Devotionals
“Jesus turned around, and when he saw her he said, ‘Daughter, be encouraged! Your faith has made you well.’ And the woman was healed at that moment.” Matthew 9:22
I have a motto that I abide by to (try to) keep myself on the straight and narrow in my walk with the Lord… Do you have one? I have scriptures too, but this one is just short and sweet and so powerful and impactful:
Trust & Obey.
Some days… I just have to repeat it to myself over and over and over! BUT – it keeps me focused on how to live my life for Christ. I know I will fail, I will make mistakes, but reminding myself on a daily basis to trust and obey in all areas of my life keeps me on the right path. Essentially, that is what we are called to do – Firstly, to have complete faith and trust in Jesus in everything, for everything. He wants us to fully and completely believe that he is in control and is orchestrating our life according to His will and plan (because He is!). Going “all in” and putting my faith and trust in the Lord completely regardless of circumstances, situations, or emotions is not only relieving, but empowering! My very Creator knows me better than I know myself, knows what is best for me, and has an amazing, fruit bearing plan for my life if I am willing to submit it to Him! I believe it with all my heart and surrender my trust and faith to Him on a daily basis – sometimes it’s difficult, sometimes my flesh leads me to doubt Him, but He always proves to me that He deserves my trust (even though He doesn’t need to earn it).
Secondly, in everything I do, think, say, write… I do my best to consider whether or not I am in obedience with the Lord. The Lord has proven to me SO many times that I can trust in Him no matter what, and He has also revealed the blessings and rewards of obedience. Our flesh, our emotions, our world – naturally draws us away from obedience to the Lord. Sometimes being obedient to Him goes against our very nature because we are human and man has fallen! But, with the wise guidance from godly women who have mentored me in my walk, and my determination to grow and nurture my relationship with Jesus in all areas of my life, there have been times when I have betrayed my flesh, gone against my emotions, denied my “self,” and did what God’s word tells me is right and God-honoring. I can say with all honesty that although I didn’t see or understand it at the time, God was calling me to obedience and working through my obedience to accomplish something in my life or in the life of those around me.
Do you struggle with Trust or Obedience? They kind of go hand in hand, in my eyes. If you fully and completely trust in the Lord, you have an automatic desire to be obedient to His word. And in order to be obedient, you HAVE to trust that the Lord is in control and leading and guiding you.
When Jesus was in Capernaum starting His ministry, a roman officer came up to Him and told Him his servant was paralyzed and in terrible pain. Jesus said, “I will come and heal him.” But the officer said, “I am not worthy to have you come into my home. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed.” Jesus commended this officer for his faith in the healing power of Jesus. In fact, the bible says that “Jesus was amazed!” After telling those who were following Him that He hadn’t seen “faith like this in all of Israel!,” Jesus says in Matthew 8:13, “Go back home. Because you believed, it has happened.” Why did Jesus do a mighty work in his life? Because the officer believed He could.
In the next chapter of Matthew, Jesus is approached by a woman who had suffered constant bleeding for 12 years! Trying to catch up to Jesus, she thought that maybe if she could just touch his robe, that she would be healed. Matthew 9:21-22 says, “Jesus turned around, and when he saw her he said, ‘Daughter, be encouraged! Your faith has made you well.’ And the woman was healed at that moment.” What made her well? It wasn’t just Jesus’s ability… but her FAITH in His ability.
Later on the chapter, Jesus was being followed by two blind men. They went right into the home where He was staying and Jesus asked them, “Do you believe I can make you see?” The two blind men replied, “Yes, Lord, we do.” Then Jesus touched their eyes and said, ‘Because of your faith, it will happen.’ Then their eyes were opened and they could see!” (Matthew 9:28-30). When the two men were begging Jesus to have mercy on them, the first thing Jesus asks them is “Do you BELIEVE?” And because they did, Jesus healed them. Jesus worked in their life because they BELIEVED in Him, and BELIEVED He could.
Is there something in your life that you wish Jesus would fix or change? If you, like the many men and women whom Jesus healed, were asked by Jesus, “Do you believe I can?” what would your answer be? How strong is your faith and trust in God in all areas of your life? Let me tell you this – He can handle it. He is able, He is willing – and He is waiting for you to fully and unwaveringly believe it.
So just as Jesus said… “Daughter! Be encouraged!” Your faith is very powerful! Jesus is asking if YOU fully trust and believe in His ability and willingness to work in and control your life! I promise you, He is much, much better at it than we are.
Website: Doves and Dandelions
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