Our pastor taught about the miracle at the Beautiful Gate a year ago in January. Acts 3:7-9 (AMP)-“7 Then he took hold of the man’s right hand with a firm grip and raised him up. And at once his feet and ankle bones became strong and steady,8 And leaping forth he stood and began to walk, and he went into the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.9 And all the people saw him walking about and praising God.” In our Christian life, there are times of walking and leaping. Times that are filled with praise for what God has done in our lives. This beggar’s life was changed that day. His whole Identity up to that point was one of poverty, being crippled, destitute, lonely, and a beggar. A beautiful thing happened at that gate. “Sometimes we need to give up to leap up.” “We must surrender our old identity to God’s new identity.” Jesus is the Beautiful gate that makes all things new. This man’s life totally changed. Isaiah 61:3 (NKJV)-3 To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.”
What I love about this story is that God uses people to bring beautiful things—people who can help us to leap into our destinies. No man is an island to himself. We need each other. Who will you help? You might ask,” What do I have to give.” In the text, Peter said silver and gold have I none.” Certainly, the beggar wanted money to better his life but he got more than money. More than he ever expected! Peter goes on to say, “Such as I have I give to you.” What was it that Peter had? He had love and compassion. He had the Holy Spirit’s power. Matthew 10:8 (NKJV)-8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. A revelation of the living God living inside of us is so essential. In this New Year, who can we bless and help leap into a new life, a new direction, and a new purpose?
I love the story of the man named Apollos. He was a Jewish man who converted to Christianity. We find his”leaping” story in the Book of Acts. Acts 18:24-25 (NKJV)-24 Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus.25 This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John. I look forward to meeting this man in heaven one day. What a description! I would like it to be said of me as well. Not in a prideful way but to have that same desire to speak well, to be mighty in scriptures, fervent in spirit, and to be teachable. To be useful in the hands of the Master. That would make a wonder New Year’s resolution. The story goes on to say that some people were getting ready to help him leap into something more. Acts 18:26 (NKJV)-26 So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. God has more for us and let that be our prayer. Let’s be teachable, and allow others to input into our lives. God gives grace to the humble! Grace to walk, leap, and praise God.
I think and I’m only speculating but one thing they possibly instructed him was the baptism of the Holy Spirit and the power of God(Acts 19:1-2). Ephesians 3:19-20 (NKJV)-19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us. Listen we have more than silver and gold. We have the one who created them living inside of us! God used Aquila and Priscilla to help Apollos. He became a blessing to the Church in those days. Acts 18:27-28 (NKJV)-27 And when he desired to cross to Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him; and when he arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace;28 for he vigorously refuted the Jews publicly, showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ. Isn’t that what it’s all about to be a help, to be a blessing, and to point people to Christ using the scripture? He was bold and determined because he loved Christ and experienced God’s grace. There are things we need to cross over to fulfill our destinies. Things we need to let go of, old ways, old thought patterns, and leap into God’s best.
The Apostle Paul said that Apollos watered and that he planted. 1 Corinthians 3:6-9 (NKJV)-6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.7 So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.8 Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.9 For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. We are part of building God’s Kingdom one person at a time. We can help people leap by watering with encouragement, teaching, and giving. Sometimes we just need to be there to listen. In all we do God gives the increase. He provides a supernatural touch that goes beyond our expectations. He does exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the power of the Holy Spirit working in us. I think it’s important to say that when we see that power manifest is when we move in love and compassion, then it is released. It was never meant to keep to ourselves. Let us take hold of someone’s hand and make a difference.
In closing: Life can be full of opportunities to be a blessing. As one minister said, “Self-centeredness is the source of all grief.” In this New Year let’s be like Apollos, Aquila, Priscilla Peter, and John. Let us be someone to help others to walk, leap, and praise God! It can be life-changing. That is a beautiful thing. Of course, we will be on the receiving end. God will bless us as we obey and are led by the Holy Spirit.
Job 42:10 (NKJV)-10 And the LORD restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.
Psalm 65:11 (NKJV)-11 You crown the year with Your goodness, And Your paths drip with abundance.
In Christ’s love;
Brent and Linda Bushen
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