God's Holy Fire: 'Jumping and Leaping and Praising God!'

Thursday, February 29, 2024

Then Peter said [to the lame man], "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.
— Acts 3:6-8

Key Thought

Today is leap day. I could not resist using this verse about a man held in bondage all his life because his legs wouldn't work. He never could walk (Acts 3:2). No toddling to a parent as he tried his first steps. He never had the opportunity of falling and getting up. He was stuck. Then, because of grace and the power of the resurrected Jesus, his whole life changed. Through Peter, Jesus freed him from his bondage. As disciples of Jesus, he frees us, too, through the power of the Holy Spirit. Paul said, "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom" (2 Corinthians 3:17). We are no longer in bondage to sin, death, hell, and our weaknesses. As we have faith in Jesus, the Spirit transforms us to become like our Savior (2 Corinthians 3:18). We can jump, walk, and leap our way toward Jesus because of the Spirit's transforming power!

Today's Prayer

O precious Father, my heart leaps for joy because of the freedom from sin, death, and hell that Jesus accomplished for me. I walk through each day knowing I am progressively being transformed to be more like Jesus. Thank you! Now I ask, dear Father, that you make your work in me visible to others so they can come and learn about your grace in Jesus. I pray in his name. Amen.

Comments

Archived Facebook Comments

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Thursday, February 29, 2024

Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Stop It!' (Acts 4:13-18)
"The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special..."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Morning Thought: Jeremiah 31:3
"The thunders of the law and the terrors of judgment are all used to bring us to Christ; but the final victory is effected by lovingkindness. The..."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
Luke 2:29-30
""Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation...""
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Proverbs 13:5
"The righteous hate what is false, but the wicked bring shame and disgrace."

Illustration

Illustration of Acts 3:6-8 — "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk."

About This Devotional

God's Holy Fire is a daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

More God's Holy Fire

Translations