Tag: God delivers
Faith and touch work together
Scripture reading for February 15th: Mark 6, Psalm 34, Proverbs 3
Key Scriptures: Mark 6:53-56 “When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored to the shore. And when they got out of the boat, the people immediately recognized Him and ran about the whole region and began to bring the sick people on their beds to wherever they heard He was. And wherever He came, in villages, cities, or countryside, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and implored Him that they might touch even the fringe of His garment. And as many as touched it were made well.”
As Jesus’ reputation spread among the people, crowds gathered wherever He went. They came to find mercy, healing and wholeness. They were brought by friends in faith. They reached out to touch Jesus by faith and implored His mercy. Those who touched even His garment were healed! All of them!
Faith’s confession: I believe that I can touch Jesus’ heart now by asking in faith for His healing mercy. I ask with expectancy, trusting in His willingness and power to heal me. (Action Step: Ask if you can help a sick or hurting friend to take their burden to Jesus.)
Psalm 34:17-18 “When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”
Learning to rely on God!
Scripture reading for July 28th: 2nd Corinthians 1
Key scriptures for over-comers: 2nd Corinthians 1:8-11 “We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us. On Him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.”
Paul wanted the Corinthians to understand some of the hardships that he and his missions team endured as they ministered and preached the gospel in Asia. It was not easy! In fact, they had despaired even of life–expecting that they would die! They were in over their heads and their ability to endure, but as they learned to lean on God, He delivered them. Paul encouraged the Corinthians to pray for them because by prayer and faith of God’s people, God would continue to deliver them and His work would move forward!
Observations for over-comers: Living a life fully consecrated to God doesn’t mean we won’t face trouble or hardship. Persecution and hardship are part of the package! But God calls us to rely on Him and the prayers of God’s people for deliverance and victory! “It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn Your decrees. The law from Your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.” (Psalm 119:71-72)