The man at the pulpit senses a presence that is familiar to him during his times alone in his secret place. As he looks over the congregation, he feels that this moment can not be brushed aside, much less ignored.. “Everyone, hold out your hands”, he says “and just receive”..
This portrays a moment in our life to where we need to be the partakers of this wonderful gift, “to freely receive”, which has been the desire of our Heavenly Father from the beginning of time.
I was awestruck this week at a lesson that was being taught from Matt. Chapter 10 where Jesus is speaking to his 12 disciples and gives them power over all the unclean spirits. He then says to them in verse 8, “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.” This was an astounding statement if you really look at in the way it is presented. Jesus is saying to them, “I am freely giving to you the anointing that I have, now go and walk in it, and freely give it away.
Have we postured ourselves in a manner that has allowed us to receive from our Lord? Ok, let me step out on a limb here for a moment…… Are we seeing a massive amount of people leave our presence or leave our churches just as sick and in as much bondage as when they came??? Because if we are, “and we do”, is it possible that there is something missing? Are we entering homes or hospitals with bed ridden individuals, and leaving them still in the same manner that they were in when we arrived?? Is it possible then, that what is missing is our “refusal” to receive? Whether the refusal is intentional or not, is it just simply a lack of unbelief on our part that God would give us something like this for free?
-Larry K. Dammerman-
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I always wondered why some churches have more handicap parking places than the grocery stores.
ReplyDeletePerhaps the church should have the parking spots called "Temporary Handicap Parking". Go in, come out healed, don't need that spot anymore.
Just a thought.......:)
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)
ReplyDeleteInteresting that we need grace, for boldness to approach that we might "receive" mercy. There is something that has been robbed from the assembly, and it is the knowledge of the nature of God. I believe we must re-learn the heart and intent of the Father towards his children....Yes, it is unbelief...not intentional arrogant unbelief, but the step-child kind of unbelief that says "He doesn't love me like that, to give me something of that kind of value." Oh to undo the lies of the enemy what freedom is there waiting for us, and those we encounte?
Thats a good thought Henri... I like it...
ReplyDeleteThe idea of positioning ourselves, our lives and our minds in such a way as to be open, vulnerable and transparent that we might receive the miraculous and wonderful - this is truly the heart of God. Folded arms and stubborn hearts create a barrier to the flow of the Spirit of God first into us and then out from us.
ReplyDeleteAnd yet, as Christina said, it is often the wounded heart that takes the position which they feels protects them from future harm - but in the process it prevents them from future healing. Unbelief, yes, but an unbelief based in an unrenewed mind, needing the transforming power of the Creator's voice.
Thank you !
ReplyDeleteI like your posts and I respect you in every way. But nonetheless I must say that there is one aspect of this that I disagree with. You make it seem that if God isn't doing miracles then it is because we just don't have enough faith. I see it as this, it takes more faith to go through suffering when God doesn't answer our prayers, than when He makes miracles happen. Sometimes God uses our suffering in ways to make us into people that are more like Him. God used His own Son's suffering to make our relationship with Him possible, why wouldn't He use our suffering in the same way? Suffering bonds people together in a way success fails to do. Keep in mind that the disciples didn't worship Jesus after He fed the 5,000 with a few loaves of bread and a few fish, they worshiped Him after being in the storm, and seeing Him walk on the water. It was Jesus in the midst of their troubles that made them worship. God loves enough to let us experience suffering, otherwise growth is inhibited to a great degree, if it is even possible at all without it. For me, the greatest times of growth, were during the times of greatest suffering. That's just my thoughts on that though, I'd be glad to hear your opinion, and I'm glad to be following Jesus with you.
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