Available Power

Available Power

James 5: ¹⁶ So then, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you will be healed. The prayer of a good person has a powerful effect. ¹⁷ Elijah was the same kind of person as we are. He prayed earnestly that there would be no rain, and no rain fell on the land for three and a half years. ¹⁸ Once again he prayed, and the sky poured out its rain and the earth produced its crops.

 

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Thinking I was by myself, I came up with plans to address my problems. Suddenly, I felt a sharp pain in my chest. I couldn’t even breathe deeply. I called a coworker over to my apartment. He asked questions that showed he was nervous about the situation too. I began to pray because I did not know what to do. Suddenly I felt better. I went to the doctor and they could not find out what was wrong.

 

• I was scared.
• I was in pain.
• I did not know how to “fix” this.

 

James says some difficult words to hear. “Confess your sins to one another.” He implies that some, not all, ailments could be manifested by sin. He provides a remedy, namely prayer.

 

My Observations:

• Confession of my sins relieves me of guilt that could cause me to lose sleep.
• Turning away from my sins enables me to rest better because my conscience is clear.
• Asking GOD to intervene when someone tells me about his or her sins, is more powerful than gossip.

 

Praying seems weak but is extremely powerful. I mean, when I humble myself before GOD, HE is willing to listen. HE knows when I am too proud or too hateful to place things before HIM correctly. HE also knows when I am forcing HIS hand to get “my” way. BUT GOD is merciful.

 

HE brings to mind the things I need to confess and gives me an opportunity to say, “I need help with this.” HE is willing to help me when I ask for help. HE is delighted when I tell others I need help in an area of my life. HE then surrounds me with the right people to guide me back to HIM. I am glad HE is willing to heal me and put me back on the right path.

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer mention confession when he later talks about being healed?
• Do you believe in the power of prayer?
• Why don’t you get your way all the time?
• Wil you tap into the power of prayer by confessing and talking to GOD on someone else’s behalf today?

Healing Brokenness Plan

Healing Brokenness Plan

Ephesians 1: In all his wisdom and insight ⁹ God did what he had purposed, and made known to us the secret plan he had already decided to complete by means of Christ. ¹⁰ This plan, which God will complete when the time is right, is to bring all creation together, everything in heaven and on earth, with Christ as head.

 

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Plans are wonderful to me! I love getting a plan from people who have been where I am trying to go. I can get the steps, follow them and celebrate when I make it to the destination.

 

• Plans make it easier for me to keep going when things seem to be going wrong.
• I feel more confident when I am following a plan.
• Some of the steps of many plans did not make sense until the entire plan unfolded.

 

Paul talks about GOD’s “secret plan.” He explains that one part of the plan as been revealed to humanity, namely JESUS died for the sins of the world. What looked like a FATHER punishing HIS SON for being perfect turned out to be only part of the story. The true plan was to “bring all creation together”  with CHRIST as head.

 

My Observations

• GOD saw my brokenness and decided to do something about it.
• JESUS volunteered HIS life to heal me forever.
• All of creation waits on the rest of GOD’s plan which includes placing everything under JESUS.

 

This plan is amazing! I mean, it shows unimaginable love for a creation who turns its back to the creator at a moment’s notice. GOD could not depend on our faith, so HE devised a plan to redeem broken, lost humans through JESUS. JESUS volunteered to lose everything and in the process, gained everything.

 

One part of the plan is still in motion. One day JESUS will return and everything that is broken will be healed under HIM. All questions about “Why did GOD do this in the first place?” will be answered. Until then, I gladly accept the incredible love HE has shown for me.

 

Challenge

• Does the plan the writer speaks of, make you nervous or excited?
• What part of your actions do you see in this plan?
• If you are trying too hard to please GOD, will you accept that HIS plan includes your life and will not fail, because HE has already given everything to JESUS whom you believe in?

Create the Menu with Love

 

Create the Menu with Love

Romans 14: ¹³ So then, let us stop judging one another. Instead, you should decide never to do anything that would make others stumble or fall into sin. ¹⁴ My union with the Lord Jesus makes me certain that no food is of itself ritually unclean; but if you believe that some food is unclean, then it becomes unclean for you. ¹⁵ If you hurt others because of something you eat, then you are no longer acting from love. Do not let the food that you eat ruin the person for whom Christ died! ¹⁶ Do not let what you regard as good get a bad name. ¹⁷ For God's Kingdom is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of the righteousness, peace, and joy which the Holy Spirit gives. ¹⁸ And when you serve Christ in this way, you please God and are approved by others.

