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 the Father during painful seasons

Painful seasons of our life affects all of us. We will all go through something that will cause us to fall to our knees in brokenness and pain. We live in a world that imposes pain to all, no matter your social status, age or culture.

So how do we pursue God in the middle of a difficult, painful season? I have had some dark times in my life where I felt like breathing was a chore. Times when I felt I was wearing a heavy woolen coat that was soaking wet in the middle of summer. We all have been there.

I am sharing what has helped me and I realize that it isn’t a one size fits all. But during the dark times of my life, here are some things I have found to help.

Do not stop talking to God during your painful season.

Hebrews 4:16 Let us come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Turn off the distractions. Things like television and news can bring even more distress at times.
Find a trusted person to pray with you. Someone who will not share your pain with others and who will genuinely lift you to the Father.
Stay in the Word of God. Look up scriptures and write them on cards to keep in front of you. Grab a marker that can be erased and write scriptures on your mirror. God’s Word is seed and it will grow!
Speak those scriptures out loud in prayer! Personalize the Word and pray it over yourself daily. There are many resources available just by searching online.

Saturate your spirit with worship music. There are so many ways to keep worship playing in your home and your ears. Rest in His presence.
Rest physically when you can.

The last thing I will share at this time is this: Find someone else to reach out to. When we reach out to someone else when we are in pain ourselves, it takes the focus off us and shifts it to someone else. That could look like an encouraging text, buying coffee for the person behind you in the line at your favorite coffee shop, mailing a card, or other small things. This has been a huge help to me.

2 Corinthians 1:4 NLT
He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give the same comfort God has given us.

Hang in there my friend. There is hope. His name is Jesus. Don’t give up. Painful seasons will end. The most important thing is our continual pursuit of the Father in spite of any pain and brokenness we are experiencing. Continued pursuit of the Father will grow you and bring your walk into a new dimension with Him.

I will leave you with this verse.