Dec 06

Go and Sin No More

Women that Received Physical and Spiritual Healing Comments Off

John 8:3-11

And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

Early in the morning Jesus went into the temple and all the people came unto Him and He sat and taught them. Just then the scribes and Pharisees brought unto Him a woman caught in the very act of adultery. This woman had no way to escape from them because they caught her red-handed. Usually such acts of sin are done in the dark for they are actions of the darkness. Here the woman was involved in a sinful act during the morning hours and her sinful act was brought to light and presented before the Master, the divine Judge. The scribes and Pharisees thought of a way to tempt Jesus and accuse Him. In fact the very trick they conspired against Jesus was going to trap them with guilt. Matthew 23:13 says, “But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.” It is clear in this verse that the scribes and Pharisees shut up the kingdom of heaven against men and neither did they go in themselves. They brought the sinful woman to the Master not with a good intention but to condemn and kill her and in turn tempt Jesus. They were not considering the beam in their own eye. Matthew 7:3 says, “And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?” They were pointing a finger at this woman not considering their own sins.

Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. According to the law a woman when guilty of adultery should be stoned to death. Deuteronomy 22:21 says, “Then they shall bring out the damsel to the door of her father’s house, and the men of her city shall stone her with stones that she die: because she hath wrought folly in Israel, to play the whore in her father’s house: so shalt thou put evil away from among you.” The scribes and Pharisees wanted to find fault with Jesus to see if He would contradict the law just so that they could find a way to accuse Him. Jesus came to seek and save the lost. He came to free a sinner by bringing him to the knowledge of repentance. Mark 2:17 says, “They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” The law brings to knowledge the sinful nature of humans and Jesus came to forgive a sinner and make a way for the sinner to go to the Father. Law condemns a sinner and the punishment of the sin has to be borne by the humans; Jesus, a lone man and God, bore the sin of the entire human race and took the punishment on our behalf thus granting us the key to heaven. All we have to do is believe in Jesus Christ. He did not come for the righteous but for the sinners. Righteous have no need of a savior but the sinners do. Matthew 5:17 says, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.” Jesus says that He came not to destroy the law but to fulfill it. No man can fulfill the law because we are all sinners and fall short of the glory of God. Jesus came so as to fulfill the law because He alone can do it for He was holy and without sin. He fulfilled the law by being sin-free yet took our sin upon Him so that we may have eternal life.

But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. Jesus stooped down and wrote with His finger on the ground as though He did not hear the accusers. He stooping down to write signifies how He stooped down from heaven to earth for the sinners’ sake. This brings to my mind His humility compared to the haughtiness of the accusers. They are ready to condemn the sinner but Jesus is ready to forgive the sinner. What He wrote with His finger on the ground is not mentioned. His writing on the ground to me means His readiness to erase our sins. What is written on the ground stays not for the wind and the erosion will wipe it away. In other words, He paid no attention to the accusers by putting a deaf ear to them but was well aware of the woman in sin that He stooped down and wrote with His finger portraying His heart of forgiveness.

The scribes and Pharisees continued asking Him and so He lifted up himself for He was gracious to the proud and the haughty too. He said to them that any among them without sin should first cast a stone at her. He again stooped down and wrote on the ground. They who tempted Him were now subject to test their own selves. When we search our hearts to see if there is any guile in it, we would know how unworthy and selfish we are. When we ask Him to try our hearts, He will reveal unto us our areas of weaknesses and this will break our hearts seeking Him for we are nothing without Him. By Him the weak can say I am strong, the poor can say I am rich and the sinner can say I am free. When we turn to Him with honesty and humility, His saving grace is all over us and His forgiveness is right there for us and His power is available to lift us up.

And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. This response of the Judge before them convicted them of their own conscience and one by one from the eldest to the last every accuser left. The Master opened their eyes to their own sinful life and they could see they had no right to cast a stone at her. Conscience is the inner sense of what is right or wrong. Conscience spoke to them their very sinful nature. Romans 3:23 clearly says, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God”. Yes everybody without exception has sinned. All the accusers left the place except Jesus and the accused.

When Jesus lifted up Himself and saw none except the woman, He asked the woman where her accusers were and if no man has condemned her. Her answer was “No man, Lord”. Jesus’ question was more to light up her soul of His forgiveness and acceptance of her. Jesus hated the sin but loved the sinner and we should follow suit. He never condemned a sinner but enlightened the sinner of sin and repentance. His goal was to grant us eternal life in place of eternal damnation. His love for us is the kind of love that no man can ever show unto us. He accepts us with open arms and brings us to His kingdom if we break open our hearts and cry for repentance. No accuser had the potential to condemn her. They came exuberantly triumphing over the lost sinner to condemn her but went silently and sheepishly with the weight of their own sin before them.

Jesus said unto her “Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more”. The only person who had the authority to condemn her stayed on and that was Jesus. But He did not condemn her for His heart was not a condemning heart but a heart that loves a sinner. He spoke the words of life into her by saying that He too will not condemn her but go and sin no more. In other words, He said that her sins are forgiven. Yes, the Son of Man has power to forgive sins (Mark 2:10). Not only were her sins forgiven but she was given the freedom to go out into the world sin-free. She was given life in place of death. Jesus forgives you and me just like He forgave this woman. No matter where we have been or how sinful we were, He accepts us readily by forgiving us of our sins and granting us life eternal. Isaiah 1:18 says, “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” The Lord God is ready to wipe out our every transgression and blot out our iniquities and turn our sins that are as scarlet into white as snow. Won’t you accept His free gift of salvation? Won’t you grab His forgiveness? Don’t you want to be free and gain eternal life? Any person with wisdom cannot reject His wonderful gift of salvation. He is a God who does not condemn us but forgives us COMPLETELY if we believe in His only son Jesus Christ. God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16). Amen!

