Being All In

Make 2014 a year of Sharing

“Therefore I encourage you to take some food, for this is for your preservation, for not a hair from the head of any of you will perish.” – Acts 27:34

The pains were only minutes apart and the pressure was intense as they got into the car.  He brought the bag and she grabbed the cellphone.  Tonight was the night their life would change, and the 2 of them would become 3.  With nervousness he sped through the traffic as his wife laid her seat back and breathed in short exhales.  As he sped through the red light, he knew it was a mistake, but she was screaming and in pain.  The light changed to red just before he entered the intersection and he pressed the gas, the hospital was less than a mile away now.  As he came through the intersection he looked in his rearview mirror only to see the reds and blues of a police car right behind him.  Without abandon he pressed on.  He was on a mission and had to get his wife to the hospital, the policeman was going to have to wait.  He pulled up to the curb with the policeman right behind him.  The young man ran around the car, grabbed the wheelchair and helped his wife into it as the policeman walked up to him.  A nurse came out of the door, and wheeled her away as the young man was bent over the front hood of his car, and cuffs were placed on his wrists.  He yelled, “I love you babe.” as she disappeared into the hospital. 

The policeman then stood him back.  “What the @#$@# are you doing driving like that through my town?”, the officer asked him. 

“Well you see Sir, when God says it’s time to bring a new life into the world, I don’t want to be the one to stand in His way.”, was all he could reply. 

“You’ve violated at least 4 different traffic laws and endangered every pedestrian and motor vehicle on the road tonight.  You could serve 5 years in prison.”, commented the policeman as his voice softened. 

“Yes Sir, I realize that there were risks, but I also realize that God has incredible plans for that baby and it all begins tonight.  I sure don’t want to miss the first 5 years of the incredible journey God’s planned for him or her, if there’s anything you can do about that.”

With a smile, the officer turned him around and removed the hand cuffs.  “Go park your car before I give you a ticket for double parking, and get in there with the lovely wife and baby.  Good luck son, and be much more careful on the drive home.”  And with that he shook his hand and returned to his squad car.

God has a plan for each and every one of you.  There is not a man on this earth that can stop it from happening if you are fully in it with God.  In Acts 27 we find Paul, the Apostle, a prisoner on a ship being tossed in the Mediterranean Sea.  The ship was breaking apart and certain to sink, while Paul held firm to the fact that God wanted him to stand before Caesar.  He knew without a doubt that God had set up his arrest and this sentencing for the exact purpose of getting His message to the Roman Emperor.  Paul’s life was spared on numerous occasions after his conversion.  God had incredible things to do with him and surrounded him with protection in miraculous ways.  Why do you believe He wouldn’t do the same for you?  Do you believe God values your life less than He did Paul?  Hardly.  Perhaps we should consider that Paul was 100% in though, and fully embraced his purpose.  Just imagine what you could do for this world if you did the same. 

© Sondove Enterprises, 2014
For more Daily Thoughts go to: http://sondove.blogspot.com
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A Little Faith Goes a Long Way

Read It, Learn It, Live It, Share It

“And a woman who had been suffering from a hemorrhage for twelve years, came up behind Him and touched the fringe of His cloak; for she was saying to herself, “If I only touch His garment, I will get well.”  But Jesus turning and seeing her said, “Daughter, take courage; your faith has made you well.” At once the woman was made well.” – Matthew 9:20-22

It was sweltering in the heat of the mid-afternoon sun.  There was excitement in the air and festivities in every direction that you could look.  The people crowded around and pressed in upon my arms and a few even stepped on my toes inadvertently as we traveled together.  Many were dressed in yellow and green, and it seemed even more were dressed in red and white.  These colors represented their loyalty, their allegiance to their teams.  The train left the station and it seemed as though it would take no more passengers, but at the next four stops more people boarded and pressed in on those who were already on board.  As the train lunged forward again the people in mass would sway backward with the acceleration.  I looked for one of those I was traveling with and tried to pry my way through the crowd to his side.  I realized soon that the attempt would be futile as trying to move amongst the people had become impossible.  Eventually we arrived at the Stadium Australia in Sydney and the crowds pushed off of the train with yelling and cheering for their respective teams.  Without intent we were moved along with the crowd until the area opened up enough to step to the side, where we watched the sea of people walking toward the entrance gates.

Can you imagine this environment?  Now place Jesus Christ in the middle of that sea of people, and imagine how difficult it would be for this woman to push through the crowd to reach His side.  Her determination is driven by the realization and faith that the reward is within reach.  Her requirement for healing is beyond medical knowledge or human capabilities, and has plagued her for 12 years.  Her faith is not derived from any inherent knowledge of who Jesus is, but by the Father placing it within her.  Nothing could stand in her way of reaching the edge of His garment and being restored by His authority.

Jesus calls her out of the crowd without having heard an audible voice.  He commends her for her faith and responds to her thoughts.  His grace flows over her in a visible manner that cannot be denied by any of those within that crowded street.  He delivers her from her situation with glory to the Father, not unto Himself.  He recognizes that her faith comes from God and it is that faith that in turn has made her whole, not the physical touch of His garment.  Her persistent faith, undistracted, undenied and determined is what caused her to press on and be healed by the Messiah, the Son of God.

What is ailing you?  If Jesus Christ were walking the streets of your home town, what is it you would seek Him for healing?  He did not say “by touching me you are made well.”, He said, “your faith has made you well.”  The healing presence of God is as real today as it was nearly 2000 years ago.  The choice is completely yours.  Do you believe that God wants for you to be healed or you do you believe it’s just a story?  There is testimony after testimony after testimony where people over the centuries have stated the reality of God’s miraculous healing.  It could be a coincident or it could be a strong faith and belief in something beyond our normal medical mindset.   I cannot promise healing in your situation, but I can promise that God does heal and still performs miracles amongst us this very day.
             

© Sondove Enterprises, 2013
For more Daily Thoughts go to: http://sondove.blogspot.com