THE RESURRECTED LIFE -- Day 21

Pin It Originally: How To Add a Pinterest (Pin it) Button to your Blog/Website http://cs-doon.blogspot.com/#ixzz1ryXJUBEC

 Day 21:  The Father of the Mute Boy (Mark 9: 14-29)

Jesus, Peter, James and John were returning to the other disciples.  After having been on the mountain together where Jesus was trans-figured before them.  It was very clear as they approached the disciples that something was up.  A crowd surrounded the disciples, and they were in a heated argument with some of the scribes.  As they came near, the crowd took a new interest in Jesus, and they ran to greet him.

Quickly a man began to describe what had just happened.  He had brought his son for healing from a demon that possessed him.  When put on the spot, the disciples had not been able to heal the mute boy who foamed at the mouth, ground his teeth, and was being slammed to the ground.  His convulsions proved to be too difficult for them.  “If You can do something, have pity on us!” the man pleaded.

“If You can?  All things are possible for him who believes,” Jesus answered him.

“I want to believe,” the man thought.  “But do I really believe?”  For what seemed like hours, he wrestled with this question within himself.  He felt an inner convulsion of his heart and mind that could have equaled the physical convulsion of his son.  But in the midst of the turmoil, a light went on.  “I believe this Man can help my son, and the problems I have with unbelief, He can help me with as well,” the man rejoiced.  In a loud voice he proclaimed for all to hear, “I DO believe; help my unbelief!”

With a look of compassion and understanding, Jesus smiled at the man.  Turning to the son, He commanded the spirit to come out and never return.  Jesus raised the boy up from the ground; the crowd dispersed, and Jesus and his disciples went home.  When asked why they couldn’t drive out the spirit, Jesus’ only reply was, “This kind cannot come out by anything but prayer.”

Do you believe in the power of prayer?  Do you pray about everything?  In what areas do you struggle with unbelief?  Are you praying about them?  Does your lack of prayer point to your unbelief?  Do you ever pray this prayer, "I do believe; help my unbelief"?

THE RESURRECTED LIFE -- Day 16

Pin It Originally: How To Add a Pinterest (Pin it) Button to your Blog/Website http://cs-doon.blogspot.com/#ixzz1ryXJUBEC

Day 16:  The Thankful Leper (Luke 17: 11-19)

Again we find Jesus in today’s passage on His way to Jerusalem, to the cross on which He would die to bring salvation to the world.  His path led Him through the middle of Samaria on the north, and into Galilee.  Upon entering a village along the way, a group of men stood off in the distance, hoping to meet Jesus.  Seizing the opportunity at hand, the ten men went out to the One they had heard so much about.  By this time, Jesus had healed many people.  Word of these healings had surely reached their village.

“Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” they cried out, desperate to be heard over the crowd that was surrounding Him.  These ten men had been afflicted with the awful disease of leprosy, and they knew He had an authority like no one else they had ever seen.

Jesus’ attention turned to the lepers.  “Go and show yourselves to the priests.”  His answer was simple, yet it begged the next question.  Why did they need to go and show their leprosy to the priests?  It had been required of them when they first contracted it. Why show the priests now?  Jesus mused, knowing their thoughts, and knowing as well that their healing was on the way!  He had sent them to show the priests that their leprosy was healed.  In just a moment it would be GONE!

Deciding that it was best to obey the Master’s words, the ten men took off to show the priests, even though it seemed to make no sense.  On the way to the temple their “mercy” came.  All ten of them were healed of their despised condition.  What had made no sense before made perfect sense now.  Their meeting with the priests would render them all clean.  Nine continued on to the temple to fulfill the Jewish law, but one of them made a clear transition from the Law to the Grace of Jesus Christ.

As fast as his feet would carry him, he turned back to Jesus.  Glorifying God loudly, he fell at the feet of Jesus and worshipped Him, giving Him thanks for the awesome miracle that had taken place in his life.  On that day ten received cleansing, but only one received the greater healing—he was saved.  His faith had made his HEART well.  How’s your heart?

THE RESURRECTED LIFE -- Day 12

Pin It Originally: How To Add a Pinterest (Pin it) Button to your Blog/Website http://cs-doon.blogspot.com/#ixzz1ryXJUBEC

Day 12:  Jairus and His Daughter (Mark 5: 21-24, 35-43)

Fear and despair gripped Jairus’ heart.  He had just learned of his daughter’s grave illness.  Quickly, he started for home.  Choosing the route that would take him by the sea, Jairus sought to soothe his mind with the splash of the waves on the shore.  Wondering what would happen to his daughter, he began to cry at the possibility of losing her.

His thoughts and tears were interrupted by the noise of a crowd surrounding a man standing on the edge of the shore.  Jairus recognized Him as soon as He came into clear view.  It was Jesus, the one who infuriated the Pharisees by performing healings on the Sabbath.  He had even overheard some of the Jewish leaders plotting against Him in the synagogue where he also worked.  Then it struck him.  “He HEALS people!” Jairus exclaimed to no one.

Running to the Savior, he fell at Jesus’ feet and begged Him to come to his house to heal his daughter.  Seeing Jairus’ faith, Jesus left with him.  But before they could reach home, in the very midst of yet another healing, a woman with a bleeding issue, Jesus and Jairus received word that his daughter had already died.   Tears welled up in his eyes and they could not be contained.  Seeing his deep sorrow and pain, Jesus said, “Don’t be afraid, Jairus.  Just keep on believing in Me.” 

When he arrived at his home the circumstances screamed in his head that all hope was lost.  “She is already dead.”  Some of his family even laughed out loud at Jesus when He said the girl was only sleeping. 

Then in the midst of his darkest storm, Jairus remembered the woman that was healed by merely touching Jesus’ garment.  It had happened just minutes ago.  She was healed by Jesus!  With new and deeper faith, Jairus stepped into his dead daughter’s room with Jesus.  And with just a touch and a command to get up, his daughter sat up and began to walk around the room.  His faith had brought healing to his daughter!

When your prayer seems impossible, even ridiculous to some, do you stand in your faith and wait on God?  As you wait, do you recall the faith you’ve seen in others, knowing that with God all things are possible?