Tell Jesus (reprinted from August 1, 2010)

The woman with an issue of blood, Luke 8:43-48, NIV

This blog post is a reprint from August 1, 2010 which has some revisions

I must tell Jesus All of my trials I cannot bear these burdens alone In my distress He kindly will help me He ever cares and loves His own

We live in an age of ever-evolving technology. Twenty years ago a portable computer was cumbersome; today you can hold one in the palm of your hand. There was a commercial many years ago which said, “You’ve come a long way baby, to get where you’ve got to today.” Still, there are some things which have not advanced in a way that makes us a little more comfortable.

Try calling a business (any business), and see if you get to talk with a human. In most cases, you'll get an automated voice response indicating someone will speak with you shortly. You may actually be given a wait time. The problem with this approach is that for me, when I call someone, I prefer to talk with someone. There are also those instances when I call and talk with a human voice that provides me with absolutely no assistance. "I'm sorry, I can't help you with that, is there anything else I can do for you?" Ever have one of those experiences when just at the moment you're ready to speak with someone, your cellphone battery dies or the call signal mysteriously drops?

There are those times in life when wanting to talk with someone isn’t something I'd like to do...talking specifically with someone is imperative!


All of our lines are busy. Please wait, someone will speak with you shortly.

We’ve achieved so many advances in technology, medicine and science; yet we still struggle in the art of communication.

It’s reassuring to know that with Jesus, we have no intermediary, answering machine, call forwarding, call waiting, no queue or wait time to speak with someone working the heavenly call center help desk. There are no layers of protocol with Jesus, no buffers, no executive assistant who runs interference for Him; it’s just Jesus and you.

Before there were cellphones, text messaging, autos, hybrids, airplanes and even mail, when a person needed to communicate with someone, they usually had to go see them!

The bible tells us of a woman with a medical condition which Luke referred to as an incurable hemorrhage. This woman was afflicted with this condition for twelve years. Time and again she sought medical help but found none. I’m certain that after twelve years she not only sought alternative remedies but no doubt tried anything that was suggested. You must understand that people were not as enlightened as we are today; there were no psychic hot lines or infomercials promising a quick and speedy remedy.

“And a woman who had a hemorrhage for twelve years, and had endured much at the hands of many physicians, and had spent all that she had and was not helped at all, but rather had grown worse.”¹

This woman was at the end of her rope. I've never experienced hemorrhaging, but I know what if feels like to be at the end of my rope. It's a feeling of utter confusion, despair, hopelessness and loneliness.

Perhaps, thoughts of dying with dignity may have crossed this woman's mind but she wasn’t ready to give up hope.

You have to be persistent when everywhere you turn folks are shaking their head in pity, sorrow and sadness because of you. You know things are really bad when people begin avoiding you. You begin feeling like one of those discarded sponge mops in favor of a high-tech Swiffer.

“…after hearing about Jesus…”²

This woman who understood how hopeless her situation was, heard about Jesus and the miracles of healing he performed for the sick, tormented and dead. She didn’t know Jesus, she couldn’t be certain that He would even see her with so many others crying for His help and attention. Everywhere He went, there were throngs of people crowded around Him.

How would she ever get an opportunity to stand before Him and ask for His help?

But she desperately needed His help and then she got a thought that excited her,

“For she thought, ‘If I just touch His garments, I shall get well.’”³

It was this thought, birthing in her mind that inspired her to make her way through the crowd of people and receive her healing.

Have you ever seen someone talking to themself? Perhaps you’ve even done it!

I know I’ve done it before. Asking myself, Where did I leave my keys?

I wasn't there, but I imagine that what started as a thought in this woman’s mind became an expression of words as she made her way closer and closer to Jesus. If I can just touch….I only want to touch His garment….If He is who they say He is, then He has the power to save me, heal me without me saying a word…If I can just touch.

That's what desperation can do...move us from the place of logical thinking to the realm of spiritual awakening and hope.

