Song: Yesterday, Today, Forever

1. Oh, how sweet the glorious message, Simple faith may claim;
Yesterday, today, forever, Jesus is the same.
Still He loves to save the sinful, Heal the sick and lame,
Cheer the mourner, still the tempest; Glory to His name!
chorus:
Yesterday, today, forever, Jesus is the same;
All may change, but Jesus never! Glory to His name.
Glory to His name, glory to His name;
All may change, but Jesus never! Glory to His name.

2. Oft on earth He healed the suff'rer By His mighty hand;
Still our sicknesses and sorrows Go at His command.
He who gave His healing virtue, To a woman's touch;
To the faith that claims His fullness, Still will give as much.
chorus:
Yesterday, today, forever, Jesus is the same;
All may change, but Jesus never! Glory to His name.
Glory to His name, glory to His name;
All may change, but Jesus never! Glory to His name.
(Albert B. Simpson, Sing His Praise)

Go Tell Your Friends (5/30-31)

Mark 5:19 “… Go home to your friends, and tell them what wonderful things the Lord has done for you and how merciful He has been.”

From Mark chapter 4, the story was about Jesus teaching by the lakeshore, the Sea of Galilee, and it was a large crowd so Jesus got on the boat so everyone could see Him. He began teaching the people by telling them many stories to compare earthly things with spiritual or heavenly things. When evening came Jesus called the disciples to go over to the other side of the lake, to the country of the Gadarenes. They got on the boat and Jesus was tired so He slept at the back of the boat with His head on a cushion. Imagine that! The Son of God in a boat? He was so natural in everyday life!

Anyway, the disciples row the big boat and it was a quiet time, but then unexpected storm came up. When the disciples became fearful, they woke Jesus up for help and Jesus calmed the storm. The story began with Mark 5:1-20. What impressed me was Jesus had time to sail all the way from Sea of Galilee to the country of Gadarenes which is located southeast of the Sea of Galilee.  

One of the twelves tribes were Gad and it was a Gentile region or area which later would explains how a herd of pigs could be involved. They had a business with pigs. Why? The Gentile people worship the god of Zeus and they buy pig to sacrifice for idol worship.

When Jesus arrived at the lakeshore, He walked along the way, a severely demon-possessed man cried out from the tombs of a distance region.  Why was that man living among the tombs? No one could control him and when he saw Jesus, he ran to meet Jesus and fell down before Him. Demons recognized the power of Jesus and screamed in fear of being send to hell, too soon. And Jesus told the demons to get out of that man.

But notice something, the demons begged Jesus not to send them away to some distant place because the demons were not comfortable with the “presence of positive people.” The legion means many demons and they are comfortable with “death” atmosphere. So demons saw a large herd of pigs feeding on the hillside nearby. Demons told Jesus to send them into the pigs so Jesus said, “Go ahead.” The demons left the man and went into the pigs, they became wild and plunged down the steep hillside into the lake, where they drowned.

The man was finally free and he was sitting there fully clothes and perfectly whole. The man wanted to go with Jesus, but Jesus said from Mark 5:19 “… Go home to your friends, and tell them what wonderful things the Lord has done for you and how merciful He has been.”  Jesus was not welcome in that area so Jesus send the man away with this Good News, Jesus was expanding His ministry to people who were not Jews. This man’s deliverance from demon possesses became a living example of Jesus’ power.  

When you are healed, you became a living example of Jesus’ power. This is where Jesus wants you to share the Good News to others that they have hope in Him because of you. When we read of the testimonies from others, it inspires us to know that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. There’s a song for that. God bless you.

Keep on Believing (5/27-29)

On Memorial Day I send out #17 prayer list to the prayer chain partners, and put in the blogger on Deaf Prayer Partners Lifeline. When I was done, suddenly, I ‘heard’ Holy Spirit singing this song and it was very inspiring to me. So I thought I would share with you to “Keep on believing, God will answer prayer.”

