Last week, I began leaping in my kitchen while I was cooking for the holidays. I thought of the celebration chorus of the angels at Christ's birth. As I visualized the baby in the manger, I could also see the image of the man on the cross. With a grateful heart, I began praising God. Like the lame man, I was saved from a life of looking for things (alms) to fulfill my needs.
Peter did not give silver or gold to the lame man, but in the name of Jesus Christ he gave him more. He told the man to get up and walk. The lame man obeyed. He not only walked, he leaped and praised God. He knew it was not a miracle of Peter, but of Christ.
Where did his first steps take him? He entered the temple as a public witness to the miracle that occurred in his life. Those who went to the temple knew him well. They saw him everyday begging for alms. Now he was healed.
Knowing Christ produces changed lives. Through Christ you can experience the joy of the lame man. You too can walk, leap and sing praises to God. Your testimony can change other lives. Bring them into the fellowship of believers. Help them get involved in a church and a discipleship group so that they will grow spiritually. Remember the first act of the healed lame man was to enter the temple, praising God.
You have 20 days till Christmas.
God's present to us is Christ. Our present to God is ourselves.