 

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Putting together the lunch menu for the business meeting was supposed to be easy. I liked a certain type of food, but when I asked people what their choice was, I was shocked. “You mean you don’t like piles of deliciousness falling off of your plate?” I thought to myself. Several people wanted something different than what I would choose. I changed the menu.

 

• There have been times when I questioned what people ate.
• There have been times when I considered letting the ”picky” people, find their own meal.
• There have been times when I wanted to speak about CHRIST but my menu left people, who had different beliefs, out and I could not share the gospel with them.

 

Arguments over food needed to be addressed, so Paul wrote on this matter. He got to the heart of the matter, speaking to those who felt free to eat anything, telling them to curb their freedom for those who bound themselves to eat a certain way. It was not about the food, but the example.

 

• GOD wants me to think of others when I eat.
• GOD wants me to consider my freedom as offensive to those I may be trying to reach.
• GOD wants me to be flexible temporarily so I can serve those who HE wants to reach.

 

My freedom should not make someone fall. I mean, if I am alright with doing something, eating something or being somewhere that another person cannot handle, I should be flexible enough to pause my freedom for a moment. It’s not worth trying to convince “that” person to eat or drink a certain way.

 

GOD wants a good reputation and HE chooses sinners to provide it. HE wants me to be able to surrender my freedom temporarily, in order to reach the lost. It is not about me, it is about JESUS.

 

• Are you complaining about the way someone eats or does not eat?
• Do you think “that” person is weaker in faith?
• Will you “stop judging one another” and be a good example for CHRIST so you may be “approved by others” for HIM today?

Alone

Alone

John 7: After these things Jesus walked in Galilee; for He did not want to walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill Him. ² Now the Jews’ Feast of Tabernacles was at hand. ³ His brothers therefore said to Him, “Depart from here and go into Judea, that Your disciples also may see the works that You are doing. ⁴ For no one does anything in secret while he himself seeks to be known openly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world.” ⁵ For even His brothers did not believe in Him.

⁶ Then Jesus said to them, “My time has not yet come, but your time is always ready. ⁷ The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil. ⁸ You go up to this feast. I am not yet going up to this feast, for My time has not yet fully come.” ⁹ When He had said these things to them, He remained in Galilee.

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Excited about my renewed faith, I went back to my “friends” to tell them about what GOD was teaching me. “This group of people should be excited about my faith in GOD” I thought as I told them about my journey away from the club scene. No one said anything bad to my face but I noticed communication from them to me was slowly dissipating. I felt alone.

• There have been many times when I felt alone because I believed in GOD.
• There have been many times I have felt alone because I wanted a certain group of people to believe in GOD but they would not.
• There have been many times when I could see the struggles people go through and I felt alone because they would not turn to GOD as the answer.

“Why don’t YOU show YOURSELF to the world if YOU are so great?” JESUS’s brothers implied in their disbelief of HIM being GOD. Even family did not believe in HIM. Was Mary, HIS mother, lying when she told everyone about the virgin birth? No! But they still could not understand just how powerful GOD is.

• GOD wants me to understand that I am not alone.
• GOD wants me to know that HE is with me always.
• GOD wants me to believe in HIS power even though many around me will believe in humans over GOD.

Belief in GOD can only be measured by GOD. No human can look at me or someone else and tell how much faith in GOD a person has. BUT GOD knows. HE gives me a measure of faith to believe that HE can and will do anything. HE heals, protects, guides and grows me. HE answers prayers to those who seek HIS face.

Wisdom will be confounded to those who do not believe in HIS power. GOD desires that I place all my faith in HIS teachings and know the battle I face is spiritual. I place my faith in GOD.

• Are you alone in your belief in JESUS?
• Have those around you given up on you because you believe strongly in JESUS?
• Will you keep your faith and pray for everyone GOD sends to you or who HE sends you to?

Unseen Belief

John 4: ⁴⁶ Once more he visited Cana in Galilee, where he had turned the water into wine. And there was a certain royal official whose son lay sick at Capernaum. ⁴⁷ When this man heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and begged him to come and heal his son, who was close to death.

