He Gave

He Gave

This past week I was once again out in my garage praying and asking for direction from God. I just wanted to know what He wanted from me, what could I do for Him? Then He just spoke to me about going to the hospital. At first I did not understand… I trust Him for all my healing so why would I go to the hospital? Then He made it clear… I have faith for my physical well being and those in the hospital are in need, they need someone with faith to encourage and to lift them up. As I spent more time in prayer about this it was not really about me going to the hospital in reality, it was about looking to give what we have to those who do not have.

I thought about times when money was scarce and someone would come up and stick a check in our hands and it would be such a blessing. It let us know that God was looking out for us and that it would all be OK. This same thing is what takes place when he bless those around us when they are in need. It might be money, it might be food, it might be clothing, it might be a word of encouragement or any other number of ways to meet their need. To give them what they do not have.

As I thought even more on this I begin to look at the life of Jesus and realized He was constantly giving what others did not have. He loved people too much to leave them the way He found them.

11 Then he said, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but now I will go and wake him up.” 12 The disciples said, “Lord, if he is sleeping, he will soon get better!” 13 They thought Jesus meant Lazarus was simply sleeping, but Jesus meant Lazarus had died. 14 So he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead. 15 And for your sakes, I’m glad I wasn’t there, for now you will really believe. Come, let’s go see him.”

40 Jesus responded, “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?” 41 So they rolled the stone aside. Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, thank you for hearing me. 42 You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so that they will believe you sent me.” 43 Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in graveclothes, his face wrapped in a headcloth. Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him go!”John 11:11-15, 40-44

To Lazarus He gave life. Lazarus was dead and his life was over until Jesus came on the scene. Jesus called him out of that dead state to offer him a new chance at life. He still is doing the same thing today. He loves you too much to leave you the way you are.

22 When they arrived at Bethsaida, some people brought a blind man to Jesus, and they begged him to touch the man and heal him. 23 Jesus took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village. Then, spitting on the man’s eyes, he laid his hands on him and asked, “Can you see anything now?” 24 The man looked around. “Yes,” he said, “I see people, but I can’t see them very clearly. They look like trees walking around.” 25 Then Jesus placed his hands on the man’s eyes again, and his eyes were opened. His sight was completely restored, and he could see everything clearly. 26 Jesus sent him away, saying, “Don’t go back into the village on your way home.” Mark 8:22-26

To the blind He gave sight. The blind man was brought to Jesus and He healed him. How excited do you think the people who brought Him to Jesus were? To play a part even though small was a necessary role that helped to make a difference in his life forever. Who do you know that is blind? What part can you play in their life? Jesus loves them too much to leave them the way that they are.

29 Jesus returned to the Sea of Galilee and climbed a hill and sat down. 30 A vast crowd brought to him people who were lame, blind, crippled, those who couldn’t speak, and many others. They laid them before Jesus, and he healed them all. 31 The crowd was amazed! Those who hadn’t been able to speak were talking, the crippled were made well, the lame were walking, and the blind could see again! And they praised the God of Israel. Matthew 15:29-31