Matthew 8:1-3 Jesus came down from the Mount of Beatitudes. A leper heard that sermon. You're blessed if you are at the end of your rope (Matt 5:3). "Lord, if you will, you can make me clean." The leper was drawn to the heart of God, not knowing if He would heal him or not. I just started weeping. If you will, God, you can do for me what I so need in my heart. And Jesus did the unthinkable, He stretched out His Hand to touch the leper. Touch me, God, this day where I kneel before you feeling outcast like a leper. About a mile or two away stands the seven-foot gate to enter Capernaum. A centurior approaches Him in this tiny town: Lord, my servant is suffering terribly..."As you believe, it will be done." LORD, I believe, help my unbelief. It's amazing that you do anything for us...we are so unfaithful.
Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand. (4:17).
The words of Matthew empower me to stop grasping for
what I mistakenly think will meet my needs.
Instead, Give what God has already placed in my heart
[whether I am healed like the leper or not.]
The Kingdom is Near... 66 LL (206)
I will long remember standing on the Mount of Beatitudes thinking about this leper who was drawn to the heart of God from the sermon on the mount. He had NO IDEA if God would heal Him. I had no idea the other night if God would come through for me as I was at a low point for me. I thought I had to push through. It was a touch from God for my sin-sick soul. I love hearing your hearts and what God is doing in all of us. "Aslan is on the move. He's not safe, but He's good!" If you haven't read Deborah's prayer, go back to yesterday---it's from a beautiful heart holding fast to Him in midst of hard days. Have a great week! It's going to be in the 20's here in ATX---a rare visit so we're bunkered down. Can't wait to read your comments this week!
ReplyDelete"He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and began to serve him."
ReplyDeleteI'm praying for Him to touch the lives of a couple who are desperate for Him, but one of them doesn't know just how desperate. If you don't mind, please read about it on my blog and pray for them. Thanks and have a great week!
xoxo
When He touches me - do I immediately have a heart to serve?
ReplyDelete2(B) And behold, a leper[a] came to him and(C) knelt before him, saying, "Lord, if you will, you can make me clean." 3And Jesus[b] stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, "I will; be clean." And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
ReplyDeleteLeperosy comes in many forms to the Christian World. LORD, open my eyes that I may see YOU, Heavenly Father,Elohim Almighty God. Open my heart and mind to allow You to Love me in every area of my life. I need a fresh touch from You everyday. Open my heart and mind to allow YOU COMPLETE access to all of me today.
This is a Song I must Sing, Sylvia
Abba's Girl,with all my heart, I believe the answer is yes. We have the heart, we just need to clear out all the stuff that causes unbelief. If we believe, we can change our thought patterns, our actions and reactions.
ReplyDeleteJob 11:4 (NIV,2010):
4 "You say to God, ‘My beliefs are flawless
and I am pure in your sight.’
2 Thessalonians 2:13 (NIV ©2010):
Stand Firm
13 But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits[a] to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.
Mat. 8:8 ~ " only say the word, and my servant will be healed."
ReplyDeleteWe don't know if He will. We know He can. Perhaps that's the risk. One little word, if only He'll look my way. But we're the ones who looked away. Anyone else struggling with trust issues this day?
One word from the One who can. . .I'm so drawn to the heart of Jesus. I can't say I don't want His benefits, too.(Ps. 103:2) My prayer is that I want Him more, seeking Him first, and simply trust that we're in good Hands, and "all these things shall be added." All the rest will take care of itself.
Ang, I went to your post and tried to leave a comment but couldn't get on. I will pray today for your friends who need a touch from God. May the God of all Hope give them a little bit of hope this day to shift some things for them. Phil 1:9 (Message) may they learn a tiny bit better what it means to love well and not distance themselves. You're a beautiful friend to care so much!
ReplyDeletePS - I got myself between a rock-and-a-hard-place Friday night at dinner. You know, you think it's over and that you can't ever get out and that things will always be this way. At 4am when I cried out to God, it was just a few hours later, He showed up. It was truly a miracle for me. Never expected Him to move so quickly. Sometimes He does. What's more important in my story is that my heart moved to Him. And I'm not sure quite how. He is in the business of changing us. Came to change us not better us.
ReplyDeleteBev, I am holding fast to Him. He alone knows what is best for my family. Waiting patiently.
ReplyDeleteAngie, I read your post and pray that God would take these hearts captive. Praying for you to find the church family that God is calling you to right now. My advice would be to pray and write down what kind of church you are looking for. Then let go and let God.
Each one of you leave the sweetest thoughts here. I am encouraged every day. Bev, abiding is hard. Don't you dare back down. Just sit and let Him love you. We will understand this better bye and bye.
We are white and cold here in south Georgia! A blanket of white icee has drifted on top of our dixieland. Usually, the only white we see around here is the cotton that still is planted, our southern snow.
I have a few pines trees...probably about umpteen hundred...and they are simply gorgeous right now with the ice causing them to bow down. A few limbs are starting to break and the temp is supposed to dip tonight. Looks like we will have ice on the roads tomorrow. Keep us in your prayers.
The little barn in my photo is a picture of a local barn in snow we had last year. Something about the winter snow just brings so much beauty to this area. And everything comes to a halt. Schools are closed, businesses are closed, even the post office has closed. I'm thankful today for a warm fire in my fireplace, electricity and water still available, and some nice and warm brownies I just took out of the oven.
God is Good. Yes, He is.