All God's Benefits

"Let all that I am praise the LORD;

may I never forget the good things he does for me."

Psalm 103:2 NLT

While it is hard to follow Jesus in a culture than runs counter to His teachings, there is much good that comes from this relationship.  There are many advantages I've been given through this bond.  Have I redeemed these benefits?

Forgiveness.  I feel tainted, guilty, burdened by my failures, wrong decisions, and mess-ups.  Even though I know in my head I'm free from condemnation from such transgressions, my heart feels doomed, like I'm a convict awaiting my sentence (Romans 8:1).  

In truth, I've been absolved of all crimes against God and His perfect standards.  Even though I often choose my own way instead of His, I'm cleared of receiving what I deserve.  Despite the fact that I'm drawn to what I think of as the right choice that is in reality not God's best for me, I'm pardoned from the death sentence this kind of living earns me (Romans 6:23).

Forgiveness, true cleansing from the dirty stain of the sin that comes so natural to me, is mine.  While all the ways I fall short, all my missteps and attempts at coping and living according to my methods and ideas have made me guilty as sin, the blood of Jesus has cleansed me as white as snow (Isaiah 1:18).  When God looks at me, He no longer sees my sin but only the holiness of Jesus.  What do I see when I look at myself?

Have I redeemed the benefit of the forgiveness of God that Jesus' death on the cross secured for me?

Healing.  I belong to Jesus, this I know.  I'm a part of His family and glad to find such belonging there (1 John 3:1).  Still, there is this brokenness inside, this inability to move forward in my faith, this constant, nagging feeling of incompleteness in my soul.  Past hurts plague me like an insidious cancer, growing bigger and bigger until they consume me.  I find myself unable to relate to the love of Jesus or reciprocate this love in any way because there is something wrong in my heart.

"Do you want to get well?" It was a strange question for the Healer to ask the invalid who had lain at the healing waters of the pool of Bethesda for years, obviously seeking freedom from his disability (John 5:6).  Of course he wants to be healed, the onlookers must have thought, why else would he be in this place, hoping to be the first into the angel-stirred restorative waters?  

Turns out, it was a valid question and one I must ask myself.  Do I want to be free from what ails me, or do I gain some measure of satisfaction from the misery in which I find myself?  Is my identity so wrapped up in my physical or emotional pain that I subconsciously think I'd lose myself if I became well?  Do I somehow enjoy feeling sorry for myself or reap some kind of warped benefit from my brokenness?

Wholeness and fullness-of-life is mine through faith in Christ, for this is why He came, to give me the abundant life (John 10:10).  If I choose to live with my infirmities, preferring to feel self-pity and see myself as the unfortunate one, or even afraid of who I would be apart from my comfortable and familiar soul-sickness, I am not receiving the whole gift Jesus died to offer me.

Have I redeemed the benefit of healing that is mine through faith in Jesus Christ?

Redemption.  The redemptive power of God is astounding.  He takes the bad within us and exchanges it for something eternally precious.  He transforms what was meant for evil into something astoundingly good.  He is able to take the worst thing that ever happened to me and somehow turn it into the best, most life-changing experience of my life (Romans 8:28, Isaiah 61:3).  

Have I welcomed this redemptive force into my life, or do I tend to focus on the negative, failing to see all the good God is bringing out of it?  Part of faith is believing God will act according to His redemptive nature, doing as He has promised He will do, even when things seem impossibly bad and irreversibly lost.  In Christ, there is always hope.  In Christ, I have the expectation of a God who is doing something new today (Isaiah 43:18-19).  In Christ, I can walk forward into the darkness with confidence, knowing that God, the Light himself, is there waiting to illuminate my path.

Have I redeemed the benefit of His redemptive power at work in my life through faith in Jesus Christ?

It's easy to claim a relationship with Jesus Christ but fail to receive all He has to give.  He offers complete forgiveness of all my sins, past present and future.  Healing is mine so that I can live in fullness of life.  Not only is my life redeemed, but He uses His redemptive power to transform the ugly into the beautiful.  Have I redeemed these benefits?  If not, today is the day to cash in and start living as God means me to live; fully forgiven, healed of all brokenness and with the hope that comes in His redemption.    

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God enough to confidently walk through the fire knowing that God will use it for my good.

How am I stuck in my sorrow, choosing pity instead of healing?

When do I feel weighed down with the guilt of my sin when Jesus freed me from such a burden?  

Flow of Comfort

"All praise to God,

the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

God is our merciful Father

and the source of all comfort.

