Just A Touch 2

Matthew 14:34-36

Throughout His ministry, Jesus was constantly on the move, traveling from place to place, doing the works of His Father. His purpose was to reach and teach as many as He could, during the time He would spend on the earth.

After revealing another dimension of His power by way of walking on water, and being acknowledged a second time as the Son of God, Jesus and those who followed Him, went to a land called Gennesaret. This fertile land was north of the shore of Galilee, and was known for producing both temperate and tropical fruits. This particular area was also brimming with people who suffered sickness and disease. So, when the men of the land recognized the man among them was Jesus, they quickly spread word to all the country, to bring all who were diseased to Jesus.

The most interesting point in this story seems to relate to the woman who had the issue of blood. I’m not 100 percent certain there’s a relation with the woman and the people of Gennesaret, but all who came to Jesus, sought only to touch the hem of His garment for their healing, so word of the woman’s story may have spread to this land as well. These sick folk had enough faith to believe, only a touch of Jesus’ clothes, would bring their healing. Mercifully, their faith was in the right place, for all who touched the hem of Jesus’ garment were made perfectly whole. Jesus didn’t perform half healings, but His manifestations were total and permanent.

Jesus healed according to the faith of those who came to Him, so all who desired healing, sought total deliverance and restoration. When you come to God, do you seek partial deliverance, or do you want God to give you a total and complete manifestation of those things your heart desires? Reach out in faith, and touch Jesus, so He can make you whole again.

Be Made Whole

Mark 2:13-17

As I continue to meditate on the pages of Scripture, my fascination of the power Jesus portrayed continues to swell, even to this day. From walking on water, to casting devils out of a man and into a herd of swine, the power of God working through the Son was, and is still amazing! The power of God is limitless, and all who came to Jesus, in faith, were healed. Not one person who suffered was left in their misery after their encounter with Jesus (unless they weren’t willing to change, like the rich man). But my focus for this lesson is on Judas, the disciple.

I know Bible prophecy will always be fulfilled, but I have concerns as to how Judas could be so close to the Savior, yet not seek His mighty power, to deliver him from his struggle. Jesus mentions in our text, “They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick:” (vs.17). He continued to say that He came to call sinners to repentance. Although Judas was a disciple who closely followed Jesus and the eleven, his motives weren’t the same as theirs. During all the missions and travels of Jesus during His ministry, Judas was responsible for handling the finances, and I’m apt to believe, he was influenced by the devil, and allowed the love of money to rule his heart, more than the love of Jesus. I often say, conviction is a positive sign to Saints, because it makes them aware that they are nearing a fall, but when that conviction goes away, they’ll be open to act upon evil desires. This is what happened with Judas. He was literally with Jesus nearly every day, and was free to express his thoughts and struggles, but rather than seek help for what he battled with, he chose to remain in the sin that would eventually lead to his demise.

Even though we have God in our hearts, we can still be tempted to entertain sin. If we fall, we can come to God in sincerity and faith, knowing that He alone can forgive, and deliver us from our faults. Unlike Judas, who allowed money to rule his heart, let the peace of God rule yours, even in times of struggle, because the Father already knows what’s going on, and wants you to boldly come to Him in humility and love.

“It’s ok to not be ok sometimes, but don’t give up… help is on the way.” – Ell

The Blood

Matthew 1:1-6, 16-17; Hebrews 1:1-5

What can wash away my sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. What can purge us from all iniquity? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. What has the power to cover a multitude of faults? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. What can take away the sting from death, and victory from the grave? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. What can we depend on, when we need deliverance from struggles? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. What can give us eternal redemption? The blood of goats, calves, or rams? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. What can keep us covered, and protected when the death angel passes by? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. What gives us the power to overcome the evil one, and his devices? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. What can purge our conscience from dead works to serve the living God? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. “Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (Hebrews 13:20-21)

“The blood of Jesus is the life and redemption of the Saints.” – Ell

God’s saving deeds

Psalm 105:1-15

The past few lessons, I’ve expounded on the importance of giving praise to God, but how does one truly render praise, to a God who is beyond amazing? Growing up in a pentecostal background, I’ve been accustomed to seeing men and women praise God with loud, and hyped expressions, but the more I matured in the Word, I realized that praise can be offered in a number of ways. While crying out to God, and reverencing His name with exuberance is in no way shunned by the Father, there are times when praise can be as simple as remembering some of the many things God has delivered us from, and simply bowing our heads.

When thinking back on the goodness of God, some are inclined to sing, others call upon the name of the Lord, and many make known His deeds among fellow believers. How exciting it is, to think on those times when we were stuck between a mountain, and a hard place, then God miraculously delivered us! In the same way the man who was lame from his mother’s womb, was miraculously healed at the hands of Peter, sprung up, and begin walking, leaping and praising God for his healing, it should never be a problem for us to do the same, when God brings a great change in our lives.

There are times when we allow the struggles of life to cloud our thoughts until we forget some of the things God does for us, but the Father never forgets, and watches to see how we respond to His goodness, in the midst of suffering and pain. Do you appreciate what God does for you? Are you overwhelmed with things in your life, that you fail to notice the blessings God has placed right in front of your eyes? Stop swimming in the pool of frustration, and float above all your cares and worries, so you can see all the many blessings God has prepared for you.

Walk in love,

Ell