Tomorrow: The Widow with Debt

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Dec 05

Samaritan Woman at the Well – Part V

Women that Received Physical and Spiritual Healing Comments Off

John 4:35-42

Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth. I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours. And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did. So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days. And many more believed because of his own word; And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.

Jesus is telling His disciples that they are not to think that there are yet four months for harvest. To Jesus, harvest is not the agricultural produce but spiritual produce. To Him bringing people into the Kingdom of God is the ultimate harvest. While the agricultural harvest benefits the physical bodies by providing the necessary food for the entire year, the spiritual harvest benefits the souls of the mankind by providing the spiritual food whereby the hungering soul is satisfied for good. He asked His disciples to lift up their eyes and look on the fields that the fields are white and ready for harvest. Jesus was referring to the many souls that are ready to be brought into the knowledge of the Living Lord right where they were i.e., in Samaria. The people of Samaria were ready to hear the Word of God as they were already ministered to by the Samaritan woman who shared her testimony with her people. The soil was plowed and the seed was sown by the woman and therefore the harvest was ready for reaping. Even today we know that the harvest is plenty but not many laborers are available as it is said in Matthew 9:37. We cannot tarry any longer for the coming of the Lord is nigh. Matthew 24:37 says, “But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” We see that as in the days of Noah people in the world are busy eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage and minding the things of the world rather than preparing their spiritual bodies for Christ’s return. The flood came and people during Noah’s time were taken away and so shall the return of Son of Man be. Right now the harvest is ready and we who are in Christ should labor and not idle our time. Christ when He was here on earth, did not idle His time but used every moment in His hand to sow the seed and thus to reap the harvest. Let us also who are the sheep of His pasture (Psalm 100:3) mind the things that matter the most to the Good Shepherd (John 10:11).

And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth. I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours. He that reaps the harvest receives wages and gathers fruit for life eternal. Both he that sows the seed and he that reaps the harvest will get to share the joy together. From the first operation all the way till the end of the harvest all those involved in the awesome work of the Lord will enjoy the benefit of their labor and marvel at the joyous work for the glory of God. Psalm 126:6 says, “He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” We must cry and pray for the souls that yet need to come into the Kingdom of God. The burden that the Lord Jesus Christ took upon Himself to save the entire mankind should not be taken lightly. He, who was without sin, took the sin of the entire mankind upon Himself. That saving grace of Jesus Christ is never to be taken easy for the burden of the mankind weighed on Him so heavily that He carried the Cross on His back and gave His life for our sakes; He died the death for our sakes; shed every drop of His blood for our sakes. We should also bear the burden of the souls on us and let us cry for the souls to be enlightened of God’s grace. When we bear the precious seed of Salvation, we will surely return rejoicing, bringing the sheaves with us. Let us pray for the hearts that need to be softened so that the ground is plowed and the seed can be readily planted and the harvest can be reaped by the Lord God. We sow the seed of Salvation when we share the Good News and the Spirit of God does the work of helping the soul to receive the message. The harvest is God’s and we simply sow the seed. Here the woman received the Lord as her Savior and spoke of the Savior of the world to her people. The people willingly came to witness the Lord and harvest was ready to be reaped. Yes, Jesus knew that these men were already convicted of the Messiah but simply needed to see with their own eyes and speak the words of conviction. Let us therefore labor for the work of the Lord and sow the seed of Salvation while there is yet time to do so.

And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did. So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days.  The Word of God clearly states that the Samaritans of that city believed on Him when the woman testified that the Lord had told her all that she ever did. Great was this woman’s testimony and many believed her words for she came out of her hidden life to speak of it boldly unto them. Who can speak of the life in sin when still in sin? This woman was now out of her dark sins and was thus able to testify to her people of the great Messiah, the Savior of the World who spoke the words of life into her. So, when the Samaritans came unto the Master they besought Him to stay with them. Great was their longing to learn from Him that they pleaded Him to stay with them. He abode with them for two more days. When the Master sees a humble yearning need, He responds to it and grants the request presented. Their request was for Him to stay with them and it was granted to them.

And many more believed because of his own word; And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world. Many more believed because of Jesus’ words. There were many who believed when the woman spoke of her testimony and now many more believed because of Jesus’ words. Because of our testimonies many can be saved and brought into the Kingdom of God but many more souls will be added to the Kingdom of God when they hear the words of Jesus. The gospel message has the power to convict a soul of its sins and bring them to the Lord. Do not forget that there are many who are seeing us and our walk with the Lord. Our lives should be the lives of Jesus and a soul can be saved or turned away through our lives. Is your walk with the Lord close enough that it reflects Jesus? If not my prayer for you is that He transforms your life in such a way that your life is a living example of Christ Jesus. Many who believed Jesus’ words said to the woman, we believe Him not because of your saying but because we have heard Him ourselves and knew that He is indeed Christ, the Savior of the World! The Words of Jesus have immense immaculate power that even a hard heart that is completely unbelieving can be softened and turned into a believing heart. Ezekiel 36:26 says, “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.” This is purely the work of the Lord and He can put a new heart and a new spirit and can replace a stony heart with a heart of flesh. If we are waiting on the Lord and crying out for people in our lives who yet need to receive the gospel message, take heart today that God can do a miracle and put a new heart and a new spirit in the hard hearts that do not receive the message. He can remove the stony hearts and can give a heart of flesh. Let us make this our prayer for the people we are ministering to and let us not lose heart for the work is the Lord’s and our work is to sow the seed. May the Lord bless you abundantly!

