Mark 7:25 - "Immediately, a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit heard of Him and came and fell down at His Feet. "
A Syrophoenician woman. Born in Syria, the Land of Canaan---where they ate manna every day and learned to rest in His Provision. This non-Jew begged Him to be God to her and cast the demon out of her daughter.
The Syrophoenician woman had heard of Him and was so drawn. Am I drawn into the heart of God this day? Am I truly believing God, even when He does not heal very many in his own hometown, Nazareth.
My own mother would have given anything for Jesus to heal her son; Mother was so tormented and frightened caring for an out-of-control young son, tormented man.
This Syrophoenician mother begged for God to show up "over the wreck," says TRENCH, "which sin had brought about, and the malice of the devil in deforming the fair features of God's original creation." God has the last final word, but until then...we move with what stirs our hearts.
If God wanted us to lead a comfortable and happy existence, He would have skipped the whole earth life and we'd be there in heaven having never lived here. There's a Larger Story here in this Kingdom healing, Kingdom living.
And it's a Beautiful God Who stirs faith in our hearts. Oh, fan the flame of our faith, please God!
God's timing is not our timing. We want everything now, but that isn't the best for us. It is all about faith.
ReplyDeleteAll these evil things come from within, and they defile a person." Honestly... I get a little worried that I will pick up bad habits from other people. When I am around a certain person for an extended period of time I worry that I'll start using their poor grammar and have their negative attitude. It's comforting to know and really believe God made my heart a certain way and outside forces cannot change it... only He can and it's for good, not evil! I haven't had enough coffee so this probably isn't making any sense to you but it's all good! :)
ReplyDeleteAll I could think about when the scripture was talking about what came out of us defiled us, was the fact that what we feed on is what goes in and then that is what comes out. So, IF we feed on His Word then that is what will come out of us, but IF we feed on garbage then that is what will come out of us. As, Angie says, our "company" can defile us and "they" can help to defile us. All of this speaks to me about what we "feed" on. Him or the world.
ReplyDeleteHis timing is so much better than anything we can work up or manufacture. His timing is SO perfect. I've seen this over and over in my life. Yet, at times I still want some things to happen in my time frame. Oh, will I ever learn? Striving to lean on Him one day at a time and sometimes one hour at a time. He is working. He is coming soon. Praise His name.
Two very different miracles today but before, a lesson on what proceeds out of us is what defiles and makes us unclean...
ReplyDeleteThe miracles
1. A woman whose faith was not stopped even when Jesus told her miracles weren't for her. Wondering if that is our word, too, that we remember it's because the Jews didn't receive Him that we are fully grafted in and the adopted chosen ones to receive Him in all His abundance. Otherwise, we are just dogs gathering scraps.
2. The deaf man whom Jesus seemed to tarry over to heal. What really goes into a miracle? He could have simply said the word to be healed, but Jesus took a little extra time with him. Whatever it was, Jesus was willing and met his need in a special way.
And defilement.
I pray with Mary Lou and Angie today that we feed on Him and not this world that good things may proceed from us in reflecting His Light to men.
34 "And looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, "Ephphatha," that is, "Be opened."
ReplyDeleteFor some reason, today's reading just stirs me so.
Above, Christ performs a miracle with a sigh.
He tried to be alone and unknown, but the many needs crushed him.
Today, it's just the human side of Jesus that speaks to me.
He knows us in all our humanity.
He knows us when we are overwhelmed.
He knows us when we are begging him to work in our need.
He knows us when we are tired and weary with the cares of this world.
And every day and night he pressed on for the prize.
Michele, I pray God would heal you of your illness.
Jan, praying for your sweet companions in faith and the new fellowship you all have started. Thank you for your kind words yesterday.
Ang, you ALWAYS make perfect sense. I liked what you wrote about, too. It's our heart that is in need of transformation and sanctification.
Mary Lou, I just feel so touched by what you said. I keep feeling like we blame every other thing for what's wrong with US! What does defile us??? Evil within. We have to see our own personal need for Christ to heal US.
Annette, she wanted just a crumb. Sometimes I tell God my faith is mustard seed faith and it is enough to see Him perform a miracle. Loved your thoughts and your prayer.
Bev, sending you a hug. Wishing we were closer. Like Mary Lou said, He is coming soon. We can talk WITH Him, instead of about Him! Nothing beats the face-to-face relationships.
Love all of you.
If you can, other pearls, please leave your thoughts. We welcome every word you share.