He Heart Went Out to Her~

This DEVO was initially published in September 2013. Blessings~

Luke 7:11-14 “Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and His disciples and a large crowd went along with Him.  As He approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her.  When the Lord saw her, His heart went out to her and he said, ‘Don’t cry.’”

Recently my three nephews, ages one, three, and nine and my niece, age 11, spent the night.  Rayray was still living at home, her fiancé was hovering nearby, Hormone and my lovely daughter-in-law dropped by for a visit, my brother was also present as he was temporarily living with me, and Jorge, of course, the magnificent patriarch of our little family, was there too, and well, it was a little chaotic. 

My phone may or may not have rung; I’m not sure.  I can’t recall what, if anything was on the TV.   Somehow diapers were changed, and I am pretty sure I fed the kids at least once.  Poor things!  At one point we were playing with a large rubber spider, and I meant to hurl it at Jorge, but my aim stinks, and I hit the baby square in the head.  He didn’t even cry. (Do not tell his parents).  I was surrounded by 10 people, hardly a large crowd, but I could barely keep up. 

But notice how a large crowd was with Christ, and yet He “saw her.”

None of us should ever feel that Jesus has more important things to do than to address our needs.  You are the most important thing to Him, and even though it is a mystery, He focuses on each and every one of us as though we were the only ones in the crowd. 

I like to be seen every now and again.  I like to know that I matter.  That someone has noticed me.  That someone is thinking about me.  That I am significant.  That I am special. 

Our spouses, family, and friends provide a lot of the affirmation we need, but sometimes it’s not enough.  A large crowd was with the widow as well.  No doubt they were grieving with her and trying to comfort her.  But she needed more.  She needed Jesus Himself to see her pain and reach out to her, and He did. His heart always makes a beeline for those who are suffering.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Thank You that You are never too busy to notice us.  Thank You that nothing distracts You from helping us and reaching out to us.  We are grateful for the love and support of family and friends, but it is a joy and relief to know that You see us and that Your heart goes out to us.  We receive it! In Jesus’ name, AMEN~

Pressing on all Sides~

TGIF Greetings~

Earlier this week Hormone and Lis, along with another couple went to a concert.  At one point the crowd got a little excited and it turned into a mosh pit.  To her eternal credit, Lis safely participated from just outside the action – not necessarily being pushed but every once in a while giving a good shove to anyone who came near.  I thought that was so funny! But honestly, being in an excited crowd can be scary, and I don’t blame her.

Someone else who found herself in a crowd was the woman with the bleeding problem.  Jesus had just arrived on the scene and there were so many people around Him that they were “pushing and jostling him – pressing Him on all sides.” (Mark 5:24)

But that did not deter the woman.  Her need was bigger than the obstacles standing in her way, and so she fought her way through the hoards to touch Him.

What stands in the way of our reaching out to Jesus?

Sometimes it’s other folks, sometimes it’s our own busyness.  Frankly, sometimes it’s our own disinterest.  I know because it’s happened to me.  Yet, when there is a problem, I know where to go, and nothing can stand in my way!  Let us push through to Him today and everyday.  The Bible says that “the moment she touched Him, the flow of blood dried up.”  The same is true for us; the moment we come in contact with Him, good things always happen!

PRAYER: Dear Lord, No matter what, You are accessible.  There may be a lot of stuff going on, but You and Your power are always ready.  Thank You for receiving us into Your presence.  Whatever problem we face [insert request here], we ask You to dry it up!  In Jesus’ name, AMEN~