While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”
Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him.
Then Jesus ordered him, “Don’t tell anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.”
Luke 5: 12-14
LORD, IF YOU ARE WILLING…. I AM willing…..
How many of us have a special request of the Lord? How many have been petitioning God?
How many have asked Him if He was willing? God hears our requests, no matter how big or small. Scripture says: NOTHING IS TOO HARD or IMPOSSIBLE for Him! (Lk 1:37) Truth be told, our prayers will be answered!
You see, God wants to answer ALL of your prayers!
That was then, this is now! Jesus says: I am the same, yesterday, today and forever!
Back then there was this true story, a man with leprosy. He was an outcast, a pariah, a nobody to be concerned about. The only thing that the people were willing to do regarding this man, was move away from him, out of his presence, from his disease, his smell, and the grossness of his being. You see, leprosy is an infectious ulcerations ((open dry sores)) that cause disfigurement. It also causes the person to lose their digits. Not only a disease on the fingers and toes, but one throughout the body.
In the bible days, these people were considered “unclean.”
Not so, with our Lord! Hallelujah!
To Jesus, this man was going to bring GLORY to the Father!
This man’s faith got the attention of our Lord. His words “Lord, if you are willing…” was music to God’s ears!
If Jesus could fist pump a Y.E.S.!!!, I bet he would have… But my imagination tells me, He smiled real big, took the hand of the un-loved, un-wanted, and said, “I am willing.”
He healed him immediately! He LOVED this man’s faith, that he HONORED and was FAITHFUL to him. And, God being God, blessed this man, and made him clean! Hallelujah!!!
This is now… Our Father and, His precious Son, in addition to the Holy Spirit, are willing to bless the ones who are faithful in their faith, too! God is no respecter of persons! If He is “willing” to honor faith with the man who once had leprosy, do you think he will pass by your prayers, and not honor your faith or petition?
No! He is a good, good Father! He rests His favor up on the righteous. He gives us grace upon grace! He also gives us new mercies every single morning! This is our wonderful Father!
Jesus is willing to do…
Now, is your faith willing to DO, ((put into action)) what God requires of us, without wavering? Faith is the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen. We shouldn’t rely on the circumstance in front of us. Hallelujah! Because our hope is in our Lord, He is willing, to show us, that our circumstance is tiny compared to the BIG picture & the end result. God is willing! God wants your prayers answered! God wants my prayers answered!
We have to make a stand, and stand firm in our faith! We have to push (as if revolted) the circumstance, the burden, the sickness, the horror of the enemies schemes away, and TRUST our God, with our “willing faith” to come to Him, as the man with leprosy, and just believe! God will honor our faith. God will honor our stand. God will honor you if you purpose in your heart to set your face like a flint, ((trusting in my God)), I will not be disgraced, confounded, ashamed or humiliated! Is 50:7 Because God will help me! God will honor me! God will bless my faith with His YES!
God will say to you and I, “I am willing.” Hallelujah!
What a wonderful God we serve!
Jesus, thank you! Thank you for cleaning us all, because we have faith IN Your Word. You teach us here that nothing is too hard for you. You are a BIG BIG God, full of love and compassion toward Your children all across the earth, who love You! You want to honor the faith of the faithful, of the righteous, and Lord, even the sinner who needs you, who calls upon You. You want to show Your Glory across the earth! Let it be so, Lord, in Jesus name!
Thank you for this lesson of Love. Forgive our sins, Lord, and make us clean. Then Lord, I ask you to bless the prayers and petitions that have reached your ears. Honor the faith of each one of us who wait for, hope for, and expect You, Lord.
You stated in Your Word, that nothing is impossible to them who believe. And, that we can ask anything in your name, and that You will do it. Nothing is ever impossible for God. My prayers are significant to You, Lord. My cries will not go ignored. Your arm is not too short, nor Your ear deaf to my cries.
YOU ARE GOD, and there is NONE other! I am ((we are)) of God ((little children!)), and we matter to you. We are the unloved, ignored, beaten down ones. We are the poor. But You stated in Your Word…. blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven! Hallelujah!
We are Your people and the sheep of Your pasture. We are the LOVED! We are the BLESSED! We are the children of the Most High God, and guess what? Our prayers are nothing for You, Father! You smile down upon us, scoop us up in Your loving arms, kiss our boo boos, hug us tight, with your LOVE and Your BLESSINGS that rain down up on us. Because You are “willing” we can walk in faith, and not by sight and rest IN You. Thank you, that You are our hiding place. In Your presence is the fullness of Joy. Thank you! Your grace is sufficient for me! Hallelujah!!!
This is a prayer of thanks, and of victory, because YOU ARE WILLING Lord, to send Your Word to accomplish all You want! You will bear fruit in my life! You will answer all my prayers! Your perfect will always be done, on earth as it is in heaven! Your Word will prosper and not return to You void!
Why should I worry about a thing? In fact, it states in Your Word, not to be anxious for nothing!
So thank you, thank you, thank you! You are a good, good Father. That’s who You are. In Jesus name I pray. Amen
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