January 12
Gen 26:17-27 | PS 10:16-18 | Prov 3:9-10 | Matt 9:1-17
When you invite Jesus into a conversation you never know how Jesus will work through the parties to bless one another. The other day I was discussing with my patient how my vacation was cancelled due to a recent Covid infection. She explained to me that she lost her son, 45 years old, to Covid in the earlier days of the outbreak in April 4, 2020. She looked so afraid behind her masks, and I began to speak to her about the fearlessness that Jesus allows. She asked me if she would like to see her final text that she received from her son, just before being placed on the ventilator. She found it then handed it to me, as tears literally ran down my face. I'm paraphrasing, but he explained to his mother that she had nothing to fear, that he was at total peace, as he described, Jesus was literally sitting right next to him in the bed. That was it, his final words. She was the one who blessed me with this text. I went on to explain that though I understood her sadness at her loss, that she was given a cause for celebration that many don't receive. We discussed the importance of getting into God's word and developing a sincere relationship with her Savior. It was truly a heartwarming exchange. A testimony was shared by Vinnie Sciuto, one of the elders in our church, and the circumstances surrounding the loss of his son, Anthony, and how his faith took off as a result of his devastating loss. Interestingly, someone reading Vinnie's testimony recently lost her son, and reached out to him for comfort and guidance in her circumstances. We are vessels. God's Spirit is what is flowing. If we remain open we never know how the Spirit will blow and bless the parties involved.
A number of observations should be gained by reading through the characters in Genesis. Their stories are not polished and presented to make them look super spiritual. No, there is lying, deception, manipulation, etc. All too often we look at our imperfect families and wonder why. But once you get away from the window dressing of perfection, the reality is family life is difficult, relationships can be strained, and things often don't go according to the scripts that we wrote. If we read too quickly, it is easily missed just how long these characters actually went through their trials before being fulfilled. Both Abraham and Sarah, along with Isaac and Rebekah experienced over twenty years of infertility before their dreams of being parents were fulfilled. Both experienced famines, contentions with neighbors, and family strife. But through it all, God was refining them to be the people that He knew they could be. We also never know when those blessings will be offered. Matthew was despised. Being a tax collector was placed on the same level as a murderer, thief, and adulterer. Yet, we read in Matthew 9:9, "As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.” So he arose and followed Him." Just like that, his life was changed.
We read in James 1:2-4, "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." God is ready to do a work in you, are you open and ready for it? Do you realize your need for His blessing daily? We read in Matthew 9:12-13, "When Jesus heard that, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” Those who think they are well and lack nothing remain closed. It is only when we see ourselves, the sinners that we are, in need of HIs touch daily, that we are open to the blessing of the Great Physician. As we approach each day, it should not be in rigidity, but in openness as we read in Matthew 9:16-17, "No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; for the patch pulls away from the garment, and the tear is made worse. Nor do they put new wine into old wineskins, or else the wineskins break, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But they put new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.”" Invite Jesus everywhere. Invite Him into every conversation, every decision, every encounter, and see how the Savior of the world will work in your life to bless you and others.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: