Tag: faith by hearing
The power of preaching the Word!
Scripture reading for June 4th: Proverbs 3-5, Romans 10
Key Scriptures: Romans 10:14-17 “How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” But they have not all obeyed the Gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the Word of Christ.”
Paul taught that the Gospel of Jesus Christ was the power of God unto salvation. But faith cannot come where the Gospel is not preached. Paul used the rabbinical technique of asking good questions to provoke thinking on the truths he was teaching. There must be preachers who preach the Word. These preachers must be called and sent out. They must preach whether people hear and receive or not. But faith will come to those who do hear God’s Word! It is God’s Word and God’s chosen way for faith to salvation.
Faith confession and prayer: Lord, thank You for calling me to preach Your unchanging Gospel. I will wait upon You to send me each day to those who need to hear Your life-giving Word. Fill me with the Holy Spirit and boldness!
Proverbs 4:20-22 “My son, be attentive to My Word; incline your ear to My sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh.”
Take Jesus at His Word!
Scripture reading for May 6th: John 4:43-54
Jesus was never one to do miracles just to satisfy someone’s curiosity. He knew each person and what they needed to help them with faith. He sometimes surprised people with His comments and offended others. In today’s reading, Jesus makes a strong statement to a royal official seeking healing for his son.
Jesus left the Samaritan village where He had ministered to the woman at the well, and headed for Galilee and His home town. Jesus noted that a prophet had no respect among the people He grew up with. Upon arrival, a certain ruler came to Jesus with a desperate request. He had a son who was sick and near death. He believed that Jesus could come and heal his boy. “Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders,” Jesus told him, “you will never believe.” The royal official said, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” Jesus replied, “You may go. Your son will live.” (John 4:48-50)
This royal official was not deterred at Jesus comment about miraculous signs. He was not seeking a sign, but needed a miracle to spare his son. He was desperate to have Jesus come and touch this son. He ignored the remark about the signs and Jesus honored his faith with a word of knowledge. His son would live and not die! This man exercised faith by “taking Jesus at His word”. “Consequently, faith comes by hearing the message, and the message is heard through the Word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17)
Upon arrival at his home, this ruler found his son had recovered and that the recovery began at the exact hour he had received the word from Jesus. This truth brought faith to the whole household and all came to trust in Jesus Christ! Jesus had done this miracle so that this man and his family could come to faith. They were not curiosity seekers or just looking for something to excite them. They sought Jesus for a recovery for this son and their faith was rewarded!
This story teaches us the simple truth of trusting the word of Jesus. Jesus honors faith and He speaks a word to us that strengthens our faith. Miracles can help people to trust in Jesus. We should always seek the Lord for His miraculous work to flow through us. Take Jesus at His word! Miracles are still happening!