He comforts us in all our troubles

so that we can comfort others.

When they are troubled,

we will be able to give them the same comfort 

God has given us."

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NLT

If you've watched any television recently, you know that we live in a cold-hearted world.  From reality shows where only the strong survive and an every-man-for-himself mentality is fostered, to sitcoms where fathers are portrayed as buffoons and children as the only ones capable of making an informed decision, there is no doubt that this world is sorely lacking in compassion and godly values.

Living in this kind of a cruel and ruthless world, it is easy for me to become the same.  Therefore, it is important for me to stay in the flow of comfort that occurs in the Body of Christ.  This spring of eternal encouragement and reassurance in the face of difficulty gives purpose to suffering for it's use as a tool in the Father's hands to mold us into more compassionate people.

Source of the Flow

Blood mingled with sweat flowed to the ground, blending with the dry soil to make a kind of holy mud.  The very life that seeped out of the One who hung suffering on the cross served to make the disobedient and defiant right with God.  

The compassion of our Heavenly Father is most powerfully and undeniably demonstrated in Christ's sacrificial death. (Romans 5:8)  He gave His precious Son to those who didn't even know of our need or who, frankly, didn't care to be saved.  He anticipated our need for a Savior before we even knew we needed Him.

The character of God is love, and He is the source of all good things.  (1 John 4:8, James 1:17) My road to compassionate living begins with my Father:  He is the headwaters of this river of kindess.

To enter into the flow of comfort, I must be in relationship with the Source through faith in Christ Jesus, who gave His all that I might live. (Mark 10:45)

In My Troubles

He lay there beside the healing waters for 38 years; so close to freedom from the sickness that wracked his body, yet so far.  Tradition had it that angels stirred the waters of Bethesda every so often.  The first of the sick, blind, lame or paralyzed who entered her waters was miraculously healed.  This was the man's only hope: his source of salvation.

One day Jesus came along.  When He saw the man whom He had created to live life to the full lying there in despair beside the waters he asked, "Would you like to get well?" (John 5:6)  Even though the troubled man knew not from where his true healing would come, Jesus instantly made him well.  

Do I want to be healed from what holds me back from living my life as Jesus created me to live?  It could be physical, spiritual or emotional healing that I seek, but I must look to the Great Physician as the only source of wholeness.  When I'm ready, He will comfort me like no other; sending brothers and sisters alongside me to support, granting me a sense of peace in my heart, and encouraging me through the assurance that He has everything under control.

To receive the flow of comfort, I must be willing to receive the support He offers.

Enables me to Comfort

He was hated by most Jews.  His colorful, diverse background was despised by the people who called themselves God's own.  Even so, when he saw the poor man suffering as the result of the cruelty of another, he was compelled to help out of great compassion for his predicament, despite the fact that the victim was a Jew. (Luke 10:30-37)

The kindness God has shown me during times of great suffering and pain overflows to others in their time of need.  Since I am loved deeply by God, I am empowered to love others in the same way, just as the Good Samaritan did.

Unfortunately, that flow is sometimes blocked by fear or selfishness.  If my comfort, well-being or reputation is more important on my list of priorities, then God's love will not flow.  If my attention is more on my life, my desires and my plan, then God's love will not flow.

To allow the flow of comfort to pour from me, I must be willing to put God first, above all other concerns.

Even though I live in a dark, mean world, I am not destined to become the same.  Instead, I can let the flow of comfort gush forth by encouraging the relationship I have with the Father of Compassion, to allow Him to comfort me in all my troubles, and to keep the river of love flowing through me.  In this way, the flow of comfort will flood into every part of my life.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can pay attention to my Source of all good things.

How do I block the flow of compassion in my life?

When am I afraid to reach out to someone in need?  

Listen and be Healed

"Go to this people and say,

'You will be ever hearing but never understanding;

you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.'

For this people's heart has become calloused;

they hardly hear with their ears,

and they have closed their eyes.

Otherwise they might see with their eyes,

hear with their ears,

understand with their hearts and turn,

and I would heal them.

Therefore I want you to know that God's salvation

has been sent to the Gentiles,

and they will listen."

Acts 28:26-28

It's easy to know something but an entirely different concept to understand it.  One way to decipher the distinction is to take a stab at teaching.  I may think I have mastered Algebra, but until I have to explain and instruct someone else in how to navigate the quadratic equation and use it to solve a real-life problem, I demonstrate no real comprehension of the subject.