⁴⁸ “Unless you people see signs and wonders,” Jesus told him, “you will never believe.”

⁴⁹ The royal official said, “Sir, come down before my child dies.”

⁵⁰ “Go,” Jesus replied, “your son will live.”

The man took Jesus at his word and departed. ⁵¹ While he was still on the way, his servants met him with the news that his boy was living.⁵² When he inquired as to the time when his son got better, they said to him, “Yesterday, at one in the afternoon, the fever left him.”

⁵³ Then the father realized that this was the exact time at which Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” So he and his whole household believed.

⁵⁴ This was the second sign Jesus performed after coming from Judea to Galilee.

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“Trust me” were the words I had been burned by before. I mean those words seemed synonymous to “don’t believe anything I am going to say.” I wrote the check with the feeling of remorse and skepticism. Months later the investment flopped, just as I thought.

• Sometimes I am skeptical.
• Sometimes I have doubt.
• Sometimes I don’t trust so I develop my own plan to rest my mind.

A royal official could not heal his dying son by using influence or money. He went to JESUS to beg HIM to heal his son. JESUS said something that seems harsh. “Unless you see you will not believe.” “Go, your son will live,” JESUS said to the official. This was a moment of trust.

• JESUS wants me to believe in HIS power with faith.
• JESUS wants me to stop building contingency plans in case HIS plan for me fails.
• JESUS wants me to trust HIS word and obey what HE tells me to do.

Trusting in GOD means letting go of the fear, doubt and worry that so easily creeps into my soul. HE wants me to stop trying so hard and allow HIM to do HIS marvelous work. Instead of controlling GOD, HE wants me to trust HIM to do amazing things. GOD wants my faith to be in the unseen things HE does. I believe and trust GOD.

• Are you waiting on GOD to “show” you something?
• Do you feel you need HIM to do something before you can trust HIM?
• Will you put your trust in GOD today, before HE shows you HIS marvelous plan for you?

Purposeful Healing

Luke 18: ³⁵ As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. ³⁶ When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. ³⁷ They told him, ‘Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.’

³⁸ He called out, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’

³⁹ Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’

⁴⁰ Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, ⁴¹ ‘What do you want me to do for you?’

‘Lord, I want to see,’ he replied.

⁴² Jesus said to him, ‘Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.’⁴³ Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.

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“LORD, if YOU would get me out of this mess, then I will serve YOU” was my immature “if-then” statement. My heart was not really on serving GOD, rather I wanted HIM to clear up my mess so I could go back to getting what “I” wanted.

• There were times when I really wanted something, so I prayed.
• There were times when the end of my prayer was to get something.
• There were times when I could care less about GOD until I needed something.

The blind beggar of Jericho cried out to JESUS, seizing his opportunity. No one could stop his pursuit of having JESUS heal him. He knew in his heart that JESUS was the only one who could heal him so he had nothing to lose and disturbed everyone’s day until he got JESUS’s attention.

When JESUS healed the beggar, he used that same loud voice to praise GOD. The beggar had a new purpose in life, to bring many to GOD.

• GOD wants me to want things from HIM so I can serve HIS purpose.
• GOD wants me to desire more and more from HIM so HIS purpose will be served.
• GOD wants me to praise HIM loudly when I receive things from HIM.

With nothing to offer GOD, I pray to HIM daily. I mean usually I’m giving HIM my garbage in exchange for a blessing. GOD deserves more from me. HE deserves me shouting with excitement that HE saved me! GOD is Great!

• Are you asking GOD for something?
• Are you bargaining with GOD with no intention of serving HIM?
• Will you stop trying to manipulate GOD and start serving HIM today whether HE answers your prayer or not?
• Will you praise HIM for all the times HE has brought you through the storms of life today?

Illogical Belief

Luke 9: ³⁷ Now it happened on the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, that a great multitude met Him. ³⁸ Suddenly a man from the multitude cried out, saying, “Teacher, I implore You, look on my son, for he is my only child. ³⁹ And behold, a spirit seizes him, and he suddenly cries out; it convulses him so that he foams at the mouth; and it departs from him with great difficulty, bruising him. ⁴⁰ So I implored Your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.”

⁴¹ Then Jesus answered and said, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here.”⁴² And as he was still coming, the demon threw him down and convulsed him. Then Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the child, and gave him back to his father.

