When I read these verses this morning, I was moved. Moved by the power and love that Jesus shared to those in need and willing to receive. In this case it is a leper who needed cleansing.  However, there is more to this story than Jesus cleansing a leper. Oh, don’t get me wrong, the healing of a fatal disease is incredible enough. But there’s a lot more to it than that…something deeper than a physical healing…something that goes beyond what the eyes can see or mind can comprehend.

At the beginning of the verse we see that Jesus was being followed by large crowds of people. He wasn’t alone. Vast numbers, including His disciples, followed Him. Then “suddenly a man with leprosy approached Him.” Out of the blue, a man rushes up to Jesus. He wasn’t part of the crowd. He couldn’t be. He wasn’t allowed to be around other people. He was an outcast – deemed unclean. Not wanted. Socially unacceptable.  That’s why he suddenly appeared. He was probably lying low, waiting for just the right moment to make his move. Otherwise, someone would have caught him and sent him away.

And so he appears out of nowhere. Can you imagine what happened? The scriptures don’t come right out and say it, but can’t you visualize the crowd. Shocked. Disgusted. Horrified that this man, this leper would dare to show himself and dare to come into their territory. I’m sure they were scared too. Scared that they would catch what he had. Leprosy was incurable. An outright death sentence. It was an ugly, painful, contagious disease that literally caused your flesh to rot away leaving you maimed, disfigured, and separated from those you loved.  That is until Jesus came along. And this leper  knew that and that is why he showed up “suddenly”.

When the leper gets to Jesus, he kneels. He bows down in humble respect before the man he knows can help him and then he speaks. “Lord” he says, “if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.” He acknowledged the Lordship – the power of Jesus. He had faith – faith that he put into action and into words.

Now what happened next is the most amazing part of this whole story. Verse 3 : “Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” And instantly the leprosy disappeared.” Did you catch that?  No – not the healing part – the touching part? Jesus touched him. Think about the significance here. Jesus touched the leper. He could have just spoken the word. He could have just said, “Be healed,” without the touch and the leper would have been just as healed. But he first touched him. Jesus touched a man that society had deemed untouchable. He reached out to someone the world had shunned. He touched him.

This wasn’t about Jesus showing power – this was about Jesus showing compassion. He knew that this man had not felt the warmth, the love, the tenderness of a human touch for years. And Jesus knew that this leper needed to know and feel loved. He understood his needs. Jesus went beyond the physical need here. He went deeper. Straight to the heart. He touched the man, healing his wounds, his hurts, his insecurities, his inner pain. Jesus’ touch cleansed the leper from the inside out.

Do you need a touch from Jesus? Do you need to feel  warmth,  tenderness,  love,  and compassion from someone who truly understands what you are going through? Who truly cares about your feelings, and your needs? Then it’s time you meet the healer.  Go to Him. Call out to Him. Tell Him what you need.

Jesus can touch you. He is willing to reach out and make you whole; no matter how much the leprosy of sin has scarred you, mangled you, and messed up your life. He can cleanse you and heal you and give you a life brand new. He did it for the leper and he’ll do it for you. Just do what the leper did – Acknowledge Him. Trust Him. Ask Him. Trust me; you’ll never be the same!

I am pretty positive it was not effective being used in that way. Not effective at all, and the results probably weren’t too good either. That’s because that is not the purpose of an anchor.

In the same way, our lives were created to bring Glory to God. When we are using our lives for something other than that, the results won’t be so great. But when we live our lives completely for God…. not just a little…. but COMPLETELY! Then results will turn out AWESOME! More than Awesome!

True joy comes from God. And when you start praising Him, you will be filled with this true joy, and will never want to stop praising Him and bringing Him Glory.

Find your true happiness now! Stop what you are doing right now and praise Him and thank Him for EVERYTHING. No matter what you are feeling, or what you are going through… I can promise you, you will find joy in bringing God Glory.

Put YOUR WHOLE HEART into it! And remember.. God isn’t a feeling.. He is our Creator, our Father. Don’t wait until you “feel” God to talk to Him… that will only lead to discouragement… God is not a feeling, He is a reality.  But when you start to live for Him 100%, you will FEEL HIM and believe me, it’s a feeling you will never want to trade for anything.

God Bless!

“In everything give praise: for this is the purpose of God in Christ Jesus for you.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18

God asked Moses “What is that in your hand?” (Ex.4:2) to which Moses replied “A rod.” Now of  course God knew what it was, he just wanted to make sure Moses knew. But what happened  next is what is so profound. God told Moses to throw the rod down. To let it go. To give it to  Him. When Moses did the rod became a serpent and then of course that rod accompanied him  as he led the children of Israel out of Egypt. A simple man, with a simple rod, doing miraculous things because of a willingness to let go and let God!

You know, there are things right now that you are holding that God wants to use. Little things that could be great when touched by God’s power. So, what do you have that the Almighty could use? Are you willing to let it go? Are you willing to trust Him with it?

Just as there are things you are holding that God can use if you give them to Him, there are also things you are holding onto that God wants you to let go of . Things that are keeping you from following after God. Things that are keeping you from hearing Him, trusting Him, and knowing His will for your life. Are you holding on to something that is affecting your relationship with God? Something that is keeping you from the blessings God has for your life? Is it a relationship, a hurt, a fear, a grudge? What is that you may be refusing to let go of because it is familiar to you, something that you are used to carrying around with you for so long that you have become attached to it?

God is saying “Let it Go”. Let go of the past so the past will let go of you. Then and only then will you be able to live and enjoy the fullness of what God has for your life.

So, what are you holding on to? Do you have talents, ideas, dreams, abilities, thoughts, or desires that God could be using for His glory? Or do you have bitterness, unforgiveness, secrets, broken dreams, or spiritual ties with people that you know needs to be severed? God says Let it Go! The choice is yours, and so are the repercussions.

ALSO…Check out our new video blog “Meet the Band”. Scroll below for the link or click the “Meet the Band Videos” pic on the left , where you will have a chance to individually meet each member of Serving6 ” via video.

Special thanks to all of our fans for helping us make the TOP TEN in Toby Mac’s Rock the Camp contest! Scroll below to see a video of how a crazy, fanatical fan makes good on  his promise to “GET HIT BY A CAR IF SERVING6 MADE THE TOP 10.” We are sorry that we had to see him do this, but hey…a promise is a promise!

Thanks to all who became a fan as a result of the “Rock the Camp” contest. If you are not yet a “fan” please go to http://facebook.com/Serving6 and become a fan. From time to time we will be offering special downloads to those that do. Thanks again for all of your support.

Remember, it is NOT about us…it is ALL about Him. We are so honored to be able to share the hope of Christ through our music.  God bless you.