Focus on me. Seek Me. And you shall find me. These are the words that I have heard over and over and over the past few weeks.
I was reminded on Sunday by my pastor of how Jesus healed a woman of a bleeding disease that had plagued her for twelve years. She suffered for so long and spent everything she had to pay doctors to heal her, but she had gotten no better. She heard about Jesus and came up behind him to touch the fringe of his robe. She thought to herself "If I can just touch his clothing, I will be healed." Once she touched his clothing she was immediately healed. (See Mark 5:24-34 for the entire scripture verses)
Jesus said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. You have been healed." I will be truly honest with you...somedays I struggle and battle in my own mind and thoughts about my healing. Even though, truly in my heart of hearts...those words have already been spoken over me by my creator, my Father God, by Jesus himself.
I know that the lady that was healed was cured because of her faith. Her genuine faith involved action on her part. She had to fight her way through the crowd of people around Jesus and BELIEVE that once she touched the hem of his garment that she would be healed. This woman had to pursue Jesus, seek him, and then at last she was able to find him and be healed.I too have to continue to pursue God with all of my heart, my mind, my soul, and my strength. The days that I loose sight of what God has in store for me...I am reminded...seek me and you shall find me.
If our faith isn't put into action then it truly isn't faith at all. Like the woman in the scriptures we must seek and pursue Jesus fully so that we too can know what true "healing" is about.
If you are struggling with problems or fears today...know that Jesus is always ready to help. Don't allow your fears to keep you from approaching him. Pursue me...seek me...focus on me...and you shall know that I am God.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Monday, February 14, 2011
Salty Christians...
I saw this church marquee a few weeks back that said "Salty Christians" and then had a doctor somebody or others last name on it. I thought to myself...hmmm...I bet that'll be an interesting sermon to attend.
In Matthew 5: 13-16 scripture tells us, 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.
14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
I later began to perpend the idea of what the world would actually look like if all the Christians in the world actually became "salty." And then I further pondered...what about me? Why not start with just me? What would it look like if I just even remotely touched what it was to truly be "salty" and to be the "light of the world."
We are just like seasonings...if we have no flavor, then we seemingly have no value. If we don't make an effort to affect the world around us, then what value are we to God? If we hide our light, then how can we show others what Christ is like? We should shine so brightly to those around us that people sense that something or someone is missing around them. If we shine our light like a "city on a hilltop" glowing in the night for all to see, it is then that we can stand out as Christians in this world. It is then that we won't just blend into the crowd like everyone else. We should affect others positively, just as seasoning brings out the best flavor in food.
I pray that today you will let your light shine...for like a city on a mountain top...God wants your light to be seen for miles. Live like Christ speak out, be "salty," don't go along with the crowd, explain your light to others, and don't ignore the needs of those around you. As my bible foot notes read, "Be a beacon of truth--don't shut your light off from the rest of the world!"
In Matthew 5: 13-16 scripture tells us, 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.
14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
I later began to perpend the idea of what the world would actually look like if all the Christians in the world actually became "salty." And then I further pondered...what about me? Why not start with just me? What would it look like if I just even remotely touched what it was to truly be "salty" and to be the "light of the world."
We are just like seasonings...if we have no flavor, then we seemingly have no value. If we don't make an effort to affect the world around us, then what value are we to God? If we hide our light, then how can we show others what Christ is like? We should shine so brightly to those around us that people sense that something or someone is missing around them. If we shine our light like a "city on a hilltop" glowing in the night for all to see, it is then that we can stand out as Christians in this world. It is then that we won't just blend into the crowd like everyone else. We should affect others positively, just as seasoning brings out the best flavor in food.
I pray that today you will let your light shine...for like a city on a mountain top...God wants your light to be seen for miles. Live like Christ speak out, be "salty," don't go along with the crowd, explain your light to others, and don't ignore the needs of those around you. As my bible foot notes read, "Be a beacon of truth--don't shut your light off from the rest of the world!"
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)