Willing and Able

Luke 5: ¹² And it happened when He was in a certain city, that behold, a man who was full of leprosy saw Jesus; and he fell on his face and implored Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”

¹³ Then He put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately the leprosy left him. ¹⁴ And He charged him to tell no one, “But go and show yourself to the priest, and make an offering for your cleansing, as a testimony to them, just as Moses commanded.”

¹⁵ However, the report went around concerning Him all the more; and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by Him of their infirmities. ¹⁶ So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.

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“LORD I don’t know what to do!” was my cry. I just sat there in tears as it seemed like everything I tried to accomplish was falling apart rapidly. Broken relationships, broken vehicles and broken appliances piled up.

• Sometimes it seemed like GOD wasn’t listening.
• Sometimes it seemed like I was the problem and I could not find a solution.
• Sometimes it seemed like there was no end to the pain I was going through.

With tears in his eyes, the man begged JESUS to get rid of his infirmities as if to say, “I am sick and tired of being sick and tired!” He then said to JESUS “If YOU are willing, YOU can make me clean.” He had faith that JESUS could do anything but also knew permission was necessary.

• JESUS tells me to have faith that HE can do anything.
• JESUS tells me to believe that HE is willing to do anything for me.
• JESUS tells me to know HE wants me to ask for anything and it will be given to me.

After begging JESUS for some help, it seemed like things eased up for me. I mean just as fast as everything went bad, they turned around to good. Relationships started healing and so did the material possessions. I could only thank GOD for bringing me through the storms of life.

• Are you going through something?
• Do you feel like GOD isn’t hearing you?
• Will you cry out to GOD today and ask HIM “If YOU are willing” and allow HIM to say “yes” or “no” to your request but believe HE has to power to do all things?

Healed

Luke 4: ³⁸ Now He arose from the synagogue and entered Simon’s house. But Simon’s wife’s mother was sick with a high fever, and they made request of Him concerning her. ³⁹ So He stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. And immediately she arose and served them.

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“GOD I won’t do that again!” I said clutching my chest. The pain was so intense; I thought I was going to die. I figured I had been hanging out, sinning too much and maybe it was GOD’s way of punishing me. Days later, when the pain went away, The thought of hanging with my “friends” came back to mind. I mean church people were so boring to hang around.

• There were times when I did not believe in supernatural healing.
• There were times when I questioned “If GOD exists, then why are people sick?”
• There were times when I lived my life doing anything “I” wanted to do without a thought of what GOD wanted me to do.

Everyone in the house of Simon (Peter) asked JESUS to do something about Simon’s mother-in-law. They had just heard some amazing words from JESUS calling HIMSELF GOD and they believe HIM. JESUS told the fever to go away and she was instantly healed. She got up and served JESUS.

• JESUS wants to heal me when I am sick.
• JESUS wants me to remember that HE is the one who heals.
• JESUS wants me to serve HIM when I do get healed.

Why get healed just to turn around and be the same lackluster person? If I am expecting supernatural healing, then I must also expect supernatural purpose in my life. GOD keeps me alive for some reason and that reason is HIS. Whether I am sick or well, GOD has a purpose for my life.

• Are you sick?
• Do you need supernatural healing?
• Will you stop living for yourself and start living for GOD so HE will heal your SPIRIT first?

Keep Calling

Mark 10: ⁴⁶ Now they came to Jericho. As He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road begging. ⁴⁷ And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

⁴⁸ Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

⁴⁹ So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called.

Then they called the blind man, saying to him, “Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you.”

⁵⁰ And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus.

⁵¹ So Jesus answered and said to him, “What do you want Me to do for you?”

The blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.”

⁵² Then Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.”And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road.

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“Why don’t you just give up” one professor told me. I had a failing grade point average and a lot of classes ahead of me. With no guidance, I felt defeated.

• Sometimes I feel like giving up.
• Sometimes it looks as if problems will never stop.
• Sometimes it seems like there is no solution and on top of problems, people try to kick me when I am down.

With no regard of Bartimaeus’s blindness, the crowd tried to silence him as he cried out to JESUS. Bartimaeus knew this was possibly his only chance. How often would JESUS travel to Jericho? How often would JESUS be within ear shot of Bartimaeus? He probably screamed until he was horse and JESUS heard him.

