Hearts Can Change: Jesus Heals the Wounded Heart - Living Free Every Day - November 21
HEARTS CAN CHANGE: JESUS HEALS THE WOUNDED HEART
Wednesday, November 21, 2018
Living Free Every Day®
A ministry of LivingFree.org
Today's Scripture
"But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God." (John 1:12-13 NLT)
Thoughts for Today
Jesus will not shun nor shame us over our spiritual agony after an abortion. He had compassion on the crowds who followed him in need of healing (Matthew 14:14). He sees us as he saw them—harassed and helpless when we are without his spiritual leadership in life (Matthew 9:35-36). He knows we cannot save ourselves. Instead, he will exercise his power to take on our sin and shame, heal our affliction, and give us a new status as children of God. Why? Because of his love. We have only to open our hands and hearts to receive this gift.
Do you want his gift of love? Are you willing to reach out for it?
Consider this …
Time and again Jesus demonstrated the connection between healing and faith. In Mark 5:24-34 we read about a woman who had been suffering with a bleeding problem for years. She had so much faith, she struggled through the crowds surrounding Jesus just to touch the hem of his garment. She knew if she could just touch him, he would heal her. When she finally managed to touch him, he turned and asked, "Who touched me?" He knew already, of course. But he wanted everyone around him to understand the connection between faith and healing. His question wasn't an accusation but a chance for her to declare her faith so he could then demonstrate his claim for her as his own. As far as Jesus is concerned, our faith is at the heart of the matter whenever we need healing.
It is our faith in Jesus that brings us into a close relationship with him and a place where we can receive his healing. After abortion, the spiritual afflictions of shame and a broken heart can be completely healed according to our faith.
Prayer
Father, I believe Jesus is your son and died on the cross for my sin. I thank you for your love and grace, for your gift of forgiveness, and for your healing power. Please forgive me for the wrong I have done and heal my heart. In Jesus' name . . .
These thoughts were drawn from …Cradle My Heart: Finding God's LOVE After Abortion by Kim Ketola. In this book, Kim seeks to help those hurt by abortion to grieve with hope. Sharing her story and the stories of ten other women, she reveals that God's love is not a casualty of the abortive process. With an appendix of helpful resources and a study and discussion guide included, Cradle My Heart is a timely and important resource for the hurting woman, the counselor, and the church.
With an understanding and empathetic voice, Kim Ketola exposes the hurt in your heart, reveals the healing in God's heart, and brings the two together to create a whole heart where restoration and celebration are possible.
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©Living Free 2018. Living Free is a registered trademark. Living Free Every Day® devotionals may be reproduced for personal use. When reproduced to share with others, please acknowledge the source as Living Free, Chattanooga, TN, www.LivingFree.org. Must have written permission to use in any format to be sold. Permission may be requested by sending an e-mail to info@LivingFree.org
