Thursday, March 14, 2024

Jesus wants to. Jesus will. | Cleansing A Leper Miracle

Matthew, Mark, and Luke each share a glimpse into what happened when Jesus changed one man's life forever. Mark gives the most details on the background story. Let's look at it together.


Mark 1:35-39 And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, He went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. And Simon and they that were with Him followed after Him. And when they had found Him, they said unto Him, All men seek for Thee. And He said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth. And He preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils.


    Matthew confirms Jesus comes down from the mountain where a huge following of people are gathered.


Matthew 8:1 When He was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him.

    Before doing great miracles or ministering to the masses, Jesus got up early in the morning a long time before the sun was coming up. While others slept, Jesus rose early to be alone and pray.

    There are so many amazing things we can do for the Kingdom of God. It is important to share our testimony, offer words of encouragement, and do great things to honor Jesus, but we must first begin our day with Him. How often do we scramble to the kitchen for a quick breakfast as we rush kids off to school and run through the morning routines without first stopping to talk with the Master?

    The disciples went looking for Jesus and when they found Him, they let Him know everyone wants to see Him. They did not ask about His solitary prayer time. Jesus did not ask how many followers there were, sign autographs and take photos with "fans." He is clear on His mission to preach the Gospel. We cannot let followers sway us from keeping our shoulder to the plow. This is not the time to get caught up in the numbers. Instead, let's remember why we are here and allow God to work through us.

    Luke's account begins with one man's story. Let's read it.

Luke 5:12 And it came to pass, when He was in a certain city, behold a man full of leprosy: who seeing Jesus fell on his face, and besought Him, saying, Lord, if Thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean.

    Mark shares how this man is so desperate for Jesus to heal him, he begs Him.

Mark 1:40 And there came a leper to Him, beseeching Him, and kneeling down to Him, and saying unto Him, If Thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean.

    It is repeated in Matthew's account:

Matthew 8:2 And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped Him, saying, Lord, if Thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean.

     We do not know this man's name or how he knew Jesus and the power of His touch, but it is clear in all accounts this man has faith. He tells Jesus, "If You want to, You can heal me." Have there been times you have had such tremendous faith? Do you believe that if Jesus wants to, He can heal you, save you, forgive you, restore you, deliver you, or love you? If you ever wondered if Jesus wants to do those things, we will see what Jesus' response always is to those who have faith in Him.

Luke 5:13 And He put forth His hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him.


Mark 1:41-42 And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth His hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will: be thou clean. And as soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.


Matthew 8:3 And Jesus put forth His hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

  “I will.”

  “I will.”

  “I will.”

  Each account, Jesus tells the man, "I want to heal you," and immediately the leprosy is gone. Jesus is saying the same thing to each one of us today. If we have faith that Jesus has the power to heal, save, forgive, restore, deliver, and love, His response is, “I want to. I will.”

  Jesus gives the man specific instructions on what to do according to the Old Testament law, then He tells the healed man to tell no one else. That may seem strange to us. Wouldn’t Jesus want others to know what the power of God can do? Wouldn’t the man’s family and friends, coworkers, others in his life who knew he was once a leper, wouldn’t they all know something miraculous happened? How could he keep this to Himself?

 Matthew 8:4 And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.

Mark 1:43-45 And He straitly charged him, and forthwith sent him away; And saith unto him, See thou say nothing to any man: but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them. But he went out, and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter, insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city, but was without in desert places: and they came to Him from every quarter.

Luke 5:14-16 And He charged him to tell no man: but go, and shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing, according as Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them. But so much the more went there a fame abroad of Him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by Him of their infirmities. And He withdrew Himself into the wilderness, and prayed.

  Jesus no longer had the freedom to walk into a city and preach the Gospel. Now people sought Him for miracles. Yes, it is wonderful when Jesus performed miracles and helped so many people, but salvation is not in physical healing alone. The most important thing Jesus wanted to share was the free gift of salvation for whosoever will.