Tomorrow: Go and Sin No More

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Dec 04

Samaritan Woman at the Well – Part IV

Women that Received Physical and Spiritual Healing Comments Off

John 4:27-34

And upon this came his disciples, and marvelled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why talkest thou with her? The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? Then they went out of the city, and came unto him. In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat. But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of. Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat? Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

After Jesus Christ revealed Himself as the Messiah to the Samaritan woman at the well, His disciples arrived with meat and when they saw Jesus talking to the woman, they marveled. Yet none of the disciples spoke a word. They probably had a questioning look on their faces but they did not explicitly ask “What seekest thou?” to the woman or “Why talkest thou with her?” to Jesus. Probably the woman had a reputation that the disciples knew about and wondered what Jesus had to do with her. But Jesus came to seek and save the lost. He rejoices just like the father of the prodigal son rejoiced when the son returned to his father realizing that he had sinned against heaven and his father. Luke 15:20 says, “And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.” See the love of the father! When the son was a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. Yes, Jesus loves when we come to Him with a heart of repentance like the prodigal son’s. When we start on our way to Him, He notices us and is filled with compassion to us and runs towards us. He longs for our return. If you are backsliding or running away from Him take this moment to surrender to Him and go to Him! He will embrace with a kiss of a loving father and is full of compassion for you. This Samaritan woman came to the well and found Jesus, the Messiah that the world was waiting for. She had a curious heart and wanted to know why Jesus being a Jew spoke with her. In fact, Jesus spoke with her to bring her out of the darkness into Light; She was thirsting after the world and flesh but she received the Living Waters from Jesus; She wondered if ever the Samaritan worship will be accepted by the Lord God and she found what true worship is; She was filled with the Spirit of God and His Truth!

The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? The woman did not waste a single moment waiting at the well. She immediately left the waterpot and went her way into the city. She was not guilty any more. She found the true meaning of living out the life for Jesus. She is not ashamed any more about her past life. She went into her city to share the good news. She told the men of the city “Come, see a man who told me all things that I ever did. Is not this the Christ?” She knew very well that her life was filled with sin but she was not ashamed of it any more and in fact she told her people that there was a man who told her all that she ever did. She was convinced that He is the Christ, the Messiah but wanted to share that Christ with the people of her own city. She took upon her the burden of sharing the gospel message and thus bringing all her people unto Christ. May we also share the Good News of Jesus Christ to those around us with the zeal of this Samaritan woman! She left the waterpot, the very reason why she came to the well and immediately took upon her this important task of proclaiming the saving grace of Jesus Christ. She was testifying because the burden of sin was lifted off her the moment she found Jesus. The men of Samaria went out into the city and came unto Jesus. They perhaps wanted to witness Jesus with their own eyes. They wanted to experience Him themselves. The woman’s speech to the men of her city was like in Psalm 34:8 “O taste and see that the LORD is good.” She experienced His goodness and wanted her people to experience the same Lord. She tasted His goodness and selflessly desired that her people also taste Him. When we share the gospel message may our hearts be like this woman’s: selfless!

In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat. But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of. While the woman went into the city to share the message, His disciples requested Jesus to eat. But Jesus had a divine mission to fulfill while He was in the city of Samaria. Jesus constantly minded the things that mattered to His Father. He had meat to eat that the disciples knew not. The disciples cared about their Master and wanted Him to eat for His physical body but Jesus cared more for the spiritual food. He knew that men of Samaria would come over to witness Jesus with their own eyes and hear Him with their own ears. May we also feed on the spiritual meat and mind the things that matter to Jesus. We are given precious promises and wonderful Word to feed upon so that we might be divine partakers free of worldly corruption. II Peter 1:4 says, “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” Let us feed on the heavenly banquet prepared beforehand for us by God. Why should we look to the world and what the world has to offer when we very well know the destiny of the world-lovers? We are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people that show forth the praises of Him who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light (I Peter 2:9).

Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat? Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. The disciples wondered if some one brought Him meat to eat. Jesus said that His meat is to do the will of God and finish His work. Let us also make this our meat. Our meat should be to do the will of God and finish His work. We will then be able to say what Paul said in II Timothy 4:7, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith”. Christ is with His Father and is preparing a place for us (John 14:2).Let us now take upon us the work of Christ and do the work of an evangelist for that is what Paul did and then we will be able to say what Paul said in  II Timothy 4:8 “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” Oh, how I wait for that glad day when I will dwell in the place prepared for me by Jesus and how I look forward for that crown of righteousness which the Lord shall give me that day! Let us fully mind the things of Christ enduring afflictions and spreading the Good News while we are here on earth. Praise the Lord and sing a new song unto Him. Amen!

Tomorrow: Samaritan Woman at the Well – Part V

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Dec 03

Samaritan Woman at the Well – Part III

Women that Received Physical and Spiritual Healing Comments Off

John 4:16-26

Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither. The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband: For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly. The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet. Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.

In this part, we will see how Jesus brings the Samaritan woman to the knowledge of sin and then reveals Himself to her. She sought living waters from the Master but her request would be granted to her by first making her realize her sinful nature. Then, the power of God will make her free and the living waters that she so desired will be hers. Jesus asked her to bring her husband before He provided the living waters. The woman answered that she had no husband. Now Jesus reveals her secret sinful life in that He says that she has had five husbands and the one with whom she is living with, is not her husband. He knows our secret sins and the darkest areas of our life. No matter how dark our life has been, He has the power to release us from the darkness and will put us on the road well lit by Him, if we only seek Him and His strength. By our strength we cannot be freed from the power of the enemy. Psalm 73:26 says, “My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.” Our flesh and heart fail us because they are in the world empowered by the enemy, but God is the strength of our heart and our portion forever. When He is our strength, He keeps us from falling! He will open the eyes of our heart to the wonderful truths of the gospel message, if we believe in Jesus Christ but if we do not believe the gospel message, the god of this world, Satan will blind our minds. II Corinthians 4:4 says, “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” My prayer is that all of us would believe in God’s only son, Jesus Christ and accept God’s wonderful salvation through the death of His son on our behalf. In Him dwells (the four Ls, as I see) Light, Life, Love and Living Waters! We need light so we can walk without faltering; we need life so that we could live eternally; we need love to follow God’s ways and commandments; we need living waters to spring forth in us so we never thirst again!

