Jan 16

Ravens and Lilies

Living in Christ Comments Off

Luke 12:24-29

Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest? Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.

For the past few days, I was directed towards these verses by the Spirit of God. The Lord God who cares for the ravens and lilies, how much more should His care for man and woman be? He created us in His own image. Genesis 1:27 says, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them”. Should I or anyone of us fret about anything? Absolutely NOT! I Peter 5:7 says, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” Let us cast all our care upon Him for He cares for us more than we can care for ourselves! He who formed us in the palm of His hands, with His precious fingers and bought us with the highest price on the Cross of Calvary will certainly cherish in His most important creation, YOU and ME. Here I render my heart to you alone and surrender myself wholly to your care, my Jesus. Last night I was immensely blessed by the visit of my cousin’s husband Mr. Enoch Era and he sang a beautiful song in my native language Telugu just on the verses above. Truly His care for us is not to be undermined.

Ravens, the fowls of the air neither sow nor reap, neither have storehouses nor barn but they are fed by God. We are far better than the fowls in God’s eyes. In fact we are given the dominion over this fowls of the air (Genesis 1:26). We cannot even add a cubit to our stature; then why even take a thought for the rest?

Lilies, the flowers of the field, neither toil nor spin but how wonderfully we see them grow. King Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these lilies. The splendor of the lilies was greater than that of King Solomon’s. If God clothes the grass, which is in the field today and withers tomorrow, how much more will He clothe us? Let us keep up our faith and trust the Lord wholeheartedly. Let us not entertain an iota of doubt when it comes to trusting God.

Next: Michal – Part III

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Jan 12

Eunice and Lois

Biblical Women Comments Off

II Timothy 1:5-6

When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also. Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.

Eunice is Timothy’s mother while Lois is his grandmother. These two women always impress me every time I read about their faith. Lois and Eunice had unfeigned faith. “Unfeigned” means sincere and genuine faith. There is no fake representation in such unfeigned faith. This faith is unshakeable and does not get upset no matter how the circumstances look like. This same unfeigned faith that was in Timothy’s grandmother and mother was in Timothy as well. Paul is speaking that he is calling to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in Timothy. Paul addresses Timothy as his dearly beloved son (I Timothy 1:2, II Timothy 1:2). That tells us that Timothy was much younger to Paul. Paul must have enjoyed the goodness of Timothy’s mother and grandmother and so was able to speak of their faith with such an honor. Paul also says that without ceasing he remembers Timothy in his prayers night and day (II Timothy 1:3). These two were united in their mission to teach no other doctrine but that which is good and godly edifying in faith (I Timothy 1:4).

Paul says “wherefore” which means therefore or for this reason! So for the unfeigned faith in Timothy, Paul is asking Timothy to stir up the gift of God which is in him by putting on of Paul’s hands. Stirring up the gift of God is to put the gift of God into action by igniting it with the Spirit of God. In this case putting on of Paul’s hands symbolizes the bestowing of a spiritual responsibility on Timothy by Paul.

I would like to urge us all to consider the unfeigned faith that existed in Eunice and Lois that was found in Timothy. See this unfeigned faith was a wonderful spiritual quality that was inherited by Timothy from his mother and grandmother. Let us also think about the generations to come through us and let us make efforts to set up good examples to our children and grandchildren. Remember: the little eyes observe, the little ears hear, the little hearts ponder, the little hands do, the little legs walk and in no matter of time they would make an impression on people around them. Let us ask the Lord to help us lead exemplary lives completely dedicated for God’s honor and glory in full reverence unto Him and with unfeigned faith!

Next: Michal – Part I

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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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Nov 27

The Girl Vexed with Devil made Whole

Women that Received Physical and Spiritual Healing Comments Off

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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Nov 24

Jairus’ Daughter Raised from the Dead

Women that Received Physical and Spiritual Healing Comments Off

Luke 8:50-56

But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole. And when he came into the house, he suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John, and the father and the mother of the maiden. And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead. And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise. And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat. And her parents were astonished: but he charged them that they should tell no man what was done.

