Matthew 9:1–2

"Jesus climbed into a boat and went back across the lake to his own town. Some people brought to him a paralyzed man on a mat. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, 'Be encouraged, my child! Your sins are forgiven.'"

 

Jesus healed this helpless, paralyzed man first by encouraging him and then by telling him his sins are forgiven. The deepest healing happens not on a physical level, but when there's spiritual healing first. Many people in the medical community now realize the role unforgiveness plays in our physical health. Here Jesus gets at the man's deepest issue: his need for forgiveness. Are there unforgiveness issues in your life? Forgiveness you might need from God, others, or yourself? Forgiveness you need to extend to others? Deal now with any unforgiveness issues. You won't ever be truly healed without doing that

Genesis 26:26–29

"One day King Abimelech came from Gerar with his adviser, Ahuzzath, and also Phicol, his army commander. 'Why have you come here?' Isaac asked. 'You obviously hate me, since you kicked me off your land.'

They replied, 'We can plainly see that the LORD is with you. So we want to enter into a sworn treaty with you. Let's make a covenant. Swear that you will not harm us, just as we have never troubled you. We have always treated you well, and we sent you away from us in peace. And now look how the LORD has blessed you!'"

 

When God blesses you with whatever form of blessing, it's to bring glory to him, to show something of his own character at work in your life. Make sure you let God get the credit. And if there's nothing in your life that makes others say, "The Lord must be with her," then pray that God would begin good works in your life that point people to him. God longs to reveal his goodness to you, and through you, to others.

Genesis 25:29–34

"One day when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau arrived home from the wilderness exhausted and hungry. Esau said to Jacob, 'I'm starved! Give me some of that red stew!' (This is how Esau got his other name, Edom, which means 'red.')

'All right,' Jacob replied, 'but trade me your rights as the firstborn son.'

'Look, I'm dying of starvation!' said Esau. 'What good is my birthright to me now?'

But Jacob said, 'First you must swear that your birthright is mine.' So Esau swore an oath, thereby selling all his rights as the firstborn to his brother, Jacob.

Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and lentil stew. Esau ate the meal, then got up and left. He showed contempt for his rights as the firstborn."

 

Jacob apparently wanted the firstborn's rights and was looking for a way to get it. He seized his opportunity when he saw that Esau would do anything for some food right now. Esau had his eyes only on the now; Jacob looked to the future. Esau lost, Jacob won. Esau never even seemed to understand what he'd just done. But Jacob would remember. Are your decisions made with an eye to what has lasting value, or only to temporary pleasure?