September 17, 2012
"AS they went..."
Ten men with leprosy meet Jesus while He is on the way to Jerusalem. They call out to him, "Jesus! Master! Have mercy on us!" ("But we say, 'You are our LORD; Hear our cry for mercy..." Psalm 140:6) When Jesus saw the men He told them to, "go and show yourselves to the priests." Jesus was telling them to do what the Law of Moses required. When you were healed of a skin disease you were to present yourself to the priest and the priest would confirm and declare you healed. Jesus was telling these ten men to go and present themselves to the priest while they still had the disease. They had to believe; they had to have faith; they had to proceed as if it had already happened. They didn't say heal us first and then we will go. "AS they went they were healed." They obeyed, and then they were healed.
Jesus has told us that we are protected in court. We believe Him. It is finished even though the lawsuit is still pending in the court system. By faith, we have stepped out and have continued on the path God has sent us on. Last week I sent a letter sharing our story to someone who is facing a very serious health situation. I shared a verse with him. Isaiah 66:9 - "... 'I will not cause pain without allowing something new to be born', says the LORD."
Yesterday the phrase "new to be born" hit me as I was re-reading the letter. "New to be born" → New Beginning. Since July God has been directing us to look towards a NEW BEGINNING, and here is the promise: "I will not cause pain without allowing something new to be born." I knew God wanted me to use that verse when I wrote the letter. Now I know God used my obedience in writing the letter to remind us of His promise to us.
I would be remiss if I didn't continue the story of the ten lepers. Walking by faith is important, but our response to God fulfilling His promise is even more important. And that response should be—Praise. Only one of the ten came back to praise God and give Him the honor and glory. Only one. It's not about who the promise is given to, it is about who gives the promise.
I've said this many times before but it just cannot be stated too much. The single most important thing Jane (Her Name Was Jane) taught us was—PRAISE! It sounds insignificant, simple, and minor compared to God's promise. But it is NOT! Praise is above ALL else. Praise for who God is! Praise keeps the order correct.
Next Entry: Our Testimony: The Journey So Far
"AS they went..."
Ten men with leprosy meet Jesus while He is on the way to Jerusalem. They call out to him, "Jesus! Master! Have mercy on us!" ("But we say, 'You are our LORD; Hear our cry for mercy..." Psalm 140:6) When Jesus saw the men He told them to, "go and show yourselves to the priests." Jesus was telling them to do what the Law of Moses required. When you were healed of a skin disease you were to present yourself to the priest and the priest would confirm and declare you healed. Jesus was telling these ten men to go and present themselves to the priest while they still had the disease. They had to believe; they had to have faith; they had to proceed as if it had already happened. They didn't say heal us first and then we will go. "AS they went they were healed." They obeyed, and then they were healed.
Jesus has told us that we are protected in court. We believe Him. It is finished even though the lawsuit is still pending in the court system. By faith, we have stepped out and have continued on the path God has sent us on. Last week I sent a letter sharing our story to someone who is facing a very serious health situation. I shared a verse with him. Isaiah 66:9 - "... 'I will not cause pain without allowing something new to be born', says the LORD."
Yesterday the phrase "new to be born" hit me as I was re-reading the letter. "New to be born" → New Beginning. Since July God has been directing us to look towards a NEW BEGINNING, and here is the promise: "I will not cause pain without allowing something new to be born." I knew God wanted me to use that verse when I wrote the letter. Now I know God used my obedience in writing the letter to remind us of His promise to us.
I would be remiss if I didn't continue the story of the ten lepers. Walking by faith is important, but our response to God fulfilling His promise is even more important. And that response should be—Praise. Only one of the ten came back to praise God and give Him the honor and glory. Only one. It's not about who the promise is given to, it is about who gives the promise.
I've said this many times before but it just cannot be stated too much. The single most important thing Jane (Her Name Was Jane) taught us was—PRAISE! It sounds insignificant, simple, and minor compared to God's promise. But it is NOT! Praise is above ALL else. Praise for who God is! Praise keeps the order correct.
God
↓
Man
It is not about us, it is about HIM!
Psalm 150 - Praise the Lord stated in every single line.
Psalm 8 - O' LORD our Lord, how majestic is YOUR name.
Next Entry: Our Testimony: The Journey So Far
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