 3, how long had the man been lame, and where did he spend his days?
What did the man ask Peter and John for, and what did they offer him instead?
How did Peter and John respond to the man’s request, and what was the result?
After the healing, what was the reaction of the people who witnessed it?

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says that the Christian life is “inherently supernatural,” not just about behavior or rules. What does it mean for someone’s faith to be “naturally supernatural” in everyday life?
The story in Acts 3 highlights a “divine appointment” in the middle of a normal day. How does the idea of God orchestrating moments in our daily routines challenge the way we see our schedules and interruptions?
Peter and John admitted their own lack (“silver and gold I do not have”) but still offered what they did have. What does this teach about how God uses our limitations?
The miracle led to a ripple effect, with many coming to faith. What does this suggest about the potential impact of simple obedience, even when it feels small or risky?

Application Questions

The sermon talked about the Holy Spirit giving us “nudges” or prompting us to notice needs around us. Can you think of a recent time when you felt a nudge to do something for someone? Did you respond? Why or why not?
Our daily routines can make us miss what God is doing. What is one practical way you could slow down or break out of “autopilot” this week to be more attentive to God’s leading?
The man at the gate asked for money, but his deeper need was healing and an encounter with Jesus. Are there people in your life who are asking for one thing, but may need something deeper? How could you pray for discernment to see their real needs?
The sermon said our sense of inadequacy is not a disqualification, but an invitation for God to show His sufficiency. Where do you feel inadequate right now? How might God want to use you in that area anyway?
Peter and John offered what they had—faith in Jesus’ name. What is something you do have (a skill, a resource, a relationship, a testimony) that you could offer to God for Him to use?
The miracle at the temple gate led to thousands coming to faith. Have you ever seen a small act of obedience lead to a bigger impact than you expected? Share your story, or talk about what holds you back from taking those small steps.
The call is to be available, courageous, and obedient, not perfect. What is one risk you could take this week to step out in faith, even if you’re not sure of the outcome?

Sermon Clips

For them, miracles weren't extraordinary interruptions. They were ordinary expressions of the presence of the Holy Spirit's work on earth that always say, always say always, always pointed back to Jesus. That's what he did then, that is what he does now. When the Holy Spirit is moving and doing great and wonderful things, his goal is that people would see Jesus. [01:17:13] (35 seconds) #MiraclesPointToJesus

Divine appointments aren't always about going somewhere new. Often God redirects our attention to what's been there all the time. You see, the supernatural life begins when we recognize these God moments. Why is that such a big deal? Because if God highlights it, that means he wants to do something about it. If God brings it to your attention, that means he's got something to say about it, which means that it's guaranteed. [01:28:58] (39 seconds) #RecognizeGodMoments

People don't just need our resources. They need an encounter with Jesus. Oh, especially in the state of Oregon. We got plenty of resources. That's why people love coming here, because there's plenty of. You can have no job, no nothing, have full benefits. This is a state that loves resources and praise the Lord. I'm not hating on that. I'm just saying that people need more than resources. They need an encounter with Jesus. [01:39:24] (40 seconds) #MoreThanResources

``But how many know that our inadequacies actually qualify us for God's assignments? You see, we measure ourselves by what we lack. God measures us by what he supplies. Are you with me? This is critical. We measure ourselves by what we lack. God doesn't do that. He measures us by what he supplies. He's not concerned about your lack of what you can't do what you don't have, because he has it all. [01:42:36] (40 seconds) #GodSuppliesNotLack

Our inadequacies become the stage for God's sufficiencies. God specializes in using ordinary people to do what extraordinary things just by a show of hands. Does God use anybody to do something extraordinary, little or small? [01:44:32] (25 seconds) #OrdinaryToExtraordinary

Peter shifts from what he lacks now to what he possesses. He had something way more valuable than money. He had access to. To the power of the resurrected Christ. All of him lives in all of you. I say that like a mantra over and over. That is true. It's true. He had the authority of Jesus. Name. There is no other name given among men but the name of Jesus. The name of Jesus bridges our inadequacies to God's sufficiency. [01:48:17] (46 seconds) #AuthorityInJesusName

When the Holy Spirit moves supernaturally, it produces an unmistakable witness that sends ripples far beyond the moment. How do we know that in this text? Because In Acts, chapter 4, verse 4, that particular healing led to 5,000 folks being saved. You see, your obedience in one moment can multiply in ways you will never ever know. [01:51:27] (43 seconds) #RippleEffectObedience

If we are down with Jesus and that's who we are, our life automatically is a life on a mission, a life with a purpose, a life with a destination, a life with an assignment, fully backed, fully credentialed by God himself. That's who you are. [01:52:20] (31 seconds) #LifeOnAMission

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