Tag: full of faith
Healed instantly by Jesus!
Scripture reading for August 9th: Hosea 4-6, Psalm 58, Matthew 17
Matthew 17: 14-18 “And when they came to the crowd, a man came up to Him and kneeling before Him, said, “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and he suffers terribly. For often he falls into the fire, and often into the water. And I brought him to Your disciples, and they could not heal him.” And Jesus answered, “O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to Me.” And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him, and the boy was healed instantly.”
Matthew told the story of Jesus, Peter, James and John returning from the Mount of Transfiguration. There was a crowd gathered and Jesus was approached humbly by a man whose son was an epileptic and had seizures that sought to destroy him. This man had gone to the other disciples but they were unable to help the child. Jesus rebuked them and the people for their lack of faith and twisted thinking. Even though Jesus had taught His disciples to pray for the sick and believe God for miracles, these men were not believing God to see the needed healing. Jesus simply rebuked the evil spirit behind the sickness and immediate healing was the result. Oh that as followers of Jesus, we walked continuously by faith in God’s Holy Word and the knowledge of God’s compassionate heart to heal and deliver.
Hosea 6:2-3 “After two days he will revive us; on the third day He will raise us up, that we may live before Him. Let us know, let us press on to know the Lord; His going out is sure as the dawn; He will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth.”
Prayer: Father God, forgive me when I only see life through my own eyes and don’t know You or Your Word as I should. As a follower of Jesus Christ, fill me with Your Holy Spirit and grace to truly heal and deliver those suffering under Satan’s bondage and darkness. Send the rain of Your Spirit to water the earth and bring reward to the righteous and escape from judgment.
Psalm 58:10-11 “The righteous will rejoice when he sees the vengeance; he will bathe his feet in the blood of the wicked. Mankind will say, “Surely there is a reward for the righteous; surely there is a God Who judges on earth.”
Apostles and Deacons
Scripture reading for May 13th: Acts 6
Church growth is wonderful, but it also brings problems that must be worked out. The early church experienced rapid growth from Pentecost onward. There were many preaching the message and as people heard the Good News, they were saved. Many of the new believers had needs and the original apostles soon found themselves overwhelmed with the need to pray and minister God’s word and do the daily work of caring for these needs.
“So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.” (Acts 6:2-4)
The apostles knew their calling and gifting to pray and preach the word. They understood that others should do some of the ministry of serving. They also realized that this ministry of serving required spiritual maturity and the power of the Holy Spirit. They chose men full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom to take care of the widows who were being neglected. After they chose them, they laid their hands on them and prayed over them to set them in their new ministry position. (Acts 6:6)
Church leadership must choose godly helpers to minister to other in the Name and power of Christ. We must realize that ministry gifting and willingness are not the only qualifications. Those appointed by God to lead must discern those full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom! The result was rapid church growth as each person did their part!