The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet. Immediately her eyes were opened and she realized that she is talking to a prophet and not a regular man. She perceived that the person before her knows her completely, her sinful life, her walk in the world, her wicked ways and her weaknesses. She is proclaiming that He is a prophet, a great man of God. She will realize in a few moments that He is far greater than a prophet, the Messiah! She surrendered to Him and started speaking of worship and wondered what a true worship is. She is willing to worship Him but wanted to know what is considered a true worship. She knew that the Samaritan worship is not considered a true worship and she wanted to worship Him in the correct way! She said “Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.” She knew very well that the man right before her can answer her question on worshipping God. Yes, we too should seek godly answers and the ultimate place to find our answers is in the Word of God! We can also seek the counsel of godly people and ask God for answers and the Spirit of God will help us in our quest.

Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. Jesus’ response to her is that the time will come when people would worship the Father neither in mount Gerizim nor in Jerusalem. He also added that the Samaritans know not what they worship but that the Jews do because salvation is of the Jews. Isaiah 11:1-2 says, “And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD”. Out of the stem of Jesse, in David’s lineage, a Branch shall grow and this Branch is Jesus Christ, the Messiah of the world and the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him. The Spirit of the Lord has wisdom and understanding, counsel and might, knowledge and the fear of the Lord. Holy Spirit or the Spirit of the Lord is a sacred gift granted unto us when we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior. Luke 11:13 says, “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” If we ask Him for the Holy Spirit, He sure will grant the Spirit unto us. He is a loving Father who is ready to give us good gifts. Mark 3:29 says, “But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation.” Remember, it is a great sin to blaspheme against the Spirit of God and there is no forgiveness to this sin as mentioned in Mark but there is a danger of eternal damnation.

But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. Jesus said that the hour comes when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth. The Father desires such worship. The Father seeks the people who worship Him in Spirit and in Truth for He sees their heart and spirit. The Spirit of God only glorifies God and the Truth of God is in His son Jesus Christ. John 14:6 says, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he. The woman knows that when Messiah, Christ Jesus comes, He will tell them of all things. She believed that Messiah will come and reveal all things and she believed correctly. Jesus said to her, “I that speak unto thee am He”. He revealed Himself as the Messiah to the woman. She had the right quest and Jesus filled her with the truth. The Messiah had spoken to her and revealed directly to her. Christ chooses to reveal to the people who are humble, honest and who accept their sinful nature. When Christ spoke of her past life, the woman did not reject it nor hide away from Him. She kept silent and asked how she could worship because she was convinced of her sinful life. When we accept our weaknesses and surrender our guilt to Him, He will show us the way out of them and cleanse us from all unrighteousness and pardons our iniquities. Psalm 103:10 says, “He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.” He has not dealt with us according to our sins and iniquities but is full of kindness, tenderness, mercies and compassion. He loved us so much that the Cross of Calvary exhibits His love to us. Look at the Cross; we would know how great His love for us is. May the Lord enlighten our soul of His love and grace to us that are simply bountiful; the more we seek Him, the more He will fill us; the closer we get to Him, the more closer He will draw us unto Him; the more we hunger, the more He will fill us with His bread; the more we thirst, the more He will let us drink of the Living Waters!

Tomorrow: Samaritan Woman at the Well – Part IV

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Dec 02

Samaritan Woman at the Well – Part II

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John 4:11-15

The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water? Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle? Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.

Yesterday we had seen the Samaritan Woman at the Well – Part I. Jesus sat at the well in Samaria and a woman came there. Jesus asked her for some water and thus opened a conversation with her. Jesus has His own way of opening conversations with different people but the goal is one and the same; that is to bring them to the knowledge of sin and repentance. When we become aware that we are sinful and error prone, that is when we seek God’s forgiveness. He is ever ready to forgive us but without enlightening us of our sinful human nature, we would never seek His forgiveness with a broken spirit and a contrite heart.

Jesus instantly won the woman’s respect and we see she addressed Him as “Sir”. She is wondering how He can draw the water as He had nothing to draw water with from the well so deep. She has a valid question in that physically it is impossible to draw water from a well so deep without the proper equipment. He who is a well of water would not need anything to draw the water. He is the one out of whom the well of water flows to the entire human race. She continued to ask Him from where He can get the living water. She now was curious to know where and how He can get the so called living water. To me this Samaritan woman seems to be a curious woman and Jesus built up her curiosity by giving answers that provoked her to ask further. When we run to Him with a curious heart, He definitely provides us with answers. The answers can be found in the Word of God that is full of verve.

She is asking Jesus if He was greater than their father Jacob who gave them the well which provided for Jacob, his children and his cattle. Had she known whom she was talking to, she would not have asked Him the questions she was asking. Christ will not reveal Himself to us, as He did not reveal Himself to the Samaritan woman, until we come to Him with a contrite heart. Although this woman was curious, she did not trust the Master at this point and was questioning His greatness compared to Jacob. Jacob had to look up unto this Master while Jesus was with God, the Father. This woman was humble in that she was not ascribing any greatness to herself. She did not give up when He spoke of the living waters as it was incomprehensible to her limited mind. She wanted to know what these living waters was and hence tried to figure out with her intellectual capacity based on logical reasoning.