• JESUS wants me to pursue HIM with conviction.
• JESUS desires that I scream for HIM when things look bleak.
• JESUS hears me when I keep calling to HIM in spite of my thinking.

“Do not be discouraged” is not a conviction from GOD; rather it is HIS cry out to me to tell me HE loves me. GOD wants to remove my spiritual blindness; all I have to do is cry out to HIM.

• Are you deserving of something?
• Are you mad at GOD about your situation?
• Can you call out to GOD today and ask HIM to remove your spiritual blindness?

Setting Plots

Mark: And He entered the synagogue again, and a man was there who had a withered hand. ² So they watched Him closely, whether He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him. ³ And He said to the man who had the withered hand, “Step forward.” ⁴ Then He said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they kept silent. ⁵ And when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other. ⁶ Then the Pharisees went out and immediately plotted with the Herodians against Him, how they might destroy Him.

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From sneaky bosses to sneaky workers I remember setting plots to catch them in the act. I spent numerous hours setting traps containing fake information left precariously on my desk. I would then tell the powers that be to watch out for this fake info. I caught a couple of rats.

• There were times when I sought to be right.
• There were times when I looked for others to be wrong.
• There were times when I searched for the bad in people so I could catch them in the act.

Looking for the bad in others had become a norm for me. Suspicions, doubts and sub-plots all danced in my head as I raised my shields and dropped my trust. BUT GOD wanted something different.

• GOD wanted me to seek the lost no matter how shady.
• GOD wanted me to look for those who want to follow HIM but may be caught in the way of the world.
• GOD wanted me to search for the good in people rather than seeing their obvious faults.

When I started looking for the good in people, it was hard to find. I mean that same homeless person was outwardly counting a roll of money in front of me; meanwhile I was eating peanut butter and jelly for lunch! GOD said to me “Drop your judgement on them too. Forgive those as I have forgiven you.”

Instead of setting traps, GOD wants me to set training. HE wants me to wish the best for the scoundrel and train those who desire to follow HIM in HIS ways. HE wants me to seek the lost.

• Are you suspicious of people?
• Is your trust in others low?
• Can you stop looking for the bad in people and search for those who are seeking GOD today?

Heart Comparison

Mark 2: And again He entered Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that He was in the house. ² Immediately many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door. And He preached the word to them. ³ Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. ⁴ And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying.

⁵ When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.”

⁶ And some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, ⁷ “Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

⁸ But immediately, when Jesus perceived in His spirit that they reasoned thus within themselves, He said to them, “Why do you reason about these things in your hearts? ⁹ Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise, take up your bed and walk’? ¹⁰ But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the paralytic, ¹¹ “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” ¹² Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”

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Dressed in my best suit, I went off to church. I observed the behaviors of those around me and thought to myself, “Maybe I should act like them so I can fit in.” One deacon was flirting with many of the women another bragged about his car. A person approached me and said “I like your suit.”

• There were times when I did not know how to follow GOD.
• There were times when I was just guessing about GOD by observing others.
• There were times when my faith was based on the opinions of others.

JESUS saw two hearts in this passage. HE saw the heart of faith that believe in HIM so much that friends tore through someone’s roof just to get to HIM. The friends knew HE was the only hope.

On the other hand, JESUS saw the heart of the church leaders criticizing HIM for claiming to be who HE really was and is, namely GOD. They had a picture in their mind of who the Savior should be, but they were dead wrong!

• GOD wants me to follow HIM without boundaries.
• GOD wants me to follow HIM without pretense.
• GOD wants me to follow HIM without trying to get pats on the back from people.

JESUS showed HIS amazing power over human problems. While the paralytic laid there, helpless JESUS leveraged the faith of his friends to heal him, showing everyone that HE in fact is GOD. JESUS wants me to have total faith in HIM.

• Are you facing incredible problems?
• Does it seem like you are paralyzed and cannot get through to GOD?
• Will you simply ask GOD for help and allow HIM to rescue you HIS way?

First Thought

Matthew 15: ²⁹ Jesus left there and went along the Sea of Galilee. Then he went up on a mountainside and sat down. ³⁰ Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them. ³¹ The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel.