Song: Keep On Believing

Keep on believing, God will answer prayer;

Keep on believing, never to despair;

Tho’ you be heavy laden and

burdened down with care,

Remember God still loves you

and He answers prayer.

(Inspiring Choruses)

This song reminds me of a story of a ruler of the synagogue, Jairus who came to Jesus and begged Him to come and lay His hands on his daughter that she may be healed; and she shall live. Jesus went with him, and there were a lot of people followed and crowded Him. Jesus was interrupted by a certain woman and Jesus took the time with her and she was healed. Then she went on her way.

So Jesus went on with Jairus and someone came to Jairus and told him to forget about having Jesus come to his daughter. She’s dead anyway. Why bother Jesus now? It was too late. He can’t do anything about it. Jarius’ heart stank and thought to himself, ‘it’s too late now to save her.’ Do you ever felt that way sometimes? Let’s hear Jesus’ word.

But as soon as Jesus heard the negative words spoken, He immediately spoke to Jairus to look at Him and listened only to His Word, “Be not afraid, only believe.” Here in these part, Jesus is speaking to you, to look at Him and listen only to His Word, “Be not afraid, only believe. Be not afraid, only believe.”  So Jairus believed Jesus!

Jesus went into Jarius’ house and found negative people telling Him that it is no used. They laughed at Him and made fun of Him. On this part, I have to say, “Wow, I didn’t realize there are people who would have the nerves to do that to Jesus.” But that didn’t stop Jesus so what did He do about those people? He told them to get out of Jarius’ house. That was bold, but very necessary to clear the negative atmosphere in the house Jairus.

He brought Peter, James, John and the parents who believed in Jesus to come into the girl’s room. He took her by the hand and spoke to her to rise up and she got up and lived. The people who were negative were shocked that she arose and ate the food. Know this that Jesus’ response was to encourage Jairus’ faith even in this seemingly hopeless situation. The same word that Jesus spoke to Jairus are the same words for you.

Song: Only Believe!

Only believe, only believe

All things are possible

Only believe;

Only believe, only believe

All things are possible

Only believe.

(Inspiring Choruses)

*Reference: Mark 5:21-43

You are the Son of God! (5/23-26)

Mark 3:11-12 NCV, “When the evil spirits saw Jesus, they fell down before him and shouted, “You are the Son of God! But Jesus strongly warned them not to tell who He was.”

Reading from Mark 3:7-12 NCV, “Jesus left with His followers for the lake, and a large crowd from Galilee followed Him. 8) Also many people came from Judea, from Jerusalem, from Idumea, from the lands across the Jordan River, and from the area of Tyre and Sidon. When they heard what Jesus was doing, many people came to Him. 9) When Jesus saw the crowds, He told His followers to get a boat ready for Him to keep people from crowding against Him. 10) He had healed many people, so all the sick were pushing toward Him to touch Him.

11) When the evil spirits saw Jesus, they fell down before Him and shouted, “You are the Son of God!” 12) But Jesus strongly warned them not to tell who He was.” (KJV: And He straitly charged them that they should not make Him known. NLT: But Jesus strictly warned them not to say who He was. Mk.3:12)

Why didn’t Jesus want the demons to reveal who He was? Here are few reasons: 1) Jesus wants His listeners to believe He was the Messiah because of His words, not because of demons’ words. 2) Jesus was going to reveal His identity as the Messiah according to God’s time, and Jesus was not going to be pushed by Satan’s evil plans. 3) Jesus was going to show Himself to be the suffering servant, the suffering Messiah before He became the great King. 4) To reveal His identity (who He really is) as a King too soon would stir up the crowds with the wrong expectations of what He had come to do.

Satan wanted the people to follow Jesus around for what they could get out of Him, not because He was the Son of God who could truly set them free from sin’s guilt and power.  What did the people really expect Christ to do? The huge crowds were looking for a political and military leader who would free them from Rome’s control, and they thought that the Messiah predicted by the Old Testament prophets would be this kind of man.

