Amazed by Faith

My New Year's resolution was to start reading my Bible on a more regular basis. I've been slacking off in studying God's word and I've been convicted to change that act of laziness in my spiritual walk with the Lord. So recently, I started in the book of Matthew and am reading a chapter a day.

When I got to chapter 8, a certain story, one I've read many times in past readings, stuck out to me like never before. It's the story of a Roman officer approaching Jesus on behalf of his young servant. Here's the story:

When Jesus returned to Capernaum, a Roman officer came and pleaded with Him, "Lord, my young servant lies in bed, paralyzed and in terrible pain."

Jesus said, "I will come and heal him."

But the officer said, Lord, I am not worthy to have you come into my home. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed. I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, 'Go,' and they go, or 'Come,' and they come. And if I say to my slaves, 'Do this,' they do it."

When Jesus heard this, He was amazed. Turning to those who were following Him, He said, "I tell you the truth, I haven't seen faith like this in all Israel! And I tell you this, that many Gentiles will come from all over the world--from east and west--and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the feast in the Kingdom of Heaven. But many Israelites--those for whom the Kingdom was prepared--will be thrown into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

Then Jesus said to the Roman officer, "Go back home. Because you believed, it has happened." And the young servant was healed that same hour.

What struck me from that story was the fact that there is something that can still amaze Jesus. He who is all knowing, all seeing, who created the heavens and the earth, who is the Alpha and the Omega (the Beginning and the End) can still be amazed.

And what was it He was amazed by? A simple act of faith by a Roman officer. The fact that the officer believed that Jesus was who He said He was and that He could simply give a command and a person would be healed.

It wasn't his good deeds, or some long-winded wordy prayer he prayed. It wasn't because he went to church everyday, or had been baptized--it was because of His faith that Jesus would heal his servant.

There are many other stories in the Bible of people coming to Jesus in faith and having Him heal themselves or a loved one. It was because of their faith, that they were healed.

I just want those of you out there who do not have a personal relationship with Jesus, to know that all you have to do is to step out in faith and believe that Jesus is who He says is and He will do what He says He will do. His Word says: For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever BELIEVES in Him, will NOT perish, but have EVERLASTING LIFE. (John 3:16)

Believe it! Jesus is waiting for you to take his outstretched nail-pierced hand--a hand that was pierced for you! He wants to wash away every stain, every blemish, every impurity, every sinful act or thought you have commited and give you a life everlasting.

He wants you to come to Him just as you are--you don't have to "clean" yourself up for Him, it's impossible. You don't have to say some longwinded prayer with big words. You don't have to earn your way by doing good deeds to get to Him. Simply believe in Him and tell Him you want a life with Him. Tell Him your sorry for your sins and invite Him into your heart, because He doesn't push His way into peoples lives if He's not wanted.

I pray that your New Year's resolution will be to amaze Him with your faith. If you're struggling with finances--then hand them over to Him and then wait on Him to help you out--I've seen this happen in my own life. He gives us just what we need when we need it. If it's something else you struggle with, tell Him about it and give it over for Him to take care of. Believe He will do it--in His perfect time and in His perfect way.

God Bless and Happy New Year everyone!

Love in Christ Jesus,
Alyssa