I love the new church schedule and the new curriculum that we are studying. I have felt the spirit as I have studied on my own, taught my primary class and discussed the scriptures with my family. I have felt the Spirit help me make connections between what we are studying in the New Testament to things I am reading int eh Book of Mormon, conferences addresses I am studying, and experiences I am having.
Last week I read in Luke 5 the account of a leper who came to Jesus, wanting to be healed. I found his words interesting, "Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean." I was struck by two pieces of his simple statement. I felt that when he said, "Thou canst make me clean," he was recognizing the Savior's power, that in the blink of an eye the Savior could take away his infirmity. But I found the first part of his statement even more enlightening: "If thou wilt." To me the man used these three words to express his faith in the Savior's will and timing. Not all of our prayers of faith are answered with an immediate, "yes!", but this is not because God doesn't have the ability or because he doesn't love us.
A few years ago I read through the gospels in a short period of time. I loved reading the many accounts of Christ's miracles. I was struck by the differences between them. SOme people were healed or cleansed immediately. Some were given invitations by the Savior, and as they accepted and acted upon these invitations they were healed. I love the reminder that the Lord knows what each of us needs to exercise faith in Him and to grow, so that we can become like Him someday.