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Praying wasn’t uncommon for me, but this time it was more serious. Someone very close to me was very ill with a life threatening disease. Prompted to pray, I kneeled down and cried out. “Please!”

• There have been many times when life was overwhelming to me.
• There have been many times when things around me seemed to get out of hand.
• There have been many times when I felt helpless and felt I had nowhere to turn.

A father came to JESUS begging HIM to heal his son from a demonic hold. The disciples tried to rid the boy of the evil spirit, but could not. JESUS simply spoke and the boy was healed.

• GOD says to me “MY power is greater than any unclean power.”
• GOD says to me “Do not be afraid, for I AM with you.”
• GOD says to me “Have faith and believe and you will see and do great things.”

Believing that GOD will take care of physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual matters sometimes seems like too much to bear. I mean it is illogical to believe in demons causing physical problems that obvious research and science can explain away. BUT GOD says “believe.”

JESUS created everything, yet we as humans believe humans are the center of existence. GOD wants me to have faith in the spiritual realm and credit everything to HIM rather than random chance or an unlucky “universe.” HE is my healer and I am forever grateful to GOD.

• Are you facing something difficult that is thoroughly out of your hands?
• Do you feel like giving up?
• Will you stop trying to be logical and allow GOD to fill you with HIS SPIRIT today?
• Will you be healed by GOD by allowing HIM to penetrate your heart?

Faith Practice

Luke 7: ⁶ Then Jesus went with them. And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, “Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof. ⁷ Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. ⁸ For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

⁹ When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, “I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” ¹⁰ And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick.

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“How will I ever do this?” I said to myself nervously. I had never done this before and I did not feel comfortable. As I took a deep breath, I got behind the wheel of the car. To my dismay, there were other practicing drivers sitting in the back seat. “Put the car in drive” the instructor said. I followed his instructions. After the drive was over, I felt more confident. “When will we do this again?” I said excitedly!

• Sometimes my faith is lacking.
• Sometimes I am not confident because of the unknown.
• Sometimes I need help with my faith.

One thing I noticed is the centurion never actually came out to speak with JESUS. He sent messengers to communicate between them because he did not feel worthy to be in JESUS’s presence. The centurion also believe in JESUS’s authority, so much so, that he could accept a word from JESUS knowing the healing would take place.

• JESUS wants me to practice having faith in HIM.
• JESUS wants me to believe in HIS authority over all of my situations.
• JESUS wants me to be more and more confident in HIS abilities and less confident in mine.

Just knowing JESUS is concerned about my situations is good enough. I mean once I know HE is handling the circumstance, I feel better. I praise HIM in the middle of the storm rather than when it is over, but it took practice to get there. Yes, I still question “why” and sin, BUT GOD teaches me faith daily and I trust HIM more and more.

• Do you feel your faith is lacking?
• Are you facing a huge situation that seems insurmountable?
• Can you allow GOD to have authority over your circumstance to do as HE pleases?
• Will you put your trust in HIM today?

Healed

Luke 4: ³⁸ Now He arose from the synagogue and entered Simon’s house. But Simon’s wife’s mother was sick with a high fever, and they made request of Him concerning her. ³⁹ So He stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. And immediately she arose and served them.

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“GOD I won’t do that again!” I said clutching my chest. The pain was so intense; I thought I was going to die. I figured I had been hanging out, sinning too much and maybe it was GOD’s way of punishing me. Days later, when the pain went away, The thought of hanging with my “friends” came back to mind. I mean church people were so boring to hang around.

• There were times when I did not believe in supernatural healing.
• There were times when I questioned “If GOD exists, then why are people sick?”
• There were times when I lived my life doing anything “I” wanted to do without a thought of what GOD wanted me to do.

Everyone in the house of Simon (Peter) asked JESUS to do something about Simon’s mother-in-law. They had just heard some amazing words from JESUS calling HIMSELF GOD and they believe HIM. JESUS told the fever to go away and she was instantly healed. She got up and served JESUS.

• JESUS wants to heal me when I am sick.
• JESUS wants me to remember that HE is the one who heals.
• JESUS wants me to serve HIM when I do get healed.

Why get healed just to turn around and be the same lackluster person? If I am expecting supernatural healing, then I must also expect supernatural purpose in my life. GOD keeps me alive for some reason and that reason is HIS. Whether I am sick or well, GOD has a purpose for my life.