But Jesus wanted to teach the people about the kind of Messiah He really was—one who was far different from their expectations. Christ’s kingdom is spiritual. Jesus said, “The kingdom of God is within you.” It begins with people’s heart to overcome their sins, not with the overthrown of governments.

When Jesus commands the demons to be silent, Jesus proved His authority and power over them. Jesus had chosen 12 of His disciples to go out and preach the good news. Jesus gave them authority and the power to heal sicknesses. Jesus also gave them authority to cast out demons. NCV quoted: “… to have authority to force demons out of people.” (Mk 3:13-19)

Before Jesus went back to heaven, He gave authority to the disciples to cast out devils and to lay hands on the sick and they shall recover. These are found in Mark 16:17-20. Jesus’ words was passed down to them and into the Word of God, the Bible.

Today, when we read this, do we believe that it was passed down to us that we have this authority through Jesus’ Word? There is a song to sing that “He is Lord! He is Lord! He has risen from the dead and He is Lord. Every knee shall bow, and every language shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord!” (Author, unknown)

My Crisis Testimony by Dot (5/21)

It was on #14 Prayer Request Listed: On May 20^th, Tuesday, my purse was stolen. I thought you might want to know exactly what had really happen so here goes the interesting story. On Tuesday, May 20^th, it was our day off from working at Taco Bell and we went to Denny for coffee and breakfast. Tony and I went to Kroger to buy some food and atm cash for $40 dollars. I had the purse over my shoulder to the waist. Then I followed Tony to the car trunk to put some bags into Sam’s Club bigger bags.

When we finished, I checked for my purse and it went missing. We emptied all the bags to see if I had misplaced it. I checked inside the car and went along the path to see if I had dropped the purse somewhere along the way to the store, Kroger. I went inside and check with the cashier and the manager. I realized it may have been missing so I start praying and displayed my folded hands in prayer.

While the managers went to their office to check the camera, I went outside walking and praying. I saw the rock at the corner of the parking lot, I sat on it. I started to pray out loud with my sign language, “Lord, speaking of the crisis Manna, I got my purse stolen!” So I started a demanding prayer: “Hey, whoever stole my purse, may the Lord convicted your hearts and you guys, return that purse to the police station, in Jesus’ name.”

I allowed Holy Spirit to take over and spoke in another language and I prayed again the same prayer 3 times. The lady came to me and asked if I was all right. I said, “My purse is stolen and I am praying.” Oh, she was sorry and left.

I got up and went inside in the Kroger Store and the manager who saw the camera said that I had the purse with me all the way to the line where I crossed, there were no camera on the other part of the parking lot. But it was assumed that I had the purse all the way to the trunk, but somehow it went missing.

So I had no choice but to go immediately to the Chase Bank which is across the street to cancel the debit cards. Then it was done. I went home to make calls for another bank to close my debit card and visa credit card. I also called T-Mobile to cancel my blackberry cell phone. Since I had paid the insurance, I would get a new cell phone. I told them to wait until I go to the police to report the missing purse.

As soon as I hug up the VP, the policeman just walked in with the blinking flash lights to get our attention because we left the door open for grocery bags and had forgotten to close it. It was a good thing and he showed me my drivers’ license and asked if it was mine. Definitely, it was mine. So I was to go to the police station to pick up my missing purse. I could not believe it. So I asked what happened!

The police said that the lady called and asked for policeman to come and pick up the purse that was on her lawn. Someone had drove by and threw my purse into her lawn. I had really prayed that God would convicted their hearts to leave my purse alone and demanded that it be returned to me. And I got my purse, but only thing was missing was $40 dollars cash and my cell phone.

                I went back to Kroger Store and met the cashier again and told her. She was disgusted that it should happened at the Kroger Parking lot where there are no camera on the other side of the parking lot. That’s explain why the thief knew this that they would not be caught.

            I came home and called T-Mobile that the purse was found, but the cell phone was definitely stolen so I will get a new 10z blackberry since it was chosen by insurance for me to pay only $150.00. Well, strange to say, I saw this as a “vision” and I thought it was trying to tell me to get something for Tony for the last few days. When T-Mobile said, “10z BB” suddenly I remember that vision. Why does this happened? I don’t know, but I know for one thing, “My purse was lost and now it is found, except for cash and old BB.”

