He is Willing

Don't forget the strategy at the bottom!
We want to help you actively practice what you are reading today!  
Let God move mightily in your life!

"And he fell on his face and implored him saying,
'If You are willing, You can make me clean."
Luke 5:12b
 
There are so many beautiful traditions celebrated in December, but one of my favorites is reading one chapter each day out of the book of Luke.  Twenty-four chapters culminates in reading about his ascension on Christmas Eve.  What a glorious way to prepare for Christmas day.
In the past, we have done this together with our kiddos, and even as they grown up and moved on, we've still tried to keep it as a tradition in some form or fashion. rediscovering the life of Jesus and His miracles each morning leading up to the celebration of His birth on Christmas Day, allows us to embrace the truth of this holiday season.

All the chapters are filled with the wisdom and glory of God, but I find it so fascinating how much is tucked into chapter five.  The miracles, the healings, the wisdom that Jesus was imparting to the masses that were following Him. So much in just one chapter.  And right in the midst of the beauty and miracles, there is harsh division and rumors beginning to swirl, from those who want to question His authority.
 Even when seeing with their own eyes.
Sometimes I feel like this is me in a nutshell.
 "Take all the great things that God is doing in your life, Julie and begin to question and judge them."
"Is it really God?"
"Do you really believe that?"
"Can He really transform that situation?"
"Could He really help you lose weight?  Really?"
But then I see this.  In all the healings.  In all the miracles, only one thing was required of those whom Jesus healed:  a boldness to go after it.
In verse twelve, a leper searches Jesus out when learning He has come to his city.  Once he finds him, this is what he says. "Lord, if you are willing, You can make me clean."
In verse nineteen, we find men so desperate to get a paralytic in front of Jesus, they lower him in through the roof.  Fisherman we are told in verse eleven, "forsook all and followed Him."
It's so simple, yet so profound.  Forsaking all.  Seeking Him out.  Getting where He is. Falling at the feet of Jesus, and recognising His power to make us clean.
Friend, if you are desperate for healing.  Come to Jesus.  Come with boldness and expectation.  Realizing that God and only God has the power to cleanse you as the Bible says "from all unrighteousness."
That means He can cleanse you from your unhealthy thinking.
He can cleanse you from your unhealthy relationship to food.
And make no mistake, He wants to.  Don't miss what Jesus says in response to the man with leprosy in verse thirteen.  "I am willing; be cleansed."  The Bible tells us that immediately the leprosy was gone.  Boldness causes Jesus to move on your behalf.  He understands that you're scared.  He realizes that your flesh is weak.  But know this above all else;  He wants to heal you.
He is willing.  Are You?

Let's Pray.
Dear God,
I am willing.  So many stories speak of the miracles of Jesus.  And all have one thing in common; a boldness for the person to believe.  In this season of believing in miracles, God I want to believe that Jesus can cleanse and heal me of my unhealthy relationship with food.  Help me to be bold.  Help me to go after the miracle of Jesus.  I'm grateful for the power He has in my life.  I will seek Him today and everyday!
In the mighty name of Jesus Christ I pray,
Amen

E4M DAILY STRATEGY
He is Willing.  Are You?
Living a healthier life does require a willingness on our part to look at food differently.
Consider the benefits of the following four foods, and attempt to implement them into your daily meal plan this week:

Cucumbers:  1 cup serving of cucumbers is just 16 calories.  Cucumbers are known for their ability to protect your skin against the effects of aging, fight inflammation in the body and reduce your risk of cancer.

Carrots: 1 cup of chopped carrots is about 50 calories.  They have been linked to lower cholesterol levels and improved eye health.

Broccoli: 1 cup of raw broccoli contains just 25 calories. Broccoli is known for it's immunity and collagen boosting benefits (can you say anti-wrinkle?)

Mini Sweet peppers: 1/2 cup mini-peppers is just 35 calories. They are linked to several health benefits, such as improved eye health and reduced risk of several chronic diseases.

