God is willing and able!
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One afternoon, my husband Kenya’s cough worsened as he was battling a common cold. He didn’t have a fever, but his nose was runny and he just kept on hacking.
Poor thing.
Well, a fellow colleague learned he wasn’t feeling well and offered to help. They suggested something to remedy his cough: placing peppermint essential oil into a diffuser.
Hmmm, Kenya thought. That sounds strange.
But since they agreed to provide the essential oil and the diffuser, he figured, what could it hurt?
When the peppermint essential oil-infused steam from the diffuser permeated the office, something amazing happened. It helped clear Kenya’s nasal passages, relaxed the muscles of his windpipe, and stopped his cough completely. He was shocked that this remedy worked, as he had never heard of it before.
I witnessed the difference, too. And I’ll tell you, it was pretty remarkable. Now I pass this tip along to others because I’ve seen its effectiveness firsthand. And they tell others. That’s how the word about effective strategies and good news travels so fast.
Speaking of news traveling fast, when Jesus was on earth, before ascending back to Heaven to be with the Father, news about His powerful ministry spread like wildfire in a dry forest.
In Mark 1:40-45, a man with leprosy came to Jesus, begging on his knees, saying, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.”
Jesus, moved with compassion, reached out His hand and touched the man. What an amazing act of kindness! Lepers were outcasts. According to Leviticus 13:45, anyone with leprosy was required to wear torn clothes, leave their hair ungroomed, cover the lower part of their face and cry out, “Unclean! Unclean!”
Aside from leprosy being a terrible disease, there was an even worse stigma attached to it. It was a double whammy. But in response to the leper saying “if you are willing,” our loving Savior extended His hand and replied, “I am willing.”
Jesus then told him, “Be clean!”
Verse 42 says, “Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed.”
“Something you’ve been waiting on for a long time is about to happen immediately! God is commanding a turnaround.”
Wow! That was absolutely awesome, right? Indeed, it was. It was so awesome, in fact, that even though Jesus told the man in verse 44, “See that you don’t tell this to anyone,” the man couldn’t keep his healing a secret.
The Bible says in verse 45, “He went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news.” As a result of that, the Savior’s reputation spread, too. News of what Jesus had done traveled and He became so popular, Scripture says, “Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere.”
And still today, people all over the world are in pursuit of Christ. News continues to spread about His awesome power, ability to save, set free and heal the sin-sick soul. And I’m so glad that, even now, Jesus is just as willing and able to heal us. I am a living witness. He has healed my body!
No matter what you’re going through today, through this word, the Lord is reminding you that He is willing and able to do what you need to have done. He has all power. His compassion remains unfailing. He is able to do anything.
So take your burdens to the Lord. Don’t be ashamed. Don’t be discouraged. Don’t be worried. Don’t fret. Don’t give up on your faith in the sovereignty, wisdom and faithfulness of God. Don’t stop hoping. Don’t quit expecting to transition out of this low place into your place of destiny.
And remember that, if Jesus had compassion on a leper—an unclean outcast—He will surely have mercy on you. He is moved with compassion by your plight. He cares about every sorrow, struggle and situation you face. He sees your tears and He will dry them all.
This is your opportunity to lay your cares at His feet. He wants to heal you; He wants to restore you; He wants to mend you; He wants to elevate you; He wants to bless you; He wants to be your refuge; He wants to be your hope; He wants to be your strength; He wants to hold you up when the weight of the world is on your shoulders.
He is willing and able. All you have to do is come to Jesus. Let Him work things out for you. Let Him do what you don’t have the power to do.
To help you give it all over to the Lord who stands ready, willing and able to move for you, I’m stirring 1 Peter 5:7 GNT right into your cup of inspiration, which says, “Leave all your worries with him, because he cares for you.”
As you drink down the contents of your cup, drop every single burden you have been carrying at the feet of Jesus. Give Him your brokenness, your pain and all the cares of life. It delights Him to show you His goodness and bless you beyond your wildest imagination!
Now let’s pray.
God, I have been carrying far too many burdens, trying to figure things out on my own. As I walk with You, help me release everything that troubles me. And I believe will all my heart that You will release every blessing You have in store for me. In Jesus’ name, amen.
As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may today's cup of inspiration uplift, encourage, and empower you!
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