Draw Near to God
Scripture: Matthew 10:27
"I tell you these things in the dark, but I want you to tell them in the light. What you hear whispered in your ear you should shout from the housetops." NCV
The young man had lost his job and didn't know which way to turn. So he went to see the old preacher. Pacing about the preacher's study, the young man ranted about his problem. Finally he clenched his fist and shouted, "I've begged Jesus to say something to help me. Tell me, Preacher, why doesn't Jesus answer?"
The old preacher, who sat across the room, spoke something in reply -- something so hushed it was indistinguishable. The young man stepped across the room. "What did you say?" he asked.
The preacher repeated himself, but again in a tone as soft as a whisper. So the young man moved closer until he was leaning on the preacher's chair.
"Sorry," he said. "I still didn't hear you."
With their heads bent together, the old preacher spoke once more. "Jesus sometimes whispers," he said, "so we will move closer to hear Him."
This time the young man heard and understood.
We all want Jesus to triumphantly appear with the answer to our problems. But Jesus is the still, small voice --- the gentle whisper.
Nothing draws human focus quite like a whisper. A whisper from Jesus means I must stop ranting and move close to Him, until my head is bent together with His. And then --- as I listen --- I will find my answer. Better still, I find myself closer to Jesus.
Prayer: Father thank you that as Jesus whispers I'm ready to hear. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Trials
Exodus 15:23-27 NKJV
23 Now when they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter. Therefore the name of it was called Marah.(24) And the people complained against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?” (25) So he cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a tree. When he cast it into the waters, the waters were made sweet.
There He made a statute(law)and an ordinance for them, and there He tested them,
ã Have you ever wondered why God led the Israelites “through”
The wilderness instead of around it?
Why didn’t He take them directly to the land He had promised them?
ãThey were not ready (prepared) to take possession of their promise yet.
Testing and trials build character, and prepare us just as it did them;
God is perfecting us and preparing us for the promised land just as He did them.
We have to learn to walk by faith and not by sight.
2 Timothy 3:16 {reminder}
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.
ßGod always provided for their needs even when He was testing them; water, food and shelter were always there for them.
It’s when we lust for “other things” that we get into trouble.
Ex.15:27
27 Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve wells of water and seventy palm trees; so they camped there by the waters. Abundance supplied.
We shrink from life’s challenges
we plead For watered pastures never touched by pain;
But God will often let us sense our need
Before He sends His cool, refreshing rain. __Gustafson
The more bitter the desert experience, the sweeter the water of the oasis.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Beneficial Trials
Exodus 15:23-27 NKJV
23 Now when they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter. Therefore the name of it was called Marah.(24) And the people complained against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?” (25) So he cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a tree. When he cast it into the waters, the waters were made sweet.
There He made a statute(law)and an ordinance for them, and there He tested them,
ã Have you ever wondered why God led the Israelites “through”
The wilderness instead of around it?
Why didn’t He take them directly to the land He had promised them?
ãThey were not ready (prepared) to take possession of their promise yet.
Testing and trials build character, and prepare us just as it did them;
God is perfecting us and preparing us for the promised land just as He did them.
We have to learn to walk by faith and not by sight.
2 Timothy 3:16 {reminder}
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.
ßGod always provided for their needs even when He was testing them; water, food and shelter were always there for them.
It’s when we lust for “other things” that we get into trouble.
Ex.15:27
27 Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve wells of water and seventy palm trees; so they camped there by the waters. Abundance supplied.
We shrink from life’s challenges
we plead For watered pastures never touched by pain;
But God will often let us sense our need
Before He sends His cool, refreshing rain. __Gustafson
The more bitter the desert experience, the sweeter the water of the oasis.
23 Now when they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter. Therefore the name of it was called Marah.(24) And the people complained against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?” (25) So he cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a tree. When he cast it into the waters, the waters were made sweet.
There He made a statute(law)and an ordinance for them, and there He tested them,
ã Have you ever wondered why God led the Israelites “through”
The wilderness instead of around it?
Why didn’t He take them directly to the land He had promised them?
ãThey were not ready (prepared) to take possession of their promise yet.
Testing and trials build character, and prepare us just as it did them;
God is perfecting us and preparing us for the promised land just as He did them.
We have to learn to walk by faith and not by sight.
2 Timothy 3:16 {reminder}
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.
ßGod always provided for their needs even when He was testing them; water, food and shelter were always there for them.
It’s when we lust for “other things” that we get into trouble.
Ex.15:27
27 Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve wells of water and seventy palm trees; so they camped there by the waters. Abundance supplied.
