Posts Tagged ‘Miracles’

Scripture reading for September 12th: 2nd Corinthians 12:11-21

Paul continued his defense of his own ministry, blaming the Corinthians for driving him to this.  “I ought to have been commended by you, for I am not in the least inferior to the “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing.  The things that mark an apostle–signs, wonders and miracles–were done among you with great perseverance.” (2nd Corinthians 12:11-12)  Paul did not consider himself to be anything.  But he did do the things that mark apostles of Jesus Christ in their midst.  God had used him to preach the Gospel and they were saved as a result of his ministry.  He had done other signs during his ministry there.  This should have brought commendation.

“Now I am ready to visit you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you, because what I want is not your possessions but you.  After all, children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.  So I will very gladly spend for you everything I have and expend myself as well.  If I love you more, will you love me less?” Paul wasn’t after their money or possessions, as some of the “false apostles” had been.  He considered himself like their parents.  He wanted to be with them and bless them, gladly spending himself for their welfare.  He loved them as Christ loved them, willing even to lay down his life for them.

Paul went on to explain that all he had written was for their strengthening and that he had written what was needed in the sight of God.  ” For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be.  I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, outburst of anger, factions, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder.  I am afraid that when I come again my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual sin and debauchery in which they have indulged.” (2nd Corinthians 12:20-21)  His love for them warned them of his coming so that they may repent and be found free from these sins!  Examine your own life today for these sins!  Jesus is coming soon!

Scripture reading for October 15th:  Mark 1-3

Mark’s Gospel is concise and active.  It is alive with the Good News of God here with us and in love with us.  This revelation is found in Jesus Christ, the Son of God and Son of Man!  Mark wastes little time with preliminaries of the Jewish history of the Christ and prophesies of His birth.  He gets right down to the action of Jesus living among His people and loving and serving them by teaching, healing, and casting out devils.  He ate with the people and told them stories that opened up for them the kingdom of heaven and their own need for a relationship with the Father.  One story of a healing is the subject of our study today.

As a result of a spectacular healing of a man with leprosy, people were coming from everywhere to find the man who could bring these miraculous results.  Crowds gathered wherever Jesus went.  He returned to Capernaum where he had done miracles and a crowd quickly gathered.  There were so many that people were crowded around the house to hear Him preach the word.  A group of men brought a friend who was paralyzed to Jesus for healing.  Because of the crowd, there was no way to get him inside, so they carried him up on the roof.  They opened a hole big enough to let the man down and lowered him into the room.

When Jesus saw the faith of the friends, He immediately responded to the man by saying: “Son, your sins are forgiven.” (Mark 2:5)  This caused some religious leaders who were present to begin to think about how wrong this statement was to come from a mere man.  After all, only God could forgive sins!  (Mark 2:7)

Jesus had immediate understanding of their thoughts and sought to help them believe.  He asked them why they were thinking these things and asked them which was easier to say, “Your sins are forgiven” or  “Get up, take up your bed and walk”?  In order to remove their objection, he told the man to get up, take up his bed, and walk.  This the man did to the amazement of the crowd!

This story should help us to see how faith should motivate us to seek Jesus for answers to whatever problems we face.  Jesus honors faith and no problem is too hard for Him.  We may not have faith ourselves, but believing friends can also be a great blessing by taking us to Jesus.  The obstacles must be pushed or broken through so we are not discouraged or denied!  What friend do you know that needs help today to get to Jesus?  Take a few minutes of your day to pray for him.  As the Lord leads, get another friend or two and go and lift him to Jesus together!  What a joy to delight Jesus with your faith!  What a blessing faith-filled friends are!  Miracles are waiting for those who break through!  He truly is God!