            A lady at the Chase Bank said that she had her purse stolen at the store with cart pushed and can’t figure out how it went missing. She cried and it was never found. So most percentage says that purse stolen are almost never return so mine was a miracle that my demanding prayer got my purse back. So the praise goes to God for a miracle answering prayer. The crisis is my first experience to have my purse stolen in 71 years!

            One thing I noticed myself, “It got me angry enough to really pray through. I really gave the impression to those I spoke to, “I pray!” I wasn’t depressed. I was mad! I wasn’t going to let that thief be comfortable with that stolen purse of mine. Obviously, they got uncomfortable enough to threw it out to the lady’s lawn and allow her to take care of it so that is when she called the police for my missing purse. Imagine that!!!

            All that is left for me to do is to testify what God has done and to tell you how important it is to believe more than ever before. My prayer was a demanding prayer. Maybe it is time for a demanding prayer to be healed of any problems we have. Jesus gave us authority to do just that. “Take back what Satan has stolen from us” in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen!

Help Me Believe More (5/19-22)

Mark 9:24 KJV, “The father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.” NCV: “Immediately the father cried out, “I do believe! Help me to believe more!”

This story was about the father’s son who was suffering since he was a child. It was the spirit that torment the child and the father was in grief. He prayed that Jesus would heal his son. So the father asked Jesus if He can do anything to have compassion on his son and to help him.

Jesus’ response to the father, “If you can believe, all things are possible to Him that believeth.” That is to keep on believing. Then the father cried out with tears that he believes and ask Him to help him with his unbelief. Then Jesus rebuked the spirit to come out of the boy and he was healed.

The stories of healing are wonderful, but what about us? Do you ever felt like the healing just will not come? Why are there so much crisis and why are we going through this and that? You know, I just happen to watch TBN on Max Lucado and he share his devotion about “The Crisis.” I was amazed that it came to answer my questions about why there are so much crisis all around us. Max gave several short stories of people and how God used the crisis to save their lives.

Max used Joseph as an example of his crisis: his brother sold him; the mistress lied about him and sent Joseph to prison. Pharaoh’s dreams were crisis of the coming famine. Joseph was chosen to prepare the years of plenty to meet the need of crisis’ coming of seven years of famine. Joseph was prepared. God had a plan that our crisis that will turn into good things.

The things that we would not understand was the wisdom of God that was often hidden from us. Yet He asked us to believe in Him some more. Our prayers would be, “Help me Lord to believe more, and help me to overcome my unbelief. Help me to continue with my growing faith that is in constant process of daily renewing my trust in You, Jesus.” Then the healing will come as we grow in Him and stay close to Him.  

Someday we will understand the purposes of it. No wonder the Holy Spirit gave me this old song: Farther Along. It means some day along the way, we’ll know all about it and some day, we’ll understand why. The song is about some day. So let us believe in Jesus more than ever.

         Song: Farther Along

Faithful till death said our loving Master,

A few more days to labor and wait;

Toils of the road will then seem as nothing,

As we sweep thru the beautiful gate.

Chorus:

Farther along we’ll know all about it,

Farther along we’ll understand why;

Cheer up, my brother, live in the sunshine,

We’ll understand it all by and by.

(Rev. W. B. Stevens, old song book)

Lord, I Believe! (5/16-18)

John 9:38 KJV, “And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshiped Him.”

Reading from John 9:1-3, 6-7, NLT, “As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth. “Teacher,” his disciples asked him, “why was this man born blind? Was it a result of his own sins or those of his parents?”

“It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,” Jesus answered. “He was born blind so the power of God could be seen in him. Then He spit on the ground, made mud with saliva, and smoothed the mud over the blind man’s eyes. He told him, “Go and wash in the pool of Siloam. So the man went and washed, and came back seeing!

