Sunday, November 20, 2022

Which Leper Are You?

As I pondered and watched a beautiful and heartfelt interaction between my father and my auntie, let me tell you, it warmed and touched my heart. I tell you the honest to God truth! Sometimes you can see so much unloveliness, ugliness, and cold hearts that it just does your heart so good to witness this kind of powerful and precious encounter. Matthew says in 24:12 that “because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.” I’ve observed heartless people personally as well as from a distance. We see it on the news almost daily. You see people murder someone and go out to eat a meal as if nothing ever happened and with no conscience. Recently, I saw this bizarre and sickening story about a Michigan man who pleaded guilty after murdering and eating the testicles of another man he met on a dating app. Is this wicked and demonic, or what? So, this past summer, one of my favorite aunts, Orenal, came to visit my father from Los Angeles. Auntie is deaf, so when she sees my father, and they haven't seen each other in about 10 years. She is ecstatic; her face lights up, and she starts smiling from ear to ear. You could feel the love. It was tangible. She sits down near him, grabs his hand, looks into his eyes, and says, “I missed you and am so happy to see you.” She continued, “Do you remember how you used to protect me when we were kids?” She looks at me and says, “I'll never forget how he used to protect me and take care of me growing up.” She held on to his hand the whole time and never let it go. This priceless visit will forever be embedded in my heart and mind. Think about that. He’s 91-years old, and she’s 90-years old, and she never forgot his kindness and love toward her. I’m so grateful that we could capture this on video and photos for a keepsake. Would somebody please bring me some tissues? It was so precious to see. It’s rare, as far as I’m concerned. She also sent her daughter to the store to buy him his favorite food items which was so sweet.  This aunt has always supported every project I’ve done and encouraged me to stay the course as a young believer. I will be forever grateful to her. This is an example of how we older women are supposed to admonish, encourage, and teach younger women. It means more than people know because most people have no clue, and some could care less about the kinds of demonic attacks and spiritual warfare that one goes through when they are doing the things that I’m doing to help advance and build the Kingdom of God through ministry, blogs, radio, songs, books, movies, plays, outreach, etc. Also, people need to show more gratitude, honor, and appreciation toward those who have taken the time to help, bless, and encourage them. Don’t take it for granted! Why not take the time and send them a thank you card? Or treat them to a frappe or something.  Do something you've never done before. You just might get something you've never had before.  I'm just saying. Many of us in ministry are ministering, blessing, and helping others through our pain and suffering. If thats you, I speak supernatural strength to you right now! This week, as I reflected on that special moment, all I could think about was the story of Y’shua and the 10 lepers found in Luke 17. Ten lepers, seeing Jesus, raised their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” Jesus healed all ten, telling them to “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” All left, but only one eventually returned, prompting Jesus to say, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?” “Has no one returned to praise God except this foreigner?” How many times have you helped someone, and they seem to forget or act like they have amnesia? How quickly they forget how you have blessed them. Some of us have even taken people into our homes and loved on them without expecting anything in return. Some of you have made sacrifices to help others with your finances and time. Yahweh Roi is the God Who sees you. He sees your labor of love, and He has it all written down. Don’t fret or worry about it. He will remember you and reward you accordingly! He’s faithful like that. I’m a witness. He keeps doing great, mighty, and awesome things for me, whereof I am glad! All hail King Y’shua! The one Who was, Who is, and Who is to come! Let’s not forget to show gratitude and thanksgiving to our Master God and His son, Y’shua! Don’t we dare be like the 9 lepers who did not return to Y’shua to say thank You!