Imagine that a handicapped beggar shows up at your church every day to ask for money, just like he has for years. He hits the staff up on their way into work and he’s always there on Sundays to make His presence known. He’s gotten used to his plight and he’s content living off the gifts of others; the last thing he expects is to be healed. Such was the case with the man at the gate called Beautiful. One rather uneventful morning, he showed up at his usual spot and began begging. However, that day brought a very unexpected encounter, and he happened upon Peter and John as they were entering the temple. Rather than putting money in his pan, they called upon the power of the Name of Jesus, laid hands on him, and he was healed! Talk about upsetting the routine. The man immediately rose to his feet and ran into the temple with his hands in the air praising and glorifying God, and everyone watching was astonished. Not only that, it created an opportunity for Peter to boldly preach and proclaim the Gospel to the gathered crowd. 

Friend, if the beggar in this story was at your church, would you be the one to pray for him? Would you step out of your comfort zone and call upon the Name of Jesus to heal, as only He can? Even if you don’t see it manifest in the same miraculous way, my encouragement to you is to be the one who always expects God to do more. Fill your life with His presence and call upon His Spirit to be revealed in and through you. Then, when the opportunity presents itself, be proactive and seize the chance to be a vessel that proves to others what your Savior can do. Say “yes” to Him and the world will be changed by the power of the Gospel!