I know that many church congregations wonder why there should be a special ministry for special needs or disabilities. So as I start my first post in this blog, I'm going to answer this question from the words of Jesus, for as we start this journey together all should understand that I consider the Words of Christ to be the absolute truth against which I compare everything.
Caring for the disabled or special needs did not begin in the New Testament with the ministry of Jesus, but actually began in the Old Testament. Take for instance when David cared for the son of Jonathan, Mephibosheth. After becoming King of Israel, he asked that all the relatives of his best friend Jonathan be brought to him so that he could care for them. Mephibosheth was injured, as the family was fleeing from David's armies, but David brought him into the King's house and Mephibosheth ate at the King's table; 2 Samuel 9:13 "So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he ate at the King's table regularly. Now he was lame." But this did not hinder David, he cared for Mephibosheth and honored his promise to a dear friend, Jonathan.
And if you question how God feels about the special needs persons of the world, I suggest reading Psalm 139 and then Isaiah 35. From Isaiah 35:4-6, "Behold, your God will come with vengeance; The recompense of God will come, But He will save you."
v5-6 "Then the eyes of the blind will be opened
And the ears of the deaf will be unstopped.
Then the lame will leap like a deer,
and the tongue of the mute will shout for JOY.
For waters will break forth in the wilderness
and streams in the Arabah."
Wow, I don't know about you, but my son is profoundly deaf and has undergone replacement of both hips so he doesn't run like a young boy any longer, so these are promises that I cling to. I wait for fulfillment of these promises because I know my God is faithful, and while I wait I will praise Him for all that He has done in our lives.
Now if the above verses weren't enough to convince you that God has a special place and special promises for those who are disabled let me turn your attention to one of my favorite verses in the New Testament. In Matthew 11, when the disciples of John asked Jesus if he was the Expected One he answered in verse 4-5 "Go and report to John what you hear and see; the BLIND RECEIVE SIGHT and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the Gospel preached to them."
Jesus didn't come for the mentally, physically, and spiritually healthy. He came for the sick and the poor. Jesus came to release us from the bonds of sickness, mental illness, financial difficulties, and all the burdens weighing down this sin ridden world. So take heart my friends, Jesus is not for the "typical, normal" people, but for the special needs of every kind to release us from the bonds, to set us free - allowing us to live a life of JOY.
Won't you join me in the journey?
JOY in CHRIST
JOYce
Caring for the disabled or special needs did not begin in the New Testament with the ministry of Jesus, but actually began in the Old Testament. Take for instance when David cared for the son of Jonathan, Mephibosheth. After becoming King of Israel, he asked that all the relatives of his best friend Jonathan be brought to him so that he could care for them. Mephibosheth was injured, as the family was fleeing from David's armies, but David brought him into the King's house and Mephibosheth ate at the King's table; 2 Samuel 9:13 "So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he ate at the King's table regularly. Now he was lame." But this did not hinder David, he cared for Mephibosheth and honored his promise to a dear friend, Jonathan.
And if you question how God feels about the special needs persons of the world, I suggest reading Psalm 139 and then Isaiah 35. From Isaiah 35:4-6, "Behold, your God will come with vengeance; The recompense of God will come, But He will save you."
v5-6 "Then the eyes of the blind will be opened
And the ears of the deaf will be unstopped.
Then the lame will leap like a deer,
and the tongue of the mute will shout for JOY.
For waters will break forth in the wilderness
and streams in the Arabah."
Wow, I don't know about you, but my son is profoundly deaf and has undergone replacement of both hips so he doesn't run like a young boy any longer, so these are promises that I cling to. I wait for fulfillment of these promises because I know my God is faithful, and while I wait I will praise Him for all that He has done in our lives.
Now if the above verses weren't enough to convince you that God has a special place and special promises for those who are disabled let me turn your attention to one of my favorite verses in the New Testament. In Matthew 11, when the disciples of John asked Jesus if he was the Expected One he answered in verse 4-5 "Go and report to John what you hear and see; the BLIND RECEIVE SIGHT and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the Gospel preached to them."
Jesus didn't come for the mentally, physically, and spiritually healthy. He came for the sick and the poor. Jesus came to release us from the bonds of sickness, mental illness, financial difficulties, and all the burdens weighing down this sin ridden world. So take heart my friends, Jesus is not for the "typical, normal" people, but for the special needs of every kind to release us from the bonds, to set us free - allowing us to live a life of JOY.
Won't you join me in the journey?
JOY in CHRIST
JOYce
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