• Are you sick?
• Do you need supernatural healing?
• Will you stop living for yourself and start living for GOD so HE will heal your SPIRIT first?

Mad Enough to Kill

Luke 4: ²⁸ So all those in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, ²⁹ and rose up and thrust Him out of the city; and they led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built, that they might throw Him down over the cliff. ³⁰ Then passing through the midst of them, He went His way.

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“That’s the last straw” I said out loud. Tired of being pushed around, I went to the gym and started lifting weights. I was so mad at bullies who got their way that I spent hours in the gym sculpting my physique. One day I went to a bar with other muscular guys. One guy with us was very volatile and decided to pick a fight with others. “Wait a minute… this looks familiar” I thought to myself.

• There were times when I was bullied.
• There were times when I wanted to be the bully.
• There were times when I was the bully.

Anger about JESUS claiming to be GOD rose quickly throughout the synagogue. The crowd was so filled with wrath that they wanted to throw JESUS off of a cliff, but HE managed to escape. Their anger rose quickly.

• GOD wants me to keep my eyes open when I get angry.
• GOD wants me to add grace and mercy to my anger so I can still hear HIM.
• GOD wants me to grab hold of my wrath and give it to HIM instead of displaying it to others.

Anger, upset and disgust are the seeds to hatred. When I water them they get planted deeply in my heart and soon I am consumed with wrath. BUT GOD has a remedy. HE placed HIS HOLY SPIRIT in me so HE can guide me away from wrath, back to peace.

GOD wants me to examine my anger and if I cannot diffuse it, give it to HIM. HE desires that I not look at “that” person with disgust but add prayer and love towards them. HE gives me the ability to turn my bitterness into HIS sweet grace filled way.

• Are you mad?
• Do you get angry easily?
• Are you ready to get back at someone?
• Will you allow GOD to diffuse your anger and replace it with HIS love today?

Healing Process

Mark 8: ²² Then He came to Bethsaida; and they brought a blind man to Him, and begged Him to touch him. ²³ So He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the town. And when He had spit on his eyes and put His hands on him, He asked him if he saw anything.

²⁴ And he looked up and said, “I see men like trees, walking.”

²⁵ Then He put His hands on his eyes again and made him look up. And he was restored and saw everyone clearly. ²⁶ Then He sent him away to his house, saying, “Neither go into the town, nor tell anyone in the town.”

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“Come back in about a week” the doctor said to me after the surgery. He wanted to see if the wound was healing as expected.  When I went back, the wound was healing but I was still in a lot of pain.

• Sometimes I want to be healed instantly.
• Sometimes I want the pain to go away immediately.
• Sometimes I want to be finished with the pain and to get on with the healing.

What stuck out to me in this passage is JESUS did not heal the blind man instantly; instead HE took a couple of tries to restore the blind man’s eyes. What does this mean for me?

• GOD says to me “I have a plan to prosper you, but you will go through trials to get there.”
• GOD says to me “I will continue to grow you but the growth process will not be instantaneous.”
• GOD says to me “I will be there with you always even through times of trouble.”

After hearing stories of JESUS healing people without touching them, I’m sure the blind man expected to be instantly healed, but he wasn’t. JESUS showed me that some problems will be cleared up instantly and some may take a while. There is a process to healing and GOD governs the timing.

• Have you prayed for healing and it is taking longer than expected?
• Do you feel like giving up on prayer and running away fro GOD?
• Will you allow GOD to heal you in HIS time so you can praise HIM to many people?

Touched

Mark:6 ⁵³ When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret and anchored there. ⁵⁴ And when they came out of the boat, immediately the people recognized Him, ⁵⁵ ran through that whole surrounding region, and began to carry about on beds those who were sick to wherever they heard He was. ⁵⁶ Wherever He entered, into villages, cities, or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched Him were made well.

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“Here is a drawing of you” the child said. As I looked at the drawing and then the child’s smile I could not contain the joy I had at that moment.

• I have had some times that brought me extreme joy.
• I have had some times that enabled me to experience delight.
• I have had some times that were very touching.

Being “touched” is a wonderful feeling. Many people touched me when they boldly spoke as they met me where I was at the time. They cared and some reached out and took me by the wing to grow me. JESUS does the same.

• JESUS enjoys when I reach out to touch HIS garment.
• JESUS loves when I do something to touch HIM.
• JESUS is touched by my words of encouragement I give to others on HIS behalf.