“…for she was saying to herself, ‘If I only touch His garment, I shall get well.’”4

We all know when we don’t look or feel our best; it affects our self-esteem. Maybe this woman was ashamed of her appearance, I don’t know. After twelve long years of searching for a cure, she had no money; she had gone "all in" searching for a cure and lost. Perhaps her appearance made others feel uncomfortable. Perhaps she covered her face in shame. Perhaps to be less noticeable, she crawled on her hands and knees as she neared closer and closer toward Jesus.

It's a blessing to come to Jesus and feel the absence of shame!

The bible says she came up behind Jesus, extended her hand forward and touched His garment:

“…came up behind Him, and touched the fringe of His cloak; and immediately her hemorrhage stopped.”⁵

I believe that in order to touch the fringe of His cloak, she had to be parallel with the ground. This woman humbled herself to the point of believing that she could be healed just by touching the fringe of the cloak Jesus wore. It was then that Jesus called out for the person of faith who touched Him.

“But Jesus said, ‘Someone did touch Me, for I was aware that power had gone out of Me.’”⁶

Some of us think that when we receive a blessing, we can go back and quietly live our lives being unnoticed. I believe that’s what this woman thought. That she wouldn’t need to tell Jesus that she believed and was healed. Somehow, she must have understood that if she could be healed by just touching the fringe of the cloak Jesus wore; then He was more than just a man.

I believe she understood that if Jesus recognized that power had gone out from Him, then He also must know where that power went and who benefited from it.

Now, I believe God is The Great Divine Healer, but I also believe that God is sovereign. The fact that this woman was healed solely rest in God's divine plan. God used the hem of the garment Jesus was wearing to heal this woman, but in other instances there was another point of contact. The point I'm trying to make isn't that I will be healed, but that my life rest solely in the hands of Almighty God. I must trust in Christ, no matter the outcome. He must be the Son of God!

“And when the woman saw that she had not escaped notice, she came trembling and fell down before Him, and declared in the presence of all the people the reason why she had touched Him, and how she had been immediately healed.”⁷

We go through the daily routines of life and somehow we miss out on the opportunity God gives us. We won’t humbly extend ourselves and touch Jesus. For whatever reason we feel unworthy, useless and unwanted but still, we crave to be healed, saved and changed.

We want it, need it but is the desire urgent enough for you to go receive it? Have you ever experienced the power of Jesus Christ? What happened when His power went out from Him and into you? I don't know about you but I had to confess that He saved me from a life of drugs and violence; I couldn't keep it to myself. When people remark, There's something different about you...I have to tell them about Jesus and His miraculous power to resurrect my dead life; giving me eternal hope.

Will you declare the reason why you’ve come to Jesus? You've tried so many other ways, with no answer or resolution. It may seem as if it's time to give up but you cling to that same desperate hope for relief from your burden and trials. Jesus isn’t standing in a crowd today. No matter where you are right now, He’s there with you; waiting to hear what you have to say.

Tell Jesus…about the burden in your life

Tell Jesus…about your family

Tell Jesus…about your children

Tell Jesus…about your spouse

Tell Jesus…about your father

Tell Jesus…about your mother

Tell Jesus…about your sister

Tell Jesus…about your brother

Tell Jesus…about your neighbor

Tell Jesus…about your job

Tell Jesus…about your health

Tell Jesus…about you

Tell Jesus and be like this woman; have the faith to believe that Jesus will resurrect life into whatever it is in your life that appears hopelessly dead. Be assured that no matter what, you live in Christ and Christ lives in you!

MTJ

Lord Jesus, I humbly bow myself before you. I recognize that you are God, Lord and Savior of my life. I need you Lord and I cry out with every part of me and ask you to take my life and clean up the tattered remains of a wounded spirit. I will not remain silent Lord Jesus. I will declare that you are Lord and Savior. Thank you Lord Jesus. I exalt and praise your name.

