Archive for January 2022
“Stretch Out Your Hand”
Stretch Out Your Hand
Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other. – Matthew 12:13
Jesus was in the Temple or church on Sabbath. Under the Jewish laws, no one was supposed to do any work on the Sabbath. It was meant to be a day of rest and reflection for the Jews.
So, when a man with a withered hand shows up, all of the religious leaders look to Jesus. They want to know if He’s going to heal this man or wait until another day to perform the miracle.
But Jesus asks another question: “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?”
When silence is the only answer from the religious leaders, Jesus turns to the man. “Stretch out your hand,” He commands and instantly, the man is healed.
Sometimes, God speaks and healing comes instantly. But sometimes, God asks us to take action first. It might be that God wants you to write a letter to an estranged family member or seek counseling for your depression. If you feel God is telling you to “stretch out your hand”, then do it, whatever that may look like.
Be The One
Be the One
“One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice.” – Luke 17:15
Leprosy is an infectious disease. It attacks the nerves in a person’s hands, feet, and face. As nerves begin to die, the patient loses sensation. This means that cuts, scrapes, and bruises on the skin cannot be felt.
For many people, this leaves them vulnerable to even more infections. Severe infections can even result in disfiguration as doctors remove portions of skin, in an attempt to save the patient.
In Biblical times, leprosy meant a person was “unclean” and couldn’t interact with the rest of society. Instead, a leper would have to leave their friends and family to go live with others who also suffered from the disease.
That’s why when 10 men saw Jesus, they cried out in unison for healing. Jesus promised them healing and told each one to go see the local priest who could then declare them “clean” so they could rejoin society.
On their way, all ten received healing but only one came back to praise Jesus for his miraculous healing.
Many times, God heals us in seemingly little ways, like helping you recover from the flu or strengthening your body after strep throat. Maybe you or your loved one recovered from Covid. Have you thanked God for these moments of healing? If not, consider doing that now…
God, thank You for all the times You’ve healed me—from minor illnesses to bigger health problems. Help me to remember Your faithfulness, no matter how I’m feeling. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
The Unseen Daughter
The Unseen Daughter
At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?” – Mark 5:30
She’d spent years suffering from heavy menstrual periods. She went from doctor to doctor, spending everything she had. She was tired frequently since fatigue was a symptom of her constant blood loss.
She was lonely, too. In her culture, she was considered unclean. Anything she touched or slept on was also unclean. If others touched her, even to offer a simple hug or pat on the shoulder, they would have to go through a ceremonial cleansing in order to be pure.
When she heard about Jesus, she knew He could heal her disease. She tried to push through the crowd but she couldn’t make her way through the throng of people. So, she dropped to the ground and crawled on her belly until she came to Jesus.
Reaching out, she touched his cloak and felt healing instantly. She knew in that moment that He was truly the Messiah.
But as she moved to leave, she heard Him call out. He wanted to know who had touched Him, so she came trembling and poured out the whole story.
Many people have theories on why Jesus wanted the woman to come forward. As the Son of God, He surely knew who had touched Him. So, why stop and address her? Why not let her leave now that she had been healed?
It could be that Jesus longed to show her the woman that her pain and struggle had been seen. It’s easy when encountering pain to feel like God is ignoring you or that He’s forgotten about you. But just as Jesus saw the woman with the blood issue, He sees you, dear one.
God, help me when I feel unseen to remember You are the God who sees. You know my story from beginning to end. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Unity is VERY important for the year of 2022!
Unity in the Body of Christ has been HEAVY on my heart for over a year.
It seems so hard to see true unity in the Body of Christ. But just remember that unity takes character, love and insight from the Lord. You won’t always agree in unity. But you can choose to be IN agreement with other true Believers in areas you DO agree.
Issues like differences in politics, healthcare, pandemics and so much more have been subjects of division. Our pride asserts we MUST be right and WIN an argument and demand that another of His beloved is just wrong and without worth. We devalue His Beloved. THEY are to LOSE… but not us!!! Is God really MORE concerned about you being right or you walking in RIGHTEOUSness?
And petty or mean posts aren’t the way to stay unified through differences.
The enemy is very intentional and cunning in shutting down the advancements of the Kingdom. All while we tear each other down and give into the temptations he throws at us. He’s being effective.
SO MUST WE! We have the authority to allow or disallow the enemy to win against our unity. Unity helps us advance!
Call out sin with those who stray. Seek to win them, pray for them and not shame them in your news feeds this year.
There are other Prophets that may have more insight on the big things that are ahead and I’m ok with staying in my lane.
But I DO know that 2020-2021 were years that tested our unity. And many of us failed. We did not pray and remain rooted in love. Not saying you had to remain aligned with malignancies. Because these years revealed the deeper, darker parts of the hearts of mankind globally.
What I’m saying is did you get offended and allow offense to remain? Did you get bitter and not pull out of it?
Others can tell you specifics. But I DO know that there’s more testing of unity coming, our hearts and stances in the Kingdom will be tested. Our political views will be more challenged (hint… we should ascend our perspective above ANY party by the way). More and bigger trials against unity are coming. Decide now how your heart posture will stand amidst adversity and against more of the ugly becoming unconvered in people’s lives.
Will you pray for the fallen? Or will you take your privilege of salvation and safety for granted OR use that privilege with your authority to pray, to educate and heal others?
It’s time to align strongly with the Lord. Come out of carnality and your own ways… focusing on the distractions of life and looking AROUND you. It’s time to stand firm in your trust in Him. Level up your insight and refuse to bow to lower level thinking. You’re made for more and you were PLACED in this world at this TIME in history for a reason.