Sometimes we get so caught up in wanting to experience something supernatural and miraculous that we forget about the most miraculous thing…salvation. We can pray for others to be healed, delivered, set free from addictions or perhaps get a financial miracle. Those are great things to pray for. How often do we pray for their salvation? How often are we asking our friends and family about their walk with God? How concerned are we about where our loved ones will end up in eternity?

I have had a lot of prayer requests this year from others about specific needs being met and just like Jesus said to the leper, He is saying to us, “I want to. I will.” How about we pray just as much for our lost loved ones and acquaintances because His answer is the same. He wants to. He will.

I pray this blog post has been Strength for your journey & Light for your way. God bless you!

Bridgett Owens

Thursday, October 13, 2022

Home Sweet Home | Thankful Thursday


Today is Thankful Thursday and my family and I have a LOT to be thankful for. On Saturday we finally get the keys to our new home. We are going to be renting a house in town and the four of us can hardly wait. Javan has an away football game Saturday, so we want to go support him and show him some love and then we can start moving in!!

PSALM 40:1 says, “I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined unto me, and heard my cry.”

We have been praying and seeking God for 22 months to give us a home. We had one disappointment after another. We tried to buy a house and that all fell through over and over. We tried to find a home to rent to no avail. We sought God with tears and many times in desperation. Friends and family were praying for us. Sometimes we were judged and treated unfairly because people thought they knew us and that living in a crowded environment where we were told we were not welcome was more appealing to us than having our own home. The comments were meant to hurt us. It just caused the four of us to become closer. 

People will talk; let them! It may be giving someone else a break. Keep your eye on God and you will find His Word is full of promises He will keep! Don’t give up!!!!

Today my family and I are finally free. The shackles that held us for so long did not stunt our spiritual growth. These chains that held us much longer than we wanted are finally gone!! God has provided for us like only He can and we are blessed beyond measure.

If you’re still in the  waiting season; do not give up and do not lose heart!! God is up to something!! What are you thankful for today? God bless you!

~Bridgett Owens

Wednesday, October 12, 2022

Psalm 34 | Bible Study Wednesday


I was able to return to work last week and worked three shifts. It was exhausting but I am so thankful to God for how He touched my body!

Today I want to continue with our Bible study through Psalms. We are in Psalm 34. If you haven’t already done so, take a moment and ask Holy Spirit to open the Scriptures to you. Next, read through the 22 verses in this Psalm. It is a Psalm of David referring to what happened in the second half of 1 Samuel chapter 21. I encourage you to read that short chapter as well. 

David traveled to a place called Nob. He goes to the priest Ahimelech. David is hungry and unarmed. He manages to get the showbread for himself and the men with him. They leave with the sword of Goliath, too. How fitting for David to receive the sword from the giant he slew in the famous battle. 

Achish is the king of Goliath’s hometown and so when the king’s servants recognized David and recalled the song the people sang about Saul killed thousands and David killed ten thousands, David started to feel fear. 


David had to do some quick thinking on his feet. 1 Samuel 21:13 “And he changed his behaviour before them, and feigned himself mad in their hands, and scrabbled on the doors of the gates, and let his spittle fall down upon his beard.”

David’s performance was Oscar-worthy. The king believed he was mentally unstable. He questioned his servants as to why they would bring that kind of man into his home. So David was spared. And now we pick up in Psalm 34. 

VERSES 1-7: David is rejoicing that God delivered him from king Achish. God saw David fearful of the king of Gath and God rescued David in a very unique way!

VERSES 8-10: David remembers how God used the priest to feed him and his hungry men. David is an eyewitness of the goodness of God.

VERSES 11-14: Much like other psalms we have studied this year; David is giving us instruction. Don’t speak evil. Keep your conversation pure. Run away from wickedness and do good things instead. Seek peace and pursue it. David says by doing this it is fearing the Lord God!