Footnotes:

1. Mark 5:25-26, NASB
2. Mark 5:27, NASB
3. Mark 5:28, NASB
4. Matthew 9:21, NASB
5. Luke 8:44, NASB
6. Luke 8:46, NASB
7. Luke 8:47, NASB

References:

1. The Ryrie Study Bible (New American Standard Version), Edited by Charles C. Ryrie, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, ISBN 0-8024-8920-6
2. I Must Tell Jesus, Lyrics from the song sung by Crystal Lewis
3. Image of frustrated businessman waiting on telephone, Courtesy of shutterstock.com
4. Image of Call Center, Courtesy of exodon.com
5. Image of Woman touching Jesus from christianodyssey.com

A Note of Thanks: I would just like to say Thank you, to each of you who visit My Thought-filled Journey. Taking time out of your busy schedule to read a post on this blog encourages me. Many of those who visit, will from time to time leave a comment, but it really doesn't matter whether a comment is left. What matters, is that you came here. I hope you find encouragement and inspiration in these words. Please know I will pray with you regarding any circumstance you may be facing. Feel free to write me to say "Hello", request prayer, or share what God is doing in your life. I have not said it enough, but thank you for the light of Christ in your life which illuminates the way for us all.

Note: This post is linked to Spiritual Sundays (hosted by Charlotte).

What Will You Do?

What will you do?

"All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, “If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this wilderness!" (Numbers 14:2, NIV)

As I read through the Old Testament, I am always struck by the lack of faith the Israelites failed to demonstrate despite the miracles God demonstrated in their lives as they wandered through the desert for forty years. I find myself asking the question (again and again): How could they not trust the God who delivered them from slavery? What was it that robbed them of faithfully trusting God’s promises, miracles and commands? The obvious answer is that they lacked faith in God. They never determined to trust in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. How does their life (God’s chosen people Israel) contrast with the lives of Christians today? God delivered them with miracles, signs and wonders from Egyptian slavery, parted the Red Sea and enabled them to walk through it on dry land, fed them with manna from heaven, and quenched their thirst with water from a rock. Still, they didn’t trust this same God who said He gave to them a land flowing with milk and honey. They were afraid of the inhabitants who occupied the land. They constantly said they were better off in Egypt. In America, Christians go to church on Sunday where they are reminded of the grace, mercy and love God has for them. Regardless of the level of their spiritual maturity, their motivation, traditions or habits, Christians gather together in the presence of Almighty God. When we exit the doors of our local churches, what becomes of our attitudes toward God, toward fellow Christians, toward others not part of our church? The Old Testament Jews were not gifted with the Holy Spirit in their life as New Testament Christian believers. Christians don’t require signs and wonders to know God is faithful to His promises. Christians are told that we are all sinners, that there is none righteous, not even one. Christians know that no one can stand before the presence of God on their own merit and be justified. It takes the redemptive work of Jesus Christ to justify anyone before the judgment of God. So Christians have no reason to grumble, complain, quarrel, or lack true faith! I am grieved when I hear Christians complain. I am just as grieved when I hear some of the words that have been uttered from my lips. Despite my grief, it cannot compare to the sadness our words produce when they echo in the heavens before God. When I look back at my life, I can clearly see how it was the grace of God which carried me through each and every trial I faced. When I hear the words, Jehovah-Jireh, I know God is my provider. God provides! I know that the grace of God carries me throughout the days of my life, so while I am tempted to complain and grumble, I must refrain. I have determined to trust the outcome of my day to the providence of God’s amazing grace. When I hear others speak of how good they had it before, I won’t complain. When I hear others speak of how terrible the United States is, I won’t complain. When others rail against political leaders, I won’t complain. When religious leaders are exposed for immoral conduct, I won’t complain. I will pray. I will remember that I am not worthy of the many blessings God has showered in my life. I will remember that God has been merciful to me when by all accounts, I deserved no mercy. I will remember that God loved me when I myself did not love Him. I will thank God for His infinite love which He gives to all. I will pray. God said, “This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.” (Hebrews 10:16, NIV) I will embrace the covenant of God because He has written His words in my heart. I will remember the word of God says, “For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:20, NASB) My life is not my own, I belong to God. Because of this I am not conforming to this world I live in, I am being transformed as God has said, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2, NASB) I will pray that each day, my life is being transformed into a truer reflection of Jesus Christ. My thoughts, words, behavior and life reflect Jesus not the man I once was. What will you do today? MTJ

A Note of Thanks: I would just like to say that I appreciate each of you who visit My Thought-filled Journey. Taking time out of your schedule to read a post on this blog is encouraging to me. Many of those who visit, will from time to time leave a comment. Whether a comment is left is not important. What is important, is that you came. I do hope you find encouragement and inspiration in these words. Please know I will pray with you regarding any circumstance you may be facing. Feel free to write me to say "Hello", request prayer, or share what God is doing in your life. I have not said it enough, but thank you for the light of Christ in your life which illuminates the way for us all.

