Persistent Pursuit

“What do you want Me to do for you?” “Lord,” he said, “I want to see!” And Jesus said, “All right, receive your sight! Your faith has healed you.” – (Luke 18:41-42, NLT)

 

“What do you want Me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, I want to see again.” Jesus said to him, “You can see now. You are healed because you believed.” – (Luke 18:41-42, ERV)

 

Jesus: What do you want Me to do for you?

Blind Man: Lord, let me receive my sight.

Jesus: Receive your sight; your faith has made you well. – (Luke 18:41-42, VOICE)

 

I so appreciate this story about the blind beggar and his exchange with Jesus that led to his healing. The blind man could have sat in silence and kept to himself, yet, he had heard word of this man, Jesus, who had healed others. Somehow, in the depth of his heart, the blind man realized that he had nothing to lose and everything to gain. Hope gave him strength of heart and voice to keep calling out to Jesus from the side of the road, despite the disciples and passersby attempt to keep him quiet. When Jesus saw the persistence of the blind man, He stopped and gave him His undivided attention. In a brief, but intentional exchange, Jesus asked the man what he wanted, and healed him because he had believed. Imagine if we called out to Jesus in the same way… May we go to God without hesitation, trusting that He has the power to do insurmountably more than we could ever hope or imagine as we surrender ourselves and our need to Him.

 

When we go to God, 

And choose to believe;

He moves mightily,

As grace is received.

For if we ask not,

How can we receive?

It is by our faith,

We learn to believe.

All that is required,

Is but a small seed;

For hope to grow faith,

God grants what we need.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You hear our cries for Your help, and You are ready to meet our needs. Thank You that all that is required of us is faithful pursuit of You. Forgive us for allowing what we see or think we know about our circumstances or those around us to get in the way of our asking in faith. Teach us to trust You more, as You are far greater than anything that we face. Show us how to love those around us in a way that grants hope and strength, so that they too see the hope that is held in You. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we persistently pursue You with unflappable faith. Amen.

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

 

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. – Psalm 23:6

Persistently Pursue in Praise

A blind beggar on the side of the road was calling out to Jesus. People tried to silence him, but he shouted all the louder. His persistence captured the attention of Jesus, and the following exchange took place:

Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?”

“Lord, I want to see,” he replied.

Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God. – (Luke 18:40-42)

When we know what we need from the Lord, and we persist in our pursuit of Him, He moves mightily and miracles take place. The challenge is that we not give up when our circumstances or surroundings tell us to be silent. Faith requires us to keep calling out, even when all seems impossible in our own eyes. As we are willing to keep pressing in, we make room for God to move. The moment we are aware of His touch, or His acting on our behalf, we ought to respond with thanks and praise. When we do, others too, have the opportunity to become aware of His faithfulness, and express their gratitude as well. May we have a persistent faith that refuses to be silenced, even when the world around us would tell us there is no hope; for in Christ, our hope brings healing and health and wholeness.

When we are but blind,

and needing to see;

our charge is to call,

on Christ to be free.

For only through Him,

will we truly find;

freedom for body,

heart, spirit and mind.

We must choose press in,

no matter what’s said;

let faith fill our hearts,

chase doubt from our heads.

With all that we are,

let us offer praise;

so others may know,

the Ancient of Days.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You meet us with Your love as we call on You in faith. Thank You that when we seek You, we find You. Thank You that You are merciful and kind, and that You love us back to life, despite how we come before You. Forgive us for our lack of faith or persistence, and teach us to trust You more, so that we would have the faith of the blind beggar that is relentless, regardless of what those around us might say. Lead us to love others generously and faithfully, so that they might see You in us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we persist in our pursuit of You, and give You all of our praise. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present.

God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me. – Genesis 21:6

To Tell Our Tale

image by Leslie Green

We all have a story,

that we know very well;

our personal glory,

as He saved us from hell.

Do not fear the unknown,

for we are free to say,

I don’t know that, but this –

let me tell you today.

For that which God has done,

to set us free from sin,

is worth our repeating;

to bear witness again.

Think of the blind beggar,

with smeared mud on his eyes;

to whom Jesus came near,

brand new hope realized.

Though each story varies,

three truths remain the same:

messy life; God came near;

then forever life changed.

May the God of all strength,

always receive glory,

as we point hearts to Him,

in faith, share our story.

(Responding to Sunday’s message at www.gcfw.org and Romans 15:5-6)

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that we all have our own story to tell of how “our life was a mess; You came near; and now we are different.”  Forgive us for thinking our story is insignificant, or for being afraid to share.  Grant us courage and clarity, so that we will follow Your leading as to what and when to share with whom.  May our hearts be open and willing at all times, and may our story be told to bring lives unto You, for Your ultimate glory.  Help us to love like You, so that people see You in us.  May our lives speak of Your goodness and grace as we choose to walk forward in faith.  Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

The Sight of A Blind Man

image by Brian K. Rice

As Jesus approached Jericho,
a blind man asked who was going by.
When they told him, Jesus of Nazareth,
“Jesus, Son of David,” he did cry.
“Have mercy on me,” the beggar yelled,
the crowd replied with firm rebuke.
So louder he called out to Christ,
as this story tells us in Luke.
Jesus, full of compassion,
stopped and ordered him brought near.
He asked him what he wanted.
“My sight,” he said without fear.
Jesus said, “Receive your sight,
for your faith has healed you.”
The sight of that blind beggar
seems to have been the clearest view.
For when we look by faith,
instead of what is seen,
our view becomes the clearest,
to learn what true faith means.
(Response to Luke 18:35-42)

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that true sight is not dependant on what our eyes can see, but rather on what You reveal to our hearts. Teach us to trust You and Your character, rather than how things around us appear. Forgive us for relying on our own vision, as we are all a bit blind to what You have in store for each of us. Help our hearts hold the hope of our heavenly home, and may we live out our days with our eyes on that prize, rather than on that which is temporary. Lead us in love, so that we may walk by faith and not by sight. As we walk, use our willing obedience to touch hearts and transform communities, so that all eyes may truly see You. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present