Wednesday, October 21, 2020

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ARISE

Today’s Reading: John 5

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 Old City of Jerusalem are the ruins of the Pool of Bethesda. This is where Jesus healed the paralytic man who had been waiting for his healing for 38 years (John 5:1-15). Here you can also see ruins of a Roman temple to the god of medicine and the remains of a Byzantine church built over the temple.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where Reynold took the photo, click HERE.

 

Key Verse: John 5:24

Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.

 

In yesterday’s reading we moved from “PERISHING” to “EVERLASTING LIFE.” Today, Jesus teaches that by believing we move from “DEATH INTO LIFE.” Seven times in John 3, 4, & 5 Jesus repeats His eternal or everlasting life promise. He really wants us to know the facts about our future as believers in Him. Since the sin of our first parents, we, as a human family, have moved in the opposite direction. We’ve gone from life to death. But in Jesus, that direction of destruction has been reversed, both in this life and in the hereafter. The example of the man with the 38-year-long infirmity shows us the “DEATH INTO LIFE” principle at work in our physical bodies in the here and now. The religious leaders of Jesus’ day failed to understand that Jesus came to turn what was the normal process around 180 degrees. By believing in Jesus, the new normal is “LIFE.”

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord Jesus, I believe in You. I give You my entire life for both time and eternity. I believe You for the healing of my body, my soul and my spirit, a complete turn around from death to life. Please continue to give me the gift of faith to believe, 24/7, that this is a fact and that nothing will ever change this fact. This assurance fills me with joy. Thank You, Jesus! Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

When I served as a Pastor I was requested to lay hands on a newborn baby and pray for his healing. Marina Cooper’s little one was born with a hole in his heart. The very next day, I received a call that the hole had closed and her baby’s heart was perfect. I believe that Jesus did this!!!  He promised that these signs would follow them that believe. He said, “…they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover” (Mark 16:18b). Every believer qualifies to do this. Just do what the Scripture says and leave the rest up to God. For some reason I have begun to sing words from one of the children’s songs from the GodRocks ministry, “Not a doubt! Check it out! Better believe it!” My eldest daughter, Elaine, and her husband, Bruce Stacey, have given me t-shirts with those words on them, plus an additional t-shirt with another line from the same song, “Not ashamed to shout it!” Here is one of their scripture songs online.

Yours for believing,

David

29 thoughts on “Wednesday, October 21, 2020”

  1. When Jesus said to the paralyzed man at the pool’s edge, in vs. 8-9, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk,” I thought of Matthew 14:28-29, when Jesus told Peter to step out of the boat and walk on water. Our belief in Jesus gives us the power. May His amazing power to overcome, work in our lives today and always, fellow saints in the Lord. His blessings of love, peace and joy be upon you. Amen.

    I lie down and sleep;
    I wake again, for the Lord sustains me.
    I am not afraid of ten thousands of people
    who have set themselves against me all around.
    Psalm 3:5-6 NRSV

    Chris Tomlin – How great is our God lyrics
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKLQ1td3MbE

    Reply ↓

  2. Yesterday, Irene posted about her sister Stella’s funeral, and Anne, posted about her aunt’s funeral. I sure do miss my sister, Laura. Indeed, knowing they are safe in the arms of Jesus is such a comfort. Much love to both of you.

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  3. Ahh Beverlee much love to you as well, and may God bless you with good health and strength.

    I am reading a book by author…Gary Thomas, one line jumped out at me and I have it underlined …. life is about learning to live with loss.
    Thomas goes on to write that this is because we live in a fallen sin-filled world.

    For me the amazing miracle is that in spite of the deep deep loss of a loved one, Jesus comes and we can can again in time experience joy and contentment and a sense of purpose.
    I realize this takes time, at least for me it was and still is a journey, that grief needs to be felt and expressed, that the empty chair will always be there, but what hope and peace the promise of seeing our loved ones again brings to my (our) hearts!

    Reply ↓

    • Thank you Anne. That is very kind of you. Enjoyed your words and agree with you. When I really need extra strength and love, I seem to get a message from those in my family who have passed: mom, dad, sister. I just came across a greeting card full of photos of them. I sensed they were present. “Be strong and of good courage. Do not fear. We are with you. All is well.” ❤️

      Reply ↓

  4. Thank You, Father, for loving us so much as to send Your own Son to die for us! For never leaving us nor forsaking us… For being always faithful… Lord God, please comfort all Your beloved children who are experiencing loss. In Jesus’s great name, amen

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  5. May God comfort all who are grieving.I have been watching a very close friend with
    Pancreatic Cancer waste away.He was a pastor in the Briden,On area when David was also there in the early 60’s.He is the most humble man I have ever known.
    It helps to believe (It’s a good analogy.) that our bodies are life support systems (Like a spacesuit.) for our spirits to exist in this physical world.Once our bodies are damaged by disease or injury to the point where no repair is humanly possible,then the body shuts down and releases our spirits to go home (for believers).This world is both a school and battleground.We must fend off evil while doing His will to help those who He sends us to,knowingly or unknowingly.All praise belongs to Him alone.May you find comfort in those He sends to you (perhaps in this blog?) and know that this world is temporary.May God wrap His loving arms around those who are grieving,His warmth will assure you.God bless

    =============================
    Attending a R.Catholic funeral,where
    the priest went out of his way to make
    us protestants feel comfortable,I was
    inspired to write this.
    Pastor

    Pastor,please say goodbye for me,
    For I will not know who’s there
    When my eyes no longer see
    And my heart has no more care.

    Your service says what I could not,
    Through Jesus’ words to borrow,
    For I have won the battle fought
    And have risen above sorrow.

    Pastor,please wipe away their grief,
    For the truth will set them free
    From the one who is a thief
    And has nowhere to flee.

    Don’t let them believe what’s not true,
    For sorrow’s the devil’s kin,
    But He who lives within you
    Will set them free of their sin.

    So,Pastor,speak for me this day,
    With His words that can not lie,
    To say that I am home to stay
    Where no one will ever die.
    (G.W.)Bill Marshall/15Sept,2015

    Reply ↓

  8. Peace and comfort Irene, Anne, Doreen, Beverlee and Bill during these times of sickness and loss. Loss is difficult but thank God we have the Lord to be with us and it makes all the difference when we know they are with the Lord. Amen!

    Reply ↓

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