Jesus raising Jairus’ daughter from the dead is recorded twice in the Bible in Mark 5:23-24, 35-43 and Luke 8:41-42, 49-56. This incident is intertwined with the healing of the woman with the issue of blood for twelve years. We see in Luke 8:41-42 that Jairus a ruler of the synagogue approached Jesus and fell at His feet. Jairus was not an ordinary man but a ruler of the synagogue and he falling at the feet of the Lord Jesus shows his humility. He besought Lord Jesus to come into his house for his only daughter who was twelve years old was on the verge of death. Here we see a man so desperate and desiring to seek the Lord’s favor falling at the feet of the Lord. Sure enough the Master started out to go to Jairus’ house. Jesus hears our humble requests and understands our desperate state and does respond to our pleas. But as He started out the multitude thronged Him and here is where we see that the woman with the issue of blood for twelve years was healed for she had faith in the Lord. What is interesting is Jairus’ daughter lived happily for twelve years and now was on the deathbed and the woman with the issue of blood suffered for twelve years and desperately desired to be healed. In both cases we see twelve years; in the former twelve years of a happy life and in the latter twelve years of suffering and both sought the Lord earnestly for a miracle after twelve years. While Jesus had a conversation with the woman suffering from the issue of blood to confirm her of her healing, something happened in Jairus’ house.

Luke 8:49 says, “While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue’s house, saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master”. News arrived from Jairus’ house that his twelve year old daughter was dead. He who besought the Lord for healing of his daughter was informed that his daughter is dead. The men who brought the news also suggested that Jairus need not trouble Lord Jesus. Our petitions are not a trouble to the Master because His power will be manifested in us when in faith we hang on to our petitions which are not asked amiss. Before even Jairus could respond, Jesus responded, “But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.” These words from the Master are simply powerful and they are just what Jairus needed. When Jairus heard the news no mention is made on how he reacted but I can perceive that he was in fear for otherwise the Master would not have said “Fear not: Believe only”. These four words are what we need to rest on when stricken by troubles and struggles that the enemy poses on us. When we believe on the Lord Jesus we shall be made whole. I can imagine the anxiety of a parent when the child was sick and on the deathbed but to keep up the faith even when she is dead is truly difficult. But when it is the Master himself saying that she shall be made whole, there is no reason to fear. We, who are struggling with sickness as I am today, can boldly trust in the words of our Master, “FEAR NOT: BELIEVE ONLY and WE WILL BE MADE WHOLE!”

Luke 8:51 says, “And when he came into the house, he suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John, and the father and the mother of the maiden.” He entered Jairus’ house with Jairus and his wife and the three of His closest disciples i.e. Peter, James and John. He allowed the ones who would witness a miracle for they trusted Him and the three of His disciples that walked closely with Him. Do you walk so close with the Lord and trust Him so well that He could use you as His closest disciple to perform a mighty miracle? We are all His disciples and followers but are we His closest disciples with whom He can walk over to bring victory over death? The death I am referring to here is the spiritual death that eternally separates us from the love of our Father if we do not trust in the saving grace of Jesus Christ. In other words, do you trust Jesus enough so that He can bring salvation to many souls on this earth and save them from eternal death?

Luke 8:52-53 says, “And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead.” One can only imagine the sorrow surrounding a bereaved family. They were weeping and wailing over Jairus’ daughter’s death. But Jesus asked them not to weep for she is not dead, but is sleeping. Their reaction was scornful and suggested that they completely lost hope at this point. They knew and believed she was dead and their scornful laugh reflected that they lacked trust in His words. On the other hand, I Thessalonians 4:13-14 says, “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.” This clearly states that we are not to be filled with sorrow concerning the death of a beloved like others that have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so also will He bring with Him, those that sleep in Jesus. This should assure us of our reunion with our beloved people. This should be our hope.

