UPDATEDToday’s Spiritual Food for Thought was first posted on August 13, 2013.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Thank God that His Thoughts Aren’t Like My Thoughts!”

Luke 4:38-44:

And he arose and left the synagogue and entered Simon’s house. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was ill with a high fever, and they appealed to him on her behalf. 39 And he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her, and immediately she rose and began to serve them. 40 Now when the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to him, and he laid his hands on every one of them and healed them. 41 And demons also came out of many, crying, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ. 42 And when it was day, he departed and went into a desolate place. And the people sought him and came to him, and would have kept him from leaving them, 43 but he said to them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.” 44 And he was preaching in the synagogues of Judea.

I want to share two thoughts today.

First, it is interesting to note that Jesus did not limit himself to one particular way of healing people.  While a rebuke from Jesus was all it took to remove the fever from Simon’s mother-in-law, at another time, he put spit on the blind man’s face to heal him (Mark 8:23).  Yuck! Therefore, we should not limit ourselves to any certain way; sometimes we just have to rebuke sickness in Jesus’ name.  The important thing is that we are willing to let go of our preconceived theological notions in order to obey and serve the Lord, particularly in the area of praying for healing (v. 39).

Second, Jesus’ daily schedule was pretty much packed, yet early in the morning, Jesus “went out to a solitary place” (v. 42), most likely to pray and have communion with the Father.  Jesus, being fully human as He was, did not excuse Himself from praying early in the morning.  And also, rather than settling in one place, Jesus was always on the move (v. 43).  Sometimes we become lazy because of our physical limitations, but our physical weakness or complacency should not keep us from seeking intimacy with the Lord and having a heart for those around us who are lost, and even beyond our own nation. 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, don’t let me forget that Your thoughts are not my thoughts, neither are Your ways my ways. And help me to grow in my intimacy with You through Your word and Spirit.  Amen. 

Bible Reading for Today: Philippians 3