The Hem (Him) Miracle

Quite often there comes a day in your life in which shocking news arrives and with it the crushing of dreams. I'll admit that, no matter what the details are, it's our propensity to take off running on a straight line into one of life's valleys . . . and many of us make that valley our home for years to come. I'm no different than the next person so I have tales to tell of the valley but as I now draw one step closer to emerging from my valley, I look back over my life and see that time spent there - however difficult -has brought me clarity and richness as to who this Almighty God is that watches over me. His tenderness. His patience. His grace. Every step anticipated by Him. He was never surprised by my willing to stay in the valley. All the while drawing me out to the beauty that He had planned for me long ago.

In Mark 5:25-34 we are told about the woman who had an issue with bleeding for nearly 12 years. No one wanted to be around her for she was an embarrassment to herself and to others. She wanted a life that was much different than she was able to lead but try as she might, no one was able to reach down into her valley and bring her up out. But then she heard people talking about a man who was turning water into wine, He was bringing sight to the blind and curing all kinds of diseases. His name was Jesus. Truly, He was a man of miracles. It was then that she knew that if only she could touch the hem of this mans garment then surely she would be freed from her bondage.

So after mustering up all the courage that she could possibly find deep within herself, she went to where He was and as He passed by she bravely reached out with immeasurable hope and touched the hem of His garment. Immediately she was freed from her suffering.

Then, realizing the release of power within Himself, Jesus spoke to her. It was then that she fell at His feet . . . trembling with fear . . . she opened her heart to Him, trusting by faith that her honesty would bring healing and freedom that would last a lifetime. With that leap of faith her miracle was complete . . . that is when, once and for all, she came up out of the valley in which she had lived.
She wanted something
She heard something
She said something
She did something
She received her miracle.
This was her hem miracle.
This was my him miracle and with it a whole new world emerges. Life outside of the valley of one provides such hope - such loving hope.
Blessed be the Name of Jesus, for in and through Him we are healed and set free. And he whom the Son sets free is free indeed.
Thank You, Jesus.
Amen and amen.
bo

Living Life According To Plan

How is it possible to have gone through so much of ones life without ever REALLY being loved. Oh, I'm not talking about the depths of love that parents have for their children. Nor am I talking about 'love' that is spurred on by lust. No, I'm referring to that one on one - unconditional - sacrificial love that enters a persons life . . . maybe only once in a lifetime.

As you may have guessed, I am a hopeless romantic. You may question how that's possible since long ago I joined forces with the Apostle Paul in declaring the blessing of singleness. But if the truth be told, since the Lord created me to be who I am . . . and at the very same time allowed opposing circumstances to dictate what life I would lead . . . this is often a topic of conversation that He and I discuss. Is it any wonder that I sometimes walk around looking a bit dazed and confused!!

I remember a comment I heard years ago at a singles meeting that stated that being single is a choice. Well, you have to know me . . . I couldn't let that one pass without a comment . . . but as I rose up to challenge the truth of his statement - before I could release even one word - I realized that he was right. It is a choice. Whether man or woman, it's a choice. Young or old. Rich or poor, it's a choice and often the choice we make is based on extenuating circumstances that have entered into our lives. Whether married or single we allow the circumstances around us to dictate the openness of our heart . . . and the fullness of the lives we live. Past hurts . . . present influences . . . future fears. How truly foolish we are to allow this deception.

I am under the conviction of the Holy Spirit to say that we would be smart to realize that the Lord's return is imminent. With that comes an understanding that it would be to our benefit to live this life NOW to the fullest measure of His plans for it.

Father, with the courage so generously given to us by Your Holy Spirit, I pray that Your joy would be known within each of us as we live out Your perfect plan for our lives . . . for I pray it now, in the name of the One who gives us reason to love . . . Jesus, the Christ.
Amen and amen.
bo

Yes, But

Yes, but. Two small words but when placed side by side their power to divide us from God's will is no less daunting than the Great Wall of China.

Moses spoke these words when God suggested that he teach Pharaoh a thing or two about freeing His people from slavery. The Apostle Peter shouted them after stepping out of the boat onto the water. I, myself, have allowed them to slip out of my mouth on countless occasions, and yet, how foolish! Why is it so hard for us to see that these two small words, when combined, reek with the stench of FEAR. Fear that comes against God's perfect will for our lives.

Jesus spoke to us about the 'Yes, but's' in our lives when He said . . . 'Oh, ye of little faith.' He understands our tendencies to allow the flesh to rise up within us and shout 'Yes, but'. He understands our tendencies to overshadow His authority and power . . . but lovingly He shows us that there IS a better way. He willingly shows us the unbridled possibilities that exist when He is given the opportunity to lay out His plan for our lives.