The next three verses Luke 8:54-56, speak of the mighty miracle that Jesus performed to demonstrate that He had the power over death. This was demonstrating the resurrection power of Jesus, the power to raise us from the dead when He comes again. He simply called out to Jairus daughter: “Maid, arise”. His word is sufficient to raise us from the dead. And her spirit came back into her, and she arose straightway. Though our mortal body suffers death, our spirit does not. All it takes for Jesus to rise us up again is to command the spirit to unite with the body like He did to Jairus’ daughter. He commanded to give her meat. Her parents were astonished. The parents were not only happy to see their daughter alive but also trusted Jesus and His power to heal and raise the dead. The onlookers who were scornful were probably astonished too. This gave them all an opportunity to witness a miracle so powerful and be ashamed at their distrust. But God’s intention is not that we be ashamed but that of grace. His grace and power are fully to be praised by us for they are simply worthy of our praise and honor. Without His grace and power we are sure to wander and get lost. Trust Him today that He would perform a miracle so powerful and mighty as in the Jairus’ daughter’s life.

 Tomorrow: Jesus Heals Simon Peter’s Mother-in-Law

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Nov 23

The Woman with the Issue of Blood

Women that Received Physical and Spiritual Healing Comments Off

Matthew 9:20-22

And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole. But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.

The incident of the woman with the issue of blood is recorded thrice in the gospels viz., Matthew 9:20-22, Mark 5:25-22 and Luke 8:43-48. Matthew has it recorded concisely whereas in Mark and Luke it is recorded in full detail. This woman had a disease with the issue of blood for twelve years. She must have been worn out and debilitated for this many years. Mark 5:26 says, “And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse”. This woman had consulted many physicians and spent all that she had but the situation did not get any better but rather grew worse. Physicians need the wisdom while treating their patients and remember even physicians need a physician and therefore operate only under the limitation of their knowledge and understanding. But the physician of all the physicians is Jesus Christ. Commit your sicknesses unto this super physician and by saying this I am not asking you to refrain from consulting a doctor. You commit your sickness unto Him and believe that He will bring healing your way. Psalm 37:5 says, “Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.” This woman after trying everything and exhausting herself of all possibilities has come to a state where she trusted that only this super physician can heal her. Her problem is not the kind that she can discuss openly and therefore she approached Jesus stealthily. She only wanted to touch the hem of Jesus’ garment. Matthew 9:21 says, “For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.”

Mark 5:29 says, “And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.” The woman’s only desire at this point was fulfilled. She felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. In an instant the issue of blood that she had for a dozen years stopped. She approached Jesus furtively and received the healing as well. Can this testimony so great be restricted for her alone? No!

Luke 8:45 says, “And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?” The self same moment the Lord sensed that somebody touched him. He questioned as to who touched Him. Peter and the other disciples that were with Jesus were puzzled by this question for the multitude thronged Him. They wondered at His question because so many pressed Him. While their question had a meaning based on something they witnessed, the Lord’s question had a superior meaning for He sensed what his disciples and all others did not. Luke 8:46 says, “And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me.” Jesus perceived that virtue is gone out of Him. This virtue was a celestial merit that had the potential to heal the physical body much like the divine merit to cleanse a sinner from all sins. This woman sought the virtue of this superior quality for she knew that a virtue any lesser had no power to heal her. Are you longing for this celestial merit from Lord Jesus Christ today? Are you tired of trying everything possible here on earth? Then, you are blessed with this virtue. Turn to Jesus Christ who owns this virtue and has the sole authority to pass it on to you. Just seek Him and ask Him and you shall have it. Matthew 7:7 says, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you”. This woman did exactly what Matthew says and it was given unto her and it will be given unto you too!

Mark 5:32-33 says, “And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.” Here the Lord knew who touched Him and turned to see her directly. She feared and trembled for she perceived what was done in her. She received this mighty healing clandestinely and is now subject to see the one from whom she received the healing. She came and fell before Jesus Christ and told Him all the truth. This gave her the opportunity to share her testimony to all the people around Jesus.