Note: This post is linked to Spiritual Sundays (hosted by Charlotte).

Tell Jesus

I must tell Jesus All of my trials I cannot bear these burdens alone In my distress He kindly will help me He ever cares and loves His own

We live in an age of ever-evolving technology. Twenty years ago a portable computer was cumbersome; today you can hold one in the palm of your hand. There was a commercial many years ago which said, “You’ve come a long way baby, to get where you’ve got to today.” Still, there are some things which have not advanced in a way that makes us a little more comfortable.

Have you ever dialed a number and gotten an automated voice response which indicated that someone will speak with you shortly, only the definition of shortly differs between you and them? Or you call and talk with a human voice that cannot assist you in any way? Or you’re told that the average wait time is ten minutes and just at the moment your wait time expires, your cellphone battery dies or the call mysteriously drops.

Sometimes, wanting to talk with someone isn’t enough; sometimes talking is imperative.


All of our lines are busy. Please wait, someone will speak with you shortly.

We’ve achieved so many advances in technology, medicine and science; yet we still struggle in the art of communication.

It’s reassuring to know that with Jesus, we have no intermediary, answering machine, call forwarding, call waiting, no queue or wait time to speak with someone on the help desk. There are no layers of protocol with Jesus, no buffers, no executive assistant who runs interference for Him; it’s just Jesus and you.

Before there were cellphones, text messaging, autos, hybrids, airplanes and even mail, when a person needed to communicate with someone, they usually had to go see them!

The bible tells us of a woman with a medical condition which Luke referred to as an incurable hemorrhage. This woman was afflicted with this condition for twelve years. Time and again she sought medical help but found none. I’m certain that after twelve years she not only sought alternative remedies but no doubt tried anything that was suggested. You must understand that people were not as enlightened as we are today; there were no psychic hot lines or infomercials promising a quick and speedy remedy.

“And a woman who had a hemorrhage for twelve years, and had endured much at the hands of many physicians, and had spent all that she had and was not helped at all, but rather had grown worse.”¹

This woman was at the end of her rope.

Perhaps, thoughts of dying with dignity may have crossed her mind but she wasn’t ready to give up hope.

You have to be persistent when everywhere you turn folks are shaking their head in sorrow and sadness because of you. You know when things get really bad; folks may not even want to be around you. You’re viewed as if you’re one of those discarded sponge mops in favor of a high-tech Swiffer.

“…after hearing about Jesus…”²

This woman who understood how hopeless her situation was, heard about Jesus and the miracles of healing he performed for the sick, tormented and dead. She didn’t know Jesus, she couldn’t be certain that He would even see her with so many others crying for His help and attention. Everywhere He went, there were throngs of people crowded around Him.

How would she ever get an opportunity to stand before Him and ask for His help?

But she desperately needed His help and then she got a thought that excited her,

“For she thought, ‘If I just touch His garments, I shall get well.’”³

It was this thought, birthing in her mind that inspired her to make her way through the crowd of people and receive her healing.

Have you ever seen someone muttering words to themself? Perhaps you’ve even done it!

I know I’ve done it before. Asking myself, Where did I leave those keys?

I wasn't there, but I imagine that what started as a thought in this woman’s mind became an expression of words as she made her way closer and closer to Jesus. If I can just touch….I only want to touch His garment….If He is who they say He is, then He has the power to save me, heal me without me saying a word…If I can just touch.

“…for she was saying to herself, ‘If I only touch His garment, I shall get well.’”4

We all know when we don’t look or feel our best; it affects our self-esteem. Maybe this woman was ashamed of her appearance, I don’t know. After twelve long years of searching for a cure, she had no money; she had gone "all in" searching for a cure and lost. Perhaps her appearance made others feel uncomfortable. Perhaps she covered her face in shame. Perhaps to be less noticeable, she crawled on her hands and knees as she neared closer and closer toward Jesus.