It's the same with God.  I can spend my whole life reading and studying His Word, but until I recognize my own wayward ways, pay attention to the warnings God is sending, or open my heart to the possibility that I need to get rid of some filth, I will never move forward in my relationship with Him.  Without my willingness to see the need for change, hear the voice of my Shepherd and respond in a meaningful way, I am showing the hardness of my heart.

It is then that I ask myself the deep probing questions that pierce but bring insight: Where do I need healing that never seems to come?  What parts of my life are chaotic and devoid of peace?  Where am I not experiencing harmony and serenity?  The answers to these questions reveal how I need healing that only comes from paying attention to God.

Seeing but not Recognizing

I remember walking right past a friend of mine in the grocery store one time because I saw her but did not recognize her.  After I passed by, I turned around and saw her as if for the first time.  I don't know why I didn't realize it was her at first, but after I did we enjoyed a nice visit.

Sometimes I do the same thing with God's Word.  I read it and think I understand it, but don't really apply it to myself.  I am quick to notice how it pertains to those around me, but when I turn that magnifying glass on my own life, I'm reluctant to pick out my areas of sin.  It takes humility to see things as they really are and not as I imagine them to be.

When Jesus says to feed His sheep, for example, I can either use that to criticize my church for not giving me the spiritual food I expect, or I can take it as a call to disciple others. (John 21:17)

When Jesus commands His followers to love their enemies, I can either take that as an indication that those who treat me harshly aren't doing what they should or I can pay attention to where I am holding anger against those who hurt me and instead extend the love of God to them. (Luke 6:27)

When I read about those who consider themselves to be religious yet use their tongue destructively, I can either pay attention to those around me who fail to speak in a way to build others up or I can concentrate on how I can do better by talking less and doing more to help those who are vulnerable. (James 1:26-27)

Other times I fail to see all the good God is doing and only focus on the disappointments. (Psalm 40:5)  I don't have enough money, I hurt all the time or my marriage is not as good as so-and-so's.  If I paid attention to the whole picture, though, I'd see that I'm rich beyond my wildest dreams, my pain brings hope (Romans 5:3-5) and what I have with my husband is growing richer every day.

Opening my eyes to the truth and recognizing it for what it is leads to a healing that can only come from God.

Hearing but not Appreciating

It's been said that I don't know what I have until it's gone.  I remember feeling discontent with my life as a child, but looking back I realized that I have a lot of good memories.  I resented my younger sister for always getting out of the chores, especially outdoor ones, but as a result I developed a healthy love for working outside.  I didn't like the fact that I didn't get to eat Hostess Twinkies and Fruit Pies all the time like my friends, but I learned to enjoy sweets as a treat not a regular habit.  I loathed wearing dresses every day to school but looking back, I see how important it was for me to dress like a girl in a world that wanted me to be more like a boy.

At the time, I didn't appreciate the guidance my parents gave, I simply complied with their authority.  In the same way I can do things for God without understanding.  By doing out of a sense of duty or obligation, I am failing to open my heart to the possibility of true change that results in good deeds that flow freely, not as a product of determination and hard work.  

James gives a hint that selfish ambition and envy are the hallmark of earthly, unspiritual wisdom that is of the devil, not from God.  (James 3:13-16)  This kind of knowledge results in "disorder and every evil practice." (v 16)  

I notice this when I try to build my own reputation as a "good Christian" instead of listening to the voice of my Shepherd and following Him into the ministry He has for me; bitterness builds up in my heart for others' lack of appreciation for my efforts.  Other times I hear but don't really get it when I stubbornly stick to my old ways instead of letting God transform my mind to think more like Him resulting in a pompous and arrogant attitude.  Then there are the times when I deny the obvious sin in my heart and choose instead to turn my back on God giving the outcome of a life that brings dishonor to my Namesake.

God cannot bring restoration to my heart until I am ready to open myself up to His healing hand and understand my need for change.

Living but not for Him

There is one reason and only one reason that God made me: so I can live for Him.  Unfortunately, there are many distractions to take me away from the One who loves me completely and without precondition.  The cry that reveals the heart of God is found in 2 Chronicles 7:14:  "if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

God's desire is for relationship with His people.  Through faith in Jesus who cleanses me from all my sin, I have the chance to enter into an intimate relationship with a holy God.  Even though He despises the way I disobey and go my own way, He longs for me to lower myself to my rightful position, call upon Him, wholeheartedly search for Him in all my ways, and turn away from my fleshly desires that lead me away from Him.  

