Pursuing God when the ground is your viewpoint.

Looking at the Ground …

The story of the crippled woman.

Maybe from her thoughts..

“One Sabbath day, while Jesus was teaching in the synagogue, he encountered a seriously handicapped woman. She was crippled and had been doubled over for eighteen years. Her condition was caused by a demonic spirit of bondage that had left her unable to stand up straight. When Jesus saw her condition, he called her to him and gently laid his hands on her. Then he said, “Dear woman, you are free. I release you forever from this crippling spirit.” Instantly she stood straight and tall and overflowed with glorious praise to God!”

Luke 13:10-13 TPT

Eighteen. Long. Years…

Eighteen years is a very long time to only be able to see the ground or the floor… or people’s feet. The only way to look into someone’s eyes was if they got down on the ground and looked up at you. Eighteen long years. To be mocked and ridiculed. To have to eat bent over. Wracked with pain as my bones felt as if they were frozen into this grotesque angle.

The synagogue leaders insisted that I stay outside with all of the rest of the women. But I had to get to him. I’ve been hearing people talk about this man, this Nazarite, who had miraculous power to heal people. A few weeks ago the whole town was in an uproar, because this lady had been healed from an issue of blood after twelve years! And within the same hour, a 12 year old little girl was raised from the dead!

Perhaps, if I can just get into the synagogue where this man named Jesus is teaching, maybe he will have compassion on me.

Eighteen long years. I have not been able to stand straight and tall. I am so weary. So tormented by the anguish and pain. I can’t sleep. The demons torment my mind. Over and over again I hear in my head, “Your focus will be the ground for the rest of your life!” I want freedom! Oh Jesus, if you will but touch me.

So I slip in through the side entrance. Trying to make myself appear small. It wasn’t too hard since being doubled over makes me feel small anyway. I make my way and quietly listen to Jesus teaching. I cannot raise my head to see what He looks like, but His voice carries both authority but yet so much love.

Then Jesus became silent. I have been caught. Do I turn and shuffle out? No! I have came this far. Stooping even lower, “Dear Woman”. I stopped. He is talking to me! The love in His voice rang out as He commanded, “You are free! I release you from this demonic bondage!”

I feel a hand on my shoulder. Heat began to radiate from His hand.

Immediately, I heard cracking and popping. Where is that sound coming from? Then I realize it is coming from my very own body. My head began to raise. My back began to straighten! Slowly my hands can up in front of me. I tip my head back and I see the face of the Son of God! Jesus!!! Finally the last of the frozen bones gave way to an intense heat working its way up my body. I take a deep breath. And another and another. Then I praised Him. The praise came from a heart of freedom! The praise came from my inner being! Jesus healed me! Oh I praise you Jesus! I thank you and I glorify your name! I can’t stop and won’t stop thanking you!

I could hear a commotion from the rulers of the synagogue arguing with Jesus. But I continued to praise! I don’t have to look at peoples feet any longer! I can see their faces! I can feel the sunshine on my face! Thank you Jesus! Healing in my back and healing in my heart! I am free!

Shalom my friends, Renae

Pursuing God by loving your neighbor…

It’s a beautiful day here and spring has sprung! Today I was reading about the man in the Bible that we call the Good Samaritan. There are many timeless truths in this story Jesus told, but I want to share what hit home for me. Let’s revisit the story from the Word.

“And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 

He said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?” 

So he answered and said, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’ ” 

And He said to him, “You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.” 

But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 

Then Jesus answered and said: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 

Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. 

But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. 
So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 
On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’ 

So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?” 

And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭10:25-37‬ ‭

This scripture redefines our definition of neighbor. A neighbor isn’t necessarily someone who lives next door. We know that the priest and the Levite were religious people – the Samaritan was from a nearby city and did not generally mingle with the people of Jericho.

But the folks we would have thought would have stopped for someone who was broken and wounded, lying in a ditch, did not. In fact, they made sure to walk on the other side of the road. Ignoring the poor man’s cries and moans as he lay there bleeding.

The Samaritan however chose to stop his travels, he climbed into the ditch and pulled out the guy who was beaten. He immediately began first aid, cleaning the wounds, stopping the bleeding. Gently he put him on his horse and took him to the nearest inn and helped even more!

I love that the Samaritan didn’t ask the man who was beaten and wounded- what nationality are you? Are you Jewish? Do you believe like me? No! He immediately began caring for the man who had been beaten and robbed.

The next part is what really stands out today. The Samaritan gave money to the innkeeper to cover any additional expenses. In other words, it cost him something. First it costed him his time and effort to stop his travels and help this man. Then it costed him money at the inn.

Being a good neighbor will cost you something my friend. It costs us our time and effort and yes even at times our money. Being a good neighbor takes investment. It is good to save money and plan for retirement with your investments but it is even better to invest in people!

Let’s be intentional neighbors and good neighbors. Not just to the people we like, or who do good things for us. Be a good neighbor to those who may ridicule you, those who talk about you. Those who disagree with you. Show mercy abundantly. Go and do likewise as Jesus has said.

Shalom my friends!

Renae

Pursuing God in the Spring Season

I don’t know about you, but I am so ready for spring to fully arrive! After a tease of spring then bitter cold temps over the weekend AND snow, I am even more than ready!

You know we go through different seasons in our life too. Sometimes pursuing the Father in the winter seasons is actually a little easier because you have a desperation that drives you to His feet.

But what about the good season? The “spring” seasons where you are experiencing newness and God’s blessings and favor. One would think it would be a given to continue the pursuit of our Father, knowing He is the one who blesses us and opens doors for new things! But often times, we are so in awe of the new things and open doors that our pursuit is not as driving.

We need to pursue Him at all times, the good the bad and the in between. The mundane and the miraculous. Being consistent in our pursuit of God will bring consistent growth and maturity in Him.

So enjoy this new spring season of growth – both naturally and spiritually but continue to seek God first and foremost. Seeking Him is the answer to everything! (Thank you to a friend at church who reminded me of this!)