Spots

And stretching out His hand, He touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. Matthew 8:3 NAS

My daughter was telling me she had run into an acquaintance from her past and that he had changed for the better. Remembering her bitter experience and how she had been disappointed, I quickly said, “A leopard doesn’t change his spots.” I was cynical that he would ever change.

Immediately, the Holy Spirit nudged my heart with the words, “No, but it was I who cleansed the leper’s spots.” I recalled the stories in the Bible where Jesus healed the lepers. They were unable to heal themselves, but their lives were completely changed by His touch, just as my life had been transformed when He touched my heart and forgave my sins.

Who was I to judge this young man so severely? At his age I was still unsaved, unable to change on my own. Jesus died to do what we cannot. He can change our hearts, erase our blemishes and bring us spotless before Him.

Convinced, I prayed and asked the Lord to forgive my sinful attitude and to help me see with Christ-like eyes. I began to pray often for his salvation. I don’t know how he’s doing today or where he stands with the Lord, but I do know that the Lord loves him and died for him, so I will continue to pray.

Thank You Jesus, that Your love for us is so great that You willingly died and rose again so that we could be forgiven and cleansed of all unrighteousness. Thank You for washing our spots away with Your precious blood. Amen.

© 2011 Bonnie M. Evans

Father Time

But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” Luke 18:16 (KJV)

I asked my grandson, “What would make a great father?” His reply was, “ A father who does tickle time.” I thought that was a silly answer, but then realized that it revealed something else. You see my grandson does not get to see his father often.

Our grandson learned about "tickle time" by playing with my husband who also loves the game. It became an all out war of who got tickled the most. Our grandson craved and appreciated the attention and unconditional love he received.

Similarly, we long for relationships with our Father in Heaven. Jesus demonstrated the way to spend time with the Father when He constantly withdrew to pray in synagogues, in towns like Capernaum, or in the wilderness.

Jesus also modeled the unconditional love of fatherhood. He took the time to allow the children to come to him. He would not hinder them and rebuked His disciples when they tried to keep the children away.

Now, I look to Jesus’ example, spend time with my heavenly Father and enjoy learning from Him. Our Heavenly Father is always available and finds joy with anyone who comes to Him.

Thank you Father for the “tickle time” we get to have with You. Thank you for being the kind of Father who loves to spend time with us.
© 2011 Dawn M Sexton

Being Saved

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8 (NKJV)

Yesterday: The Lord heard the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah and sent His angel. First, though, he talked with Abraham whose rather contentious relative, Lot, lived in Sodom.

Abraham begged God to spare the cities from destruction if ten good people could be found there. The Lord agreed because of His righteousness and because of His love for Abraham.

What surprises us is that God went further. When ten could not be found, His angel sent Lot and his whole family away just before the maelstrom struck.

Today: We read this story in awe because of what it reveals: What God did in the Old Testament, He did again in the New. Jesus, like Abraham, prayed for men's salvation. He too went further. In a garden, He prayed for our sanctification. "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in me through their word" (John 17:20).

We trust God who keeps His promises yesterday, today, and forever. Just as He saved Lot out of evil and immorality, He saved and sanctifies us.

Forever: Paul tells us another mystery, and we recognize its truth. The time will come when the trumpet sounds, and the sleeping and not yet sleeping will be saved out of corruption to enter eternity. Jesus' prayer for believers covers the future.

Lot benefited from Abraham's prayers and received mercy. We have the prayers and sacrifice of Christ, the Messiah. Knowing His word is true, we trust, and look forward to eternity. How great, gracious, and loving is He!

Praise be to the Lord who is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

© 2011 V. Colclasure

Staying Stuck

I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus . . . one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12b,13b,14 (NASB)

It is easy to focus so much on situations and relationships from the past that it is difficult to get on with life. The death of a family member, divorce or the loss of your home to a tornado is devastating. A close friend reminded me recently that I enjoy the sympathy I receive from others when I linger in my self-pity. I stay stuck in my memories of past hurts and continue feeling sorry for myself.

In the book of Philippians, Paul exhorts us to press on toward the life God has for us. We are unable to more forward without putting the past behind us. We may never forget what happened, but we can step out in faith and trust God as we put one tentative foot in front of the other. God is with us and “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3 NIV).

Note all the action words in this passage: press on, lay hold, forgetting, reaching forward. It is clear that God is urging me not to stay stuck in selfish fretting over my painful past, but to move on toward the future He has for me in Christ.

Dear Father, I put my hope in Your unfailing love and choose to trust You for the future. In Jesus Name, Amen.

© 2011 Diane E. Hussey