The bible says she came up behind Jesus when she extended her hand forward and touched His garment:

“…came up behind Him, and touched the fringe of His cloak; and immediately her hemorrhage stopped.”⁵

I believe that in order to touch the fringe of His cloak, she had to be parallel with the ground. This woman humbled herself to the point of believing that she could be healed just by touching the fringe of the cloak Jesus wore. It was then that Jesus called out for the person of faith who touched Him.

“But Jesus said, ‘Someone did touch Me, for I was aware that power had gone out of Me.’”⁶

Some of us think that when we receive a blessing, we can go back and quietly live our lives being unnoticed. I believe that’s what this woman thought. That she wouldn’t need to tell Jesus that she believed and was healed. Somehow, she must have understood that if she could be healed by just touching the fringe of the cloak Jesus wore; then He was more than just a man.

I believe she understood that if Jesus recognized that power had gone out from Him, then He also must know where that power went and who benefited from it.

He must be the Son of God!

“And when the woman saw that she had not escaped notice, she came trembling and fell down before Him, and declared in the presence of all the people the reason why she had touched Him, and how she had been immediately healed.”⁷

We go through the daily routines of life and somehow we miss out on the opportunity God gives us. We won’t humbly extend ourselves and touch Jesus. For whatever reason we feel unworthy, useless and unwanted but still, we crave to be healed, saved and changed.

We want it, need it but is the desire urgent enough for you to go receive it? Have you ever experienced the power of Jesus Christ? What happened when His power went out from Him and into you? I don't know about you but I had to confess that He saved me from a life of drugs and violence; I couldn't keep it to myself. When people remark, There's something different about you...I have to tell them about Jesus and His miraculous power to resurrect my dead life; giving me eternal hope.

Will you declare the reason why you’ve come to Jesus? You've tried so many other ways, with no answer or resolution. It may seem as if it's time to give up but you cling to that same desperate hope for relief from your burden. Jesus isn’t standing in a crowd today. No matter where you are right now, He’s there with you; waiting to hear what you have to say.

Tell Jesus…about the problem in your life

Tell Jesus…about your family

Tell Jesus…about your children

Tell Jesus…about your spouse

Tell Jesus…about your father

Tell Jesus…about your mother

Tell Jesus…about your sister

Tell Jesus…about your brother

Tell Jesus…about your neighbor

Tell Jesus…about your job

Tell Jesus…about your health

Tell Jesus…about you

Tell Jesus and be like that woman; have the faith to believe that Jesus will resurrect life into whatever it is in your life that appears hopelessly dead.

Lord Jesus, I humbly bow myself before you. I recognize that you are God, Lord and Savior of my life. I need you Lord and I cry out with every part of me and ask you to take my life and clean up the tattered remains of a wounded spirit. I will not remain silent Lord Jesus. I will declare that you are Lord and Savior. Thank you Lord Jesus. I exalt and praise your name.

Footnotes:

1. Mark 5:25-26, NASB
2. Mark 5:27, NASB
3. Mark 5:28, NASB
4. Matthew 9:21, NASB
5. Luke 8:44, NASB
6. Luke 8:46, NASB
7. Luke 8:47, NASB

References:

1. The Ryrie Study Bible (New American Standard Version), Edited by Charles C. Ryrie, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, ISBN 0-8024-8920-6
2. I Must Tell Jesus, Song sung by Crystal Lewis
3. Image of frustrated businessman waiting on telephone, Courtesy of shutterstock.com
4. Image of Call Center, Courtesy of exodon.com
5. Image of Woman touching Jesus from christianodyssey.com

Pressing On

Sammy Wanjiru Triumphs in Chicago Marathon

I was reading a post over at Alisa’s blog (Faith Imagined) called Foot Promise, in which she discusses the promises of Jesus and the struggle we face in achieving them. If you haven’t read it then, do not hesitate…just go there now! It gave me so much food for thought that I found myself leaving her a scroll instead of a comment. Realizing that I was being a little too expressive, I resolved my dilemma by deciding to write a post on one sentence which I found was most inspirational to me:

"As we seek Jesus, though, He compels us forward by faith"
It reminded of what Paul expressed in Philippians:

"I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus"¹

On the surface, this may seem as if Paul is saying, in spite of the difficulties I face in this life, I am committed to continue until I hear the voice of my Savior call me to be with Him. But if I were to imagine I were Paul for a moment, I would say,

I am not just committed to continue! No. I am pursuing Christ with every fiber of life in me! Have there been times when I’ve been tired? Yes. Hungry? Yes, that too. Have I faced threats on my life? Yes, but it has only made me pursue Christ even more.

Oftentimes, pursuing Christ was the least of my concerns but time and experience have taught me the value of remaining hungry as I pursue Him. Not as if He is some kind of prey for my prayers! No, the issue (for me) is do I want to hear that upward call? Can you imagine what it will be like to hear the voice of our Lord calling you to, Come up here.

But how can I hear the upward call of Christ Jesus (enabling me to continue my pursuit)? And is it the call that's really compelling me or is there something else at work? As I examine these questions, I see (for me) that it isn’t so much me as it is Christ working in my life because:

"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me…"²

So it is Christ compelling me to go on by strengthening my faith in Him. Christ envelopes my life to the degree that I see Him standing in three distinct ways that compel me to pursue Him:

1. Christ stands before me
2. Christ stands behind me
3. Christ stands within me

Christ stands before me, calling me to stand firm in my faith towards Him. We are told that when we have done all we can do…we must stand. Standing seems such a passive act but in reality it is the method that we experience the redemptive power of God. I think back to when I first accepted Christ and I did nothing; I had no power to do anything but hear and believe. A soldier can stand guard duty but eventually he will be relieved. But no one will stand for me to relieve my stance for Christ. As Christ stands, so stand I. When times get tough and I’m weary and exhausted, He says,

"Come unto Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest…"³

Christ stands behind me, encouraging me to remember that:

"I have been young, and now I’m old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, or his descendants begging bread."⁴

Christ loves to encourage us; reminding us of previous times when we’ve faced some dire circumstance in our lives. He reminds us because He knows how easily we forget. How terrible would it be if you looked back through your life and had no memory; to have amnesia? Left to ourselves, we would often experience spiritual amnesia. When you remember how you made it through the storm of your life, that’s Christ encouraging you with a reminder, that, He never fails.

Christ stands within me, the resurrected Son of God strengthens me to pursue Him by faith, compelling me to press on. It really is no longer I but Christ in me, my hope of glory. He has convinced me that,

"…I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you."⁵

So I’m compelled to pursue Christ through the power of God working in me, changing me, renewing me, energizing me, compelling me to press on and be a new man; a man of faith. I don’t know about you but I want to hear Jesus call me. I want to hear the voice of triumph.

Is there anyone or anything to stop your compelling pursuit of Christ?

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? ... But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us."⁶

Will you stop if your company lays you off or your business fails?

Will you stop if the utility company turns off your lights?

What will stop you?

Will you stop if they call you that crazy Christian?

If they talk about you, will you stop?

Will the economy stop you?

Will politics stop you?

What will stop you?

Don’t you want to hear Christ call your name? Is Christ in you compelling you to press on?

Lord Jesus, I want to press on toward you in faith. Right now I see an obstacle in my path but it’s not the first obstacle I’ve faced. I know of your love for me because you've delivered me before. I’m going to trust you right now to deliver me again. May you hear my praise of you, thanking you for this victory. Amen.

Footnotes:

1. Philippians 3:14, NASB
2. Galatians 2:20, NASB
3. Matthew 11:28, NASB
4. Psalm 37:25, NASB
5. Hebrews 13:5, NASB
6. Romans 8:35-37, NASB

References:

1. The Ryrie Study Bible (New American Standard Version), Edited by Charles C. Ryrie, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, ISBN 0-8024-8920-6
2. Nike running events, Chicago Marathon, image courtesy of Nike, Inc.