Matthew 9:33 says, “He (Jesus) said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.” The woman who was trembling with fear was sincerely comforted by the divine physician. And the woman was made whole from that hour! When this great a tempest surrounds us and there is nobody to share our sufferings, there is only one who will walk us through victoriously. Trust the one who can walk us through and can even lift up a storm so severe. May God grant you the comfort and heal you by passing on His virtue to you. Just desire to touch the hem aof His garment and this garment is His robe of righteousness that can wash away our sins and our sicknesses; Just believe and you will be healed!

Tomorrow: Jairus’ Daughter Raised from the Dead

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Nov 11

Lydia, a True Believer of the Lord

Biblical Women Comments Off

Acts 16:13-15

And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither. And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.

After Paul’s vision about a man pleading Paul to help them at Macedonia, he immediately tried to reach Macedonia understanding that the Lord wanted the gospel to be preached there. They reached from Troas to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia and dwelt there for a few days. On the Sabbath day, Paul and Silas went out the city gate to the river where they expected to pray and worship. They sat down and began to speak to the women gathered there.

What is noteworthy is that Paul addressed a group of women worshippers. These women gathered there had a desire to worship the Lord God and it appears that these women met regularly on every Sabbath to worship. Among the group of women worshippers was Lydia, seller of purple from the city of Thyatira. Purple dye or the purple cloth was very expensive. Lydia not only earned money by hard work but also had love for the Lord God and she was thirsting to hear more about God. She was just at the right place. The apostles were led by the Spirit of God there to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Lydia heard the gospel message delivered by Paul. She was convicted about this wonderful message and immediately acted upon it. The Lord God opened her heart to this wonderful truth. She was baptized and also her whole household was baptized. Lydia heard the message and did not just keep this message to herself. It is not clear whether her whole household was in that group but some how the gospel message reached them as well. The self same moment that she got baptized she must have led her whole family to this truth. Yes, a woman can impact her whole household and change the course of the entire family. Proverbs 31:27 says, “She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.” A virtuous woman takes good care of her entire household and eats not the bread of idleness. Here Lydia is that same type of virtuous woman spoken of by King Lemuel’s mother in Proverbs 31. She first took the right step in dedicating her Sabbath to worshipping the Lord God and now Lydia and her entire family was blessed with the truth about Jesus Christ the Savior, and were baptized.

Lydia did not just stop at that but she persuaded Paul and Silas to go to her house and abide there, if they judged her to be a true believer of the Lord. She was putting her faith to practice right away. Of course, Paul and Silas had no choice but to go to Lydia’s house for they were persuaded by her and her belief in Christ. James 1:23-24 says, “For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.” She heard the word of God and was doing what the divine Word said. She was ministering to the apostles by whom she was ministered. She received salvation through these men of God and now was serving them in ways she could. She invited them to her house and asked them to abide there. From Lydia’s house the apostles had a few more experiences preaching the good tidings and delivering a girl from an evil spirit. From there they were kept in prison and straightaway from prison they reached Lydia’s house to comfort the brethren there. It is clear that Lydia’s family entertained the other brethren in Christ who were crying and praying for the release of Paul and Silas. Acts 16:40 says, “And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed.” The apostles did not take a second thought whether they should go to Lydia’s house or not because they were very well convinced how Lydia would like their presence in her house.

We too in this present generation can try and be like Lydia. We have to take time to go to the House of God to worship Him with fellow-Christians. God will have a special message that ministers to our heart every time we go and worship Him. He opens the eyes of our heart to the truth about Him as we seek Him. He will fill us with Holy Spirit and empower us to be a blessing to our household like Lydia was. This Spirit can and will transform us and our entire household. The whole family can be saved and be blessed immensely. We should also be doers of the Word like Lydia. Faith without deeds is dead and so our faith must be accompanied by actions like Lydia’s faith was. Let us seek God to help us be like Lydia, who was a true believer of Christ!

Tomorrow: Poor Widow and Her Two Mites

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