White as snow.
Isaiah chapter 1 verses 18-20.
"Come, let's talk this over!" says the Lord; no matter how deep the stain of your sins, I can take it out and make you as clean as freshly fallen snow. Even if you are stained as red as crimson, I can make you as white as wool! If you will only let Me help you, if you will only obey, then I will make you rich! But if you keep on turning your backs and refusing to listen to Me, you will be killed by your enemies; I, the Lord, have spoken."
In Matthew chapter 27, Jesus is accused, then whipped and handed over to the soldiers to be crucified. The soldiers take Him into the armory where He is stripped of His clothes and given a scarlet robe to wear. They made Him a crown of long thorns and placed a stick in His right hand. They knelt before Him in mockery, saying "Hail the King of the Jews." They spat on Him and beat Him on the head with the stick. When they were finished the took off the scarlet robe and put His own garment back on Him.
We can do a lot of foolish things that we regret doing. We can push them under the table thinking they have gone away and will not be spoken of again or maybe they become one of our laughing jokes of stupid things we did. The time will come again when what we regretted doing before happens again. All because we have not done anything to change ourselves which ends us in those situations. We are our own worst enemy, because we are the ones who continually place ourselves in jeopardy.
Addictions will always bring us down and the older we get, the easier they have an affect upon us. Our health, our relationships, our finances, all can be affected by following what we think is ok.
In Mark chapter 5, is the story of a woman who had been sick for twelve years with internal bleeding, and she thought that by touching a tassel of Jesus' robe she would be healed, and she was. Jesus knew that healing power had gone out from Him and looking at her said, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, healed of your disease."
In Mathew chapter 9 we find the story of a rabbi's daughter who had died and was being mourned over. With the funeral music playing, Jesus told them she was not dead and that they should get out of the home. They scoffed and sneered at Him. It says, "He took her by the hand and she jumped up and was alright again! The report of the wonderful miracle swept the entire country side."
Then in the same chapter is the story of two blind men who were following Him, shouting, "Have mercy on us." He asked them, "Do you believe I can make you see?" "Yes, Lord we do," they told Him. He said, "Because of your faith it will happen."
Then He met a man who could not speak because there was a demon was inside him. So Jesus cast out the demon, and instantly the man could talk. How the crowds marvelled! "Never in our lives have we seen anything like this," they exclaimed.
It has been many years since Jesus displayed His healing power, yet today there are stories of faith from people who believe they were healed by the power of Jesus. There is God and there is Jesus and there is a need for healing. Thousands suffer daily and will continue to suffer. But that does not mean you have to. God's offer to us, through Jesus, is the same today as it was before. Jesus can heal and all you need to do is believe He can. Talk to Him just as you would talk to anyone who you want something from.
We start out innocent, learning as we grow experiencing all the wonders, with its happiness and sadness combined into our lives. The older we get the more we realize what rejection and hurt can feel like. It toughens us as we try to live up to the expectations. Masking our true feelings with drugs or alcohol is a short term fix that blinds us and can cause a lot of added issues.
The crowds went to Jesus looking for hope. They wanted what He was offering. His healing power was what they wanted but they did not know or even care too much about where His power was coming from. If He was the Messiah why did He not just take down the government of the time and heal everyone of their faults?
John chapter 7 verses 40-46 say; When the crowds heard Him say this, some of them declared, "This man surely is the prophet who will come just before the Messiah." Others said, "He is the Messiah." Still others, "But He can't be! Will the Messiah come from Galilee? For the Scriptures clearly state that the Messiah will be born of the royal line of David, in Bethlehem, the village where David was born." So the crowd was divided about Him. And some wanted Him arrested, but no one touched Him. The Temple police who had been sent to arrest Him returned to the chief priests and Pharisees. "Why did you not bring him in?" they demanded. "He says such wonderful things!" they mumbled. "We have never heard anything like it."
I had no thought one way or another about Jesus or God. I went day to day living the best I could. I struggled. I went straight to the bar after work. I had alcohol and drugs at home, so I did not venture out much. I thought this was normal. I wanted someone in my life but the people I met were not right for me. I was easily influenced and taken advantage of. So I hid away. I was guarded, judgemental and suspicious.
There came a point when, sitting alone, in some depressed state, selfish about my feelings, that I thought of God. I needed something to change. I was 40 years old and everyday was the same. A haze that was going nowhere, way to fast.
I talked to the air, hoping that I would feel better about releasing what was built up inside me. I called out to God and found the healing power of Jesus.
Jesus was a man trying to tell everyone what He believed. He was innocent, dressed in normal clothing, and the people had a hard time accepting the things He did and spoke of. His clothes were stripped off and replaced with a scarlet robe, then before He died, His robe was replaced with His original garment.
We too start out innocent, and as we grow, life can take what was clean and turn it messy, filled with stains. Jesus was beaten down, we too get beaten down. He may have been beaten down but they gave Him back His original garments, God wants us to have a peaceful life, where we worship Him, thankful to Him for all He does for us. We are given, Jesus in all His glory, as God's Son, who took our sins upon Himself so that we can have somewhere to turn and see for ourselves that His claims are proven to be true. He gave us the Holy Spirit.
John chapter 7 verses 37-39 say, On the last day, the climax of the holidays, Jesus shouted to the crowds, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. For the Scriptures declare that rivers of living water shall flow from the inmost being of anyone who believes in Me."
He was speaking of the Holy Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in Him. The world can feel like it is crushing in around us, and the pain and suffering of health, can make us cry out. Our troubles can make us do things that are in survival mode.
We want out! We seek help! God is always there and is ready to help. Especially in your time of need, He has the opportunity that will help you. It is His choice and once you realize it was His wonderful love for you, that it was only by His wonderful grace and mercy, that He saw and listened to your sincere cries, then you will be thankful.
In Jeremiah chapter 42, the Israelites asked the prophet to pray to God and ask Him to show them what to do and where to go.
We too have that choice, because of God's love. God could just leave us alone but instead He has given us the Christ, who through Him we can find real life with God. Jesus was beat, and suffered through pain to the point of death. And He did it so that we could have somewhere to turn to. Our life may be stained red, but they can be white once again.
Call out to God. God knows you are coming to Him. Jesus is there to pick you up, and the Holy Spirit will show you God's love, mercy and grace upon your life.
Thank You Father for Jesus. Thank You for our place to turn to when we realize that there is no other place but the path that leads to You. The lost smile returns. 😊
Hebrews chapter 13 verse 6.
That is why we can say without any doubt or fear, "The Lord is my Helper and I am not afraid of anything that mere man can do to me."
Colossians chapter 3 verses 9 and 10.
Don't tell lies to each other; it was your old life with all it's wickedness that did that sort of thing; now it is dead and gone. You are living a brand new kind of life that is continually learning more and more of what is right, and trying constantly to be more and more like Christ who created this new life within you.
Romans chapter 12 verse 9-12.
Do not just pretend that you love others; really love them. Hate what is wrong. Stand on the side of the good. Love each other with brotherly affection and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy in your work but serve the Lord enthusiastically. Be glad for all God is planning for you. Be patient in trouble, and prayerful always.
Philippians chapter 2 verses 9-11.
Yet it was because of this that God raised Him up to the heights of heaven and gave Him a name which is above every other name, that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow in heaven and on earth, and under the earth, and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
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