The rest of the story was about his neighbors and others who knew him as a blind beggar and they were surprised he could see now. The man was taken to the Pharisees to be questioned because Jesus had healed the man on a Sabbath day. Remember, according to their law, you can’t heal on Sabbath day. Jesus knew this, but His compassion on the blind man was greater than the demand of the law against the “work” on the Sabbath day.

After a long debate between the former blind man and the Pharisees who had tried to figure out how he got healed. They did not believe that Jesus was from God because He was working on the Sabbath day. So many questions from Pharisees had wearied the man so he quoted, “Never since the world began has anyone been able to open the eyes of someone born blind. If you claim that he was a sinner and he was not from God, He could not have healed me.” So they threw him out of the synagogue because they said, “Are you trying to teach us?”

John 9:35-38 NLT, When Jesus had heard what happened, he found the man and said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” The man answered, “Who is he, sir, because I would like to. “You have seen Him,” Jesus said, “and He is speaking to you!” “Yes, Lord, the man said, “I believe!” And he worshiped Jesus. This man had experienced his new life through Christ. He became more confident in Jesus who had healed him. He recognized Jesus first as a prophet, then as his Lord. The man who were born blind, and now he was healed, like Jesus said, “the power of God could be seen in him.”

Why is the subject, “believe” become so important? Here’s my testimony. Before I wrote the Manna for May 13-15, I received a song, “Lord, I believe” early in the morning from the Holy Spirit. So I did some research on “Do you believe?” This Manna impressed me so deeply and I felt like some of us may be losing our “belief” in God for healing. As I completed the Manna, Kathryn emailed me that she was glad to able to talk with her mother for a short time because her mother could see her before she was gone (she was 99). Before that, her mother was blind and Kathryn was frustrated with no communication with her. So when her mother was able to see some enough to chat with her shortly, her prayer were answered. This fits because the Manna was about two men asking Jesus to heal their eyes.

When Manna was send out that morning on May 13th, I received a remarkable testimony from Dean Hardy. “A good word from the throne of grace. When I shared this devotion with Karen, she laughed & told me about something that happened this morning. She was getting ready to do devotions with the kids before the school bus came. Out of the blue little Rochelle (our 8 year old downs syndrome daughter) stood up in her chair and shouted, “Believe!” with a big smile on her face. Perhaps you two were communing in the Spirit this morning.” :-) Blessings & grace, Dean/Karen

My dear friends, Jesus is calling us to “BELIEVE.” God is working on our hearts to “believe.” So don’t give up! Sing the song: Lord, I believe. It really boosts my inner spirit. I’m praying with you! God bless you!

Do You Believe? (5/13-15)

Matthew 9:28 NLT, Jesus asked them, “Do you believe that I can make you see?” “Yes, Lord,” they told Him, “we do.”

Reading from Matt. 9:27-30a KJV, “And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou Son of David, have mercy on us.  And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord. Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you. And their eyes were opened …”

The blind men cried out, “Son of David,” have you wondered why they called Him that? “Son of David” was a popular way of addressing Jesus as the Messiah because it was known that the Messiah would be a descendant of David (Isaiah 9:7). This is the first time the title is used in Matthew.

Jesus didn’t respond immediately to the blind men’s plea. He wanted to see if they had faith. Not everyone who says he wants help really believes that God can help him. Jesus may have waited and questioned these men to emphasize and increase their faith.

Do you ever think that God is too slow in answering your prayers? Do you believe that God can help you? Do you really want His help? These blind men were persistent. That is the key word, persistent means continuing for a long time or longer than usual time.

They went right into the house where Jesus was staying. They knew Jesus could heal them, and they would let nothing stop them from finding Him. That’s real faith in action. If you believe Jesus is the answer to your every need, don’t let anything or anyone stop you from reaching out to Him.

Song: Lord, I Believe

Lord, I believe, Lord, I believe;

Savior raise my faith in Thee

‘Till it can move a mountain.

Lord, I believe, Lord, I believe;

All my doubts are

buried in the fountain.

