The Turnaround

John 5:^8-9 “Jesus told him, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!” Instantly, the man was healed! He rolled up his sleeping mat and began walking! But this miracle happened on the Sabbath”

Peter and John were going to pray at the temple, and they saw a crippled man by the beautiful gate. The man was looking at them hoping to get some money from them. Acts 3:^6-8 “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.” (emphasis added). The same Jesus that told the lame man to get up, take up his bed, and walk, is now living inside of you and me.

Peter showed up at the beautiful gate and saw the crippled man asking for money. Peter said, ‘I do not have silver or gold to give to you, but I have someone. His Name is Jesus, and I am going to give Him to you today, in the Name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk’. In the same way, I am saying to everyone reading this that has been crippled in whatever area of life, I do not have silver and gold to give you, but in the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk’. (paraphrased). Then Peter did something that was unbelievable, he did not even wait for the man to respond, he took the lame man by the right hand and lifted him up. As you are lifted this season, your legs and ankles will be strengthened. You will leap, jump, and praise the Lord in the Mighty Name of Jesus.

John 5:⁸ “Jesus told him, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!” (emphasis added). That mat had been the one carrying the man, but Jesus orchestrated a turnaround. Jesus said to the man, you are going to carry the things that have been carrying you. In the Name of Jesus, everything that has been carrying you out of help and out of pity, you will get up and carry them. By extension, everyone that has been helping you, carrying you financially and emotionally, they are good people. But because God will lift you up this season, you will not need their help anymore. You will also turn around and help them in the Mighty Name of Jesus. Everywhere you have received help, you will give help also in the Mighty Name of Jesus.

Prayer (song): I stand amazed in Your presence. There is nothing You cannot do. I stand amazed in Your presence. There is joy, peace, and hope. There’s no one like You, Jesus. There’s no one like you, in all the earth… Amen!