Today’s
scripture: Matthew 9:20-22
I love this story. It’s been a favorite example of faith of mine for a very
long time.
I can picture this woman vividly. She has been suffering from a “flow of blood”
for over a decade. This means that, not only has she been physically ill, but
she has also been shunned by society according to Levitical law.
She is in pain … physically, emotionally, and, likely, spiritually.
One day, we’re not told how, she learns of Jesus and His healing hand. And she
takes a risk—a huge risk. She ventures out into the very society that called
for her separation, and she slinks up to Jesus.
“If I just touch the hem of His robe,” she thinks, “then I will be healed.”
And that’s exactly what happens. She touches Jesus’ robe, and she is
immediately healed.
And even more, she hears the most precious words from Jesus Himself: “Be of
good cheer, daughter.”
Daughter!
Can you imagine the joy she now feels? She is not only healed, but she is
called the daughter of the Healer!
Sometimes, the Healer heals the body. Sometimes, He heals the heart.
If you are hurting today, go to the Healer. While He may not heal your body, He
will heal your heart.
Today’s scripture: 2 Timothy 3:6-9
Yesterday we talked about how dark this world is, yet we know throughout
history, darkness has often prevailed. Paul reminded Timothy of two men who had
opposed Moses centuries before Paul himself wrote these very words. And now
centuries after Paul, we still have countless who “oppose the truth.”
We live in a “spiritual” society, but what does that really mean? Several years ago, I freelanced for an on-line news publication in the “Religion &
Spirituality” category. And guess what some of the sub-sections were?
Astrology & Paranormal. Eastern Religions. Secular. Oh, and yes, Western
Religion.
Under the same category, readers could find articles about atheism, Buddhism, and
evangelical Christianity all at the same time.
People are learning and seeking … something. And this world has answers that
are far from a “knowledge of the truth.” And, as I’ve written before, even
so-called Christians are skewing the truth. We don’t have to take the Bible as
God’s inspired word, they say. Jesus isn’t the only way to heaven. God won’t
really punish people by sending them to hell … in fact, hell probably doesn’t
even exist.
Yet again, this isn’t new to our generation. In the early church, factions
broke from true Christianity almost immediately.
So what can we do? We who know truth need to share the truth. We who follow the
one true God must be Christ’s light to this very dark world. We need to offer
the only solution to an eternity separated from God.
And we must do it as Christ did: gently and lovingly and non-judgmentally.
Today’s
scripture: 2 Timothy 1:7
I know I have strength and power through God. I know the Holy Spirit helps me
to be disciplined. And Jesus is love.
So if I have power and love and discipline, why am I still timid? Timidity does
not come from the Spirit. Where does it come from?
The enemy of our souls. Be assured: Satan is not divine. He isn’t all-powerful,
nor can he be everywhere at once. He is not—by any stretch—God. But he has been
given a measure of power. And he does have a contingent of demons ready to do
his bidding. And somehow, he does have the ability to whisper lies in our ears.
And one of his biggest lies? We don’t have what it takes to share God’s word.
We aren’t smart enough or educated enough or godly enough. We’re too sinful
ourselves to have the right to share the gospel.
I know I buy into that lie so very often. I tell myself I don’t have the gift
of evangelism. Someone else will spread the gospel. I’ll just do my small part
by encouraging and equipping those who already know Jesus.
Don’t get me wrong: We all have gifts, and some of us are gifted to preach or
teach or evangelize. Those are their primary gifts. And some of us are gifted
encouragers or administrators.
However, just because my primary gift isn’t evangelism doesn’t mean I’m not to
seize every opportunity to share God’s amazing truth. And being fearful isn’t
an excuse … because timidity isn’t from God.
If you too suffer from timidity, join me in prayer as I ask for boldness in
sharing the good news of God’s plan of salvation.
And together, let’s cast out timidity and seek boldness.
Today's scripture: Ephesians 3:11-12
How bold is your faith? How confident are you in God’s eternal purpose?
I would like to be able to say I’m as bold as Paul, as confident as Peter. Or
as my maternal grandfather.
My Grandpa Hess was bold in his faith. He never failed to tell others about his
love for his Savior. He was, along with Paul, “not ashamed of the gospel” because he knew it is “the power of God for
salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16).
He always believed God had a purpose for his life, and he lived to fulfill that
purpose.
This is my legacy. Yet how often do I fail to share the good news of salvation.
How often do I lack confidence in God’s eternal purpose.
If you’ve been reading this devotional for a while, you know I deal with
chronic health issues, and there are days when I still ask, “Why?” While I don’t
lose faith in God, I certainly question His purpose in my pain.
I allow my momentary, temporary pain cloud my vision of God’s faithfulness to
me. I fail to remember that “… the sufferings of this present time are not
worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18).
I certainly don’t remain bold and confident.
When these days come my way, I confess my doubt and questioning, and my Lord
God forgives me … yet again.
So … today’s a new day, and I pray for a renewed boldness in faith and a fresh
confidence in God’s eternal purpose, trusting His higher-than-mine ways (Isaiah 55:9).
I pray the same for you.
Today's scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:58
There is only one real purpose for those who follow Christ: serving Him and
doing the will of the Father. Because one day, when we stand before His throne,
the only thing that will matter will be what we did for Him.
Everything else will pass away: “The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God
lives forever” (1 John 2:17).
We must, therefore, be steadfast in our faith. We need to keep our minds and
hearts focused on God and His word, studying it. Meditating on it. Memorizing
it.
We need to be immovable in what we believe, not “carried away by the error of
unprincipled men” (2 Peter 3:17).
Nothing else truly matters. Not riches. Not fame. Not material goods. Nothing.
Only what we do for our Lord is of worth. And nothing we do for Him is in vain.
Today's
scripture: Ephesians 3:11-12
How bold is your faith? How confident are you in God’s eternal purpose?
I would like to be able to say I’m as bold as Paul, as confident as Peter. Or
as my maternal grandfather.
My grandpa Hess was bold in his faith. He never failed to tell others about his
love for his Savior. He was, along with Paul, “not ashamed
of the gospel” because he knew it is “the power of God for salvation to
everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16).
He always believed God had a purpose for his life, and he lived to fulfill that
purpose.
This is my legacy. Yet how often do I fail to share the good news of salvation.
How often do I lack confidence in God’s eternal purpose.
I have to say: more often than I want to. More often than I should. Why? For
many reasons. Sometimes it's just because I feel sorry for myself. Sometimes,
while I don't lose faith in God, I question His purpose in my pain.
I allow my momentary, temporary pain cloud my vision of God’s faithfulness to
me. I fail to remember that “… the sufferings of this present time are not
worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18).
I certainly don't remain bold and confident.
When those times some, I confess my doubt and questioning, and my Lord God forgives
me … yet again.
Today’s a new day, and I pray for a renewed boldness in faith and a fresh
confidence in God’s eternal purpose, trusting His higher-than-my ways (Isaiah 55:9).
I pray the same for you.
