Again, so much in Matthew 8! However, we will touch on just a couple of the teachings. Christ healing the lepers in the scriptures are a form of symbolism that when we repent our sins are forgiven. Lepers had to announce their own arrivla among people--it was highly contagious and no one wanted it. Lepers were outcasts, so bringing them back into the general population was difficult to do. It took great faith to walk forward among others. Just as it's hard for us to let go of the past and look forward...with a clean slate. Then the Centruion approaches, pleading with the LORD to heal his servant, "LORD, I am not worthy that thou shouldst come under my roof, but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed." Even Jesus is amazed at this request and strength of faith. "When Jesus heard it, he marveled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great fiath, no not in Israel." Can you imagine the things we could accomplish if only we had this kind of faith? Not winning the lottery or such, but moving forward emotionally in our lives. If we only had this faith to heal our own souls, we could rid ourselves of procrastination, of harboring anger, of questioning our own promptings, and the list goes on...We could be such a different person inside. That's the challenge for this lesson, what is it that you need to turn over to the LORD, to truly turn over and put faith to work. Studying for a test, and the ability to pass the test? The courage to change a part of one's personality that truly needs to change. "The Lord works from the inside out. The world works from the outside in. The world would take people out of the slums. Christ would take the slums out of the people, and then they would take themselves out of the slums. The world would mold men by changing their environment. Christ changes men, who then change their environment. The world would shape human behavoir, but Christ can change human nature." (Ezra Taft Benson) Chose one thing you need to change, just one thing...get up 15 minutes earlier to pray in private; get up 15 minutes earlier to read scriptures; turn off the television 15 minutes earlier to read scriptures; turn off the television 15 minutes earlier to do a quick clutter clean up of the house before bed...the list goes on and on. Do it for three or four weeks, everyday. It can be done, and if you need that extra help, get down on your knees and ask for it. (Maybe THAT is what you need, to have the faith to even ask.)
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Carolyn Bendall"After years of teaching people how to develop their 'outside' image; we realized the 'inner image' need just as much work. Let's take this journey together!" Archives
August 2022
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