Be Open

Z“Jesus left Tyre and went up to Sidon before going back to the Sea of Galilee and the region of the Ten Towns. A deaf man with a speech impediment was brought to him, and the people begged Jesus to lay his hands on the man to heal him. Jesus led him away from the crowd so they could be alone. He put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then, spitting on his own fingers, he touched the man’s tongue. Looking up to heaven, he sighed and said, “Ephphatha,” which means, “Be opened!” Instantly the man could hear perfectly, and his tongue was freed so he could speak plainly! Jesus told the crowd not to tell anyone, but the more he told them not to, the more they spread the news. They were completely amazed and said again and again, “Everything he does is wonderful. He even makes the deaf to hear and gives speech to those who cannot speak.””

‭‭Mark‬ ‭7:31-37‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Have you ever wondered why Jesus touched the man who couldn't hear or speak?    Always before He merely spoke the powerful healing words. But this man wouldn't be able to hear them. He couldn't even ask for help. 

After touching the man's ears and tongue, Jesus called out EPHATHA / Be Opened. This is a strong word which would be more easily recognized through a reading of the lips. 

Jesus does this for us today through the Holy Spirit. He calls for us to "be open".

OPEN:

- our hearts to Him

- our minds to His teachings

- our ears to listen for His voice

- our eyes to see His working around us

- our lives and concerns to Him through prayer & faith

What actions will you take to keep yourself continually open to God through Christ? 

#How Do I See God Working Today

Remember God loves you and so do I. 

FAITH

FAITH

“ Then Jesus left Galilee and went north to the region of Tyre. He didn’t want anyone to know which house he was staying in, but he couldn’t keep it a secret. Right away a woman who had heard about him came and fell at his feet. Her little girl was possessed by an evil spirit, and she begged him to cast out the demon from her daughter. Since she was a Gentile, born in Syrian Phoenicia, Jesus told her, “First I should feed the children—my own family, the Jews. It isn’t right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs.” She replied, “That’s true, Lord, but even the dogs under the table are allowed to eat the scraps from the children’s plates.” “Good answer!” he said. “Now go home, for the demon has left your daughter.” And when she arrived home, she found her little girl lying quietly in bed, and the demon was gone.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭7:24-30‬ ‭NLT‬‬

http://bible.com/116/mrk.7.24-30.nlt

This is the first time that Jesus outwardly recognized the faith of a person who was not a Jew. In fact, Jesus had gone to Tyre to get away and rest for awhile.

Tyre was actually home to a population that was hated by the Jews (and the population of Tyre generally hated the Jews also.) Jesus withdrew to Tyre to get away from the crowds. He probably figured that no one would have heard of Him yet in Tyre.

However, even in Gentile territory, there was a lady who knew who Jesus was, who had heard of Him and trusted that Jesus could heal her daughter. When Jesus said, “It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to the dogs;” he was challenging the woman to a game of wit. The term “dog” was actually used as a derogatory term which the Israelites used to describe the people of Tyre. But the word Jesus used here is actually a word for a small dog, a puppy. Jesus was saying to the woman, “I shouldn't heal you, I was sent first to help and guide the Jewish people. I cannot give my healings to people associated with enemies of the Jews.” This is what Jesus most likely meant when he said, “First let the children (referring to his Jewish people) eat all they want....for it isn't right to take the children's bread and feed it to the puppies (a puppy here is likely referring to someone born to the hated enemy, the dog.)

Gentiles, the enemy of the Jews, she recognized somehow in her spirit that Jesus was Lord. She called Jesus, “Lord;” and next she said, “even the little dogs get to eat the crumbs that fall off the children's table.” This lady meant, “Even just a crumb from you will be enough.”  When she said to Jesus, “even the dogs eat crumbs from the children's table;” she was, in effect saying, “We also need you.  We see that Jesus will respond to those who approach Him with faith.

What are some areas of your life where you need “just a bit of Jesus” to help you? Do some of those areas seem “too small” to ask Jesus to intercede? Or do you feel unworthy to ask Jesus for help in certain areas?

Perhaps if you aren't confident enough to pray for Christ's assistance in “small areas” of your life, maybe you will be confident to ask Jesus merely to send you some “crumbs” of his glory to help you in that area. Crumbs from the table of Christ are enough! You will want more, but one crumb from Jesus's powerful and holy glory is all it takes to transform you and the area of your life. It doesn't matter if you have been seen or been associated as an enemy of God's people in the past. Even the enemies of God will get glimpses of who Jesus is, and many will recognize their need for Him. And when they approach Jesus in prayer, and ask even just for “crumbs” with faith; Jesus will fully heal them spiritually as well. How will you pray to Jesus for His help in areas where you lack confidence that he cares or in areas you feel unworthy to request His helping hand?  #How Do I See God Working Today

Remember God loves you and so do I. 

A New Day

This is the day the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. (‭Psalms‬ ‭118‬:‭24‬ NLT)

The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. (‭Lamentations‬ ‭3‬:‭22-23‬ NLT)

I messed up yesterday. Have you ever said this or thought it?  Maybe you said the wrong words, or took the wrong turn, or loved the wrong person, or reacted the wrong way, or spoke when you should have listened, or walked when you should have waited, or judged when you should have trusted or indulged when you should have resisted. 

Okay, so you messed up yesterday. Don't let yesterday' mistakes sabotage today's attitude. God's mercies are new every morning.  We can learn a lesson from the forest in Washington State. Some of these trees are hundreds of years old.  These trees have surpassed the typical life span of 50-60 years.  Ever wondered what makes the difference?  Daily drenching rains, that keep the ground moist, the trees wet, and the lightning impotent. 

You can be struck by lightning, thunderbolts of regret that can consume you.  But you can counteract them with downpours of God's grace, daily washings of forgiveness.  Once a year, or once a month or even weekly will leave you dry.  You will be combustible.  You need a daily soaking. 

God's unconditional love is your hope.  When you mess up His loving kindness covers you with acceptance and forgiveness.  No matter how many times you fall short/miss the mark, you can trust yourself to God's mercy and know you will find His love.  He will never turn away from you when you fail. He will pick you up, dust you off, and set you back on the right path. He will guide along life's journey.  All you need is a solid soaking of God's grace and mercy every single day. 

I am so grateful for do overs, second changes that God blesses me with each new day. 

Remember God loves you and so do I.