VERSES 15-22 David compares the way God responds to His children and the way He responds to those who are not His children. There are blessings for His children and curses for the wicked. Notice verse 19 says many are the afflictions of the righteous! Not the wicked but the righteous are facing many afflictions. Not just a few hard times. There will be many but the great news is God delivers us out of every single one of them! That’s something to shout about!

Friends I don’t know what all of you are going through but God is greater and stronger than anything we face. I hope you are encouraged today. I pray this is strength for your journey and light for your way! God bless you!

~Bridgett Owens

Friday, September 30, 2022

Where’s the Good Things? | Fuel for the Weekend


JEREMIAH 5:21-25
Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not:
Fear ye not Me? saith the LORD: will ye not tremble at My presence, which have placed the sand for the bound of the sea by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it: and though the waves thereof toss themselves, yet can they not prevail; though they roar, yet can they not pass over it?
But this people hath a revolting and a rebellious heart; they are revolted and gone. 
Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the LORD our God, that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in His season: He reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest. 
Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you. 

My son has a football game tomorrow. Fall has arrived and I am so thankful! The trees are changing colors and it is a sight to behold! As you start your weekend, I want to give you something to ponder and maybe discuss with those around you!

God is speaking in the fifth chapter of the book of Jeremiah. He is talking to those of us who have eyes but we are blind to the truth. We have ears but we are not listening to what God is saying. 

God asks, “Don’t you fear Me?” He is God! He is Holy! He is Sovereign! Will we not tremble at the presence of God? He is all around us? He made a decree that stands year after year that the sand serves for the water to be bound in its’ limits. Even when the waves throw themselves at the boundaries, God said they have to stay in the confines of His borders. Even though the rush and roar of the ocean sounds off, they are limited by God’s design. 

Even though God gives us boundaries and guidelines, the spiritually blind and deaf are rebellious and force their way wherever they want to go! They don’t respect God who blesses them with everything they need to be sustained.

Friends, let’s not be like those rebellious people! In fact, let’s go to them and try to help them!!!

Verse 25 says their sins have turned God’s provisions away, and it has withheld good things from coming to them. 

Perhaps we all need to look around. Are we in turmoil and distress? Are we missing out on the good things of God? Could it be He is near but we are not looking for Him; not seeking His face? Could it be He is speaking but we are so loud in complaining we drown out His still, small voice? Maybe we have slapped away God’s bountiful gifts because it did not look like we thought it should! 

Let’s seek God’s face this weekend! Let’s reach out to Him in love and repentance and watch how He makes all things new. Let’s take the blinders off and remove the earplugs and sit in His presence with reverence and Holy fear. I will. How about you?

God bless you!

~Bridgett Owens 

Wednesday, September 28, 2022

Toughest Trials | Thankful Thursday


When I was younger, not even sure how old I was, I found myself being ridiculed, hatred spewed from an adult’s mouth, and I was hit multiple times. Screaming in my face about how worthless I was and how I would never amount to anything covered my face like a dark cloth. I collapsed to the floor, but refused to stop fighting back as I tried to defend myself. I would fall to the floor in a crumpled ball. Determined to prove my point I got back up. The adult began beating me with a belt and fists balled up. “If you get back up, you’ll get it again!” The threats were made good as I tried again to stand up for myself. God did not spare me that day. I wish that was an isolated case and not a routine part of my childhood. But I never blamed God.

Today I am an adult in my 40’s. For the last three years it feels like I continue to get knocked down and kicked. I try to stand up and just get beaten back down. My family and I have sacrificed so much for God. We have tried doing all the right things and we continue to lose. Others around us who could not care less about God get so many blessings and it seems like it is really unfair. Today I asked God why. I wanted to know why we have to suffer and get attacked every time we turn around. And I actually think He told me. 

One person after another said that this great suffering is for a great testimony. We didn’t ask for a testimony. In the middle of the beating and in the middle of the pain, it just does not feel like a very good answer. 