(Author unknown, Song collection)

Jesus Healed All of Them (5/10-12)

Luke 4:40 NCV, “When the sun went down, the people brought those who were sick to Jesus. Putting His hands on each sick person, He healed every one of them.”

Reading from KJV: “Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto Him; and He laid His hands on every one of them, and healed them.” NLT: “As the sun went down that evening, people throughout the village brought sick family members to Jesus. No matter what their diseases were, the touch of His hand healed everyone.”

Have you noticed something? Why did the people waited until the sun went down to come to Jesus? They waited for what reason? The Jewish leaders had proclaimed that it was against the law to be healed on the Sabbath day. The Sabbath day was their day of rest, lasting from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday. The people did not want to break this law so they waited until sunset to come to Jesus. After the sun went down, the crowds were free to find Jesus so He could heal every one of them.

This is something when we read about why people waited until sunset to come to Jesus, we didn’t realized that it was the Sabbath day when Jesus had left the synagogue to visit Peter’s mother-in-law. Jesus didn’t wait until the sun was set to heal the mother-in-law’s fever. In fact, according to the Jewish’s law, Jesus had broken it, but that didn’t bother Him. He just went right ahead and healed her. Praise the Lord for that! But the people had to wait to come to Jesus until evening when the sun was setting.

The people did not give up when they need the healing very badly. They were willing to wait with patience and trust God that Jesus would laid His hands on them and He healed every one of them. I like the words, “Jesus healed every one of them.” God’s Word put inside of my heart that Jesus wants to heal you.

Holy Spirit, I pray that this word would sink deep into our hearts, and that Jesus wants to heal us. Holy Spirit, help us to hold on to that Word, Jesus healed every one of them. Luke who was a doctor put a note that they came with all kinds of diseases and Jesus healed each one. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen!

So let us come to Jesus and trust Him that He does wants to heal you.

Song: Jesus, I come

Out of my bond-age, sorrow and night,

Je-sus, I come, Je-sus I come;

In-to Thy free-dom, glad-ness and light,

Je-sus, I come – to Thee;

Out of my sick-ness in-to Thy health,

Out of my want - and in-to Thy wealth,

Out of my sin - and into thy-self,

Je-sus, I come - to Thee.

(William True Sleeper, Sing His Praise)

Good News! Jesus Heals! (5/8-9)

Matthew 4:23 NCV, “Jesus went everywhere in Galilee, teaching in the synagogues, preaching the Good News about the kingdom of Heaven, and healing all the people’s diseases and sicknesses.”

Reading from Matthew 4:24-25: “The news about Jesus spread all over Syria, and people brought all the sick to Him. They were suffering from different kinds of diseases. Some were in great pain, some had demons, some were epileptics, and some were paralyzed. Jesus healed all of them. Many people from Galilee, and the Ten Towns, Jerusalem, Judea, and the land across the Jordan River followed Him.”

Notice three things about Jesus: Jesus was teaching, preaching, and healing. Whenever Jesus was in different synagogues, He was reading and teaching the prophets’ writing from the Old Testament. Jesus soon developed a powerful preaching ministry. Jesus preached the gospel—the Good News to everyone who wanted to hear it.

The Good News is that the Kingdom of Heaven has come, that God is with us, and that He cares for us. Christ can heal us, not just of physical sickness, but of spiritual sickness as well. There is no sin or problem too great or too small for Him to handle. Jesus’ word were good news because they offered freedom, hope, peace of heart, and eternal life with God. His miracles of healing authenticated His teaching and preaching, proving that He truly was from God.

The word, authenticate means being really what it seems to be. It is like this: Is He for real? Is He truly the Son of God? Healing all the people’s diseases and sicknesses really show that His preaching the Good News about the kingdom of God was for real! He not only taught in synagogues, but He preached and healed as well. This is our blessed assurance that we can claim His healing power. Darlene Polson send the song she typed the other day. I appreciate the help she did. I was impressed with perfect choice.