We shrink from life’s challenges
we plead For watered pastures never touched by pain;
But God will often let us sense our need
Before He sends His cool, refreshing rain. __Gustafson
The more bitter the desert experience, the sweeter the water of the oasis.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
God's protection
The story is told of a US Marine during World War II that got separated from his unit on a Pacific island. The fighting had been intense, and in the smoke and crossfire he had lost touch with his unit. Alone in the jungle he could hear enemy soldiers coming in his direction. Scrambling for cover he found his way up a high ridge to several small caves. Quickly he crawled inside one of the caves. Although safe for the moment, he realized that once the enemy soldiers looking for him swept up the ridge, they would quickly search all the caves and he would be killed. As he waited, he prayed, "Lord, please protect me. Amen." After praying, he lay quietly listening to the enemy beginning to draw close. He thought, "Well, I guess the Lord isn't going to help me out of this one." Then he saw a spider begin to build a web over the front of his cave. As he watched, listening to the enemy searching for him --- all the while the spider layered strand after strand of web across the opening of the cave. "Hah, he thought. What I need is a brick wall and what the Lord has sent me is a spider web. God does have a sense of humor." As the enemy searched closer he watched from the darkness of his hideout deep inside the cave. He watched as the enemy systematically checked and cleared each cave. As they came to his he readied to make his last stand. Rifle at the ready and three hand grenades within reach. Suddenly to his amazement the enemy glanced at his cave and walked away. Then it quickened him that the spider web over the entrance looked as if no one had entered for quite a while. "Lord, forgive me," prayed the young man. "I had forgotten that in you a spider's web is stronger than a brick wall." We all face times of great trouble. When we do, it is so easy to forget what Jesus can work in our lives --- sometimes in the most surprising ways. And remember with Jesus --- a mere spider's web becomes a brick wall of protection. Prayer: Father thank you for your protection in my life. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen! (Chriatian Cyber Ministries)
Testings
Testings
Esther 4
1 When Mordecai learned all that had happened, he tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the midst of the city. He cried out with a loud and bitter cry. 2 He went as far as the front of the king’s gate, for no one might enter the king’s gate clothed with sackcloth. . 5 Then Esther called Hathach, one of the king’s eunuchs whom he had appointed to attend her, and she gave him a command concerning Mordecai, to learn what and why this was. 7 And Mordecai told him all that had happened to him, and the sum of money that Haman had promised to pay into the king’s treasuries to destroy the Jews. 8 He also gave him a copy of the written decree for their destruction, which was given at Shushan, that he might show it to Esther and explain it to her, and that he might command her to go in to the king to make supplication to him and plead before him for her people. .
10 Then Esther spoke to Hathach, and gave him a command for Mordecai: 11 “All the king’s servants and the people of the king’s provinces know that any man or woman who goes into the inner court to the king, who has not been called, he has but one law: put all to death, except the one to whom the king holds out the golden scepter, that he may live. Yet I myself have not been called to go in to the king these thirty days.” 12 So they told Mordecai Esther’s words.
13 And Mordecai told them to answer Esther: “Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king’s palace any more than all the other Jews. 14 For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
15 Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai: 16 “Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!”
17 So Mordecai went his way and did according to all that Esther commanded him.[a]
The 4th chapter of Esther has only 17 verses, but contains one of the greatest challenges anyone could face. It also shows us that if we step out with God, there is nothing that can overcome us.
All of us who serve God face challenges whether big or small; what we do and how we handle them makes all the difference.
Esther knew that even though she was a queen, she was not guaranteed safety. She also knew that if she didn’t step out, no one else would, and her people would be slaughtered.
Did she step out or back off? She stepped out but not alone; her and her people petitioned God to intervene and protect her.
There may be times when a test may come to you, (and there will be) that you know that you alone cannot do it; God is not trying to take you down, He is trying to teach you to rely on Him. Courage is not the lack of fear; it’s fear that has said its prayers.
For life’s adventure Lord, I ask
Courage and faith for every task;
A heart kept clean by high desire.
A conscience purged by holy fire.__McDermand
Esther 4
1 When Mordecai learned all that had happened, he tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the midst of the city. He cried out with a loud and bitter cry. 2 He went as far as the front of the king’s gate, for no one might enter the king’s gate clothed with sackcloth. . 5 Then Esther called Hathach, one of the king’s eunuchs whom he had appointed to attend her, and she gave him a command concerning Mordecai, to learn what and why this was. 7 And Mordecai told him all that had happened to him, and the sum of money that Haman had promised to pay into the king’s treasuries to destroy the Jews. 8 He also gave him a copy of the written decree for their destruction, which was given at Shushan, that he might show it to Esther and explain it to her, and that he might command her to go in to the king to make supplication to him and plead before him for her people. .