I do not understand ANYTHING God is doing in our lives. It feels like the very worst timing. Today I tried to remember a happy time and a good thing that happened so we could be encouraged. I even asked my daughter. She couldn’t remember one either. The past 3 years has been the hardest, scariest, most painful season of our lives. 

So what am I thankful for? I am thankful for my husband who is so strong and courageous. I am thankful for my children who are kind and loving and they really want to have hope again. I am thankful they have faith because right now I do not know if I even have mustard seed faith.

Like the traumatic memory I shared earlier, I finally was weak and collapsed in a heap in the floor. Beaten into submission I laid in a ball, sobbing and so confused about why that person would not listen to me. And I feel that way now. I feel like we have no choice about what happens to us right now. We try to do what we believe is best and we suffer dearly for it. I wonder why isn’t God listening to us. I feel defeated and discouraged. 

But Jesus asked God to let the bitter cup of suffering pass from Him in the garden. Jesus said nevertheless not My will but Thine be done. God said No! to Jesus. He had to do the hardest thing in the world. He had to suffer. Jesus asked God, “Why have You forsaken Me?” I feel like asking that, too. 

But unlike Jesus, I have not been asking from a place of submission to His will. I have been asking because I can’t take the pain and suffering any longer. I can’t stand to not have stability or our own home any longer. I do not understand one single thing about this nightmare that never ends. It has actually gotten worse so far and the week isn’t even over. 

I am not thankful for the hardness of this test. I am not thankful for God telling us no when we have a fundamental need that His Word says He will supply. I am grateful that He loves us. I am thankful that there are a lot of examples in the Bible that relate to what we are going through. I am grateful for Job, David, Daniel, Joseph, and Jesus who also endured much on this earth. 

I am choosing to believe it will not always be like this. I really hope it changes soon. My body is filled with physical pain. My husband and our children are battling various physical issues and now another blow. I am thankful that I have my own little family to walk through  the fire with. And I believe God is good and Sovereign and He sees much more than I can. 

This is definitely an unusual Thankful Thursday and I am sorry if it is not encouraging or uplifting today. I know that life sometimes just feels really bad and that will never change on this side. But it’s important to not get it twisted. God loves us, all of His children. He never promised me a life without suffering, sacrifice, and submission. He said He would be there and fight for us. So I am thankful for that. 

What about you? Are you thankful today? Are you struggling? Have you been wounded? Trust God to help you, even when you have no clue what He is doing. You may never know but just trust Him. His track record is perfect. 

Psalm 23:4
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me. 

Do you know the next verse?

Psalm 23:5
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 

I am waiting for that part. 

~Bridgett Owens 

Tuesday, September 27, 2022

Psalm 33 | Wednesday Bible Study


Welcome back to another Bible Study Wednesday! I had a back injury August 13 and I have been down ever since. I have used chiropractic care, physical therapy, medication, rest, ice, relaxation, distraction, a cane, and this Friday I will see a neurosurgeon. I have been unable to sit up for long. My endurance and strength is diminished. So I neglected my blog, my Instagram Reels, and my YouTube channel. It has been a painful journey and I have been out of work with no pay all this time. But, God told me to get back to those things. He wants me to share my faith and His goodness and Holiness and Mercy and Love with the world. So, today we will jump in right where we left off. Today we will look at Psalm 33.

It is no coincidence that we are starting with this particular chapter. It is a song of hope. It is a psalm of encouragement! It is a reminder that God is not finished with us yet!!

If you have not read through these 22 verses, please do. Pray and ask Holy Spirit to lead you and guide you. Ask Him for wisdom, knowledge, and discernment.

VERSES 1-3
I do not know who wrote this particular psalm. The psalmist tells us in these first three verses to rejoice, to praise, to play the harp, to sing, to play stringed instruments. Verse three tells us to be loud. No timid worship. We are glorifying the King of kings and Lord of lords. We are not to make a racket but we are to play with skill. We must give our best effort in praise to God who gave us the gifts and abilities. 