There are so many people who are reaching out to touch something, but unfortunately there is nothing good in what is being touched. BUT GOD is the right “something” to touch. HE can provide joy like none other. HE can fill me up when others are robbing me of peace.

JESUS is who I reach out to touch when things are not looking as great as they should. I am healed by touching JESUS’s garment.

• Do you need physical, mental, emotional or spiritual healing?
• What are you reaching out to get help from?
• Why is your heart turned from the one who loves you dearly?
• Will you turn to GOD today and watch HIM do a marvelous work in you?

Belief and Power

Matthew 9: ¹⁸ While he was saying this, a synagogue leader came and knelt before him and said, “My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.” ¹⁹ Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples.

²⁰ Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. ²¹ She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.”

²² Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment.

²³ When Jesus entered the synagogue leader’s house and saw the noisy crowd and people playing pipes, ²⁴ he said, “Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him. ²⁵ After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up. ²⁶ News of this spread through all that region.

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“Absurd” comes to mind when I read this passage. Dead means dead! Why in the world would this guy even think this method would work? I read on. “Absurd again” came to mind. How could a person think that touching a garment would heal the body?

• Belief seems absurd from the outside looking in.
• Belief seems like something only crazy people or poor people do.
• Belief seems to be a last resort rather than a first response.

What I like about this passage is the immediacy of those involved. The synagogue leader immediately went to JESUS, knowing JESUS could do something about the situation. He didn’t say she “may” live, he said she “will” live. The bleeding, ostracized woman said the same. She did not say “Maybe I will be healed and if I’m not then I will try something else.” No, she said “I will be healed.”

• JESUS showed HIS power over death in order to grow my faith in HIM.
• JESUS gave me an example of HIS power in order to make me believe HE can do anything in my life.
• JESUS healed people in order to tell me “Do not worry about your situation, I can handle it.”

If I could just touch HIS garment or get HIS attention then HE can heal anything, should be my way of thinking. I should act like JESUS has the power I read about. JESUS looks at me the same way HE sees these people. The little girl did not ask to be raised from the dead, nor did the woman ask JESUS to be healed.

JESUS wanted the best for them and wants the same for me. HE heals me daily.

• Are you wounded?
• Do you feel your life is dead?
• Can you stop believing in the worst and start believing that JESUS can heal your situation?
• Will you say “GOD WILL” instead of doubting HIM?

Sunny Warm Days

Malachi 4: ² But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves.

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Wet and cold were my toes from snow engulfing my boots. Dark was the day and it seemed like the word dismal was the only description for life at that time. As I stood waiting on the bus, a snowplow drove by and sloshed its slush on my cold feet.

• Sometimes it seemed like the sun would never shine again.
• Sometimes my mood felt like a cloud of grey.
• Sometimes multiple difficult situations made me think everything was wrong.

When new dirty slush hit my frozen toes I had reached my final straw. I officially declared that particular day the worse day of my life at the time. Nothing would cheer me up and I was ready to be grumpy, but lo and behold I saw the familiar lights of the bus shining in the darkness. My heart was filled with relief as the driver pulled directly in front of me for a change.

• GOD provides me with the sun of righteousness.
• GOD provides me with the warmth of HIS love.
• GOD provides me with the rays of HIS healing power.

I sat in a warm spot and noticed an extra bonus. Somehow I had even more heat than normal blowing towards me as I sat near the tire well. The bus was very old. I removed my boot and socks, emptied the excess water placed my socks and toes next to the vent. Such great relief! I got off the bus with warm toes and dry socks. Maybe the day wasn’t so bad after all, I thought.

• Have you reached your limit?
• Do you think the day is filled with nothing but grey clouds?
• Can you see GOD’s healing sunshine even when it is cloudy?
• Will you learn to take GOD’s warmth to people instead of cold bitter words?

Purpose in the Stumble

Daniel 11: ³³ “Those who are wise will instruct many, though for a time they will fall by the sword or be burned or captured or plundered. ³⁴ When they fall, they will receive a little help, and many who are not sincere will join them. ³⁵ Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time.

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Pulling up on furniture enabled me to walk as a toddler, but of course I fell only to try again. Riding near grass was my plan anticipating the inevitable fall as I learned how to ride my bike; of course I fell only to try again. Observing others, driving slow and practicing was my plan, but when I had my first accident, I learned to watch my blind spot so I had to try again.