10 Then Esther spoke to Hathach, and gave him a command for Mordecai: 11 “All the king’s servants and the people of the king’s provinces know that any man or woman who goes into the inner court to the king, who has not been called, he has but one law: put all to death, except the one to whom the king holds out the golden scepter, that he may live. Yet I myself have not been called to go in to the king these thirty days.” 12 So they told Mordecai Esther’s words.
13 And Mordecai told them to answer Esther: “Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king’s palace any more than all the other Jews. 14 For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
15 Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai: 16 “Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!”
17 So Mordecai went his way and did according to all that Esther commanded him.[a]
The 4th chapter of Esther has only 17 verses, but contains one of the greatest challenges anyone could face. It also shows us that if we step out with God, there is nothing that can overcome us.
All of us who serve God face challenges whether big or small; what we do and how we handle them makes all the difference.
Esther knew that even though she was a queen, she was not guaranteed safety. She also knew that if she didn’t step out, no one else would, and her people would be slaughtered.
Did she step out or back off? She stepped out but not alone; her and her people petitioned God to intervene and protect her.
There may be times when a test may come to you, (and there will be) that you know that you alone cannot do it; God is not trying to take you down, He is trying to teach you to rely on Him. Courage is not the lack of fear; it’s fear that has said its prayers.
For life’s adventure Lord, I ask
Courage and faith for every task;
A heart kept clean by high desire.
A conscience purged by holy fire.__McDermand
Friday, February 11, 2011
Free Indeed
Free indeed
I just read a recap about a men, after being held hostage for 13 days
And released, with a broad smile on his face, announced, “I feel more alive now than I have in my entire life!”
For reasons hard to understand, it is more exhilarating, being “freed” than being “free”.
For those of us who enjoy freedom every day, reading about
this is a good reminder of just how blessed we are.
For the christian we have a twofold reason to celebrate; (Jn8:36 tells us)
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.
If freedom in Christ has become (ho-hum, boring) to you, call to remembrance the former days; remind yourself of what God has promised you as a believer. Stir up your faith.
Celebrate your freedom in Christ by taking the time to thank God for the things you have and are able to do as His servant.
John 8:36
Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.
The sinful flesh in which we dwell
Makes living righteously
Impossible without the Lord
Who died to set us free ___SPER
LIVING FOR CHRIST BRINGS TRUE FREEDOM
I just read a recap about a men, after being held hostage for 13 days
And released, with a broad smile on his face, announced, “I feel more alive now than I have in my entire life!”
For reasons hard to understand, it is more exhilarating, being “freed” than being “free”.
For those of us who enjoy freedom every day, reading about
this is a good reminder of just how blessed we are.
For the christian we have a twofold reason to celebrate; (Jn8:36 tells us)
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.
If freedom in Christ has become (ho-hum, boring) to you, call to remembrance the former days; remind yourself of what God has promised you as a believer. Stir up your faith.
Celebrate your freedom in Christ by taking the time to thank God for the things you have and are able to do as His servant.
John 8:36
Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.
The sinful flesh in which we dwell
Makes living righteously
Impossible without the Lord
Who died to set us free ___SPER
LIVING FOR CHRIST BRINGS TRUE FREEDOM
Thursday, February 10, 2011
opportunities
Opportunities
The story is told of a young man who wished to marry the farmer's beautiful daughter. He went to the farmer to ask his permission. The farmer looked him over and responded, "Son, go stand out in that field and I'm going to release three bulls, one at a time. If you can catch the tail of any one of the three bulls, you can marry my daughter."
The young man stood in the pasture awaiting the first bull. The barn door opened and out ran the biggest, meanest-looking bull he had ever seen. He decided that one of the next bulls had to be a better choice than this one, so he ran over to the side and let the bull pass through the pasture out the back gate.
The barn door opened again. Unbelievable. He had never seen anything so big and fierce in his life. It stood - pawing the ground, grunting, slinging slobber - as it eyed him. Whatever the next bull was like, it had to be a better choice than this one. He ran to the fence and let the bull pass through the pasture, out the back gate.
The door opened a third time. A smile came across his face. This was the weakest, scrawniest little bull he had ever seen. This one was his bull. As the bull came running by, he positioned himself just right and jumped at just the exact moment. He grabbed --- but the bull had no tail!