Don't forget the strategy at the bottom!
We want to help you actively practice what you are reading today!  
Let God move mightily in your life!
He is Willing.  Are You?

"And he fell on his face and implored him saying,
'If You are willing, You can make me clean."
Luke 5:12b
 
There are so many beautiful traditions celebrated in December, but one of my favorites is reading one chapter each day out of the book of Luke.  Twenty-four chapters culminates in reading about his ascension on Christmas Eve.  What a glorious way to prepare for Christmas day.
In the past, we have done this together with our kiddos, and even as they grew and schedules became busy we still try to keep it as a tradition, rediscovering the life of Jesus and His miracles each morning leading up to the celebration of His birth on Christmas Day.

What struck me in my reading today was everything that was tucked into chapter five.  The miracles, the healings, the wisdom that Jesus was imparting to the masses that were following Him. So much in just one chapter.  And right in the midst of the beauty and miracles, there is harsh division and rumors beginning to swirl, from those who want to question His authority.
 Even when seeing with their own eyes.
Sometimes I feel like this is me in a nutshell.
 "Take all the great things that God is doing in your life, Julie and begin to question and judge them."
"Is it really God?"
"Do you really believe that?"
"Can he really deliver your brother from the pit he is in?"
"Could He really help you lose weight?  Really?"
But then I see this.  In all the healings.  In all the miracles, only one thing was required of those whom Jesus healed:  a boldness to go after it.
In verse twelve, a leper searches Jesus out when learning He has come to his city.  Once he finds him, this is what he says. "Lord, if you are willing, You can make me clean."
In verse nineteen, we find men so desperate to get a paralytic in front of Jesus, they lower him in through the roof.  Fisherman we are told in verse eleven, "forsook all and followed Him."
It's so simple, yet so profound.  Forsaking all.  Seeking Him out.  Getting where He is. Falling at the feet of Jesus, and recognising His power to make us clean.
Friend, if you are desperate for healing.  Come to Jesus.  Come with boldness and expectation.  Realizing that God and only God has the power to cleanse you as the Bible says "from all unrighteousness."
That means He can cleanse you from your unhealthy thinking.
He can cleanse you from your unhealthy relationship to food.
And make no mistake, He wants to.  Don't miss what Jesus says in response to the man with leprosy in verse thirteen.  "I am willing; be cleansed."  The Bible tells us that immediately the leprosy was gone.  Boldness causes Jesus to move on your behalf.  He understands that you're scared.  He realizes that your flesh is weak.  But know this above all else;  He wants to heal you.
He is willing.  Are You?

Let's Pray.
Dear God,
I am willing.  So many stories speak of the miracles of Jesus.  And all have one thing in common; a boldness for the person to believe.  In this season of believing in miracles, God I want to believe that Jesus can cleanse and heal me of my unhealthy relationship with food.  Help me to be bold.  Help me to go after the miracle of Jesus.  I'm grateful for the power He has in my life.  I will seek Him today and everyday!
In the mighty name of Jesus Christ I pray,
Amen

E4M DAILY STRATEGY
He is Willing.  Are You?
Living a healthier life does require a willingness on our part to look at food differently.
Consider the benefits of the following four foods, and attempt to implement them into your daily meal plan this week:

Cucumbers:  1 cup serving of cucumbers is just 16 calories.  Cucumbers are known for their ability to protect your skin against the effects of aging, fight inflammation in the body and reduce your risk of cancer.

Carrots: 1 cup of chopped carrots is about 50 calories.  They have been linked to lower cholesterol levels and improved eye health.

Broccoli: 1 cup of raw broccoli contains just 25 calories. Broccoli is known for it's immunity and collagen boosting benefits (can you say anti-wrinkle?)

Mini Sweet peppers: 1/2 cup mini-peppers is just 35 calories. They are linked to several health benefits, such as improved eye health and reduced risk of several chronic diseases.