New Life Church An Oasis of Love
with Pastor Marti and Jessica McGrail
Reach Out To The Healer - Matthew 12:13 20 February 2011 Reach Out To The Healer Then he said to the man, “Hold out your hand.” So the man held out his hand, and it was restored, just like the other one! (Matthew 12:13) •We know nothing except the man had a withered hand. •The man could walk, talk, he had friends, but his hand was withered. •That was SYMBOLIC – It means he couldn’t hold on to anything. •Life was passing him by. What he used to reach for, he couldn’t anymore. What he use to feel passionate about, he just sat back and watched now. After all, his hand was withered. From time to time, Jessica and I will receive flower as a gift. They always are so beautiful when they arrive, so radiant, so colorful and vibrant. But every day, very gradually, those flowers begin to wither until eventually they are all dried up and lifeless. •That’s what can happen in life sometimes. We start out strong and vibrant. We’re excited about our dreams. We’re passionate about our future. But too many times, we allow disappointments, criticism, setbacks, or failures to slowly wither our lives. If we’re not careful, we’ll begin to think, “My dreams are never going to come to pass.” “I’m never going to get out of debt.” ‘I’m never going to get married.” We develop negative mindsets. •But I love what Jesus said to this man. He didn’t necessarily try to comfort him. He didn’t say, “I feel sorry for you. You’ve had a tough life.” Jesus asked him to do something that he could not do. He said, “Stretch forth your hand. Right then the man had to make a decision. •Was he going to take a step of faith and not allow the limitations, disappointments, and failures of his past to keep him from receiving his miracle? Was he going to shrink back and start making excuses? “I can’t do that. My hand is withered. It’s been this way too long. I’ve been through too much in life.” •He could have come up with all kinds of excuses that would have kept him right where he was. But this man was bold enough to believe That God could restore him. He believed that God could give him a new beginning. •He did his part and stretched out his hand. Instantly, he was made whole! •Today, you may be breathing, but are you really living? Are you pursuing your goals? Have you lost your enthusiasm? Maybe, like this man a part of you has withered. •You’ve gone through some disappointments. But today is the day to get your fire back. •God is saying, “Stretch forth your hand.” Dare to do something that you haven’t done before. •Stretch into a new level. Stretch into a new anointing. Stretch into a new way of thinking. Enlarge your vision. •Get rid of the wrong mindsets. •Maybe your parents, or the people who raised you, or a coach, or a teacher, told you that you’ll never be successful. You just don’t have what it takes. Don’t believe those lies. •Stretch forth your hand. Get a new vision for your life. Stir up the dreams that God has put on the inside. •You may think it’s been too long and you’re getting too old, but that dream is still alive. It started out as a strong fire. At one time, it was probably a burning desire. •You know what you’ve got to do? You’ve got to fan the flame. •You’ve got to rekindle that fire. •God is saying this is your year to do something that you’ve never done before! •This is your year to break free. •This is your year to step into supernatural opportunity. •All you have to do is stretch out your hand!
|
