Creating Godly Memories.

Good morning brothers and sisters. Good morning, everyone.

Don’t touch.

Don’t hug

Stand 6 ft apart or at least 3ft apart.

Many are losing hope and the joy of life is ebbing away, as they seek to battle the many challenges which they face. Memories of good times are fading, while the expectation of experiencing new ones is gradually disappearing. However, when persons are introduced to Jesus, when they have an opportunity to meet Jesus hope springs alive once more.

Matthew 8: 1-4

It was a rainy day. Rain everywhere, the dark clouds filling the sky were ominous but that was of little concern to me. The pain in my body was excruciating. Pus oozed from my sores, and I was miserable. I looked around in the cave where we were forced to live, and I saw others in various stages of the disease. Groans emanated here and there as someone turned and pressed on a womb causing pain, but too tired to get up at this time.

The rain was a blessing. It cooled the air, reducing the heat of the day.

Today was a special day. I had heard about a man called Jesus. They said that he was the Messiah, and it was said that, he could heal anything. I was so excited if I could meet this man, I could be healed it was said that he was a prophet sent from God. I told the others come let us go and see this man he could heal us of our disease, but they laughed at me. Oh yea, right they said. Be careful you are not stoned instead. It is better if you keep yourself quiet and remain here. Cast off from their family and society they had found comfort in each other and were content to rest of their lives in the wilderness.

They were in a stage of depression.

They had lost all hope.

They were in the stage of despair. But I was going to see Jesus.

There is a saying that misery loves company. People love to keep you down with them. Rather than get up and seek help, they would rather hold you back from seeking help for your self.

It was a long way to travel but, in my mind, it was short!

Hope beat strongly in my heart.

I could feel it pumping against my ribs as lion trying to escape from its cage.

I heard the commotion before I saw him. I was so afraid, as I shouted leper and my bell rang to warn those around that a leper was approaching, but I wasn't about to turn around.

I had to see Jesus and I saw him.

My knees became wobbly and I fell to the ground and worshipped the Messiah. The whole world stopped. I heard myself in a trembling voice say “ Lord .. if if you will ….you can make me clean.

My mind became black and void. Not a thought dared to enter as I waited for what seemed an eternity for the answer. Then, I felt a touch that took my breath away. I just could not believe it. he touch me and out of the darkness, out of the void I heard him say

“I am willing, be cleansed.”

I felt a tremor ran through my body.

I felt a strange sensation.

The sores were gone.

The white blotches were gone.

I felt strong.

I was healed.

I was so happy.

I was overjoyed.

My life had changed in an instant. I now can't see a future for myself I wish the others were here. My feet and hands no longer kept quiet, my hands went up and my feet went up and down, as my mouth yelled praises to Jehovah.

Shackled by a heavy burden,

'Neath a load of guilt and shame.

Then the hand of Jesus touched me,

And now I am no longer the same.

He touched me, Oh He touched me,

And oh the joy that floods my soul!

Something happened and now I know,

He touched me and made me whole.

Since I met this blessed Savior,

Since He cleansed and made me whole,

I will never cease to praise Him,

I'll shout it while eternity rolls.

When Jesus saw me.

He did not see a leper, he saw a man.

A man afflicted by a disease.

A man with a history and a possible future.

I became a person.

He could have spoken only and I would have been healed but he put the icing on the cake and touched me.

He went beyond that which was necessary. The touch of God was laid upon me and He created in me a memory that would never be forgotten.

Too often we group people and give them labels. ZR men, Policemen, prostitutes. We see them and judge them collectively, forgetting that each person is an individual, a person with a history, memories, and aspirations. A person who desires to be touched and to be loved. A soul to be reached for Jesus Christ.