In short, God wants me to want Him more than anything else.  This is impossible, however, as long as I am my own god and I insist on retaining control of my life.  Jesus warned me that I can't serve two masters: Someone or something must be in control. (Luke 16:13)  Is it me?  My ambition?  My hunger for the security money brings?  

Once I realize my life has been bought at a steep price of death on a cross by Jesus Christ, I can begin to live as if I have no rights to myself.  I then can see I don't have the right to be comfortable, to have a say in the plan for my future, or to be treated with respect.  (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

As I let God have His way in my life, I will experience the work of His mighty hand as He loves others through me, comforts the hurting with the same comfort He once gave me, and encourages the hopeless with the faith in a God who gives good things.

Life may not be easy, but living for Him brings healing that only He can offer.

There are lots of areas in my life that need healing from hurts that have festered over the years. Until I'm willing, however, to acknowledge what the light of Jesus reveals, open my heart to the change that He can provide and let Him have His way in my life, I will never be healed.  Once I open my eyes and ears, and soften my heart, God will make me whole as I was meant to be.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can open my eyes to the truth God is trying to show me.

When do I turn a blind eye to sin that I don't want to acknowledge?

How am I living a shallow, fruitless light because I'm living for me instead of God?        

Willing to Receive

"Peter said to him,

'We have left everything to follow you!'

'I tell you the truth,' Jesus replied,

'no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother

or father or children or fields for me and the gospel

will fail to receive a hundred times

 as much in this present age

(homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields--

and with them, persecutions)

and in the age to come, eternal life.'"

Mark 10:28-30

In order to reap, a gardener must sow.  And before she can sow, something must die.  Let me explain:  

I was talking to a friend of mine about her wonderful garden and the amazing produce she is enjoying.  I asked her to share her secret and she happily exclaimed, "Manure!  It's all about the manure!"  She raises horses and chickens as well, and liberally uses their old, fermented droppings to improve the soil before planting.  It must work because she brings in a bountiful harvest!

I was thinking about manure, and without getting too graphic, I thought about how the horse eats the grass which is utilized by the body for fuel and sustenance and then the wasted is excreted.  Before the soil can benefit from the fertilizer, the grass must be bit off by the grazing horse, separating it from it's life-giving roots as it enters the digestive system where it is ground into a pulp and digested into a more basic element that can be readily utilized.

In a similar way, there are many things that must die in my life before I will be ready to be used by God.  There are practices, beliefs, fears, unforgiveness, hurt; and the list could go on.  God asks me to give up things that are getting in the way of my relationship with Him.  When I obey, I am blessed.  When I tarry, I hurt the heart of God.  Disobedience is a form of doubt, and distrust of my Father injures my relationship with Him.

There is no need to fear letting go.  Jesus has promised that my sacrifice will bring a bountiful harvest, just like the the death of the grass brought life-giving nutrients to my friend's garden.  The question is: Am I willing to receive all that God is waiting to give me?

Ready

He'd been laying there so many years that he lost track of time.  This disease had plagued him for nearly 40 years, leaving him helpless to provide for himself.  He felt all alone in the world as he hoped beyond reason that this would be the day that he'd get to the therapeutic pool first, guaranteeing him a supernatural healing.  Once the angels stirred the waters, the curing powers would be released and all he must do is immerse himself within their cool depths.  This was his only hope.

When Jesus encountered this man, He asked him one question:  "Do you want to get well?" (John 5:1-8)  Well, duh!  But the answer the man gave revealed his heart.  He was putting all his eggs in the healing pool basket, which was a long shot at best.  Perhaps he was afraid to be whole.  Maybe he felt his identity was wrapped up in his infirmity.  It could be that he wasn't ready to receive what Jesus had to give him, that he was afraid to embrace the man God had created him to be.

I can relate!  God puts so many things on my heart to do, but then the doubt creeps in.  But I can't speak in front of a group, I'm not that kind of person.  But I don't know enough to lead a Bible study.  But I'm not a good enough conversationalist to witness to an unbeliever.  But. . .but. . .but.

My doubt is revealing my disbelief.  I am in essence telling God that He is not big enough to work through me, I am too much for Him to handle, He's not powerful enough to overcome my weaknesses.  

Moses suffered from this same problem.  God gave him a mission: Go to Pharaoh and tell him to, "Let my people go!"  Moses thought of every excuse in the book; what if I'm not leadership material?  What if the Israelites don't listen to me?  What if they don't believe me?  What if I can't speak well?  What if, what if, what if!

