Today is day 4, of our “Vantage Point” Tenthdots from John 8:1-11.  Imagine for a moment that you are this woman caught in the act of adultery. You have been living a life far from God. You have been using your body to pay the bills. You know it’s illegal. You know the consequence of getting caught is death. You have seen other women stoned to death because of their choices. Today, the man who has come to see you again seems like he is hiding something. He is offering you more money than usual. He has come to you in the morning instead of the evening. You know something isn’t right, but you accept the money. The next thing you know, in the middle of your business, the door flies open–you are caught. Before you know it you are being hauled off.

“This slut’s going to pay for this” they laugh. Tears are rolling down your face. A couple of men pick up stones and ask, “How do you think this one’s going to feel. Cover yourself you whore.”

Your heart is racing as you think about your family and all your regrets. You wish you had a chance to change things but this time you have no excuses, no chance to explain yourself. For a moment fear rushes through your body. You burst in to tears again as you think about the stones hitting your body. Suddenly you realize they are taking you to the Temple. Of all the places! You know God will strike you for what you have done. You have avoided this place for years. As a girl you remember coming to the Temple but not now. A crowd is gathered around a man teaching. You are put into the center of it all. Your heart pounding so hard in your chest you can hardly breath.

  ”Teacher, this woman was caught sleeping with a man who isn’t her husband. The Law of Moses teaches that a woman like this should be stoned to death! What do you say?”

Sometimes I’m a bit a dense.  I think that’s why I love that God tells me the same thing so many different ways in His Word.  I need to keep hearing these things over and over and over again so that I’ll take them from my mind to my heart and live out what He commands.

I sure am glad God is patient.

PROGRESS:  Living for today, planning for tomorrow

Day 12 of 28 (start at day 1 by clicking HERE)

The Joseph Mindset:  Day 5

As you start to finish up this section on past pain, we hope you are starting to find God at work with your history of hurt.  Please don’t hear us minimizing any of your painful experiences or trying to trivialize the hurt you’ve endured.  But do hear us proclaiming the redemptive message of Christ and that through Him, your pain — no matter how deep or how hurtful — can be used for your good and His glory.  God can and will fulfill His grand purpose in your life as you learn to surrender everything — especially the pain of the past! — to His care.  Don’t give up.

I have prayed numerous times, for healing in my life and in the lives of those around me.  Only once, (that I remember) did I experience an instant healing.  A lady approached me after a performance I had given on Christmas Eve.  My body felt like junk.  My nose was running, I felt slightly feverish, and over all I was feeling blah.  She asked me three simple questions.  First, "Do you believe that Jesus can heal you?"  Quickly I said, "Yes."  "Do you want to be healed?"  I replied, "yes".  The final question was "When do you want to be healed?"  I answered, "now."  She prayed for me and I was healed.  Literally.  Even though this is a small miracle, in the grand scheme of things, God is amazing and still heals people!  He still intervenes in our lives!  He still and always will get ALL the GLORY!

I have prayed numerous times for healing in my life and in the lives of those around me. Only once (that I remember) did I experience an instant healing. A lady approached after a performance I had given on Christmas Eve. My body felt like junk. My nose was running, I felt slightly feverish, and over all I was blah. She asked me three simple questions. First, "Do you believe that Jesus can heal you?" Quickly I said, "Yes." "Do you want to be healed?" I replied, "yes." The final question was "When do you want to be healed?" I answered, "now." She prayed for me and I was healed. Literally. Even though this is a small miracle. God is amazing and still heals people. He still intervenes in our lives. He still and always will get ALL the GLORY! 

As you read this story remember God always has the power to heal. Sometimes He chooses to, sometimes He doesn’t. The choice is His.

Mark 8:22-26

They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. ²³He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, "Do you see anything?" ²⁴He looked up and said, "I see people; they look like trees walking around."²⁵Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. ²⁶Jesus sent him home, saying, "Don’t go into the village.

Every healing of Jesus is miraculous. But this one is more curious to me. It’s a little odd. He healed the man but Jesus touched the blind man’s eyes twice. The first time Jesus spat on the man’s eyes. Yes, spat. He touched the man’s eyes and the man didn’t see clearly. So Jesus touched Him again and the man’s sight was restored. Notice how the man begs for Jesus to touch him. What does Jesus do? He takes this man by the hand and walks with him outside the village. Was it a mile to get outside the village? Three? Ten? Regardless it’s a journey with Jesus this man would never forget.

1 Peter 5:7

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

If you have time go for a walk with Jesus today. Talk with Him. Enjoy His creation. Give all of your burdens to Him. Let Him touch you and heal you once again.

THINK about this passage. Take time to allow God to speak to you through His Word. Let it sink from your thoughts into your HEART.