Jesus’ answer to her was: “Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” His answer was something that will move her from her curiosity zone to a desiring zone. He will make us reach a point where we give up and simply yield to Him. She is now at the point of climax where she in her human ability tried her best to figure out what these living waters was and with no means of knowing what He is referring to simply gives up. He said that whoever drinks of the water from the well before them will thirst again but whoever drinks of the water that Jesus shall give shall never thirst. The water that Christ gives shall be a well of water in the person and springs up to eternal life. John 7:38 says, “He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” The key to this well of water is belief on Jesus Christ. This well of water can satisfy for a lifetime. Breath of God, Spirit of God and Word of God are in this well. The Breath of God will be breathed on us as long as we seek His breath in us. The Spirit of God will constantly fill us and overflow us as we keep absorbing and squeezing out the Spirit of God on others. The Word of God was in the beginning with God and is with us now and is what speaks to our hearts and addresses our every need. The Breath of God will keep us alive; the Spirit of God will overflow us like a river; the Word of God will feed us and fill our hungry souls.

The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw. The woman’s response here is a classic example of a desiring heart. She desires these living waters so that she is never thirsty. Her desire is still physical because she is saying that she need not come to this well after she receives the living waters from Jesus. The desire is good but the desire still circles around the physical need. Jesus has to bring her to a state where she surrenders to Him with a repentant heart and seeks spiritual cleansing rather than dwelling in physical state. This woman is trying to satisfy her physical thirst so she could avoid visiting the well to draw water. This reflects that she was tired of hiding away from the other women who drew water from the well during the earlier hours. When we have a quest for God, it usually starts out of a physical need but God moves us to a state where we no longer concentrate on our physical need but move to a state where we just desire His forgiveness and simply seek Him and commune with Him. He sees the desires of our heart and the honesty in it and responds to it in a sweet way. He would either bring the right fellowship our way or puts the right Word in our ear or makes us read His Word that convicts us. His ways are mysterious and we cannot discern it with our human abilities. All we can do is surrender to Him completely! Are you ready to surrender to Him and accept what He is giving unto you?

Jeremiah 17:13 says, “O LORD, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, and they that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living waters.” May the loving and living Lord help us to seek the Lord God who is the fountain of living waters!  These living waters have the power to quench the thirsting in our souls. Seek and ye shall find the living waters!

Tomorrow: Samaritan Woman at the Well – Part III

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Dec 01

Samaritan Woman at the Well – Part I

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John 4:4-10

And he must needs go through Samaria. Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour. There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink. (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.) Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans. Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.

Jesus Christ had to go through Samaria because Samaria was on the way to Galilee from Judaea. Jesus had to go through Samaria for a purpose that is divine and also because probably that was the only route to Galilee from Judaea. His disciples were also with Him. Samaria was also called Sychar and Jesus went close to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to His son Joseph. The Samaritans worshipped at the mount Gerizim and the Jews did not consider the Samaritan worship to be a true worship. Jews despised Samaritans and Samaritans looked at Jews as though they were hypocrites of some kind or so it appears. No matter what, Jews avoided the Samaritan fellowship and even did not approach the premises of Samaria. But Jesus, though a Jew had to pass through Samaria. Although Jesus came into the world for the sake of the lost sheep of the house of Israel (Matthew 15:24), He came to save the entire humanity. God loves the whole world that He sent Jesus into the world. So, He loves the human race in totality and there is no discrimination between a Jew and a Samaritan; in His eyes we all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.

Jesus sat at Jacob’s well as He was weary with His journey. It was about sixth hour and that means it was between 11AM and noon. Jesus was a man like you and me and He being tired from journey indicates that He just went through the feelings of humans. But, He was and is a complete God in that He was and is holy and without any blemish yet became a sin for the whole world. He sat on the well, the surface of which is usually hard as the wells are made of stone or brick and cement. He was a man who chose to go to the most common places where the humble and the meek can be found and did not dwell in the luxuries of the world. He picked up fishermen for His disciples and manifested His power in the weak, the suffering, the dead and the widows. He was now at the well where hard working people with less means of income come to draw water either to their masters or to themselves.

There comes a woman of Samaria to draw water. She was coming to draw water at a time when no woman comes. Usually most of the women come to draw water during the first part of the morning because that is when they need water to complete the household chores and preserve some water for the rest of the day. This woman came at a time when no woman came because she was unlike the other women and she was a woman guilty of sins. Many of us when we are especially guilty of some action choose to avoid the people of our kind so we go unnoticed. This is because we don’t want to be accountable for our sinful behavior. It is hard for us to admit our mistakes and seek forgiveness. But, we don’t have to be so with Jesus. He is ready to embrace us when we turn to Him with a repentant heart because the whole purpose of His coming was to save the lost souls. This woman is now coming to the well to draw water and that is where Jesus was trying to get some rest to His weary body; that is where this woman can get rest to her weary soul. He wants to give us rest so that we may be free. John 8:36 says, “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” When He shall make us free we have no reason to fear or hide away from our guilt. He lifts off the guilt and puts the words of life into us while declaring freedom for us.

Jesus asked her to give Him some water to drink. His disciples were gone to bring some meat so they all can eat. Here it is clear that Jesus was hungry and thirsty like us. He was not a man of superior state or quality and He was a humble and lowly man although He was and is a King of Kings. He sought the water from a gentile woman not without a purpose but to speak the words of life into her. Wherever Jesus went He ministered to the people and He did not waste a single moment. May we also take every opportunity given to us for doing God’s will on earth! He is the Light of the World and called us to be a light to those around us. The purpose of light is to replace darkness with light and release every force of darkness. These are the dark days when we who are of the Light cannot slumber but we are to seek and bring the lost to the Light of the World. I Peter 5:8-9 says, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.” We cannot resist the devil if we are not steadfast in our faith. When our faith is up and active, then we can put down the enemy and deactivate him and his plans. We have to keep our watch for the Son of Man and He will come like a thief and we know not the hour of His arrival. Matthew 24:42 says, “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.”

Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans. The woman figured out that Jesus was a Jew either by His attire or by His looks. She questions Him why He is asking for water from her who is a Samaritan woman. The Jews had no dealings with Samaritans. He came first for the lost sheep of the house of Israel but blessed many gentiles while He sojourned here on earth. But by His death and resurrection, the punishment for the entire mankind is borne by Him and we are freed. Here the Samaritan woman was about to receive a blessing for her life and thus bring many other Samaritans to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. She did not know who it was that she was talking to. But in a matter of time during their course of discussion, God will enlighten her soul about who the man before her was. If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. Romans 5:15 says, “But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.” Through the sin of one man, the sin entered the entire mankind and thus all of us have sinned but the grace of God and gift of God by grace is much abounding in that by one man, Jesus Christ, the entire mankind is saved. The gift of God unto all of us is eternal life through Jesus Christ. In other words, by one man Adam, we all have sinned but the gift of God to us is His son Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on the Cross of Calvary. The Samaritan woman did not know the gift of God and so Jesus is saying that she would have asked for living water if she had known who it is that is asking for a drink from her.

We all need the living water for our thirsting souls. We long for so many things and we are driven by fleshly desires and nothing can by any means bring total satisfaction to us. The minute we procure one thing, the desire for the next is on and so on and so forth. There is no end to our wanting souls. But there is one and only one end to all who thirst and that is Jesus Christ who was and is an answer to the thirsting souls. He can quench us from our thirst so that our desires are fulfilled for a lifetime. Where do we get the living waters? The living water is in the Word of God and through the Spirit of God within us we can draw this eternal supply of water. The Spirit of God will help us understand the Word of God. If we seek God and ask Him to reveal His Word unto us, the Spirit of God will come to our rescue immediately and bring to life the Word of God. Are you thirsting? If so the gift of God to you is in His Word, the Holy Bible!!!

Tomorrow: Samaritan Woman at the Well – Part II

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Nov 30

Jesus Raises the Son of a Widow

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Luke 7:11-17

And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people. Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her. And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. And he tht was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother. And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people. And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judaea, and throughout all the region round about.

Nain is a city in Galilee and Jesus went into this city and many of His disciples and men followed Him. Wherever Jesus went, His disciples and many men followed Him. Some sought the miracles in their lives and others simply followed Him to hear Him teach and to witness miracles. None that followed were ever let down and they were never disappointed but always were uplifted and encouraged by His power. We who follow Him today will also never be let down and He will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Where else can we run to, but to Him who is our refuge and strength for He is our only helper in times of trouble?

When Jesus came near the city gate, He noticed a dead man being carried out and this man was the only son of his mother and she was a widow. She who was a widow must have faced so many troubles in the world already and right now she is suffering the loss of her only son. The heart of this mother must have been really sore and grieving bitterly. So many people from the city were with her. These many people have well done in mourning with this woman in sorrow.

When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said unto her, “Weep not”. Our Lord is a God of compassion. When we, His children are filled with sorrow, He is full of compassion unto us and His words to us who are mourning are: “Weep not!” These two words that proceeded out of the Master’s mouth were worthy enough to console a grieving soul. He passed by the city gate and His heart ran out to the woman who needed Him the most. He reaches out to the needy, the suffering and the troubled in a very special way and He wants us to do the same.

He came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. He was moved with compassion for this widow and He was not going to let her down and His words were accompanied with mighty acts. He touched the bier and they that carried the coffin stood still. I can only think that the men who carried the bier stood still as they sensed the power of God flowing through the coffin to the corpse inside. He commanded the dead young man to arise. Along with His special touch, He spoke the words of life into this dead man. He that was dead arose and began to speak. The dead man not only did arise at Jesus’ command but also started speaking. The life of the living Lord ran into every part of his body in an instant. Jesus then delivered the young man to his mother. This mother who was grieving moments before, now held her son with full of life and energy. He has power over our life, power over the wind and the sea and power over everything in this universe. He is the God of all creation! When we are filled with awe at the work of His hands, how much more should we wonder when we see Him face to face?

A fear that was godly came upon all that witnessed this miracle and they inevitably glorified God. They thought that a great prophet is risen when in reality He was here to save the entire mankind and provide the everlasting way. They further went on to say that God has visited his people and in fact God has sent His only begotten son so we through Him can have eternal life. They spoke these words because they wondered at His work and were rejoicing not just for the grieving woman but also for themselves because they were glad to be a part of this special visitation. And this rumor of Jesus went forth throughout all Judaea, and throughout the entire region round about. The news about Jesus spread like a wildfire throughout the region. When we who have experienced the miraculous hand of God in our life, live out the glorious life of Jesus in us, who will not speak of the power in us? This will make people wonder where we got this special life. Let us live out the victorious life of Jesus here on earth. As I say this, I know the many trials and attacks that befell me; He will help us wade through the trials of life in an amazing way if we simply trust Him. Are you ready to completely trust in Him? The Word of God clearly speaks that Jesus was a walking wonder when He lived here on earth and we with the power of Jesus in us shall be walking wonders to those around us. May the living Lord fill our life with miracles such as these and may we be mighty witnesses of Him and His power!

Tomorrow: Samaritan Woman at the Well – Part I

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Nov 29

A Damsel with a Spirit of Divination

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Acts 16:16-18

And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.

After Paul and Silas baptized Lydia and her household (please see Lydia, a True Believer of the Lord), they were heading out to prayer. These men of God, Paul and Silas were on their way to indulge in an act near to the heart of God. They were about to commune with God by praying. A damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met them on their way. This damsel was a servant girl who brought much gain to her masters by soothsaying. Here is a servant girl that suffered from an evil spirit and the masters took advantage of the evil spirit to make much profit, as opposed to seeking a release for her. Their only aim was worldly gain which is worth nothing compared to the heavenly gain. They who are of the world mind the things of the world seeking the temporal benefits that are simply futile. As Romans 8:5 says, “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.” The spirit of divination is an evil spirit that foretells future based on the omens and some supernatural power that is against the Spirit of God. Man has a tendency to seek and know what is likely to happen in the future and this tendency or desire is not according to God. People who seek the will of God in their lives follow the leading of the Spirit of God because the Word of God is a lamp unto their feet and a light unto their path (Psalm 119:105).