God reassured him each time, giving him signs to show and words to say, but finally Moses got to the end of his questions with, "Can't you send somebody else?"  (Exodus 3:10-4:16)  Then the Lord's anger burned against Moses.

I do not want to be on the receiving end of God's fury!  Instead, it is my desire to immediately obey without reservation, saying to myself, okay, I know I'm not up to this task, but God definitely is!  I have nothing to fear with Him backing me up!  (Isaiah 41:10)

When God calls me to let go of something and follow Him toward a powerful blessing, can I tell Him I'm ready to receive it?

Perspective

He was incredibly blessed.  God had given him a loving family, riches beyond his wildest dreams, and a peaceful life.  He couldn't imagine life getting any better.  Then came the test.  In one day, he lost it all, with his health to falter soon after.  How did Job respond? "The LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD." (Job 1:21)

If I am going to be able to receive the mission God has for me and the subsequent blessings that may follow, it is important that I keep it all in perspective.  While no one wants to live in poverty, either spiritually or physically, it is entirely up to God whether or not I do.  I can run after riches, friendships, and important ministries, or I can focus on my relationship with God and let Him decide what He does or does not give.  (Matthew 6:33)

Remembering that God is sovereign will help me to keep it all in perspective.  As 19th Century American Evangelist Dwight L Moody said, "The sweetest lesson I have learned in God's school is to let the Lord choose for me."

Once I'm ready to receive all that God wants to give me, will I be able to keep it in perspective, remembering that it's His to give and His to take away?

Glory

I have to admit, I love getting recognition for a job well done.  I don't readily admit this to others, but in my heart, I enjoy a good pat on the back every once in awhile.

In fact, I was anticipating just such an acknowledgment when my family and I got ready to move away from a Sunday school program where I had taught for four years.  Much to my surprise and disappointment, my last day to teach came and went without so much as a word of thanks from anyone.  I quietly exited the building that morning, humbled beyond recognition.  I said that I was serving for the glory of God, but when it came down to it, I wanted some of the glory as well.

When God calls me to a job, giving me a list of distractions to purge from my life, am I willing to quietly accept all He's doing, or does part of me think I'm a little better for my sacrifices?  In other words, is part of my motivation for obeying God so that my character will improve, my reputation will rise or my ministry will broaden?  

Everything I do is to be for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31): to point others to Him as the source of all good things (James 1:17), to give Him the praise and the honor (1 Thessalonians 5:18), and to promote His will instead of my own (Matthew 6:10).

Now that I'm working in God's kingdom, it is important that my heart only desires the glory to go to God.

My motivation for surrendering my all to Christ can't be that I'll receive the promised hundredfold in return.  Instead, it is to be out of a pure desire to please my Father.  As I let go, I'll need to learn to be ready to receive, to keep all His blessings in perspective, and to do everything with God's honor and magnificence as the goal.  It is then that I'll be set free to follow Him wholeheartedly.  (John 8:32)

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I will keep my own agenda out of the picture and focus solely on God's will.

How do I take His blessings for granted, thinking I earned them or deserve them in some way?

When am I working for my own glory instead of God's?        

Healing Touch

"While he was saying this,

a ruler came and knelt before him and said,

'My daughter has just died.  

But come and put your hand on her,

and she will live.'

Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples.

Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding

for twelve years came up behind him 

and touched the edge of his cloak.

She said to herself,

'If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.'

Jesus turned and saw her.

'Take heart daughter,' he said,

'your faith has healed you.'

And the woman was healed from that moment.

When Jesus entered the ruler's house 

and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd,

he said, 'Go away.  The girl is not dead but asleep.'

But they laughed at him.  

After the crowd had been put outside,

he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up. . .

As Jesus went on from there, 

two blind men followed him,

calling out, 'Have mercy on us, Son of David!'

When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him,

and he asked them,

'Do you believe that I am able to do this?'

'Yes, Lord, ' they replied.

Then he touched their eyes and said,

'According to your faith will it be done to you';

and their sight was restored."

Matthew 9:18-25, 27-30

There was a man who lived in the French Alps during the first part of the 20th Century.  Due to careless logging practices, the mountains became barren.  Brooks and springs ran dry, killing the villages whose people depended on the life-giving water.  A once pleasant home become an infertile place where the wind blew relentlessly unhindered.  