• There have been times in my life when I have fallen down hard.
• There have been times in my life when I have crashed to the ground.
• There have been times in my life when I have stumbled.

Sometimes I felt like staying down. I mean, what is the purpose of getting back up when I could be knocked back down? What’s the purpose of falling down anyway? Can’t I just stay up all the time?

• GOD says to me “I WILL be with you when you fall.”
• GOD says to me “In your weakness MY strength shines bright.”
• GOD says to me “You will have sin, but MY faith is everlasting.”

Stumbling and falling are not meant to crush my spirit. Quite the contrary, GOD wants me to recognize my need for HIM. HE allows me to stumble and fall and tumble down to the ground only to reach HIS mighty hand out to pick me up again and again. After the fall I rise with HIS help, this time a little wiser and stronger.

GOD purifies me and makes me spotless with each fall. HE wants me to get back up and endure the race called life.

• Have you stumbled in life?
• Have you fallen to the point where you do not feel like getting back up?
• Can you see that GOD needs you to get back up so you can reach “that” person HE has appointed to you?
• Will you ask GOD to give you strength today?

No More Shame

Isaiah 29: ²² Therefore this is what the Lord, who redeemed Abraham, says to the descendants of Jacob:

“No longer will Jacob be ashamed;
    no longer will their faces grow pale.
²³ When they see among them their children,
    the work of my hands,
they will keep my name holy;
    they will acknowledge the holiness of the Holy One of Jacob,
    and will stand in awe of the God of Israel.
²⁴ Those who are wayward in spirit will gain understanding;
    those who complain will accept instruction.”

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“Move out of the way, it’s my turn” were the words that caught my attention as I saw a small group of guys huddled next to doors that were not exit doors. My curiosity climbed so I went to investigate. When I got my “turn” I peeked through a hole carved in the crease of the door. I got a glimpse of nakedness that made me want to stay there the whole day!

• There have been times where I tried to hide my thoughts.
• There have been times that I tried to cover up my actions.
• There have been times I tried to pretend I had not fallen, but I had truly fallen.

Late for class I decided to get a better glimpse. I wondered why there was no one around. Then a gym teacher came in and caught me. I was ashamed. I am glad I was caught, because I was headed down the wrong path.

• GOD says to me “You will no longer be ashamed.”
• GOD says to me “I will open your eyes and heal your heart.”
• GOD says to me “I will help you gain understanding and guide you with MY instruction.”

He simply yelled, “Get away from that door!” and off I ran. He gave me a strange look every time he saw me from then on. They fixed the door and I was glad. BUT GOD fixed my life. HE put me on a better path that includes acknowledging my need for HIM. By confessing, the sin no longer has power over me. I give the power to GOD who in turn gives it back to me.

• Do you feel powerless?
• Do you feel like your prayers are not being heard?
• Can you acknowledge the hidden things in your heart?
• Will you confess your sins and enable GOD to heal your soul?

Who Wants Pain?

Proverbs 20: ³⁰ Blows and wounds scrub away evil,
    and beatings purge the inmost being.

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Sitting by the window was probably the worst thing I could do. I would stare outside, longing to be in the fresh air, then like a clap of thunder, the teacher would inevitably call me back into reality. “Why do I have to go to school anyway?” I said in fourth grade.

• Sometimes I feel like giving up and taking the easy route.
• Sometimes I want vacation instead of work.
• Sometimes I desire resting in a meadow of laziness rather than plowing a field of work.

I decided not to go to attend class when I went to college. My grades suffered and I was told I may not graduate. I had to buckle down and study. It was painful. I decided to start going to school and found it to actually be easier than I thought.

• GOD has shown me that I need to be disciplined in order to stay on HIS path.
• GOD has shown me that I sometimes need a whooping in order to get focused.
• GOD has shown me that nothing in life comes easy and my focus should be HIM.

Bumps and bruises in life teach me that I need GOD every step of the way. HE takes my evil behavior and turns it into righteousness by allowing a little turmoil in my life. My desire gets purged and I can then praise HIM.

• Are you going through a beating in life right now?
• Have you ever done evil in your life?
• Can you change your course and follow GOD the way HE wants you to follow HIM?
• Will you accepts the blows and wounds as a method of purging instead of punishing?