             Song: Blessed Assurance

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine;
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

Chorus:

This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.

Perfect submission, perfect delight,
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels descending, bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

Perfect submission, all is at rest,
I in my Savior am happy and blest;
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.

(Fanny Jane Crosby, Sing His Praise)

Believed Jesus' Word (5/5-7)

John 4:50, NLT, Then Jesus told him, “Go back home. Your son will live!” And the man believed Jesus’ word and started home.

Reading from John 4:46-54 about Jesus heals a Government Official’s son: “In the course of his journey through Galilee, He arrived at the town of Cana, where He had turned water into wine. There was a government official in the city of Capernaum whose son was very sick. When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea and was traveling in Galilee, he went over to Cana. He found Jesus and begged Him to come to Capernaum with him to heal his son, who was about to die. Jesus asked, “Must I do miraculous and wonders before you people will believe in Me!”

           

The official pleaded, “Lord, please come now before my little boy dies.” Then Jesus told him, “Go back home. Your son will live!” And the man believed Jesus’ word and started home. While he was on his way home, some of his servants met him with the news that his son was alive and well.

He asked them when the boy had begun to feel better, and they replied, “Yesterday afternoon at one o’clock his fever suddenly disappeared!” Then the father realized it was the same time that Jesus had told him, “Your son will live.” And the officer and his entire household believed in Jesus. This was Jesus’ second miracle sign in Galilee after coming from Judea.”

This government official was probably an officer in Herod’s service. He had walked 20 miles to see Jesus and addressed Him as “Lord,” putting himself under Jesus even though he had legal authority over Jesus. This miracle was more than a favor to one official; it was a sign to all the people. John’s Gospel was written to all human kind to urge faith in Christ. Here a government had faith that Jesus could do what He claimed.

The official believed; then he saw a miracle sign. This government official not only believed Jesus could heal; he also obeyed Jesus by returning home, so he demonstrating his faith. It isn’t enough for us to say we believe that Jesus can take care of our problems. We need to act as if He can.

When you pray about a need or problem, live as though you believe Jesus can do what He says. Although the official’s son was 20 miles away, he was healed when Jesus spoke the word. Notice how the official’s faith grew.

First, he believed enough to ask Jesus to help his son. Second, he believed Jesus’ assurance that his son would live, and he acted like it. Third, he and his whole house believed in Jesus. Faith is a gift that grows as we use it.

Song: Trust and Obey

When we walk with the Lord

In the light of His Word,

What a glory He sheds on our way!

While we do His good will,

He abides with us still,

And with all who will trust and obey.

Chorus:

Trust and obey, for there’s no other way

To be happy in Jesus, But to trust and obey.

(John H. Sammis, Sing His Praise)

He Spoke the Word (5/1-4)

Luke 4:38-39 NLT,

“After leaving the synagogue that day, Jesus went to Simon’s home, where He found Simon’s mother-in-law very sick with a high fever. ‘Please heal her,’ everyone begged. Standing at her bedside, He spoke to her fever, rebuking it, and immediately her temperature returned to normal. She got up at once and prepared a meal for them.

The word, rebuke means an expression of strong disapproval (not acceptable). Jesus rebuke the fever means He spoke the words against the fever. This is an example that we could speak the word against any sickness, name them and trust Jesus’ authority over the sicknesses that bother us and be healed in Jesus’ name.

Jesus healed Simon’s (Peter’s) mother-in-law so completely that not only did the fever leave but her strength was restored, and immediately she got up and took care of other’s needs. What a beautiful attitude of service she showed and a beautiful example for us to follow. God gives us health so that we may serve others.

Song: I Am the God That Healeth Thee

1.   I am the God .. that healeth thee,

I am the Lord .. your Healer; ..

I sent My word .. and healed your disease,

I am the Lord, .. your Healer.

2.   Your are the God .. that healeth me,

You are the Lord, .. my Healer;

You sent Your word .. and healed my disease,

You are the Lord, .. my Healer.

(Don Moen, Sing His Praise)