'healing' Tagged Posts
Daily Devotions
When Peter saw it, he addressed the people, ‘You Israelites, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we had made him walk?’” vs. 12 Acts 3:12-16 Many believers have a mixed attitude toward miracles. We will gladly pray for healing whenever asked, but then when healings actually occur we are reluctant to call them miraculous. That wasn’t the case among the apostles in Jerusalem during the…
Daily Devotions
When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb.” vss. 1-2 Mark 16:1-8 The women knew what to do when Jesus died. While the male disciples stayed hidden in their confusion, as soon as the Sabbath was over the women got to work. Because…
Daily Devotions
And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.” vss. 14-15 John 3:14-17 As John struggled to find a metaphor that would make the cross more palatable to his readers, he remembered an obscure incident from the Hebrew scriptures that was absolutely perfect. During one of the Israelites many rebellions against Moses the Lord had sent poisonous serpents as a…
Daily Devotions
They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, ‘What is this? A new teaching—with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.’ At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.” vss. 27-28 Mark 1:25-28 The gospels all report that the casting out of demons was a part of Jesus’ healing ministry. In fact, encounters like the one Mark describes here caught people’s attention and boosted his reputation. We don’t…
Daily Devotions
Restore us, O Lord God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved.” vs. 19 Psalm 80:17-19 The psalmist was thinking of the nation of Israel in his prayer, but his words have been used since in countless prayers, perhaps even our own. All face times in their lives when they are deeply conscious that things are not as they once were, that relationships have foundered, health has declined, or inflation has taken a bite out of…
Daily Devotions
Thus says the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have grasped to subdue nations before him and strip kings of their robes, to open doors before him— and the gates shall not be closed:” vs. 1 Isaiah 45:1-4 Talk about the ironies and the vagaries of history in the Middle East! Back in the days of Israel’s captivity in Babylon, the prophet wrote that Cyrus, the king of Persia, was the Lord’s anointed, and that Cyrus…
Daily Devotions
If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one.” vs. 15 Matthew 18:15-17 Because life in our world is both good and broken, humans have had to deal with the matter of forgiveness from the beginning. Certainly it was at the center of Jesus’ ministry and he regularly offered unconditional forgiveness to the sinners that crowded…
Daily Devotions
Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.” vs. 40 Matthew 10:40-42 When Jesus sent out his disciples to expand his ministry to the towns and villages of Galilee, he warned them that there would be suffering involved. But he also let them know that there would be blessings for those who welcomed them. Through them, people would experience the Divine Presence; through them they would be welcoming Jesus. Those encounters still take…
Daily Devotions
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” vs. 36 Matthew 9:35-38 Jesus had been overwhelmed by the crowds that he encountered as he began his ministry in Galilee. Everywhere he went they flocked to hear his words and be touched by his healing hands, and his heart was filled with compassion. If we’ve ever wondered about our mission as his followers, there really can be no…
Daily Devotions
Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’ When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’” vss. 21-22 John 20:21-23 There are many passages in our scriptures about the Spirit or the Wind of God. It animates every living creature and energizes believers with wisdom and understanding. The Spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness and filled him with a passion…
Daily Devotions
I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.” vss. 13-14 John 14:8-14 Citing this verse, followers of Jesus have regularly asked Jesus for any number of things. It seems we don’t have any trouble thinking of things that he could help with. Most of the time our requests will likely have to do with healing, either…