Vicki's Wednesday Word

  Luke 17:11-19 11 As Jesus continued on toward Jerusalem, he reached the border between Galilee and Samaria. 12 As he entered a village there, ten men with leprosy stood at a distance, 13 crying out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” 14 He looked at them and said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy. 15 One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God!” 16 He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan. 17 Jesus asked, “Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? 18 Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” 19 And Jesus said to the man, “Stand up and go. Your faith has healed you.” There are times when I am thoroughly ashamed of myself. A thought crosses my mind at an inopportune moment and I make a mental note to try and remember to actually do it. I have the very best intentions but, way too often, my follow-

  Luke 5:1-11 New Living Translation 5 One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, great crowds pressed in on him to listen to the word of God. 2 He noticed two empty boats at the water’s edge, for the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. 3 Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, its owner, to push it out into the water. So he sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there. 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.” 5 “Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.” 6 And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! 7 A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking. 8 When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please

  Matthew 18:1-5   New Living Translation 18 About that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?” 2 Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them. 3 Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. 4 So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. 5 “And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me.” If we are at home on Sunday evenings, we frequently watch “America’s Funniest Home Videos” on ABC. We love the funny pet videos and, I admit, even some of the epic fails. But, my favorite part is the clips of small children. Some of the things they come up with are hilarious. Sometimes the funniest ones are when they are caught red-handed and deny, deny, deny. The ones we really love are when they try to be so grown-up and function on their own. Inevi

  Matthew 11:28 New Living Translation Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” This oft quoted verse brings comfort by our way of thinking. We are invited to take all our burdens and leave them at Jesus’ feet. But if we look at this passage a little closer, it may start to look a little different. Jesus doesn’t say that he will resolve all your troubles. Jesus doesn’t say he will make them all go away. I always think of that old song “I Never Promised You a Rose Garden.” If we turn to Jesus, he promises to give us a break. Jesus will give you rest. Just like a good night’s sleep after a day of hard work, he can recharge your battery and energize your spirit. Throughout all your trials. Jesus will be the refuge that will always be there for you. What follows in this passage tells us how. In Matthew 11:29-30, Jesus says, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find