Are You Willing?

Then a man with a serious skin disease came to Him and, on his knees, begged Him: "If you are willing, you can make me clean." Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out His hand and touched him. "I am willing, "He told him, "Be made clean." Immediately the disease left him, and he was healed. Mark 1:40-42

Have you ever been so different that you have been picked on or bullied or ostracised by your community. To not have anyone willing to touch you, for fear of contamination, to live in lonely isolation all your days in hopelessness. This would have been the man's fate. The man had faith but was used to being cast out and unpitied. Yet Jesus had compassion. He not only was willing, she reached out and touched the man. Imagine how that would feel, the first touch, after years of torment. 

The touch of compassion, the touch of genuine love is, so, so different. It is a well of deep, cool, refreshing water to the thirsty soul. Waves of loves washing over the parched, leather-dry soul, intense peace, a restful forest.

Being restored was what this man needed and did not know he desired more than his breath. Once you receive what you really need you begin to understand that all the knots in your life are now being unravelled by this glorious man.

Jesus was compelled with compassion, fuelled by the love of God. This love is available to all thirsty souls. And oh! What joy floods your soul as you realise this was what you wanted your whole life long.

Today I received word that a man I knew had died of a heart attack. I was envious that he would now go into eternity. I was challenged, did I tell him enough about the One I know? Yes! I did! Praise God!

Tonight I received word that my mother is back in hospital. Again I am challenged. Did I do all I could? Yes!!! Praise God!

I remember a time when I failed to speak to a patient of mine, when I was a young nurse. After days off I returned to find the man had died. Did I do all? No! I live with this and it fuels me. Do I say enough? I must share the good news of the gospel, in season and out of season.

I have a beautiful saviour. One that all who come will enjoy for eternity. One who many will regret not knowing for all eternity. Amen!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Who Rules?

The princes of Judah are like those who move boundary markers, I will pout out my fury on them like water. Hosea 5:10 World leaders of church and state are now all highly visible. When they are not open to consultation or do not listen they make judgements that are judged as foolish by both God and man. In Australia we just celebrated Australia Day and at this time various people are honoured for their contribution to society. Our Prime Minister, Mr Abbott, without consultation, conferred a knighthood on the Queen of England's husband, Phillip. Almost to a person, Australians judged this to be foolish. Even supporters have now distanced themselves. Imagine what it is like when church leaders follow their own emotions or the emotions of their people and change what is acceptable to God. For example, no longer considering adultery something that precludes a man from ministry. We might think we are clever, but actually going with a sinful flow. Where is God in all this? My emotions ar...
Read more

Know Your Sword!

So he took Him to Jerusalem, had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, "if you are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here. For it is written: 'He will give His angels orders concerning You, to protect you, they will support You with their hands, so that you will not strike Your foot against a stone.' And Jesus answered him, "it is said: 'do not test The Lord your God." And the Devil had finished every temptation, he departed from Him for a time. Luke 4:9-11 In this third test Satan quoted scripture but Jesus knew His scripture and was not going to be deceived by his enemy twisting the truth. I am amazed at what Satan tempted Jesus with. He did not know Christ. He had succeeded in tempting the first Adam yet he was thwarted in this attempt. Jesus had lived 30 years and been tutored in godliness with contentment, he was prepared, baptised in the Spirit and sold out to the Father's purpose. Every time our enemy comes against us we ...
Read more

Little Things Grow

The boy's mother said to Elisha, "as The Lord lives and you yourself live, I will not leave you. So he got up and followed her. 2 Kings 4:30 The Shunamite woman had travelled to Mt Carmel to find Elisha after the death of her son. Although Elisha had sent his servant Gehazi to the boy with his staff the woman had come to find Elisha and was not leaving without him. I like this lady's spirit. I am sure The Lord God Almighty also valued her heart. She had a heart for God and made room for Him in her world. Now, having lost her son she knew what to do: find Elisha and not let him go until he came to restore her son. What made the Shunamite woman believe that Elisha could raise her son? Was it the same faith that made her provide him a place to stay in her home? I believe it was God working in her life. I am grateful for her faith, I can read and be encouraged. We do not know her name yet her story lives in scripture. What a little thing it was to feed Elisha and then provide ...
Read more