The same damsel with the spirit of divination followed Paul and Silas and cried saying, “These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation”. The evil spirit said it right and James 2:19 says, “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.” The evil spirit within the girl is confessing that these men are the servants of the most high God that show the way of salvation. Yes, even the demons believe that there is one and only one God that is the Most High. Ephesians 6:12 says, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Here the apostles Paul and Silas are not just wrestling against flesh and blood but against the rulers of the darkness of this world. We too as children of the Most High God wrestle against these powers but the hand of God is above every principality, power, and rulers of the darkness and even against the spiritual wickedness. The blood of Jesus Christ on us will cover us against these powers. We have no reason to fear these forces for Jesus has stamped them all under His feet by dying on the cross of Calvary and by the resurrection power we also have victory against the wicked forces.

But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. Paul was grieved because of the spirit that dwelled in this girl. The Spirit of God in Paul must have sorely grieved as well. We who have the Spirit of the Lord in us are anointed by the Lord to proclaim liberty to the captives (Isaiah 61:1). The girl is held captive by the evil spirit and thus was about be set free from this bondage by the apostle Paul. We are also anointed to set free those that are held in captivity by the enemy. The spirit of divination came out of the girl the same hour. The spirit that troubled the girl for a long time came out the same hour when Apostle Paul proclaimed liberty to her in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Luke 10:19 says, “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” We can claim this promise of God in our lives when we go out to deliver the people from the power of enemy. We have been given the power of God to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. Enemy is trampled under feet and nothing shall by any means hurt us. I am claiming this wonderful promise today in my life and this day may you claim this promise for your life too. We all can rejoice in the Lord for we have been given this glorious power over enemy. Let us rejoice in the Lord! Hallelujah.

Tomorrow: Jesus Raises the Son of a Widow

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Nov 28

A Disciple Named Tabitha or Dorcas from Joppa

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Acts 9:36-42

Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber. And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them. Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up. And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive. And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.

In the city of Joppa now called as Jaffa there lived a certain disciple whose name was Tabitha which means Dorcas. Dorcas means graceful and swift antelope. This woman was truly graceful and swift for she was full of good works and almsdeeds. She made clothes for the poor and the widows. She was the woman who worked willingly with her hands as it says in Proverbs 31:13. She stretched forth her hand to the poor and reached forth her hands to the needy as it says in Proverbs 31:20. She was one woman the poor and the needy looked up to. She was a woman both with faith and deeds. She fell sick and died. The poor, the needy and the widows were bereft of a friend who lend them a helping hand, provided clothing when needed and took care of them when nobody did. They washed Dorcas after her death and laid her in the upper chamber where all that were benefited from her surrounded her corpse.

Lydda was near Joppa and the disciples heard that Peter was at Lydda. They sent two men for Peter desiring that he would not delay his coming. The disciples could not afford to delay Peter’s coming. Peter arose and went with them. He made himself available and responded to their call without delay or hesitation. They were confident and trusted that Peter could perform a miracle and thus relieve the poor, the needy and the widows. Here was a woman whose survival was vital for the multitudes that were stricken in poverty. They knew Peter was one of the closest disciples of Jesus who could raise Dorcas from the dead just like Jesus did, for all power in heaven and earth was passed on from Jesus to the disciples. Like Peter may we also rush for the things of God and not procrastinate for we know not what tomorrow brings our way. While there is still time for us may we carry on the mission of the Lord Jesus that is vested on us humans.

When Peter came in thither, they brought him into the upper chamber and all the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. All that were gathered there stood by Peter weeping and showing the garments that Dorcas made for them. Here they were showing her mighty works and were hoping Peter would bring her back to life so they could be provided for. The poor and the needy were expectant that Peter would see her works while she was with them and thus restore her to them. One person could make a difference in the lives of so many. Yes, we too can make a difference by doing deeds that support the poor and the needy. James 2:15-16 says, “If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?” Let us accompany our faith with deeds for faith without works is dead.

But Peter asked them all to leave the chamber, and kneeled down, and prayed. Peter desired to be alone for he wanted to kneel down and pray. When we kneel down and pray may we also choose a quiet and lonely place where we can commune with God directly without any disturbance. As it says in Matthew 6:5-6, may we not pray publicly so that our prayers are noticed by men but let our prayers be secretly addressed to the Father in heaven. There is so much power in the prayers offered in the secret closet like the power in Peter’s prayer. We also see that he knelt down as he prayed. Kneeling down represents his humility before God for he knows very well his dependency on God through Jesus Christ. He beseeched the Lord for a miracle here.

He turned himself to the body and said “Tabitha, arise!” He addressed the body that lacked life and spirit by saying “arise”. By faith he knew that a miracle will come to pass for his faith in the power of God over death was so great. He saw the risen Lord and was thus confident about God’s power over death. He besought the Lord not for life in some useless vessel but in the vessel that was a blessing to so many others around her. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up. Her spirit was brought back into her body and she opened her eyes. When we turn from our wicked ways and repent of our sins the eyes of our heart are opened and the eternal life flows into us. Here Tabitha opened her eyes thus reflecting that she was no longer dead but alive. The moment she saw Peter, she sat up. She sat up to show her reverence to the man of God.

And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive. And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord. Peter gave her his hand to give support to the fellow Christian. May we also support our fellow believers and lift them up when they are falling away. Many backsliding Christians need our support to lift them up from falling to the world and its ways. Peter had called the saints and the widows and had presented Tabitha alive. They who were in grief because of the loss of a beloved sister witnessed a mighty miracle wrought by a man of God. They had faith that Peter could restore Tabitha to life and their faith was multiplied upon witnessing a mighty miracle. The news of Tabitha’s return to life spread across the entire city of Joppa and many believed in the Lord.

