Nice & Wavy
Well-Known Member
This is my friend...a woman after God's own heart. I have known her for years and it's so awesome to see where the Lord has brought her today.
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By: Pastor Jill Sparrow
http://www.jillsparrow.com/?p=53#go_page_45
There was a woman….and she was desperate. For years she had been bound. She had given up. She was a hopeless case, or so everyone thought. This was just her lot in life. There was nothing more for her. She bought the lie. Until one day she heard the truth. She heard about a man named Jesus. This man had the power to heal the sick and set those in captivity free. Could it be true? A tiny spark of hope arose in her heart. She didn’t want to feel it. It scared her. The years of pain and torment had caused her to shut down. She stopped allowing herself to feel. It hurt too much. But this time was different. The hope refused to be pushed out. She looked at her door for what seemed like an eternity until she finally willed herself to take a step forward. That first step was harder than she thought, but she did it. It caused her hope to grow stronger. With each step she took, it grew. Of course the lies tried to press their way in. To crowd her mind and drown out any good thought like they always had. But today was different. She had hope. As she walked down the street she saw a crowd and knew He was there. Suddenly fear struck her. It took her breath away. “What if it’s too late for me? What if he finds out who I really am? The things I have done. The mistakes I’ve made.” She turned to go, and stumbled to the ground. She was weak from her illness, but even more so from the emotional energy it took to get this far. She looked up through tear-filled eyes and through the crowd she could see his feet. So close… With a burst of renewed hope, she whispered “If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well. (Matthew 9:21)” Suddenly she knew that was all she needed. Just one touch. That “if only” urged her forward. In the past it had been, “If only someone would love me.” “If only I had children.” “If only I were stronger.” Those “if only’s” drove her to pursue many things. Yet all it brought was loneliness, despair and sickness to her life. But this time was different. With the last bit of strength she could muster, she pressed forward through the crowd and touched the tip of his garment. Immediately she was healed. Just one touch from Him and she was never the same.
Beloved, what are you facing today. What are the “If only’s” that have driven you in the past? Are still driving you today? Would you let go of those “if only’s?” All that you are looking for is found in Jesus. Would you allow the cry of your heart be today, “If only I can have a fresh touch of His presence in my life.” I promise that you won’t be disappointed. All that you are looking for and need is found in Him. I have wasted a lot of time, energy and resources in my life, believe me. For many years I thought “If only I had this thing or that thing, then I would find joy.” Or “If only this or that would happen in my life then I would be free.” It wasn’t until I let go of all the other “If only’s” and made it my mission to pursue Him and let His healing touch and presence change me, did I experience true freedom. This is a pursuit I go on daily. Once you have experienced His healing touch and the freedom He brings, there is no other “if only.” There is just Him.
**************************************************
By: Pastor Jill Sparrow
http://www.jillsparrow.com/?p=53#go_page_45
There was a woman….and she was desperate. For years she had been bound. She had given up. She was a hopeless case, or so everyone thought. This was just her lot in life. There was nothing more for her. She bought the lie. Until one day she heard the truth. She heard about a man named Jesus. This man had the power to heal the sick and set those in captivity free. Could it be true? A tiny spark of hope arose in her heart. She didn’t want to feel it. It scared her. The years of pain and torment had caused her to shut down. She stopped allowing herself to feel. It hurt too much. But this time was different. The hope refused to be pushed out. She looked at her door for what seemed like an eternity until she finally willed herself to take a step forward. That first step was harder than she thought, but she did it. It caused her hope to grow stronger. With each step she took, it grew. Of course the lies tried to press their way in. To crowd her mind and drown out any good thought like they always had. But today was different. She had hope. As she walked down the street she saw a crowd and knew He was there. Suddenly fear struck her. It took her breath away. “What if it’s too late for me? What if he finds out who I really am? The things I have done. The mistakes I’ve made.” She turned to go, and stumbled to the ground. She was weak from her illness, but even more so from the emotional energy it took to get this far. She looked up through tear-filled eyes and through the crowd she could see his feet. So close… With a burst of renewed hope, she whispered “If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well. (Matthew 9:21)” Suddenly she knew that was all she needed. Just one touch. That “if only” urged her forward. In the past it had been, “If only someone would love me.” “If only I had children.” “If only I were stronger.” Those “if only’s” drove her to pursue many things. Yet all it brought was loneliness, despair and sickness to her life. But this time was different. With the last bit of strength she could muster, she pressed forward through the crowd and touched the tip of his garment. Immediately she was healed. Just one touch from Him and she was never the same.
Beloved, what are you facing today. What are the “If only’s” that have driven you in the past? Are still driving you today? Would you let go of those “if only’s?” All that you are looking for is found in Jesus. Would you allow the cry of your heart be today, “If only I can have a fresh touch of His presence in my life.” I promise that you won’t be disappointed. All that you are looking for and need is found in Him. I have wasted a lot of time, energy and resources in my life, believe me. For many years I thought “If only I had this thing or that thing, then I would find joy.” Or “If only this or that would happen in my life then I would be free.” It wasn’t until I let go of all the other “If only’s” and made it my mission to pursue Him and let His healing touch and presence change me, did I experience true freedom. This is a pursuit I go on daily. Once you have experienced His healing touch and the freedom He brings, there is no other “if only.” There is just Him.
“No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame…” Proverbs 25:3a
Questions to ponder today: What are the “if only’s” I need to let go of today? What do I need to do to pursue Him?
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