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From a distance I could see the trouble coming so I made plans. When my plans started to disintegrate I made mitigation plans. When they failed, I cried out to GOD! “LORD, What?!”

• Sometimes I try to handle things on my own.
• Sometimes I try to fix problems using my wits.
• Sometimes I try to jump in and modify the situation.

I was amazed when GOD stepped in and answered my prayers, even ones I hadn’t asked. Amazed and shocked, I walked away delighted. This lasted until the next problem came up. I could see the trouble coming. “Wait, I have been through this before. What should I do?” was my thought.

• GOD says to me “I AM the first and the last, the Alpha and Omega.”
• GOD says to me “Seek ME first and you will be blessed.”
• GOD says to me “I AM the way, the truth and the life.”

Great crowds brought their hurting, broken and ailing friends and relatives to JESUS, maybe as a last ditch effort. They were amazed that this even worked!

I have noticed a difference in trouble patterns when I add CHRIST first. When I see the trouble coming from a distance, GOD wants me to cry out to HIM first, even if it is a false alarm. HE wants me to cry out with tiny issues and large. During the storm, GOD wants me to praise HIM!

• What is your first thought when trouble hits?
• When you see the slightest sign of trouble, can you turn to GOD?
• Will you seek GOD first today instead of following your own plans?

Send Word

Matthew 14: ³⁴ When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. ³⁵ And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him ³⁶ and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.

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Hard dress shoes with no socks is the only memory I have of the guy. We were on a mission’s trip in a place where hope was high and money was low. People from all around came to hear us speak. When I spoke to the gentleman, I asked “Do you live nearby?” “Yes, he answered.” “I walked twenty miles to hear you speak.” I looked at his worn shoes.

• When Good News comes in town, the word gets sent.
• When Good News comes in town, people from all around come to hear it.
• When Good News comes in town, hope raises higher than problems.

Humbled by his trek, I took my teaching more seriously. I mean I didn’t want to disappoint a person who walked on a dusty rocky road for hours, just to hear me, and I am not special or so I think.

• GOD showed me the example that all I need is HIS word to give hope.
• GOD gave me HIS word to give to others freely.
• GOD wants me to go to people who are willing to hear and provide HIS healing.

While the people were seeking JESUS as a healer, they more than likely got something they did not anticipate, namely spiritual healing. The crowd touched his garment after coming from all over the countryside to be healed. They touched only HIS clothes and they were healed. JESUS was amazing to them and HE is amazing to me!

• Are you so excited about GOD that you can’t hold it in?
• Do you feel led to talk about GOD to a group of people?
• Can you send word to many people that JESUS is the Savior?

Higher Habit

Matthew 12 ⁹ Going on from that place, he went into their synagogue, ¹⁰ and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Looking for a reason to bring charges against Jesus, they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”

¹¹ He said to them, “If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out? ¹² How much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”

¹³ 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. ¹⁴ But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus.

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Getting up and going to church was a real struggle for me. I mean after hanging out in the clubs with my “friends” I felt I owed it to myself to get some sleep. When I started going to church, it felt weird at first but soon became a habit. Soon I was a regular attendee and decided to tell “those sinners” they should do the same.

• I used to think church was the destination for sinners.
• I used to think church was a place to go that I could check off my list each week.
• I used to think church was the goal and getting “cleaned up” was the prize.

Taking my disgusting habits to a place where I could dump them off seemed like the right thing to do. Follow a few rules, sing a few songs, listen to someone tell me how wrong I was felt like the right thing to do to get my life on track. BUT GOD wanted so much more than that.

• GOD wants me to see HIM as the destination beyond church.
• GOD wants me to worship HIM daily not just minutes on a given day.
• GOD wants me to “be” with HIM rather than going to HIM.

Don’t get me wrong, going to a church that serves people through GODLY words and habits is great. BUT GOD wants more. HE wants me to open my eyes to HIS kingdom around me to tell people about the Good News. Church should not be a habit rather GOD should be a “relationship” that drives me to go to church and beyond.

• Are you judging someone because you attend church regularly?
• Do you feel you have made it because you go to church?
• Can you stop thinking more highly of yourself and seek those who need GOD today?