There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and
whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 1 John 4:18
Leprosy is a contagious disease that affects the skin, mucous membranes, and nerves, causing discoloration and lumps on the skin and, in severe cases, disfigurement and deformities. Leprosy is now mainly confined to tropical Africa and Asia.
The word leprosy is mentioned in the Bible 40 times.
You may think what an odd word to study? Not really? When we look at the person and not the disease... It becomes a word that rings a familiar sound. My heart bleeds for the souls that are affected by something that they are not truly in control of but suffer in silence. Some wounds scar deeply at the hands of others. These actions may cause more pain than the disease or issue itself.
Do we look past the pain and truly see the person? Do we look into their eyes? Do we even take the time to understand? Or are we callous and or fearful humans and turn away!!! When we turn away we are labeling them as a “leper”. It’s this action that can wound their heart and can crush their soul! Where did the caring hearts go??
We must take a moment and think less of self and ask ourselves, are we wounding someone’s heart with words or actions? Are these words and actions in our control? Was our behavior towards them unjust? The biggest question becomes did it pass the litmus test through God's teachings?
I do believe we have all had at least one time in our life where we may have turned away from the possibility of making a difference.
In reality, it is a lack of compassion, understanding, and love.
I also believe at some point in this journey of life, someone has made us feel like the “leper’ ... There are times that life circumstances may have placed us in situations beyond our control. Leaving us bewildered and confused and doing the best we can with the situation we are given.
However, we may run into those uncaring hearts that make us feel as if we have a disease that they did not want to catch. I feel it truly is a great loss for all parties. And you may have missed getting one step closer to feeling one of the most incredible loves you could ever experience. It’s a love that goes beyond our own understanding.
When you have been made to feel like a "leper" you will find that there is always a special soul that is ready with an open heart to embrace this love !! This soul will have no hidden agenda. They will look into your eyes, and see who you truly are. And they will stay because they are a gift from God and came to love and cheer you on, as you heal and grow. They will show you love deeper than you can ever imagine.
I think we must do a better job in how we care, communicate, and love... Don’t turn away, be supportive. Try walking just one day in their shoes... Your understanding may grow. Your compassion may grow. Your LOVE may grow. It just takes one text, one phone call, one visit to show you care...
But if you find the need to turn away. Just remember life goes on, the stories change, and the tables turn. And one day you may walk in the “lepers” shoes…
Jesus is the perfect role model!
He never turned away. As a matter of fact, many of His miracles can be witnessed in the life of the leper!He can heal the disease. He can heal the issue. He can heal our souls! He can heal hearts!
Miracles happen when we put our trust in Him.
It’s Him It’s always Him!! Jesus is a friend for LIFE !!!
And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. Mark 1:40-42
“And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.” Matthew 8:2-3 KJV
The sea within the sphere holds many secrets. The mystery can be unlocked if you listen with your soul. (lg)
For those of you who have been following my journey, you know my meditations sometimes unfold stories that end in some type of lesson. I will set the stage and share this moment from my heart and soul.
I meditate to music. The song I used that day was 852hz Unconditional LOVE by Solfeggio.
I kicked back into a comfortable position in my chair, arms opened and stretched out palms up. As I started to relax in the moment, my mind drifted here.
I found myself standing at the end of a glass floor. Located in space I could see the beauty and feel the quietness that filled the darkness that surrounded me. I could see galaxy’s, planets and stars and the Earth in the distance. She was turning very slowly in a loving rhythm that her Creator placed upon her.
Jesus was floating in space in front of me. He was dressed in a white robe like I always think of Him... He looked at me and smiled... and said “jump”. I became fearful, my heart started to race, my palms began to sweat, and tears began to trickle down my cheeks... He said, “Don’t be afraid... I am here ... Do you trust me?” I nodded my head, yes, But I could not move, I felt a weight holding me down. He again said, “Do you trust me???”
Then the image I was watching started to unfold in slow motion ... I began to slowly move into a position much like an Olympic swimmer ready to jump into the water for the race of their life... And again He said, “Do you trust me ??” And on that question, my feet left the platform where I stood... I slowly moved through the air in slow deliberate motion and landed in Jesus’s open arms ...
He wrapped his arms around me and held me safely there for a few moments ... He then grabbed my arms and slowly removed my arms from around His neck... He pulled away His piercing blue eyes held my sight in a mesmerizing type gaze, And again He said, “Do you trust me?” With those words, my hands slid down and dropped by my side... And he smiled, with the biggest most amazing smile.
I felt a freedom in my soul and my heartfelt a love that I could not describe. He then offered me His hand to hold. And we began to float through the vastness of space where He pointed to the stars and planets and began to teach me about our universe... and the music the mediation slowly faded. He WOW’s me.
Lesson: TRUST Him
When I shared the moment with a friend, she shared this scripture with me.
Sea of glass is in Revelation.And I saw what appeared to be a sea of glass mingled with fire - and also those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name, standing beside the sea of glass with harps of God in their hands,” Rev. 15:2.
If you have not tried prayerful meditation. Try it! You may be amazed at what you might discover.
“And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.” Luke 1:46-47 KJV
When a beautiful blessing caused heartbreak. As a mother how do you reconcile that your child carries the weight of the world on His shoulders? How can you deal with seeing the pain in your child's eyes? How do we stand at His feet and watch Him take is last breath? Witnessing this must have put a rip in her heart so deep she felt it was beyond repair.
She must have suffered every wound, every tear, and every drop of blood that fell. The anguish must have been beyond human comprehension. She gave us such a beautiful gift, it was the biggest most precious part of her life. She gave us her beautiful Son, Emmanuel. She was just a child herself when He was born. But she trusted God to hold her hand through all of the life trials she would endure.
Even knowing how important His role is, the loss must have always haunted her soul. She was left behind with all her human frailties to embrace and understand the magnitude of His amazing life. Only her Son could deliver such an amazing gift of peace and healing to her heart. I am so grateful for her and her sacrifice.
When you look for strength remember this story of a mother and child and their journey. It’s unconditional love at its finest. It’s the most beautiful love story we will ever know...
Today let's embrace all Mothers and acknowledge the sacrifice and the beautiful gift of LOVE they unselfishly give.
“For a Child hath been born to us, A Son hath been given to us, And the princely power is on his shoulder, And He doth call his name Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Father of Eternity, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah9:6
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” — Mark 12:30 (NIV)
“We love because He first loved us.” — 1 John 4:19 (NIV)
❤️ Loving Others
“Love your neighbor as yourself.” — Mark 12:31 (NIV)
“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” — John 15:12 (NIV)
“Do everything in love.” — 1 Corinthians 16:14 (NIV)
❤️ The Power of Love
“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” — 1 Corinthians 13:13 (NIV)
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” — 1 Peter 4:8 (NIV)
“Let all that you do be done in love.” — 1 Corinthians 16:14 (ESV)
❤️ God’s Love for Us
“But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” — Romans 5:8 (NIV)
“The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.’” — Jeremiah 31:3 (NIV)
Inspired by a Journey of LOVE (MyTrinity)
Lyrics & Produced by Triune Loves me | Lori Garner