by Stacey | Jul 4, 2013 | Devotionals, reflections, and encouragement
The crowd in Capernaum surrounded Jesus. Some people knew Him, some didn’t. Some, like his close friends, knew him well; others were simply curious, enjoying the excitement in the air. But one person in this crowd, a woman, used the swarms of people to hide. She knew enough about Jesus to believe that one touch from Him could provide her relief from years of suffering.
Luke 8: 43-48
43 And there was a woman who had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and though she had spent all her living on physicians, she could not be healed by anyone. 44 She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her discharge of blood ceased. 45 And Jesus said, “Who was it that touched me?” When all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the crowds surround you and are pressing in on you!” 46 But Jesus said, “Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me.” 47 And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. 48 And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.”
This woman had spent the last twelve years of her life, (and quite possibly her bank account), pursuing a cure for her ailment. Yet, she continued to suffer. She had tried everything, everything but Jesus.
She likely fought a crushing crowd to see Jesus. She might have heard about his previous miracles. Who knows? No matter what drove her to reach out to Christ that day, she believed if she could simply touch the edge of His clothing she would be healed. It is on that belief that she joined the multitudes surrounding Jesus.
I love verse 44, where she reaches out and touches the fringe on Jesus’ robe and immediately the blood that had flowed for twelve constant years dries up and she is healed.
Immediately. Oh we serve a wonderful Savior!
What happens next makes me laugh. Jesus asks, “Who touched me?”
Jesus already knew the woman who had touched Him. He knew her as intimately as He knows you and me. I think he asked who touched him in order to share publicly what had transpired in secret. His disciples respond in puzzlement. They likely scanned the throngs of people surrounding them scratching their heads. “Many people are touching you,” they said.
Many people were touching Jesus, but only one reached out with intention. Only one reached out in faith. This was the touch Jesus acknowledged. Every time a person reaches out to Jesus in faith he acknowledges the action. Every time.
She comes before Him trembling, falling at His feet and thanking him for her cure. She openly declares that one touch had cured what twelve years of doctors could not. By recognizing her publicly Jesus declares that this unclean woman was now clean. He was not limited or intimated by the Old Testament laws prohibiting this touch. He touched her and allowed her to go, healed, whole and clean.
Ladies, where are you? Have you reached out with intent? Do you stretch out your arm yearning for close and personal contact with Jesus? Or are you in the surging crowd, excited to be close to Him but carrying no real desire to connect on an intimate level?
Jesus response shows us that he desires more from his daughters than a general knowledge of His capabilities. He wants to draw us out from the concealing crowd. He wants us to stand before Him and say, “I believe.” He wants us to know Him, intimately and completely. He wants to look upon us with tenderness, call us HIS daughter, and whisper those precious words: Your faith has made you well.
by Stacey | Jun 27, 2013 | Devotionals, reflections, and encouragement
When I give a command to my children I expect an immediate response. Sometimes the command is given to protect them, like the time I shouted, “STOP!” and Nick hit the brakes before dashing in front a car. Immediate obedience.
Read Mark 1:16-45 and take note of how many times the word immediately is used.
Seven times.
Seven times urgency is conveyed. Instant action.
If God does not hesitate to act and Jesus does not hesitate to act, why do I? I should never hesitate to turn from whatever I am following and follow God’s instant command.
I cannot trust a heritage of faith to accomplish anything on my behalf. I must follow God. I must respond.
Me.
No one can do it for me.
Lord, may I respond immediately to the call you place on my life. May I live generously, honestly, and with contentment. May I never rest on yesterday’s accomplishments, but live for you every day.
by Stacey | Jun 20, 2013 | Devotionals, reflections, and encouragement
Lord, I cry from the darkest and deepest place of my heart and I know you hear. My legs collapse under me when I consider the weight of my sin. I am not worthy to stand in your presence.
Yet, your forgiveness lifts me. You support me so I can stand.
I wait for tomorrow in anticipation. I watch for you, listen for your voice, eager for your plentiful redemption. You have redeemed me from darkness and brought me into the light. Thank you Lord.
by Stacey | May 30, 2013 | Devotionals, reflections, and encouragement
“Can we go outside and play?” It is a request I hear often from the children in my care.
“Please clean up the toys first.”
“Can we go outside and play?” Tiny voices raise their volume.
“Clean up first, please.”
Seriously. On any given day, at any given moment, this is my house:
Is it crazy to want the toys picked up before a new adventure begins?
“Why aren’t you answering?” Little feet stamp. Fists curl in frustrating dramatic six-year-old fashion.
Oh how fitting, that the children in my care would mimic my temper tantrums.
How many times have I begged God for an answer only to wait, wait, and wait some more? How many times have I accused him of failing to respond, when in reality, I have failed to listen to his response?
Does He instruct me, as I instruct the children in my home, to clean up an area of life first? How many times have I missed God’s answer (and possible blessing) because I was too busy stamping my feet and shaking my fist?
Lord, give me ears that hear.
by Stacey | May 23, 2013 | Special Announcements
Many of you might remember Katie and her Nets for Kids campaign. It all started with an inspiring magazine article. She did a wonderful job raising money and awareness to help fight malaria. She started her own website and collected pledges.
TVO kids awarded Kate with a Super Citizen Award to recognize her efforts. This link will take you to her video accepting the award (Kate is third from the left, click on her picture for the video to begin), or you can watch it premier on television on TVO kids at 3:55 pm on Tuesday May 28th.
The airing of this award comes on the heels of Kevin and I attending a Teen Challenge graduation service. We had the privilege to meet the young man we spent the last year praying for, writing, and supporting as he completed a one year rehabilitation program for addictions. It was an amazing night that recognized God as our healer and restorer.
Our family believes that being a super citizen involves getting involved. Minding each others business. Cheering, supporting, encouraging and sometimes correcting each other – but always with an attitude of love.
Our Graduate and Kate reminded us afresh of what really matters in life. Living and giving to glorify God.
Philippians 3:20
New International Version (NIV) “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ”
Let’s all be super citizens, citizens of heaven doing the work of God.
She likely fought a crushing crowd to see Jesus. She might have heard about his previous miracles. Who knows? No matter what drove her to reach out to Christ that day, she believed if she could simply touch the edge of His clothing she would be healed. It is on that belief that she joined the multitudes surrounding Jesus.
