One day, when Peter and John were going to the temple to pray, a man who was lame from birth asked the two disciples for money. Day after day, the lame man was carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he begged strangers for a few coins.  But this wasn’t an ordinary day.  This day, instead of money, the lame man received something far more valuable when Peter said to him,

“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!” (Acts 3:6 ESV).

Peter took the man by the hand and as he did,

“immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God” (Acts 3:7-8).

I don’t know about you, but if this happened to me, I’d be jumping and praising God too. The temple goers recognized him as the man who used to sit begging at the temple gate, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him (Acts 3:10).

And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk?” (Acts 3:12).

Peter explained that it was “his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.” (Acts 3:16)

As we enter a new year, I believe God is calling us to rise up and walk! To leave behind the things that have crippled us, to put down the things that have hindered our walk with God, and to press forward for all that He has for us! As we take the first step, just like the lame man experienced, I believe God will strengthen us and so transform us, that others will be filled with “wonder and amazement” at what God has done in our lives. How was this man, who was lame from birth, now walking, jumping and completely healed? Is anything too hard for God? (Jer. 32:27) And I love that it says the temple goers recognized him as the man “who used to sit begging.” We don’t have to stay where we are!

Friends, God wants to transform us, and He loves to do it in a way that leaves us, and others astonished. He wants you and me to be healed, whole and strengthened so we can do great exploits for His Kingdom. But it all starts with faith. Faith in the name of Jesus and faith in God’s power that comes through Him.  As we enter 2023, take Jesus by the hand, rise up and  walk and get ready to jump for joy because what’s coming is so much greater than anything you’re leaving behind.

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Scripture is quoted from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®). ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.