Life is full of opportunities. Some will be easy to take advantage of, some will be difficult. But once we let them pass (often in hopes of something better), those opportunities may never again be available.
The same thing is also true of opportunities to serve Christ. God often opens doors -- opportunities to speak up for Him, opportunities to minister to someone who is hurting or in need, opportunities to make an influence in the world around us. If we allow them to pass (perhaps because we are waiting for something easier to come along), we may miss out on them altogether.
Prayer: Father help me to clearly recognize and act on the opportunities to share your Good News with the ones you place before me. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!
The story is told of a young man who wished to marry the farmer's beautiful daughter. He went to the farmer to ask his permission. The farmer looked him over and responded, "Son, go stand out in that field and I'm going to release three bulls, one at a time. If you can catch the tail of any one of the three bulls, you can marry my daughter."
The young man stood in the pasture awaiting the first bull. The barn door opened and out ran the biggest, meanest-looking bull he had ever seen. He decided that one of the next bulls had to be a better choice than this one, so he ran over to the side and let the bull pass through the pasture out the back gate.
The barn door opened again. Unbelievable. He had never seen anything so big and fierce in his life. It stood - pawing the ground, grunting, slinging slobber - as it eyed him. Whatever the next bull was like, it had to be a better choice than this one. He ran to the fence and let the bull pass through the pasture, out the back gate.
The door opened a third time. A smile came across his face. This was the weakest, scrawniest little bull he had ever seen. This one was his bull. As the bull came running by, he positioned himself just right and jumped at just the exact moment. He grabbed --- but the bull had no tail!
Life is full of opportunities. Some will be easy to take advantage of, some will be difficult. But once we let them pass (often in hopes of something better), those opportunities may never again be available.
The same thing is also true of opportunities to serve Christ. God often opens doors -- opportunities to speak up for Him, opportunities to minister to someone who is hurting or in need, opportunities to make an influence in the world around us. If we allow them to pass (perhaps because we are waiting for something easier to come along), we may miss out on them altogether.
Prayer: Father help me to clearly recognize and act on the opportunities to share your Good News with the ones you place before me. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!
Friday, February 4, 2011
Oh God You are my God
Oh God You are my God
Psalm 63:1-8
1 O God, You are my God;
Early will I seek You;
My soul thirsts for You;
My flesh longs for You
In a dry and thirsty land
Where there is no water.
2 So I have looked for You in the sanctuary,
To see Your power and Your glory.
3 Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,
My lips shall praise You.
4 Thus I will bless You while I live;
I will lift up my hands in Your name.
5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness,
And my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips.
6 When I remember You on my bed,
I meditate on You in the night watches.
7 Because You have been my help,
Therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice.
8 My soul follows close behind You;
Your right hand upholds me.
We can’t ignore God’s only son
He is the Lord, the Holy One;
He is the source of life and grace
The One who died and took our place.––Fitzhugh
He is a fool who ignores God: Ps14:1 “The fool has said in his heart, “there is no God;”
Psalm 63:1-8
1 O God, You are my God;
Early will I seek You;
My soul thirsts for You;
My flesh longs for You
In a dry and thirsty land
Where there is no water.
2 So I have looked for You in the sanctuary,
To see Your power and Your glory.
3 Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,
My lips shall praise You.
4 Thus I will bless You while I live;
I will lift up my hands in Your name.
5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness,
And my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips.
6 When I remember You on my bed,
I meditate on You in the night watches.
7 Because You have been my help,
Therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice.
8 My soul follows close behind You;
Your right hand upholds me.
We can’t ignore God’s only son
He is the Lord, the Holy One;
He is the source of life and grace
The One who died and took our place.––Fitzhugh
He is a fool who ignores God: Ps14:1 “The fool has said in his heart, “there is no God;”
Thursday, February 3, 2011
finding God
Finding God
Ps139: 1 O LORD, You have searched me and known me. 7 Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence? 8 If I ascend into heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. 9 If I take the wings of the morning,
And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, 10 Even there Your hand shall lead me,
And Your right hand shall hold me.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me,” Even the night shall be light about me;
12 Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You,
But the night shines as the day; The darkness and the light are both alike to You.
2 You know my sitting down and my rising up;
You understand my thought afar off. 3 You comprehend my path and my lying down,
And are acquainted with all my ways. 4 For there is not a word on my tongue,
But behold, O LORD, You know it altogether. 5 You have hedged me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain it.
7 Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?
8 If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.
9 If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
10 Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall[ on me,”
Even the night shall be light about me; 12 Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You,
But the night shines as the day; The darkness and the light are both alike to You.
