Matthew 9:36 - Have mercy on the harassed and helpless. That includes all of us. Oh, how I love the story of Jairus, the Ruler in Matt. 9:18, kneeling before Jesus, asking Him to come heal his dead daughter. This ruler had little hope other than a miracle from God. His girl was gone! Jesus agrees to go with him to the girl. But, WAIT, he is stopped by a woman who has been bleeding for 12 years. A woman who simply touched the hem of His Garment and He felt the power come out of Himself. So Jesus stops. What did the humble ruler think at that moment? What are you doing, Jesus? What's most alive in Jairus? Trust. God is not on our timetable. What is most alive in me? Am I reaching out just for comfort or relief from my pain? Or am I touching the Hem, believing and not knowing quite what He will do.
God, Who foresaw your tribulation, has specially armed you
to go through it, not without pain but without stain. C. S. Lewis
We see faith in action today, a father comes to Jesus in faith, a woman reaches out to touch the hem of His robe...I must ask myself as I seeking the presence of the Healer or seeking healing...
ReplyDeletePraying for your father-in-law, Michele.
Thank you for praying for my father in love. Thankfully he did not have any broken bones. He is in a lot of pain however. This is the second time he has fallen in a short period of time so the family is questioning the cause. He was discharged last night to stay with family. Pray for my husband and his family and they are deciding how to care for his dad here on out.
ReplyDeleteMatthew 35 -38 "Then Jesus made a circuit of all the towns and villages. He taught in their meeting places, reported kingdom news, and healed their diseased bodies, healed their bruised and hurt lives. When he looked out over the crowds, his heart broke. So confused and aimless they were, like sheep with no shepherd. "What a huge harvest!" he said to his disciples. "How few workers! On your knees and pray for harvest hands!"
ReplyDeleteConfused, aimless! Challenged to pray, our knees, for the harvest.
I have been reading this week and have been touched and challenged. God is speaking to my heart.
Last night I finished Crazy Love (Overwhelmed by a Relentless God) by Francis Chan. I highly recommend this book if you want to be challenged to get closer, to speak to God like you would if He were right in front of you (by the way, He is). It also emphasised swimming against the stream, not just floating. Floating gets us farther from Him, fast. It ended with a challenge of doing, not just saying.
20And behold, a woman(C) who had suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up behind him and touched(D) the fringe of his garment, 21for she said to herself, "If I only touch his garment, I will be made well." 22Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, (E) "Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well."(F) And instantly[a] the woman was made well.
ReplyDeleteAs I read those verses I realized it doesn't matter what health issue I am dealing with for the loss of blood for 12 years is most severe. No matter what, God is able and can make me healthy again. It is all about my faith in HIM and HIS purpose for my life in this world.
I'm with Abba's Girl as I too ask myself am I seeking the Presence of the Healer and/or seeking healing...???
This is a Song I Must Sing, Sylvia
Jan, Thanks for the book recommendation. I am in the last pages of The Heavenly Man the story of Chinese Christian Brother Yun. This book is causing me to reflect alot on how I am living out my faith today. I don't want to move to another book to quickly but appreciate your comments on Crazy Love by Francis Chan.
ReplyDeleteMichele, I am praying for you & Rod as you give input to the family in the care of your father in love. Les and I have had to deal with that in recent years.
Bev, I'm still praying for God's Amazing Grace and Peace to invade you and Bob with assurance concerning your basic needs that He promises to always provide. Your life experiences give me encouragement. Just the fact that last year through a friend God gave you the amazing journey to Israel. I cannot begin to tell you how all you have testified from you and your family life is blessing me.
Grace and Peace to all the Pearls,
Sylvia
Michele, glad to hear there were no broken bones. Will continue to pray for those decisions that are very difficult.
ReplyDeleteThank you for praying for Joanne. Significant swelling today as expected with a skullectomy. One of my students that I had today recently had a skullectomy due to a near fatal longboarding accident where he landed on his head. They took out half of his skull, froze it, allowed the trauma to heal, then put his skull back in. He fully recovered against all odds. His last surgery was just before Christmas. Praise God! We might have a diagnosis but as my friend Kathryn would always say---it's just information. God will take care of you. Please take care of Joanne, dear LORD, as she rests these next two days, a crucial time for her. Gen 48:16 - Her Shepher, Who has been with her all life long, is right there guiding it all!