VERSES 4-7
The psalmist tells us about God and His Word. He is right. Nothing in your life may appear to be going right but God’s way is right! All that He does is honest. He loves righteousness and justice. The earth is full of the goodness of God. He breathed and stars appeared. He spoke and He created all that is. He gathers up the deepest oceans in a heap. What a great testament about how great and Mighty our God is. 

VERSES 8-9
Let the whole world stand in awe of how amazing God is. Look at verse nine! God spoke and it was DONE! God commanded and it stood fast!!! What has God spoken over you? Walk in it!

VERSES 10-11
God brings all the wicked plots and schemes to nothing. Their plans are ineffective! Conversely, God’s plans stand forever. The thoughts of His heart for us will last for ALL generations!!

VERSES 12-15
What nation is blessed? The nation whose God is the LORD! Those are the people He chooses for His inheritance! God looks from heaven to all of mankind. Up in glory, God looks way down below to all who dwell on earth. He made our hearts the same. We all have a deep need only Jesus can fill. He considers the work we do. 

VERSES 16-17
There is no royalty, no government official, no rich person saved by many people or by brute strength. It is ridiculous to trust in technology, horsepower, or anything else with great strength. What hope of deliverance do we have? Let’s keep reading!

VERSES 18-21
God’s eye sees those who fear Him and hope in His mercy. He delivers our soul from death and we won’t starve in famine. When life is hard and we think we are done for, God helps us and protects us as we wait on Him. We can rejoice like the psalmist told us to do in the first three verses of this psalm. Why? Because we trust in Jesus! 

VERSE 21
May our prayer be: “Let Your mercy, God, be upon us, according as we hope in You.”

Is your hope in the government, medication, science, research, education, finances, career, other people?? Where do you place your trust, in a spouse, a friend, a pastor? Friends, let us put our hope and trust in the only One able to save and deliver. His name is Jesus Christ. 

I apologize for the delay in keeping up with my blog. I am using my phone to share today’s Bible study. I hope to be settled soon with my computer and physical healing but until then I will do what I can to continue to share God’s message of peace, love, mercy, and salvation in alternate ways.

I hope something you read on the blog today has been strength for your journey and light for your way! God bless you!

~Bridgett Owens

Thursday, August 18, 2022

Chiropractic Care | Thankful Thursday


If you read my blog post yesterday you would understand why I am thankful for chiropractic care. This was my third day with my chiropractor and he has been using various techniques and therapies on me. I am feeling a little better each day but there’s a lot of pain still. I am unable to walk upright and still need to hold onto chairs, tables, people, you name it. But I’m progressing and my chiropractor cares. I am not another chart to read. I am not getting a bunch of pain pills to mask the problem, or shuttled from one specialty to another. We even had an interesting conversation about Methuselah in the Bible. I am thankful for that kind of care and attention.

So, do you know how old Methuselah was? He is the oldest person in the Bible. We have to go all the way back to the beginning of the Bible to read about Methuselah. His dad was Enoch and do you remember what was special about Enoch? Let’s read it together.

GENESIS 5:18-27 And Jared lived an hundred sixty and two years, and he begat Enoch: And Jared lived after he begat Enoch eight hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: And all the days of Jared were nine hundred sixty and two years: and he died. And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah: And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: And Enoch waked with God: and he was not; for God took him. And Methuselah lived an hundred eighty and seven years, and begat Lamech: And Methuselah lived after he begat Lamech seven hundred eighty and two years, and begat sons and daughters: And all the days of Methuselah were nine hundred sixty and nine years: and he died.

Isn’t that so interesting? I love reading that  it shows us that God kept people around a whole lot longer back then, huh?

So count your blessings with me and let me know what you are thankful for!

God bless you!

 ~Bridgett Owens