on September 27, 2012
Luke 5:12-16 – While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean." Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" And immediately the leprosy left him. Then Jesus ordered him, "Don't tell anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them." Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.
I sometimes enjoy entertaining myself by playing the keyboard. I’m not accomplished and I only play songs I know in one key, so not many others would be very entertained. Some of my favorite songs to play are the old hymns like, “There Is A Fountain Filled With Blood,” “What Can Wash Away My Sins? – Nothing But the Blood of Jesus,” “There’s Power In The Blood,” and “The Cleansing Stream.” All of these old songs clearly communicate the efficacy of Christ’s atonement – that is, our Lord’s suffering and death on the cross is the effective means through which we may be cleansed from sin!
Sin leaves us in much the same state as this man who was covered with leprosy. It leaves us unhealthy, unwanted and unclean. A person with leprosy was not welcome in society. Such people were obligated to steer clear and avoid contact with the rest of the culture. They were “unclean” outcasts destined to a life of scorn and shame. The man on this occasion “was covered with leprosy.” He apparently had a wretched and horrid appearance as a result of his skin disease. He had a most undesirable lot in life. Jesus was his only hope! He fell with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” Would Jesus give such a one as him the time of day? Would He be willing to entertain his request for cleansing? This man was convinced that Jesus was certainly able, but was He willing?
Then Jesus did an amazing thing, He actually reached out His hand and touched the man! No one in their right mind would ever touch a leper, for that would mean to become contaminated and to risk catching the disease! But Jesus reached out and touched him, saying, “I am willing, be clean.” The cleansing was IMMEDIATE! Christ demonstrated in His healing touch on this diseased man that there is not a single soul that is too unclean for His mercy and grace! Those whom the Son sets free are free indeed – IMMEDIATELY! Our Lord willingly left the splendor of heaven to save and cleanse sinners from their sins! I don’t know about you, but I’m soooo glad He did! I’m thankful that He was willing, and I’m also thankful that His salvation, His forgiveness and His cleansing are IMMEDIATE! Would He be willing to save a wretch like me? Yes, our Lord is WILLING! And, He’s willing to make YOU clean as well! Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound… What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus! What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
Thursday:
- Meet together with at least 1 or 2 other believers to enter the Throne Room of Grace.
- Join our 6:00pm Thursday night prayer team.
Friday:
- Thank God for the day Jesus walked into your town and your life and gave you the chance for cleansing.
- Pray for the Good News families of the week: Juan & Jennifer Davila (Arianna, Angelina, Gabriella), Jim & Carol DeYaeger and Stephanie, Frank & Anna Diehl.
Saturday:
- Trust God’s mercy, His willingness and ability to cleanse you IMMEDIATELY from all sin.
Sunday:
- Give thanks for the grace of God that saves you from sin.
- Partner with us in “In Touch” Prayer meeting at the close of Worship Service.
Monday:
- Pray that others will trust Christ and experience His healing cleansing touch in their lives!
Tuesday:
- Celebrate God’s faithfulness to forgive and to cleanse us from sin when we confess our sins!
Wednesday:
- Praise God for the old hymns and gospel songs that worship the Savior and celebrate salvation and cleansing from sin. Look them up, meditate on the words and give praise!
Prayer Challenge: Agree with God about any sin in your life. Acknowledge sin as sin. Confess, repent and believe God. “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” – 1 John 1:8,9.
Imniasronepte ejemplo de superación. Si estudiar una carrera por tu cuenta en un modelo a distancia, como es la UNED, ya es duro de por sÃ, añádele a eso el hecho (¡la losa!) de padecer una enfermedad dolorosa, que lo normal es que te quite el ánimo y las ganas de hacer nada. Pero este muchacho ha sabido sobreponerse, se ha esforzado y ha llegado a la meta. Mi más sincera enhorabuena.
Oh my god, we did that in my 3rd grade class! I chose the picture of the nun in the floating chair. I wrote like a 20 page short story all about this team of detectives who took on cases about mysterious supernatural things, and their fifth case was of a flying chair in France. Damn, I can't believe you just reminded me of this! Awesome!
16cjess,concordo demais contigo!!melhor nem me estender na opinião pra nao criar mais polêmica!mas pra bom leitor, meia palavra basta! (ou uma montagem surrupiada! rsrs) beijo,