Jesus saw her.

Jesus "was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And there was a woman who for eighteen years had had a sickness caused by a spirit; and she was bent double, and could not straighten up at all. When Jesus saw her, He called her over and said to her, "Woman, you are freed from your sickness." And He laid His hands on her; and immediately she was made erect again and began glorifying God.”

Luke 13:10-13 NASB

http://bible.com/100/luk.13.10-13.nasb

She's suffered 18 years. That's a long time to be doubled over. Painful. Day in. Day out. Makes it hard to do basic chores. It is possible that it affected her relationships in a culture where afflictions were thought to be a sign of judgement. 

As uncomfortable and hard as life was, she wasn't bitter. She was at the synagogue. Still seeking Her Jehovah. She had not stopped following Him in her hard days. 

Jesus noticed her. 

Out of the crowds there, He noticed her. 

He called out to her. Told her to approach the One who was there at Creation. To come near to her Maker. 

She risked embarrassment. Walking up to Jesus would put her in the spotlight. She might be mocked. Surely there were whispers. 

Her response? She came. She scored closer to her Lord. She drew near to Him, possibly the only one in the room willing to be near her. 

If she hadn't come near, she might have missed Jesus. His healing words. His healing touch. 

Her freedom came when she drew near and let Jesus do His work in her life. 

Father God, just like this woman was noticed by Jesus, we are assured throughout Your Word that You notice us!  You know what we face today. You know what we need. Give us ears to hear Your whispers to draw near, and hearts that quickly respond. Courage to "shuffle" closer when it hurts to move and when we are afraid. Your grace and love for us is huge - open our minds to grasp a bit more of Your heart toward us today. Where healing is needed, we ask in the name of Jesus for healing to come. Physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually. Give us hearts that seek You as we wait. Enduring in faith. Lift up the hearts of those who need an extra dose of hope today. We praise You and thank You for being our Good Father and for never leaving us alone! In Jesus' name we pray!

Ambassadors

Want to know the secret to having courage to share God’s love with others?

For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.
Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh…Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. - 2 Corinthians 5:14-21, NASB

The more we understand the great cost Jesus paid to make us right with God… The more we grasp the result of His sacrifice… the more we are compelled by a mighty force… 

The love of Christ

Abba God, thank you for the love of Christ. Have your way in me today. Soften my heart as I lean in to learn from You. Teach me the depth of Jesus’ love. Move me with that love – compel me to be a more focused ambassador for Christ, reconciling others to you. Help those of us who struggle to sit still, to learn how to meditate on the powerful truths in this passage. Help those of us who are afraid to grasp – and focus on – your perfect love which casts out fear. Open doors for us to share our story with others. Speak through us so others can know your great love. Give us eyes to see all believers as new creations; unify us as one Body of Christ, which we are. Give us courage to love each other more as the days continue. Fill us with a deep insatiable desire to love and serve, using the tools you have given us. Show us as individuals what you want us to do. We are listening, Abba, and we want to please you because you gave us ALL the good we have and know. We are nothing – we have nothing – apart from you. In Jesus’ name.

Jesus knows & will bring you through.

Hello my Sweet Friend.

I love you SOOOoooo much. I wish I could give you an in-person hug right now. I wish I could take away all your hurts, but I know that would change who you are and I wouldn’t change a thing about you!

What I’m about to say will require a lot of trust on your part, but I ask that you read on and seek the truth, based on the only absolute truth we have in this world (God’s Word, which is Christ Jesus Himself).

I see such a beautiful child of God, who’s being changed before my eyes in an amazing way, by the Holy Spirit of Jehovah Himself. You are being made, as a caterpillar turns into a beautiful butterfly, into the very image of Jesus Himself.

He knew pain. He knew suffering. He knew emotional anguish.

He knew betrayal. He knew, really knew, loneliness. 

He knew the daily distractions, burdens, and drudgery.

Jesus also knew the answer…

In order to become the man He was meant to be,

he would have to rely solely on His Abba.

In prayer. In trust.

Through the tears. Through the frustration.
Through the loneliness. Through sadness and loss.
Through losing friends as he made tough choices.

For direction… even when it seemed there was none.

For hope… even when it seemed there was none.

For friendship… even when it seemed there was none.

“For consider Him who has endured

such hostility by sinners against Himself,

so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

Hebrews 12:3, NASB

Jesus is the only one who can fully knows your frustrations and struggles. I'm committed to walking with you as you wait for answers, believing that together He will bring you through this hard season. Together, my friend. Together.

Father God, my friend needs comfort and encouragement. Meet her where she is and, in your faithfulness, let her know how precious she is in your sight. Replenish hope. Help her network of support be the kind of friends she needs right now. Show us clearly how to pray for and love her. Help us be respectful and kind. Protect her from hurtful words. I ask, too, that you clearly show her if there is anything she can do - or should stop - during this time as she waits on You. In Jesus' name...

I love you so incredibly much, and while I cannot take away your struggles or emotional turmoil, I am with you. I will be with you all our lives long. You are so dear to me, and I’m so glad that we can share our journeys together.

You are a valuable gift, and I am so glad to have you in my life!  

With all my love…

Just some guy.

Remember Barak? The one in the Bible, whom Deborah told to fight Sisera?
Just some guy. With doubts and fears.

A few decades later, God calls Gideon.
Just some guy. With doubts and fears.

God works in and through the lives of common, broken "just a guy" (and "just a gal").
I don't know about you, but I needed that reminder! 

Father God, thank You for giving us the training and tools to do the work You call us to do! I am "just a guy/gal" and I am so thankful that You are with me in my daily training, as well as the big battles. Increase my faith in You, in Jesus. Greater is He who is in me, than he that is in the world. You are at work in us and You are reconciling others to Jesus through us. Love and speak through us, Father. Show me what You want me to do today. In Jesus' name.

Barak's story can be read in Judges 4-5.  

How deeply you are loved!

Upon hearing of a friend's death, I was compelled to write her family to convey her love for them. 

She was so fond and proud of her kids and grandkids. I wanted to share some good memories and to remind them of what they hopefully already knew. She loved them dearly.

Dear friend, 

I want you to know...

God is real. He came to Earth for you. 

To show you how much He loves you.

Listen. Do you hear Him?

"Do you know how much I love you? I love you so much that I sent my Son to tell you - to show you - my love in person. My love is real. He chose to die, because that was the only way to conquer death and sin. I love you so very much and want you to know My love."

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

John 3:16-17 NIV

http://bible.com/111/jhn.3.16-17.niv

Father, thank You for loving me. So. Much. To send Jesus to save me. To show me grace and truth. Thank You for freeing me from life-choking habits and attitudes. Thank You for walking with me. Increase LOVE in my heart for the people around me. Overflow Your love through me into their lives. Let them see You and praise You for Your good works. In Jesus' name.