13 For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother’s womb. 14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
How many of us have felt like God has abandoned us, when we are going through a hard time?
Or we feel like He is far away when we need Him? If you will just turn to this psalm you will see that not only is he Near, but, you can’t get away from Him.. You are the most unique being that He ever made; He made you in a very special way, so that we could communicate with Him. He loves us and we have the special ability to love him in return.
So don’t be afraid that He will leave you or forget you, there’s not a chance of this happening. We are in His image and He has His eyes on us . He cares for us.
Ps139: 1 O LORD, You have searched me and known me. 7 Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence? 8 If I ascend into heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. 9 If I take the wings of the morning,
And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, 10 Even there Your hand shall lead me,
And Your right hand shall hold me.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me,” Even the night shall be light about me;
12 Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You,
But the night shines as the day; The darkness and the light are both alike to You.
2 You know my sitting down and my rising up;
You understand my thought afar off. 3 You comprehend my path and my lying down,
And are acquainted with all my ways. 4 For there is not a word on my tongue,
But behold, O LORD, You know it altogether. 5 You have hedged me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain it.
7 Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?
8 If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.
9 If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
10 Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall[ on me,”
Even the night shall be light about me; 12 Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You,
But the night shines as the day; The darkness and the light are both alike to You.
13 For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother’s womb. 14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
How many of us have felt like God has abandoned us, when we are going through a hard time?
Or we feel like He is far away when we need Him? If you will just turn to this psalm you will see that not only is he Near, but, you can’t get away from Him.. You are the most unique being that He ever made; He made you in a very special way, so that we could communicate with Him. He loves us and we have the special ability to love him in return.
So don’t be afraid that He will leave you or forget you, there’s not a chance of this happening. We are in His image and He has His eyes on us . He cares for us.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Touching Jesus
Mark 5:25-34 (New King James Version)
Touching Jesus is all that matters
25 Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, 26 and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse. 27 When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. 28 For she said, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.”
29 Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction. 30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My clothes?”
31 But His disciples said to Him, “You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’”
32 And He looked around to see her who had done this thing. 33 But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. 34 And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.”
As I read this scripture this morning it seemed that two very important insights came forth.
#1- I have often pondered the, “why” are some people healed, while another person in the same group or same family are left unhealed. And;
#2- Is Jesus’ real reason for healing based on a far greater need inside us? A healing of the soul>
About #1, this woman was seeking Jesus because she knew without a doubt that He could and would heal her if she could just “touch Him.”
How many of us are more interested in “touching” Jesus than anything else? Is that the only reason for us following Him?
There is an old song that tells it all; “Touching Jesus is all that matters, then your life will never be the same.”
#2-When Jesus asked, “Who touched me?” The woman knew that she was the one; timidly she fell to her knees and confessed what she had done, and what had happened. She was trembling, why? She probably thought that He would reproach her, maybe even call her a thief! But Jesus actually called her “daughter” and even more He commended her faith! Suddenly the physical healing wasn’t quite so important to her,; As all her doubt faded away, years of anguish and hurt fell away, she had received inward healing.
Now she had a real reason for living.
I love the song that says, “He is my reason for living, He is my everything.”
Have a great day, blessings on you.
Touching Jesus is all that matters
25 Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, 26 and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse. 27 When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. 28 For she said, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.”
29 Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction. 30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My clothes?”
31 But His disciples said to Him, “You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’”
32 And He looked around to see her who had done this thing. 33 But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. 34 And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.”
As I read this scripture this morning it seemed that two very important insights came forth.
#1- I have often pondered the, “why” are some people healed, while another person in the same group or same family are left unhealed. And;
#2- Is Jesus’ real reason for healing based on a far greater need inside us? A healing of the soul>
About #1, this woman was seeking Jesus because she knew without a doubt that He could and would heal her if she could just “touch Him.”
How many of us are more interested in “touching” Jesus than anything else? Is that the only reason for us following Him?
There is an old song that tells it all; “Touching Jesus is all that matters, then your life will never be the same.”
#2-When Jesus asked, “Who touched me?” The woman knew that she was the one; timidly she fell to her knees and confessed what she had done, and what had happened. She was trembling, why? She probably thought that He would reproach her, maybe even call her a thief! But Jesus actually called her “daughter” and even more He commended her faith! Suddenly the physical healing wasn’t quite so important to her,; As all her doubt faded away, years of anguish and hurt fell away, she had received inward healing.
Now she had a real reason for living.
I love the song that says, “He is my reason for living, He is my everything.”
Have a great day, blessings on you.
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