A Touch Of the Master's Robe

Matthew 9:20-22
“And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment. For she said to herself, “If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.” But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, “Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour.”
I can imagine this woman upon hearing that Jesus was coming to town and hearing of all the miracles that He had preformed was excited and desperate to get to meet Him for a chance to be healed. She had consulted others and had no relief from her misery. She had prayed that this problem would be taken from her but for twelve years she had suffered on.
As the crowds began to gather around Jesus I am sure that she was frustrated to find that the opportunity to meet with Jesus was slipping away as she cried out to Him for help. I imagine that she said; “If I could only get to touch Him, just for a moment, I would be healed.” As she reached out through the crowds, her fingers stretching through the throng of people praying for just a touch.
I remember watching the movie Coal Miner’s Daughter as Loretta Lynn walked through a crowd one of the fans reached out to her with a pair of scissors and cut off a lock of her hair, screaming as she ran away excited about her encounter with the first lady of country music.
When Teresa and I went to Talladega for the NASCAR race she ended up with tickets for a chance to meet her favorite driver. Teresa, who does not get up early, was up at 4:00am pushing me out the door for a chance to be first in line to meet with Sterling Marlin and the thought of touching him as she got his autograph.
Jesus is still there waiting for us to come to Him for a touch of His garment to be healed, to be changed, to be made new. At the woman’s encounter with the Master, He stopped and turned to look at her and tell her she was made well because of her faith in Him. As the sinner comes to Jesus confessing their sins and seeking forgiveness, it is Jesus who reaches out and touches them and they are changed forever.

Prayer:
Father, help us to have the faith of this woman, and that we too would seek an encounter with you through your Son. Amen

Thought:
Are we reaching out for a chance of a lifetime or a life changing opportunity that lasts for eternity?

A Change is Coming.

1 Corinthians 15:51,52

“Behold, I tell you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”

As the clouds break on a stormy day I see a shaft of light pierce through the clouds and reach its way to the ground. I often wonder if that is the sight we will behold when Jesus comes to take His church home, then I remember how long a twinkling of an eye is. A half of a blink is not a long time to view anything and I realize that I will not see the Lord’s return but will be changed in a moment as I meet Jesus in the air.
When we accept Jesus as our savior we experience a change that is just as dramatic. We are lost in the darkness of sin, tossed in the storms of life with no hope for tomorrow. Yet God reaches into that darkness with a shaft of light that draws us to salvation and changes us forever, as we are born anew into His kingdom.
As the lost look at the cross and see the light that shines upon the savior, a change is given, hope is offered, and an eternity with Him is within their reach. Unfortunately, many will turn from that cross to the darkness of sin and an eternity separated from God. We are to be there to turn them back to the cross and encourage the lost to accept that opportunity to be changed forever.

Father, we long for that day when you will split the sky and take your church home to be with you forever. Our hearts break for those who refuse to accept your light, your love, and an eternity sharing in your glory. Help us to reach out to the lost and do our part to win the lost for you. Amen.

Accepting Jesus means never walking in darkness again.

Fruit Among the Thorns

Fruit Among the Thorns

Matthew 13:22 says; “Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.”
Jesus is talking about the word of God given to us who live in this world and are surrounded by influences that would keep us from being fruitful for the Kingdom of God.
The cares of this world He mentions here are anything that keeps us focused on our problems and keep us from focusing upon the work of the Kingdom. It is hard to focus on the needs of others when the bill collectors are knocking on your door. It is hard to help others deal with pain when your heart is breaking. But yet this is what we are asked to do? The poet Terrence writes; “So many cares hinder me which draw my mind different ways.” It is hard to focus on others when our minds are occupied with the thoughts of daily live.
The deceitfulness of riches which promise peace and contentment, but never give them, only leaves us wanting more. I know you think if I had more, the cares of this world would go away. I have thought this myself, if I only had my house, or car paid off I could live good. Yet I noticed that the more I made the more I spent and it still left me hungry for more. I hear so many and have said it myself; “If I could win the lottery.” Till one night the Lord impressed upon this thought; “Are not my blessings enough for you?” God has given me so much, a great job, a new home, and wonderful family, and a peace that money can not buy.
The seeds of the cares of this world have been planted in our lives sometimes long before the word of God has been sown. When we tend to the cares and ignore the word of God is it any wonder we produce the fruits of these cares? But when we tend to the word of God the cares of this world seem only temporary compared to the lasting rewards of a heavenly inheritance, and the fruits we are able to produce from a life center on God’s word.

Prayer:
Father, help us to hear your word above the call of this world. Help us to bear fruit from a life centered on your word, as you pour out your blessing on us. Thank you for the peace in our hearts, and the joy that comes from knowing you through your Son, in whose name we pray. Amen

Thought: Let God be a blessing to you, in order that you may be a blessing to others.