Thankfully, Elzeard Bouffier had faith that one man could make a difference.  He devoted his time to collecting, sorting and planting acorns.  Over three years time, he planted 100,000 trees.  While only 20,000 sprouted, his efforts gradually transformed the landscape back into a fertile, healthy and prosperous land.  People came back as the streams returned, and life is full and adventurous as it once was.  Mr. Bouffier's healing touch made a difference.

In a much more powerful way, Jesus can transform a barren soul into a bountiful spirit, can heal a broken heart, and turn a dry and meaningless life into one filled with purpose and abundance.  Seeking the One who is the Great Physician can make all the difference in my life.

Death

The limp, ragged body of the deaf, feral cat lay on our deck.  I was awakened in the wee hours of the morning to the horrible sound of a cat screeching in terror.  Two dogs had escaped their yard and jumped our fence, surprising the stray cat who had finally built up the courage to sleep on our back deck.  She couldn't hear them coming, and now she was gone.  As my tears stained her still form, I realized this was the first time I'd ever touched her; she'd just been too afraid to let me get close. Poor little girl.

As difficult as that experience was, I can't imagine the grief that would overcome the heart of a parent who peers down upon the still form of his or her beloved daughter.  There must be no greater heartache, as a ruler in the synagogue could testify.  He came to Jesus for help, knowing that even death was not too much for Jesus to overcome.  

I, too, am surrounded by death.  Marriages are failing all around me.  The vow the man and woman took before God seems like a distant memory, weak and unable to conquer the feelings of disappointment, hurt and bitterness.  There seems to be no hope to revive the love that once held the two together with an unbreakable bond.

Dreams sometimes die a slow death.  As time marches on, the passion to change the world, reach a goal or make a difference tends to fade.  What once looked within reach, now appears to be as far away as the moon.  There seems to be no hope to renew the spark that once drove me to reach beyond the possible into the realms of the impossible, where Jesus resides.

Just as the father pursued Jesus as the only One who could revive his dead daughter, so I can place my lifeless hope in His hands for restoration.

Affliction

Doctor after doctor examined her, each with the expectation that they would be the one to offer a cure.  After 12 years, she had all but lost her faith.  There's nothing that can be done.  I might as well face reality and come to grips with the fact that I'm permanently broken.  

That was before Jesus came to town.  I've heard of this man.  One touch of His cloak and I would be healed, I just know it.  I must get to Him.  And get to Him she did.  Her healing was instantaneous and complete; no one had ever seen anything like it.  Her suffering was finally over, thanks to Jesus.

What kind of suffering is going on all around me?  Long-term misery where faith is gone and resignation is the word of the day; distress that seems to have no end.  

There are illnesses which no one can find a cure.  Other times fear grips a being, cutting off the flow of life-giving love that comes from the Father.  Sometimes discontent rules, leaving behind a restlessness and quest for meaning.  Many times I am afflicted with a lack of purpose, floundering as I turn to expert after expert for help.

When I'm suffering, the only help I need is Jesus.  He can heal sickness with a touch, drive out fear, offer peace and provide an abundant life full of significance.

Just as the bleeding woman knew a single touch could heal her affliction, so I can reach out to Jesus for relief from my long-term suffering.

Impossible

"Listen, I've lived with him for ten years.  There's no way he's going to change."

"I've always been impatient and stubborn, and I always will be."

"My sister is the kind one.  That's just not me."

"I've always wanted to write a book, but I can't do it with my schedule. . .or my temperament."

The two men who couldn't see perceived something most others never catch sight of.   They believed that Jesus could accomplish the impossible.  Most damage done to the eye is irreversible.  It is out of the question to expect that anyone who is blind could be healed, especially during Jesus' time.  But these two mean believed that Jesus is the God of the impossible.


It seems impractical to expect that a zebra could change his stripes, but it's doable with Jesus.  I may think my impatience and stubbornness could never turn to endurance and compliance, but with Jesus my ugliness is transformed into delicious fruit.  I like to think I'm a certain way and could never change, but with Jesus I am a new creation.  My lack of understanding of how great is God's power could prevent me from taking a step of faith to pursue a dream, but if I give my all to Him, Jesus will give me the desires of my heart.

Just as the blind men believed that Jesus was able to heal them, so I must believe that all things are possible through Him who gives me strength.


Jesus healed many people when He walked the earth as a man.  Even now, He is still in the business of reviving the dead, delivering from suffering and accomplishing the possible.  The only question left to ask is this: Do I believe?




As I begin this day it is my prayer that I will trust Jesus to do all that He is able to do.


How do I forget that Jesus is able to do that which is deemed impossible?


What impossible thing do I need done today?