May we like Dorcas choose the deeds that support the poor, the needy, the widows and the least of our brethren for these deeds are unto the King of Kings (Matthew 25:40). May our faith not be mere words but supported by actions. God will help us carry out such deeds when we seek His help and start out in faith.

Tomorrow: A Damsel with a Spirit of Divination

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Nov 27

The Girl Vexed with Devil made Whole

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Matthew 15:21-28

Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs. And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table. Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

Jesus went to the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. Sidon was the first born of Canaan (Genesis 10:15) and was the mother city of Tyre (Isaiah 23:12). Tyre and Sidon are related to Canaan and Jesus went to these coasts. Jesus’ departing to the coasts of Tyre and Sidon is similar to Elijah’s departure to Zarephath of Zidon as mentioned in the blog The Widow at Zarephath – Part I. God had spoken to Elijah to go to Zarephath and dwell with a widow there for she found favor in God’s eyes and was about to experience abundant grace of the Almighty at a juncture when famine was prevalent, through a great prophet sent as a savior unto her although she was not a Jew. Jesus went to these two coasts to preach the good tidings of great joy, to perform mighty miracles and to show His care and concern to men of every kindred.

A woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts and cried unto him saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David. Though this woman was of Canaan, she cried unto Him for mercy. She pleaded not for a worldly favor but for His mercy. May we also in our humility cry out unto Him for His mercy! She knew that He was a Lord and Son of David. She knew pretty well that He was a Jew but yet approached Him for she must have heard of His mercy and grace. The news of Savior spread to the coasts of Tyre and Sidon as well and how she longed for this Savior’s mercy. She besought Him and was full of faith that He would grant her, her sincere plea. She sought His mercy as her daughter was grievously vexed with devil. She was a caring mother who could not see the suffering of her daughter. We as parents must seek the best interests of our children and plead the Lord for His mercy upon them. When we in faith carry our requests on behalf of our children, He will not shun us away. We have an ultimate friend who not only carried our sins and grief but we are privileged to carry our burdens unto Him in a prayer. He waits to hear our requests and pleas.

He answered her not a word. She brought in this request unto Him knowing pretty well that she can find His mercy and grace but Jesus did not respond to her. Many times in our lives too when we carry our requests to Him, He does not respond. He waits to build the right character in us, a character that is more pleasing to Him than our current state. Waiting does shape in us a special trait called patience for without patience what is a person in Christ for? And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. The disciples now intervened and pleaded the Master to send her away for she cries unto them as well. The intervention of His disciples is much like our intercession for the other people. Look, the Master now speaks! We are His disciples and the disciples’ asking Him to send her away is suggestive that they were tired of her pleading not only to Jesus but also to the disciples. Here is a woman who cried unto the Master directly for His mercy and when He did not respond approached His disciples and pleaded them. We too should request the people in Christ to pray for our sakes. We should not get tired of praying and pleading. When we do not hear from Him, that is when we should be more fervent in our prayers and seek the other believers in the Body of Christ to uphold our requests. The disciples spoke to the Master on her behalf and wanted Jesus to send her away. Although it is not clear whether they wanted the Master to grant her the request, I can imagine that they wanted Him to grant her request so that she would not bother them anymore.

But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Jesus is now saying that He came for the lost sheep of the house of Israel and not for the gentiles. He was thus testing her endurance to stand the test of faith and hang on to her petition although He did not address her directly. He is a God of mercy and grace and I am confident that she had heard of Him thus. But what He is saying now contradicts His character but will she still believe and trust in Him? He was testing her of this. He tests us as well and his silence for our petitions implies that He is working His character in us. It is not that He putting a deaf ear to our requests. He is well aware of the urgency of these requests yet He makes us wait so that we are turned into pure gold that stood the test of fire.

Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. She did not get offended when He said He came for the lost sheep of the house of Israel. She did not apply to her and say that she is not a Jew and hence give up. Instead she turned around and worshipped Him. This woman was a woman of great faith and she worshipped Him when all she senses is a person turned down. She humbles herself and much to a human’s surprise worships Him. She says, “Lord, help me!” She is begging for His help for she very well knows that the help comes from the Lord which made heaven and earth (Psalm 121:2). John 1 clearly explains that the Light of the World, Jesus was with God from the beginning. So this Canaanite woman believed in the authority of Jesus over every power and principality and especially over the devil that troubled her daughter.

 But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs. And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table. Jesus is responding to her who sought His help that it is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to dogs. The children here are the Jews while the dogs are the Canaanites or gentiles. He referred to her as a dog. But her answer speaks the humility with which she accepts herself as a dog. The Master will not look down upon us His children but will see if we are humble enough to enjoy His divine blessings. He was simply testing her faith, her humility and her perseverance. Her answer was that the dogs eat of the crumbs that fall from their Masters’ table. She is just asking for a crumb of blessing from the tons of blessings that the Master has for His children. She is willing to wait at the Master’s table and be blessed by a little crumb that falls off the table. Oh, how great is this woman’s faith and endurance?

Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour. Now the Master moves in an amazing way in her life and fills her with His mercy and compassion. He was impressed by this woman’s faith. He granted her of her one petition and her daughter was made whole that very hour. Her daughter though not right besides her, received His blessing that very hour and the mother here rejoiced in this miracle and in the Lord before her. Her heart must have overflowed with joy that is beyond explanation. Her prayer for her own daughter is an example to us parents today. We should hang on to our petitions for our children and beg Him of His mercy and worship Him even though the situation does not fade away. He shapes heavenly character in us and one day we will be mightily blessed like the way this woman was blessed. He is hearing our pleas and though He seems to not respond, be encouraged that He is shaping His character in us and when He sees us like He wants to see us, our request will be granted. Amen!

Tomorrow: A Disciple Named Tabitha or Dorcas from Joppa

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