Jesus and the Leper

How many times have I seen someone and based on their appearance averted my eyes and ignored them all together? Do I take the time to look past their clothes to see the person? To see the soul? Or do I write them off as being lazy or a low-life? Surely God wouldn't want me to associate with them, right?

This morning I was reading about Jesus. He was walking the roads of Galilee preaching in their churches and driving out demons. All of a sudden a man with leprosy comes to Jesus and begins begging him to make him clean. Leprosy was considered at this time an unclean condition for Jews to have. People who had it were shunned and many times the community thought their leprosy was a result of some kind of sin in their life. Sound familiar? I think, we too look at the "have-nots" of society and our first thought is, what did they do? Maybe it was sin. It could have been one bad choice too many. It could also be life. Whatever the case may be, Jesus didn't have a problem dealing with the leper. Here's the story...

"A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, "If you are willing, you can make me clean." Jesus was indignant (or moved with compassion). He reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed." (Mark 1:40-42)

Now look carefully at that account. The man recognized that he was dealing with someone special because he falls to his knees. He understands that Jesus can do what he asks, but is he willing? I'm sure this guy has sought others to clean him but because of his condition they have turned him away. They didn't want to get their hands dirty. Jesus looks at him and he's like, of course I'm willing. That's what I came for. Then Jesus does something simply breath-taking...he reaches out and touches the leper! And at that moment the man was clean. No longer a shunned member of society. Jesus' touch gave him a new life. I love this story because it teaches me some valuable lessons.

1. No one is beyond God's redemptive hand. Any who choose to fall on their knees, as the leper did, Jesus is more than willing to heal.

2. I should be aware of those who are hurting around me, even if I may feel uncomfortable. 

3. Jesus is always willing to heal me. Of anything. If I approach him in genuine repentance he will heal me. Even I come to him a hundred times a day. That's just who he is.

No matter what our story is, or our sin, we all need redemption and Jesus is always willing.

Blessings!

Changes

God is taking me on a new journey: college. I haven't been a college student in four years. I'll be 32 in a few weeks and shortly after my 33rd birthday I'll have a Bachelor's in Human Services and Counseling...Lord willing. I am feeling a mix of emotions right now- excited, anxious, overwhelmed, and somewhat intimidated. I feel like the oldest student in my class (I'm not). What I feel most of all though is determined. I want this. And I believe this is what God wants for me too. I've been through a lot in my almost 32 years. I've felt the sting of childhood rejection from those I trusted. I've made a lot of crummy decisions based on selfishness and sin. My husband was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease last May. I've dealt with a mentally-ill family member. My life has not been a bed of roses. On the other hand though I married a wonderful man, gave birth to two sweet boys, I'm healthy, and I have wonderful friends and family that I can depend on. These things, the good and bad, have prepared me to go for a degree that is designed to teach me how to help people. And I've already had the greatest Instructor of all for years, Almighty God. Am I nervous? You bet. Can I do this? You bet.

"I can do all this through him who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:13)

"For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline." (2 Timothy 1:7)

To God be the glory!

Why We Should Forgive

Last week we looked a little at how forgiveness has played out in our lives. I asked a few questions prior to that and I hope they encouraged you to think and learn about what God has to say on this topic.

Today I'd like to look at why we should forgive. Why is it essential to God that we forgive others? I've shared a few reasons.

1. Because as Christians, we've been forgiven.

"Be kind and compassionate to one another , forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." (Ephesians 4:32)

2. Christ died for all, not just for us.

"You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:6-8)

3. If we don't forgive, our hearts will become bitter and we will influence others to become bitter as well.

"Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy: without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many." (Hebrews 12:14-15)

4. Forgiveness teaches us to be servants which helps us to reflect Jesus.

"Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many." (Matthew 20:28)

5. Lastly, if we don't forgive others, God will not forgive us.

"For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." (Matthew 6:14-15)

Until next week! God bless. :)

Forgiveness

Forgiveness is defined as the "act of pardoning somebody for a mistake or wrongdoing." 

