Do you?

161214As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, crying loudly, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” When he entered the house, the blind men came to him; and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.” Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith let it be done to you.” And their eyes were opened. Then Jesus sternly ordered them, “See that no one knows of this.” But they went away and spread the news about him throughout that district. (Matthew 9:27-31, NRSV)

Do you believe Jesus is able to heal you?

Wow, it is all on me now, so if I ask for God to heal someone and they are not healed then it is my fault because I did not believe. I think we get skeptic of things. If we can have faith that God will do what we ask, if it is in His will, then it will be done.  I think it is not only up to our belief but also to God’s will.

So do you believe? I believe God can and will do miracles in our lives every day.

a little hope

161213The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the LORD’S favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to provide for those who mourn in Zion—to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit. They will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, to display his glory. They shall build up the ancient ruins, they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations. Strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, foreigners shall till your land and dress your vines; but you shall be called priests of the LORD, you shall be named ministers of our God; you shall enjoy the wealth of the nations, and in their riches you shall glory. Because their shame was double, and dishonor was proclaimed as their lot, therefore they shall possess a double portion; everlasting joy shall be theirs. (Isaiah 61:1-7, NRSV)

This passage from Isaiah speaks about the proclamation of liberty and opening of prisons, restoration from captivity.

This is a passage for those who are not yet where they know they Lord will take them, to help them press on, and to see through to the end. Because the Lord has promised to do all of these things and they will be done.

It is a proclamation of hope. And we all need a little hope.

So as we await the coming of our Lord as a baby in the manger and as returning judge of all, let us have a little hope that His promises will be fulfilled!

Refiner’s Fire

161212See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight—indeed, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts. But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap; he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the LORD in righteousness. Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the LORD as in the days of old and as in former years. (Malachi 3:1-4, NRSV)

This passage has always been one of my favorites because it talks about the time God takes with holding us in the fire. “He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.” I have friends who make jewelry and they have confirmed to me that one who refines silver watches it constantly. It is not something you put in the fire and walk away from. You are watching and turning and making sure the temperature is just right and you know when it is refined and purified when you see your reflection in it. Can you imagine God sitting with you in the fire, turning you and adjusting the heat until He sees his reflection in you!

But this time I read the passage and I was struck by fullers’ soap. So I wondered what Fullers’ soap is. And I looked. A Fuller was one who took newly made cloth, in this day mostly wool, and washed it and bleached it to make it white and fuller. A Fuller took out the gunky stuff and made the cloth white and fluffier.

So not only is God looking for His reflection in you, but He is also making you cleaner, and brighter and fuller. He is making you like Him.

So allow the refiner and fuller of your life to mold you and shape you!

Love!

161211When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.” As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written, ‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. (Matthew 11:2-11, NRSV)

Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist. Yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

No one is greater here on Earth but the least in the kingdom of heaven are greater than he.

And John didn’t know if Jesus was the Messiah. Why? What was he expecting?

The blind see!

The lame walk!

Lepers are cleansed!

The deaf hear!

The dead are raised!

And we all get the good news that God loves us! What could be better, what more proof do you want that Jesus is the one proclaimed to come?

But don’t we all want more? Because that is all for others, where is my piece of the pie Jesus? Where is my reward? Don’t I get something?

Yes, you get love like everyone else and set free from all that holds you down.

You get love. And love is enough.

Guidance

161210Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to a king’s son. May he judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice. May the mountains yield prosperity for the people, and the hills, in righteousness. May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the needy, and crush the oppressor. May he live while the sun endures, and as long as the moon, throughout all generations. May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass, like showers that water the earth. In his days may righteousness flourish and peace abound, until the moon is no more. May he have dominion from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth. May his foes bow down before him, and his enemies lick the dust. May the kings of Tarshish and of the isles render him tribute, may the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts. May all kings fall down before him, all nations give him service. For he delivers the needy when they call, the poor and those who have no helper. He has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives of the needy. From oppression and violence he redeems their life; and precious is their blood in his sight. Long may he live! May gold of Sheba be given to him. May prayer be made for him continually, and blessings invoked for him all day long. May there be abundance of grain in the land; may it wave on the tops of the mountains; may its fruit be like Lebanon; and may people blossom in the cities like the grass of the field. May his name endure forever, his fame continue as long as the sun. May all nations be blessed in him; may they pronounce him happy. Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things.  Blessed be his glorious name forever; may his glory fill the whole earth. Amen and Amen. (Psalm 72, NRSV)

This is the ending of the Psalms of David, and is a prayer for guidance.

It is a prayer all of us could pray.

That God would help us see people as He does. To love them as He does. To lift up peace as He does.

Let us seek the guidance David asked for, and live for the Lord!