THEME: NEED A MIRACLE? III
MEMORISE:
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: John 11:25
READ: John 11:39-44.
39 Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.
40 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.
42 And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.
43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.
44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.
MESSAGE:
It is God’s plan for His children to enjoy a long and prosperous life. If the enemy however, tries to steal the life of any child of God, such a fellow would become a candidate for a miracle. This was the case of Lazarus- a friend of Jesus Christ, according to John 11:11-13:
“These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.”
The first lesson we should learn in this story is that any friend of Jesus is a candidate for a miracle. The question is: are you a friend of Jesus or an anti-Christ? Jesus Christ is the best friend you can ever have. He is compassionate and caring. You need to have Jesus as your friend before the occurrence of any seemingly hopeless situation, as we see in today’s Bible reading. Martha, a sister of Lazarus said to Jesus:
“ ...Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.” (John 11:21)
To her, Lazarus’ case was a hopeless one because he had been dead and buried for four days. However, the Hope of the Hopeless said “…Thy brother shall rise again” (John 11:23).
Beloved, I am inviting you to come to Jesus Christ today. Make up your mind that you will be His friend indeed by obeying all His commandments, because He said “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you” (John 15:14).
What do you need a miracle for? Is it a part of your body, your marriage, business or career that has been touched by the evil one? Jesus Christ is the Miracle-Worker. Make Him your friend today, put your trust in Him and you will receive your desired miracles (John 11:40).
Do you desire to live eternally? Romans 3:23 says “….all have sinned….” To have your eternal life restored, you need the miracle of redemption. The One who can perform this miracle is Jesus Christ the Son of Living God. Run to Him and you shall have eternal life (John 3:16-18).
PRAYER POINT:
Father, I need a miracle. Please intervene in every hopeless situation in my life today and give me a testimony, in the mighty name of Jesus.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalm 149-150.
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
HYMNAL: WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS.
1. What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!
2. Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful,
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
3. Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there.
4. Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised
Thou wilt all our burdens bear;
May we ever, Lord, be bringing
All to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright, unclouded,
There will be no need for prayer—
Rapture, praise, and endless worship
Will be our sweet portion there.
ALSO READ:
OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR SATURDAY 28TH AUGUST 2021.
THEME: NEED A MIRACLE? II
MEMORISE:
Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 1 Peter 2:24
READ: Mark 5:25-34
25 And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years,
26 And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,
27 When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.
28 For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.
29 And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.
30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?
31 And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?
32 And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing.
33 But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.
34 And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.
MESSAGE:
Report have revealed that both orthodox and traditional medical practitioners have confessed their limitations in the healing process. Both orthodox and traditional medical practitioners are known to tell terminally ill patients to go home and prepare to die after their best efforts to save such lives have failed.
Mark 5:25-28 tells us the story of a woman with the issue of blood:
“And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.”
In this story we see how the helplessness of physicians made the woman desperate for a miracle. When human beings cannot help a fellow, it becomes apparent that the case would require a divine intervention. The woman said in her heart that if she could just touch Jesus’ clothes, she would be made whole. She did and she got her healing. Jesus Christ knew that healing virtue had gone out of Him and asked for the identity of the fellow who touched Him. The Bible says the woman, though afraid, told Jesus what and how it happened. It is interesting to note that instead of Jesus Christ rebuking her or taking back the virtue that had healed her, He commended her faith. Jesus said “….Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.” (Mark 5:34). Beloved, it takes a divine touch to get such a miracle. If we can only have faith in Jesus Christ- the Great Miracle-Worker, we would also become candidates for miracles.
Are you facing any health challenges? Maybe medical practitioners have even described it as incurable. I assure you that as you exercise your faith today, Jehovah-Rapha will make you whole in Jesus’ name. Amen.
PRAYER POINT:
Father, I believe there is no aliment You cannot cure; please, heal me of any infirmity in my body today, in Jesus’ name.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalm 146-148.
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
HYMNAL: PASS ME NOT, O GENTLE SAVIOR.
1. Pass me not, O gentle Savior,
Hear my humble cry;
While on others Thou art calling,
Do not pass me by.
o Refrain:
Savior, Savior,
Hear my humble cry,
While on others Thou art calling,
Do not pass me by.
2. Let me at Thy throne of mercy
Find a sweet relief;
Kneeling there in deep contrition,
Help my unbelief.
3. Trusting only in Thy merit,
Would I seek Thy face;
Heal my wounded, broken spirit,
Save me by Thy grace.
4. Thou the spring of all my comfort,
More than life to me,
Whom have I on earth beside Thee,
Whom in Heav’n but Thee.
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