GREAT FAITH
Today’s Reading: Luke 7
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion on the right-hand side).
In the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, this octagonal baptismal font in the south aisle dates from the 6th-century church of Justinian; it originally stood near the high altar. The inscription reads, “For remembrance, rest and remission of sins of those whose names the Lord knows.”
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where Reynold took the photo, click HERE.
Key Verse: Luke 7:9
When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, “I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!”
From yesterday’s reading we are to be “talmudim,” disciples, students, of Jesus. Today we learn more from our Teacher, Jesus. In the last verse of chapter 7, we learn that the woman had “faith.” “Great faith” is not just believing for our sins to be forgiven, but a recognition of the absolute authority of Jesus. Authority is communicated by words. In the case of this Roman officer, he gave commands and was obeyed. His authority came from Caesar, the Emperor of Rome. His “great faith” was in recognizing that Jesus’ authority came from Almighty God. When Jesus speaks, it is done! We need to read and listen for His Word. Like the officer, ask Him to “speak the Word.” God’s Word for this new day is powerful. I suggest we read this chapter a second time. Jesus is speaking to us.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, I’m reading and listening. I’m learning as Your student about “great faith.” I recognize Your authority over me. Please give me the grace to obey You. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I remember being stopped on a busy Toronto street by a police woman. She raised her hand and I obeyed. Thousands of pounds of metal came to a halt at her gesture. I thought, “She does not have the power physically to stop all these cars, but she has the authority.” She is backed up by the city, the province, the government of Canada, and the Queen. I thought, how much more should I instantly obey Jesus. He’s backed up by all the authority of the cosmos. He said, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples [students] of all the nations” (Matthew 28:18b & 19a). I’m confident that this blog is done in obedience to what I believe Jesus has spoken to me. Please, if you have not already done so, check out the story I share on video of how this blog came to be. Click here.
Yours, recognizing the universal authority of Jesus,
David
Thank You, Lord God, for Your Word. Bless the Mainse family, 100 Huntley Street, Crossroads, and all the Gospel ministers and ministries that are going out bringing Your Word to all in this world. Help them to be faithful to You, and to be clear as they give out Your Word. Thank You, Lord, for speaking to us, and as David prayed, give us the grace to listen to and obey You, in Jesus’s great name, amen
Always great prayers,Rob.May it be Your will,Lord….Amen
Amen!!
Amen Rob!!!
Reading,listening and learning as in David’s Prayer.
Amen Rob
David knew God well and God honoured him.Some of us only think we know God well.I can not make that claim,yet,but I am thirsty.I thank God for this teaching blog.May all who read it be nourished and learn from it.God bless
Written after I surrendered but before I was baptized:
Salvation
Sweet Jesus I owe everything to you and to you alone,
You have shown me my home,you are my anchorstone,
You have saved me always when stormy winds have blown,
You have always been my rock,the truest friend I’ve known,
So why do you think me worthy as a seed you have sown
What can I ever do to earn all the love you’ve shown .
Ch:
Let me know sweet Jesus, let me know beyond my days
Let me know my savour,when I bow down to you in praise,
When my time here is drawing short and coming to a close,
As they carry me away after leading the life I chose,
I pray that I will leave not sorrow for those that I love,
But instead to know the joy that waits for us above.
I am not a wealthy man but I am very rich by far,
When I walk my journey you’re my guiding star
And you know that I am honest in all the things I do,
I have never born false witness,I only say what’s true,
You have strengthened my soul before I even knew
Of life’s losses with your love to see me through.
You have always had your hand placed within my soul,
You have shown me your light that has made me whole,
I have never known this love that comes from your grace,
Nor have I known compassion that shines from your face,
For I am still a sinner and you are the Son of God
I can only meet you at the end of the road I trod.
G W(Bill) Marshall (No copyright intended)
Great poem, Amen William.
Amen William
God Bless You
In Christ there is no competition of who knows “Daddy” best, we shared what we experience to encourage one another in our faith, which is what all of you do beautifully on the blog. I shared this poem I wrote seven years ago, for that same reason, and since it seems to fit with today’s theme I will share it again for those who missed it the first time; it has encouraged many during this pandemic.
For This I Have Jesus
When night’s embrace holds no comfort
When tears bring no release
When my life is in a shambles
and I am feeling lower than dust
For this — I have Jesus.
When no prayer escapes my lips
When praise is lead upon my tongue
When my faith lies in ruins
and I do because I must
For this—-I have Jesus
When my body is weaken with illness
When pain is my constant ache
When age steals my health
and I lose the zeal of youthful lust
For this— I have Jesus
When the terror of my enemies attack me
When friends can no longer be found
When I am lost, afraid and lonely
and I doubt who I can trust
For this– I have Jesus
And when the grave stands before me
and death awaits my return with glee
When all hope is behind me
and I am facing my Maker, Holy and Just
For this — I have Jesus
Never a need forgotten
Never a promise not kept
Love given for all of us
For this– We have Jesus
Donna Fracasso 2013
Wonderful poem Donna M.
Thank you Donna , that is so beautifully said. Thank you and it is so fitting for me. God Bless !
Amen
Amen Donna. Lovely poem.
Amen Donna
I’m in tears. God Bless you
Thank you Donna for sharing your heart!!
That speaks volumes, to which I can relate.
Amen to all the comments above!
Thanks for sharing your faith and trust in Jesus Christ,
it is a great encouragement during this pandemic.
JOHN 3: 16 ASSURES us of our Lord Jesus Christ’s LOVE
and AMAZING GRACE for us all! To God be the Glory, Amen!
Amen Joyce.
Blessings to all the comments and the special poems. They are a blessing to all that you share with.
Here is the latest on Mike, from Fargo. Please keep the prayers going for him.
“Michael is in a very quiet, very dark room and only one immediately family
member a day can visit. They want perfect stillness to let his brain rest
and hopefully heal. The brain waves are ok but he just does not seem able to
wake up. The doctors are becoming quite concerned”
Continuing to pray for Michael that The Lord will heal him. Eleanor M.
Have been praying for Mike to be restored; to open his eyes; for the swelling to come out of his brain and for his mind to be awoken and to return to him. Will continue to pray deeply for him, daily. Thank you so much for the update. I strongly feel he is going to come out of it, even though the picture seems grim, now. I believe the Lord is going to heal him. I am happy to hear they are keeping him quiet and in the dark to rest. I pray his daily family member holds his hand and speaks quietly to him. He will not feel alone.
Amen to your prayer for Mike, Beverlee
Bowing my head in prayer for Michael today that God’s perfect will be done. In Jesus Name. Read all your posts and say thank you for your faithfulness to this blog.
Amen
We were without power much of today. Finally came back on. Lovely poems today. Praying for Mike. Blessings all. Thinking of Beverlee for Thursday. Take care.
Amen to above prayers and poems. God is good.