6/14/24- Factual Love 🤍

Have you ever had something happen to you that you had a hard time believing?

Most of us have probably experienced this in our lifetimes. There are some phenomenal things that happen that we either witness or hear about, that are hard to accept as truth. One visual that has just popped into my head was when Michael Phelps came from behind to win the 100M fly by .01 seconds at the Olympics in Beijing in 2008.

Even now when I re-watch this recorded race, I can’t see that he touched the wall first. Not only did he win 8 gold medals, but all of these first place times were either an Olympic record or World record. These are remarkable feats that I had never witnessed in my lifetime.

When I learned from one of my dearest friends that she was so sick that she would die soon, I couldn't wrap my head around this fact. Two days ago when she went to heaven, I was in disbelief that I would not speak to her again, text her again, or hug her again. My heart hurts and also has been blessed to love her and receive her love in this lifetime.

How much more did Jesus' heart hurt when most of the men and women that He had walked with throughout His short time on earth, turned on Him. So many of His miracles that He performed while He was alive, are recorded in the New Testament. Yet they called for another sign.

Men and women sacrificed their remaining days of their own lives to record and pass along the stories of His miracles and His life events. The Bible is the most popular book written and recorded by multiple authors with over 3.9 billion copies sold. Not all has been documented in these books within The Bible, but many stories are retold several times by different authors of what they witnessed or heard from others who witnessed.

One of the last stories of healing recorded in The Bible before most men began to turn on Him is recorded in the book of John and the book of Matthew. After Jesus healed a lame man on the Sabbath, He was persecuted by the Jews. The story of this man that was healed is remarkable. There is a pool in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate called Bethesda in Hebrew, which means “House of Mercy.” This pool was believed to have healing powers to those who were lame, sick, blind and paralyzed.

There was a man there for 38 years with an infirmity that did not allow him to walk. His hope was to be the first one into the pool when the water stirred, so that he would be healed. Only the first one to enter the pool when the angel stirred the pool was healed.

When Jesus stopped off at the pool and addressed this man with a simple question, "Do you want to be made well?" The man responded with an excuse and answered with self- pity; "Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me."

This man had been passed by for 38 years and had become accustom to his situation of suffering. He wallowed in his pitiful situation, and believed it was hopeless. Jesus took mercy on him and said to him, "Rise, take up your bed and walk. And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked." John 5: 8- 9

The Jews who witnessed this man walking away from the pool where he had laid for the last 38 years showed him no mercy. They were people who's hearts had hardened to Jesus. They could not see the goodness that was just done for this man by Jesus healing him. Instead, these men focused on the fact that it was the Sabbath and told the man it was unlawful for him to carry his bed. These men were so intent on the law that they could not see what God had done.

John 7: 6 -7

"Then Jesus said to them, 'My time has not yet come, but your time is always ready. The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil.'"

The lasting resolution that I have about my friend departing this earth, is that I know and believe with all my heart, that she is with Jesus. She was always real with me. She was always loving towards me. And she always accepted me for who I am. She sought after the truth and called a spade a spade. There aren't many friends like that in life, and I know that I have been blessed with love from her friendship.

Rest in Peace 🤍Heath

10/30/70 - 6/12/24

6 x 🤍🤍=12 x 🤍🤍= 24 This is factual and precise love between two 🤍🤍s.