Matthew 9
They set a paraplegic on a stretcher in front of Jesus and He replied: "I forgive your sins (9:3)." If Jesus walked into your room today, what would He say to you? We all need the One Who heals our souls. I have cancer---would He say to me: I forgive you. It would be the healing I need for I have cancer of my soul. He walked right up to disreputable characters...Who needs a doctor: the healthy or the sick? Go figure out what this Scripture means: "I'm after mercy, not religion." Meanwhile, a local official politely bowed and requested (9:18) that Jesus come to touch his dead daughter so that she would come alive again. Unbelievable. He began a day's journey to walk to the official's home to heal his lifeless girl, but Jesus was interrupted by a woman who touched the hem of His garment. I'm weeping cause I'm that woman this day reaching out to lightly, even remotely, touch his robe (9:20). If I can just get to Him, I'll get well. So much has been removed from my life in the past month or so---a detachment from dependence on anything but Him. I need to be well in my soul. Have faith. Take courage. O my soul! He's near. Jesus turned to blind men and said in 9:29 "Become what you believe." He turned to those with no voice (9:33) and gave them words to speak. Jesus healed their diseased bodies, healed their bruised and hurt lives. His heart broke. Pray for harvest hands! (9:38).
Matthew 10
Go to the lost, confused people right here in the neighborhood. Tell them that the kingdom is here. Bring health to the sick. Raise the dead. Touch the untouchables. Kick out the demons. You have been treated generously, so live generously (10:8). Don't think I came to make life cozy...You have to go all the way with Jesus. All in! If your first concern is to look after yourself, you'll never find yourself. But if you forget about yourself and look to me, you'll find both yourself and me (10:39). C.S. Lewis wrote: "You can’t get second things by putting them first; you can get second things only by putting first things first.” Am I "all in" with my husband? "All in" with my children? "All in" with my friends? "All in" with my God?
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteGood Tuesday Morning,
ReplyDeleteBev so happy you found a place to update....gotta love the McCafe.
I have always loved the story of Matthew 20-22: "Just then a woman who had hemorrhaged for twelve years slipped in from behind and lightly touched his robe. She was thinking to herself, "If I can just put a finger on his robe, I'll get well." Jesus turned—caught her at it. Then he reassured her: "Courage, daughter. You took a risk of faith, and now you're well." The woman was well from then on."
As I was reading this morning, I could not help but begin singing my one of my favorite worship songs.....
More of You Jesus by Pocket Full of Rocks.
Its an incredible song. If you have a moment listen to the song, it is absolutely beautiful. http://www.tangle.com/view_video?viewkey=bcdc29ff8b8412d86af5
Have a great week!!!
Oh my goodness, Bev. Your dedication and tenders my heart. Kim, I love the song--perfect for the day!
ReplyDeleteI'm loving The Message with Jesus's words. My word for the day is to have courage before men.
"Don't be intimidated. Eventually everything is going to be out in the open, and everyone will know how things really are. So don't hesitate to go public now. Don't be bluffed into silence by the threats of bullies. There's nothing they can do to your soul, your core being. Save your fear for God, who holds your entire life—body and soul—in his hands."
So many times, I talk myself into believing that I will "turn someone off" by speaking Truth over them, and I want them to love Jesus, but it cannot be at the expense of their cleansing of sin. I can't gloss over the not so pretty parts if they are to truly come to Christ. I hear Sylvia's theme: it's a song I must sing. It's radical Truth that is costly.
Blessed Tuesday, everyone.
29 -31He touched their eyes and said, "Become what you believe." It happened. They saw.
ReplyDeleteThat scripture struck me as a call to get out there and start living what I believe.
"Don't begin by traveling to some far-off place to convert unbelievers. And don't try to be dramatic by tackling some public enemy. Go to the lost, confused people right here in the neighborhood. Tell them that the kingdom is here. Bring health to the sick. Raise the dead. Touch the untouchables. Kick out the demons. You have been treated generously, so live generously.
Thanks again for the message for putting it so simply and so easy to understand , a call to get out there, share Christ with everyone. The Kingdom is here, it's time to stop waiting for a better opportunity. The Kingdom is now.
You may have seen my funny original post where I went 15 places looking for internet at 11pm last night. Found it at McDonald's but there were no electrical outlets and my computer battery was dead. They allowed me to "plug in" behind the counter at the McCafe---ha. This is getting "old" to not have internet, no place to live right now, no kids at home, no dog anymore, no etc etc etc... I really did weep when I read about the desperate woman reaching out to just even touch His garment. Am I broken over my own sin? Am I really desperate or concerned about all the inconveniences? Does my worship leave me disturbed? Does my worship leave me changed? So grateful to a very good God for continuing to turn His Head to me, bow His Ear to my incessant what? Incessant requests? For what? For Him to be good to me, meaning what does that look like? Not like this?? Hmmm. All I know is that He keeps changing me and that's good. Please pray for me in midst of a little turmoil over here. Pray that my worship disturbs me. Take courage! Okay, I'll take that!
ReplyDeleteSweet Pearls, I have just now had an opportunity to get online. What a wonderful weekend for those of us who had the opportunity to meet face to face!
ReplyDeleteTwinkle, you have such a gentle and quiet spirit that blessed and encouraged me. I'm still pondering on the things you shared with me.
Sylvia, my Hollywood Bath partner who gave me such encouragment and words of wisdom.
Jan, I appreciate your creativity and gentle reminder to make sure we are being the best wives we can be to our husbands.
Ana, thanks for coming for the day and the beautiful handiwork you have made to remind us that we are daughters of the Most High King.
CiCi, I'm so glad you came on out. I enjoyed listening how you met your husband while we sat around the fire.
Annette, your gracious hospitality! You went above and beyond. I went away more refreshed and restored. Thank you.
Bev, it was good to see you again face to face. You blessed my heart and have challenged me to think differently in my daily journey. Let's do this again.
The Lord is sweet. I felt so at home with each of you. You are kindred spirits. I love you.
--michele
Jesus came with authority.
ReplyDeleteHe spoke healing and life over these.
The lame were healed.
The dead came alive.
The untouchable was healed.
The blind could see.
Demons were under His authority.
They all dropped their pretense and made their way to their one blessed Hope.
Jesus Christ.
The friend of sinners.
Who needs Doctor Jesus?
Just exactly who needs Doctor Jesus?
Thank you Michele. Loved your searching seeking humble heart for the One Who holds all things together - Col 1:17. You sacrificed a lot to come. Meant a lot to me to have someone from my past step into my present. My love to you...
ReplyDeleteMy computer cord burned up at McCafe. Ha. Ronald McDonald was on fire! So now I don't have my traveling computer either...what's up with all this.
ReplyDelete