So what are these “things” we are to be doing? Jesus spoke healing into sick bodies, He spoke words of encouragement into the brokenhearted, He spoke admonishment into the prideful and stubborn….but most of all, Jesus spoke the hidden potential…the secret treasures into the lives of the lost. But it doesn’t stop there…He says that we are to do GREATER things than these, because He has returned to the right hand of the Father to intercede on our behalf. And when we pray in the name of Jesus, whatever is in keeping with His character and purpose will happen.
Author: kezha1
A Christian mother, grandmother, and retired nurse living in Illinois. Called into a ministry of encouraging others to find their ultimate plan and purpose in life through Christ.
Jeremiah 31: 35 ” This is what the Lord says, He who appoints the sun to shine by day, Who decrees the moon and stars to shine by night, Who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar – the Lord Almighty is His name.
Night turns day…the sun rises and sets…seasons follow each other, these laws of nature from God are permanently binding forever according to His promise and His Word. He has set boundaries for the waves, a path for the sun, and illumination for the starry heavens. He is the Lord Almighty.
John 4:50 ” Jesus replied, ‘ You may go. Your son will live.’ The man took Jesus at His word and departed.”
Jesus healed in many ways. Here, He did not even see or touch the royal official’s son…He just spoke life into his dying body. But it’s what the father did that was truly amazing – he believed Jesus. No demanding of proof…no questioning of methods – he simply took Jesus at His word that his boy would be healed, and headed home. So when he met his servants on the way back, hearing that his son was alive and well, he inquired as to the exact time it had happened. “The fever left him yesterday at the seventh hour.” At that moment, he knew that he knew, Jesus was the Messiah…and it says that the entire household put their faith in Christ.
Ecclesiastes 10:1 ” As dead flies give perfume a bad smell, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.”
A person may go on for years doing the right thing…and never be noticed. But one act of indiscretion, one lapse of judgment, and suddenly they are known internationally…for all the wrong reasons.
Romans 10: 14-15 ” How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘ How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’ “
If when you read these verses your breath quickens and you feel a longing…you probably have a heart for missions… You might even feel called to the mission field. There is nothing more honorable than to be called and sent out as an Ambassador for Christ Jesus…preaching the gospel to the world. But look around…your mission field is also in your midst . Everyday the Lord brings hurting people across your path that need to hear about Jesus and His love for them. God wants us all to be missionaries proclaiming His gospel to the lost.
Malachi 2:16 “…and I hate a man’s covering himself (or his wife) with violence as well as with his garment, says the Lord Almighty.”
Yesterday, I wrote about dark secrets that Believer’s struggle with, and the Church grapples to address. As a way of demonstration, I will tell you about my dark secret, and the Church’s response. My first marriage was one of constant domestic violence for many years. It was my dark, panic-stricken secret that was just too terrible to share with anyone…even my Church friends. So I stayed in this horrible relationship out of fear, guilt, and self-hate. Finally, the abuse became so bad I knew I would be killed…so I planned my escape, and left. To accomplish this, I had confided to my Pastor, who was more than understanding and compassionate…to the point of opening their home up to me to stay. The Church came to my aid and offered encouragement and support at the very lowest time in my life. Looking back years later, I only wish I had been brave enough to seek help earlier…
Psalm 90:8 ” You have set our iniquities before You, our secret sins in the light of Your presence.”
This morning I read a very interesting article in the paper about how dark secrets are impacting many Believers, and the lack of responsiveness from the Church. Many are burdened down with shame, guilt, and the feeling of hopelessness for sins and addictions they feel they cannot talk about, especially in Church. Instead, they allow the silence to bind them up, unable to break free of the secret sin that has them in its grip. But sadly, it’s also the lack of addressing real issues, that has the Church falling short. Jesus never skirted issues…He always called them for what they were. We may think our sin is “secret”…But God sees all, and now is the time to bring the light of His truth into the darkness.
Isaiah 30:21 ” Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’ “
That still small voice is ever-present…ever speaking the Lord’s revelation for our lives. However, the world’s noise drowns it out very easily, and our hearing acuity is dulled by the ever present blare. But if we listen carefully, that voice will guide us through our journey and relationship with God…for “He will guard and watch closely all our paths.” (Job 33:11)
Ephesians 2:13 ” But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.”
At one time we were all separated from God, for sin keeps us from Him. But Jesus came to reconcile us to the Father…and through His shed blood on the Cross, Jesus Christ has made a way possible for us to have that personal relationship with Him.
I Samuel 25:33 ” May you be blessed for your good judgment and for keeping me from bloodshed this day and from avenging myself with my own hands.”
Chapter 25 of I Samuel is the story about David, Nabal, and Nabal’s wife Abigail. Living in the area of Maon was a wealthy rancher by the name of Nabal, whose name meant Fool. For as mean, harsh, and unpredictable as he was, his lovely wife Abigail was noble, strong, and virtuous…even to being likened to Proverbs 31:10…”A wife of noble character.”
David and his men had been living in the area and interacting with Nabal’s shepherds and flocks, so when shearing started, David had sent men to ask for a gift for guarding the flocks. But rather than being gracious, Nabal had hurled insults. This infuriated David to the point of retaliation, but Abigail was also told of Nabal’s stupidity…so she quickly gathered a large quantity of bread, meat, and wine and set off to meet David’s army charging towards them. In perfect diplomacy, Abigail was able to defuse the situation, and David accepted her gifts, thus saving the lives of all the men in her family.
Safetypinlove 