your story is meant for more.

Scripture: Acts 3:1-16, 4:13-22

Acts 3:1-16 shows us something really cool. Peter and John, two of Jesus’ disciples, pray healing over a lame man and he is healed. A miraculous, awe-inspiring work of God!! People gather around in awe, seeing this lame man walk after years of begging at the gate.

“So He jumped up and started to walk, and he entered the temple with them - walking, leaping, and praising God” (v. 8).

It could have been easy for Peter and John to smile and soak in the attention, and maybe do a quick, “hey, all glory to God!” But instead, they do something bold. In a time where Israel did not believe Jesus to be the Messiah and had put Him on the cross not too long before, Peter and John preach the Gospel to the surrounding crowd.

“Why do you stare at us, as though we have made him walk by our own power or godliness?” (v. 12)

They quickly turn the attention to Jesus. They quickly fight back the temptation to take the easy, less awkward and non-controversial way out, and they preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.

“By faith in His name, His name has made this man strong, whom you see and know. So the faith that comes through Jesus has given him this perfect health in front of all of you” (v. 16).

We have our own stories that testify of the power of Jesus - some chapters finished and some still being written. We have witnessed awe-inspiring work that God has done in our own lives and in the lives around us - even if it doesn't always look exactly how we expect it to. If you have a relationship with Jesus, you have a powerful story to tell that points not to yourself or your own power, but to the power of Jesus Christ. It may not be physical healing - although if that is your story, praise Jesus - but you have experienced rescue, redemption, and healing. If you have been brought to life from the dead, Jesus is calling you to share this story. It is more powerful than you even know, because God is more powerful than you even know. Your story is meant for more.

This story of Peter, John and the healing of a lame man is one of power. It testifies of the goodness and glory of Jesus - and so does yours. Jesus is so worthy of all our praise, our boldness, and we can never be too excited to share!

Later in chapter 4, soon after the miracle had taken place, the Jewish leadership arrested Peter and John. The Jewish leadership could find no fault in them, and out of frustration, they threatened Peter and John and asked them to stop talking about Jesus. Peter and John refused, saying, “for we are unable to stop speaking about what we have seen and heard” (v. 20).

As people who have been rescued and redeemed by Jesus, we have seen and experienced His love and His glory. His power has been poured out on us, and the overflow blesses those around us. My friend Shayna just shared her testimony on Milk & Honey last week. We got to read about how God has rescued her, redeemed her and continues to draw her nearer. God has done incredible things in her life, and as one of her closest friends, I can truly say that watching the story God has been writing in her life has deeply blessed me. If you have read it, I hope it has deeply blessed you, too.

Your story can deeply bless the people around you, too. The testimony of God’s faithfulness in your life is one of truth and power - it is not finished, and it does not have to be polished and perfected. May others see the ways He is alive and active in the story He is writing.

Your story is meant to encourage, to inspire, to bless others, to ALWAYS point to the glory of King Jesus. <3

So, who is Jesus calling you to share your story with?

“Come and listen, all who fear God, and I will tell you what He has done for me.” Psalm 66:16