October 22
Scripture of the day: "And a leper came to Him and bowed down before Him, and said, 'Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.' Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, saying, 'I am willing; be cleansed.' And immediately his leprosy was cleansed." Matthew 8:2-3
Thought of the day: A leper came to Jesus and bowed before Him. His bowing demonstrated submission and respect. His words revealed his heart ... "The things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart" Matthew 15:18. He addressed Jesus as Lord. He submitted to Him with the words "if You are willing". And he expressed his faith in the power of Jesus to heal him. Jesus touched him ... and said "I am willing; be cleansed." The leprosy was gone.
Challenge of the day: Think about what that leper's life had been like ... hopelessly diseased and outcast. His disease dragged him down in all ways. Then he met the Savior. The man's submission and faith opened the door for Jesus to heal him. And he was completely healed and cleansed. The disease was gone! Maybe the leprosy had been on his hands and feet. Think of the joy and relief he would have had as he looked at his healed fingers and toes. Or maybe it had been on his face. Think of the reaction he would have had as he looked at his reflection in some still pool. And he was free. He was free from all the limitations of leprosy. He could live his life as cleansed rather than as a leper. When you believed in Jesus you were healed of the disease of sin. Its guilt, stigma, and limitations are gone. Believe God's Word ... you are cleansed. Don't keep acting like you still have the disease. You are forgiven and cleansed ... act like it.
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