MARK 1:40-42 NKJV
Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed.
REFERENCES: Genesis 1:26-27
Throughout scripture we see God’s compassion on display. In the original Greek, the word compassion is Splagchnizomai, which literally means ‘to be moved so deeply by something that you feel it in the pit of your stomach’. From Peter’s first encounter with Jesus, to Jesus healing the leper, we see Jesus moved with compassion. The leper, due to the state of his condition, was not able to stand in the presence of Jesus. Peter, due to his betrayal of Jesus, felt unworthy to be accepted by Jesus’ love. Yet, Jesus embraced both the leper and Peter with open arms, allowing their healing to take place. Regardless of our shortcomings, weaknesses, or failures, the compassion of Christ meets us where we are.
You can’t catapult yourself outside the compassion of Jesus.
The story of Peter shows how a faithless fisherman became a fisher of men. At his greatest moment of weakness, Peter denies Jesus three times, but Jesus redeems Peter, asking him three times "Do you love me?" Peter responds three times, ‘Yes!’, each time erasing his past mistakes. Just like Peter, we too can experience redemption through the compassion of Christ.
Like the leper we can find ourselves asking the question, “Is God willing to heal me”? Surely after many mistakes and shortcomings we can feel distant from God, but he is a good God that loves us regardless of where we find ourselves.
God’s compassion is beyond anything we can think or imagine. In reading the Bible we can understand the essence of it, but miss the depth of it. God’s love is deeper and wider than the oceans. The Bible may contain rules, but it’s not a rule book, it’s a love story. No matter how many mistakes we’ve made, his love for us never changes. Remember there is hope because there is a God who is good and loves you. All we have to do is surrender. Surrendering is the holiest thing you can do. Allow his compassion to embrace you.
As you pray, open your heart. God’s compassion is available. Speak out the things you feel ashamed of in your life, and allow healing to begin.
All of you that are already in our database will receive a text this upcoming Thursday from our new text platform. It isn’t spam, it’s really us! This will become a primary way for us to resource, equip, and update you. We encourage you to save this number and opt in for more updates.
VOUS High is youth community of VOUS and we are creating a space for middle schoolers to gather for service every Sunday.
Students will start with worship in the main auditorium and then be dismissed to their junior high space. This will be a moment to connect with other students, hear a message, and then discuss in small groups.
For more information and to RSVP your student, click here
Join us at the annual ILMC Thanksgiving Bash to distribute meal kits and turkeys. Also, bring a chair and cheer on your favorite team at our annual VOUS Bowl.
To serve, click here
Date: Saturday, November 23rd
Time: 9:00AM - 12:30PM
Location: Charles Hadley Park
1350 NW 50th St
Miami, FL 33142
Ready to kick off Thanksgiving with a burst of energy and community? Join us bright and early at Peacock Park for the VOUS 10K Turkey Trot! Whether you're a runner, a walker, or somewhere in between, this is a chance to start your day with some fresh air, great friends, and all-around fun! See you at the starting line!
To sign up for the Turkey Trot, click here
Date: Thursday, November 28th
Time: 6:00AM
Location: Peacock Park
2820 McFarlane Rd.
Miami, FL 33133
On Sunday, December 1st we're bringing our annual Tree Lighting tradition to both our SoMi and Miami Gardens Locations! Sign up to serve and join us for a night of fun! Invite your friends and let's welcome the Christmas season together!
Please note: There will not be a 6PM service at VOUS City. Instead, join us at VOUS Miami Gardens for the 6PM service, followed by the tree lighting celebration.
Date: December 1st
Time: 7:30PM
Location:
VOUS Miami Gardens
17801 NW 2nd Ave
Miami, FL 33169
VOUS SoMi
6767 Sunset Dr
South Miami, FL 33143
To serve, click here
VOUS SoMi
8:45AM / 10:30AM / 12:30PM / 6PM
VOUS City
10:30AM / 12:30PM / 6PM
VOUS Miami Gardens
10:30AM / 12:30PM
VOUS Design District
10:30AM / 12:30PM
Church Online
10AM / 5PM Español
Growth Track
After every service or join online at vouschurch.com/growthtrack