Lord, how could I have been deceived by the 'yes, but's' for so long and yet feel so loved by You now? . . . . . . "Look back" He says "and see the dross that I have cleansed you of . . . bitterness, resentment, stubbornness, self-sufficiency. I have filled the holes of your emptiness with my agape love. I opened up your heart to the teaching of who I am and who you can be if only you would remove the 'yes, but's' from your life. I have loved you with an everlasting love that sets the captives free . . . and He whom the Son sets free, is free indeed!"

Hallelujah!

Father God, I know that my journey of sanctification will never end on this side of heaven but I pray that I'm further along today than I was yesterday. As long as there are lives around me to touch . . . and to be touched by . . . I pray from the depths of my heart that you will remove whatever 'yes, but's' there are within me that might keep me from Your perfect plan for my life.

Father, may Your will be done, for I ask it in Jesus' name.
Amen and amen.
bo

Thankful Saturday

I'm not sure that today . . . the day after Good Friday . . . has ever been given a name or not but in my heart I'm feeling the need to declare it to be "Thankful Saturday". I know that long ago a day in November had been set aside for all of us to gather and give thanks but in my minds eye today is better spent in that regard.

Today we are sandwiched between two days . . . one in which the ultimate sacrifice was lived out for us and one in which the ultimate hope of victory is awaiting us. What better day could there be to release fully the thanksgiving that is within the depths of our hearts?We have because He gave. He gave humbly so that we might know the fullness of Himself. How glorious!!!

In Matthew 5:14-16 it is written "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."

Let each of us go out and shine that light of thanksgiving as it radiates from us. Let each of us get up on that rooftop and shout His praises. Let everyone around us hear and see the Good News of this "Thankful Saturday".

Father, words don't even come close to expressing the awe we have as we ponder Your perfect plan. Nor, Father, can we fully express the degree to which we are thankful for all that Jesus, our Savior AND our Lord, has done for us so we pray that you will search our hearts and know all that we are unable to express. May you be pleased with the deposit of Your love that You find there and may we be willing, Father, to unselfishly release the overflow of that love on to others until the day of Your return.
Father, may it be so, for I pray it in the Name that is above all names, Jesus, our One and only Christ.
Amen and amen.
bo

'Good' Friday??

Good Friday . . . a day of remembrance. A day of reenacting within my mind, the brutality of the sin that was thrust upon the only perfect man who walked on this earth. Certainly, this isn't my idea of a 'good' day. Mourning once again for my part in it all. Realizing the lashes of the whip, the insults hurled, the willful acts of rejection, the driven nails . . . all because of the choices I've made. Remembering the events of this day and the pain that ensued brings me, yet again, to a place of ultimate remorse.

So then, how in the world can this day be called 'Good'? In my humanness, I see me as the reason for this day. My humanness is drawn to the 'bad' of it. But Blessed be our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for He has reminded me - ONCE AGAIN - that it's NOT about me. This day is ALL about Him. As my heart breaks for the physical, emotional and ultimately, the spiritual pain that He endured, the Holy Spirit - the Holy Healer - reminds me that more noteworthy than all of the brutality and pain was Christ's ability to rise above all of it. WITHOUT retaliation, He endured it all - for it was the Father's will. It was the Father's perfect plan.

The day IS Good because of His willingness and obedience. It IS Good because of the love that oozed from every pore of His body. It is Good because of the peace, and yes, the joy, that He experienced in knowing that He was being used to fulfill the Father's perfect plan. Picture perfect, we see the life of surrender and forgiveness that we are to resemble.

For all that HE did on this day . . . may our remembrance be of the GOOD that was our Blessed Savior, Jesus the Christ.

Father, may it be so . . . In Jesus' name I pray.

Amen and amen.

bo

Morning Intimacy

I am WOWed again this morning by the renewal that a new day brings. Concerns of yesterday are now laced with hopeful possibilities as the day dawns. In the silence of the morning God is so obviously in our midst. Issues from yesterday still need to be resolved - prayers still need to be mentioned - healing still needs to come - but if you are willing . . . the freshness of a new day lays out hope and determination and the renewed desire to walk in the shadow of His wing.

At this time of day the world around me is quiet. The busyness of the day is on hold for this is the moment more precious than any other in my day. This is the time that I am able to hear the whispers of God and only the sounds of the song birds break the silence to bring forth His glory.

Without this time of intimacy and oneness with Him my day would be overwhelming from the start. It's like gassing up at the pumps before a long trip. In order to get to your destination you must first fill your tank with the highest quality fuel that you can find so that you are powered up to reach your destination.

Jesus . . . my fuel of choice. Jesus . . . my road map. Jesus . . . my pilot. My day has renewal and possibilities and hope.

Thank You, Jesus. Thank You. Thank You. Thank You.
May I carry this moment with me throughout my day . . . remembering Your love and faithfulness and true desire to be my reason for hope.
Truly, it IS all about You, Lord Jesus.
Amen and amen.
bo