I've come up with a few questions to get us started with this discussion. Add any that you feel is relevant. You can share your thoughts here or if you're uncomfortable you don't have to.

1. What do you think forgiveness means?

I think forgiveness is a choice to look over a wrong that someone has done to you. It's a choice to not allow bitterness to become a part of your life. Forgiveness does not mean that you have to be friends with the one that hurt you. Bitterness can take root and defile many people by it's influence (Hebrews 12:15)

2. Is forgiving someone hard for you or does it come easy?

Forgiveness, until recently, has not been a problem for me. However, I've been faced with a situation in my life that has required a lot of forgiveness on my part. Honestly, it has been the hardest thing I've had to do since becoming a Christian. I did not want to forgive this person, but the Holy Spirit kept working on my heart and slowly I am forgiving them.

3. What advice would you give someone who is struggling with forgiveness? 

I would remind them that they are not perfect. We all are in need of forgiveness. I would also remind them that Jesus forgave his enemies even before they asked. I would also encourage them to pray. 

4. How does God feel about forgiveness? 

God is forgiveness. He forgives us of all the wrong we do, even after we've become Christians. In the Lord's Prayer forgiveness is only granted to us if we forgive others. Obviously it's a big deal to God. 

5. There are so many wonderful verses in the Scriptures about forgiveness. Please share one and explain what you think it means.

Here are a few verses to read when you can: Romans 5:8, Philippians 2:3-11, Colossians 3:12-14, and Luke 23:34

Take your time with this. I look forward to reading your thoughts. :)

I Don't Need Jesus Right Now

My family and I went on a trip to Indiana over the weekend. While there I found a beautiful picture of Jesus walking with two of his disciples. I have the perfect spot for it in my study room. Yesterday we got home around 3:30 and I was exhausted. I laid down to rest and my husband asked me if I wanted him to go get my Jesus picture. I told him no, I don't need Jesus right now. Of course I was kidding, but it made me wonder if I live my life as if I don't need Jesus.

Who do I call on when I need a friend to lean on? Do I go to my knees in prayer or try to carry the burden myself? Jesus should never be used as a backup plan or a last resort. Jesus tells us in John 15: 4, "Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me." We don't become Christians on our own and we can't remain Christians on our own. We need Jesus. Every minute of every day.

Paul understood this when he said in Philippians 4: 11 that he has learned to be content no matter what the circumstances. How did he do this? In verse 13 he goes onto say, "I can do all this through him who gives me strength." We draw our strength through Jesus much like a plant draws it's strength from the roots that anchor it to the ground.

I pray my life is a reflection of this truth. I want those around me to see my sufficiency coming from the only Source that can give it. I want to keep my eyes on Jesus, "the pioneer and perfecter of faith."

Jesus and The Fig Tree

I read this morning of a moment in Jesus' ministry in which he does something I find a bit odd. He curses a fig tree. Here's the account in Matthew 21: 18-19....

"Early in the morning, as Jesus was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, "May you never bear fruit again!" Immediately the tree withered."

I'm going to be honest with you...that seems a bit harsh to me. And harsh is not usually a word we associate with Jesus. However, I believe there is a reason for Jesus' actions here that go beyond his irritation over being hungry. Let's back up a little.

Jesus came to the earth to change hearts. When we find Jesus with the fig tree we find him dealing with a group of people who are hard-hearted and cannot see the forest for the trees...the Pharisees. These were Israelite men who should have recognized Jesus' coming and helped the other Jews to see it as well. They didn't. Instead they were more concerned with their own righteousness and following their own rules which they felt were as binding as the principles of God. I think Jesus becomes angry at the fig tree because it represents what Israel should have been. From a distance the fig tree looked ripe but upon closer inspection there was nothing but leaves. I think the same could be said for Israel. At this time they should have been ready to receive Jesus but all he found was hard-hearts and self-righteousness.

What does this mean for us? What does Jesus see when he looks at you? At me? Does he see real fruit being produced or does he see nothing but leaves?