Rise Up and Walk

The first miracle recorded after the the great outpouring of holy spirit after the Day of Pentecost is

Resurrection Power

recorded in Acts 3:1-8:

3 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. 2 And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;3 Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.
4 And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. 5 And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up (wake, arouse or rise up) and walk. 7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. 8 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.

It is one of my favorite records. The difference between how this crippled man received help through begging for alms and others carrying him around to what Peter and John woke him up to is huge. "Rise up and walk!' It is God's gracious gift  through the accomplished work of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. God's power  awakens all who believe. This isn't about alms or giving in the physical sense. This is spiritual! God's gift of holy spirit is means of empowerment to all who believe.

I see a lot of memes and comments engaging in 'virtue signaling' these days stirring up sympathy and dependent enabling as a path to to help people, What really works to help people is godly empowerment. Yes, we offer our hand, but individuals have to wake and rise up by believing God. It is not something we do for them or force them to accept. It is what God can do in them that is the greatest boost of all!! That is what we can share with anyone who will listen!

It is as true today as it was back at the time of the resurrection.. It applies to Hebrews, Gentiles, blacks, white, males, females, children or aged ones.  It is the answer to racism, sexism, bigotry and discrimination. God has left no one behind. He is no respecter of persons. Wouldn't you just love to walk through all the so-called 'peaceful protests' and share this message?  Wouldn't you love to see people walking and leaping and praising God instead of this crazy stuff going on?  We just need to say what Peter an John said: 'Silver and gold have I none but what I know and have experienced, I can share with you' and leave it up to them to make the choice of believing it or not.