relationships (Matthew 14:34-36) Don't Take For Granted

(Matthew 14:34-36)

34 When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret. 35 And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent word into all that surrounding region and brought to Him all who were sick; 36 and they pleaded with Him that they might just touch the border of His cloak; and all who touched it were cured.

TODAY'S TAKEAWAY

There are different viewpoints about how we approach the Lord.  Many people don't even regard God as a Being with a personality and feelings and desires, and only see Him as some vending machine in the sky, like... "oh, I need something, maybe if I 'put a coin in' and/or do something nice, and/or make some sort of motion, then make three wishes, all of my dreams will come true."  And as things don't happen, they grandly state that, "They tried it, but Christianity doesn't work!"  

Many people will look at Christianity as a religion to take seriously, and they will even serve God earnestly, but with the idea that they have to somehow earn their salvation, and/or God's favor.  But because we are born with a sinful nature, earning our way to heaven or earning God's favor is impossible.  And because it is all about having a personal relationship with the Lord, and the Lord desires that all come to know Him, He came to earth in flesh to pay the price.  He provided the way - the only way - to be saved (which is to be spiritually healed).  

This is the most important healing that anyone could ever have!  Another way to view this, is that salvation in Jesus is a reconciliation.  We humbly go to Him and repent, and He forgives us, for all eternity, so that as children of God, we can never be separated from Him!  While the Lord God has great compassion for all His children (all believers), when we get to heaven, we will be given glorified bodies, never to be sick or hurt again, and never to struggle with any type of sin ever again!

Meanwhile, here on earth, we will struggle, and because the Lord cares, and desires that we grow closer to Him in our personal relationship, He will help us.  Can the Lord God heal us physically?  Yes!  Can and will He still heal us physical?  Yes, but the question really should be - is it His will to do so?  Does it matter if we are struggling with our obedience?  Well, we know that God will allow different consequences into our lives, in order to draw us back to Him.  When we confess and choose to continue on in obedience, it is not a guarantee that God will remove these issues, but He will most certainly bless us with His joy, peace, strength, etc.  

God will allow various struggles into our lives, in order to draw us even closer to Him, as well as use these to help draw others to His kingdom!  Let's look at the apostle Paul as a good example, who definitely strived to live an obedient life... 

(2 Corinthians 12:7-9)  7 Because of the extraordinary greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! 8 Concerning this I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might leave me. 9 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.