more than forty years old

Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong.  And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.  And all the people saw him walking and praising God, and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him...For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.  Acts 3:1-10; 4:22

A few weeks ago as I sat and listened to a sermon covering this Scripture.  I cannot tell you how many times I have read these very chapters and verses, nor how many sermons may have been heard concerning them, in my lifetime. This was not the first, but it has been the most memorable.
Ever have those moments when words...phrases...entire verses just seem to leap off the page at you when you read them?
This was one of those moments for me; but even better.  The Scripture came to life as I read along and listened and heard the story unfolding.
Oh, the magnitude of it all!
Know what triggered the Living Word to get off the page and into my heart like never before?
Key words along the way...prayer, expectation, rise up and walk, leaping, wonder and amazement...led up to one verse that opened my eyes at what was unfolding:

For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.  Acts 4:22

It hit me that my story to a new way of life was hidden within these words.
As when you recognize and believe Jesus as your Savior, and He makes you a new creation, no matter how your choices concerning your health have played out for you thus far in life, through prayer with expectation and the help of another/from others, you can get up from the old way of living and make a new lifestyle happen for yourself.
I love how Peter directs the man to get up and walk. Peter assisted the man to his feet, but the man had walk on his own. Peter could not do that for him.
Even if you are more than forty years old, be encouraged. Your overall well-being and health can improve. People can help you, but no one can do it for you. I had to "get up and walk" just like this lame man and so do you.
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