Raise it Up

StartFragmentMatthew 8:1-3- "Large crowds followed Jesus as He came down the mountainside. Suddenly, a man with leprosy approached Him and knelt before Him. 'Lord,' the man said, 'if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.' Jesus reached out and touched him. 'I am willing,' He said 'Be healed!' And instantly the leprosy disappeared." Mark 8:25- "Then Jesus placed His hands on the [blind] man's eyes again, and his eyes were opened. His sight was completely restored and he could see everything clearly." John 11:17, 43-44- "When Jesus arrive at Bethany, He was told that Lazarus had already been in his grave for four days... Then Jesus shouted, 'Lazarus, come out!' And the dead man came out, his hands feet wrapped in a headcloth. Jesus told them, 'Unwrap him and let him go!' " Healing a man of leprosy. Giving sight to a blind man. Raising the dead. In Jesus' life, His power and glory shone throughout His every day. But we often forgot how great, powerful, holy, able, and willing He is to aid us. In John 11, before Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead, the disciples and Lazarus' sisters blame Christ for the man's death, saying that if only He had been there, Lazarus would not have died. They did not realize the power that Jesus held and the fact that He could indeed raise someone from the dead. Matthew 8 exemplifies Jesus' kindness and greatness so well. Verse 1 says "Large crowds followed Jesus....." If Jesus had large groups of people, following Him, He must have really been a great man. Back in "Bible Times", lepers were considered as the lowest of the lowest beings. Outcasts of society, they were thrown out away from their family, friends, job, and belongings. Lepers were considered untouchable and horrific. But Jesus not only healed this leper, he touched him. If Jesus can heal a leper, raise someone from the dead, and give a man his sight, then imagine what He can do for us. Lifting up our requests to the Lord is so very crucial, because yes, Jesus does know what we need, but if we ask for it, He will give if it is His will. Christ has answered so many of my prayers, even when I didn't completely have faith. He freed me from the chains of anger that I had been holding for so long. He gave our family another child, a little blessing that changed our lives. These are just a few examples of what Christ has done for me. So raise up your requests to God, because He does care for you. 1 Peter 5:7- "Cast your cares upon the Lord, because He cares for you." Feel like your situation is too big for God to handle? Read Hannah's story in 1 Samuel 1. More scriptures on this topic: Mark 11:24, Luke 11:9, Jeremiah 33:3, Psalm 34:17EndFragment