RIGHT MAKES MIGHT

SCRIPTURE: Mark 2:1-12

VERSE FOR TODAY: His divine power had given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness (2Peter 1:3, New International Version).

HYMN FOR TODAY: "Marvelous Grace of Our Loving Lord"

When I was a child, my friend and I used to play king on the Mountain. One person would start as the "King" on top of some object. Then the others would launch attacks to try to overcome the "King" and take his place. I loved the game You see, I was the largest child of my age, and it was very difficult for anyone to move me from the spot when I didn't want to be moved

 The game involved no strategy; it was sImply a matter of "Might makes right." Since I had the power, I could do whatever I chose.

Jesus worked in the opposite way. It was the rightness of everything He did that gave His actions their power. Others questioned His authority, His motives, and His source, but He provided them with miraculous goodness that they couldn't deny or argue against. Even His strongest critics were quieted by the unaltering kindness.

As God's people, we have at our disposal Christ's power and and His incredible mercy. Are both evident in the way you live? What can you do today that will establish Christ's power working in you through the goodness of your action?

PRAYER THOUGHTS: Dear Lord, You make possible my salvation through both Your power and Your goodness. Help me to demonstrate both in my life so that others will see them and come through me to know You and Your salvation. Amen.

HEAVENLY COMMUNICATION

SCRIPTURE: James 5:13-18

VERSE FOR TODAY: Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, do that we May receive mercy find grace to help us in our time of need (Hebrew 4:16, New International Version).

HYMN FOR TODAY: "I Must Tell Jesus"

If you keep a prayer journal, look at your requests. Now review the answers. This may have you shaking your head in wonder and praise. God truly amazes.

God actually listens to us! The Creator of the universe allows us to come before His throne, and heard us as we pour out the desires of our hearts! And not only does He hear He--cares.

Is your prayer for physical healing? Tell Him. He cares. Is your prayer for problem at work or with family? Tell Him. He cares. Does your heart bleed for the unsaved? Tell Him. His heart is bleeding also. Do you want to walk closer to Him? Tell Him. He wants that too. Do you just want to say, "Thanks for a lovely day? Say it. It's one of His gift to you.

Prayer---it's joyful. It can be painful. It can be thrilling. It can be hard work. Prayer brings results. It makes us grow. It intensifies our joy. It frees our sorrow. Prayer is effective. Prayer is essential.

As we spend more time with God, we discover what His perfect will is. That, in turn, helps to mold our will. When we seek what God wants and believe He can and will accomplish it, or amazement will  never ever cease.

Praise God for the gift of prayer!

PRAYER THOUGHTS: Father, we are privileged beyond words. You allow us to come boldly before Your throne and listen to us. This is truly wonderful. May we, in turn, listen to You. Thank You! Amen.

WE HAVE A JOB TO DO

SCRIPTURE: Mark 16:14-20

VERSE FOR TODAY: He said to them, "Go into the world and preach the good news to all creation" (Mark 16:15, New International Version).

HYMN FOR TODAY: " We've a Story to Tell to the Nation"

The leader laid out the task at hand, it was the most serious responsibility these men had undertaken in their lives, and the world depended on them. To make matters worse, their leader was going away, and they had no date as to when he would return. Were they up to it?

The optimist possibly nodded their heads having no real concept of the difficulties. The pessimists probably thought, "There's no way! Who's going to believe us? The alarmists may have cried out, "Wait, You can't leave us like this!"

The leader, however, was fully aware of the nature of the mission as well as the abilities of his men. Could they do it by themselves? Absolutely not. But He was not leaving them alone not really. And His confidence was sure.

So He blessed them and gave them special sign to accompany their message and confirm it truth. And. . .they did it!

They went out boldly and introduced the world to Jesus.

Because of them, we too can know this same Jesus who loves, heals, forgives, cleanses, and empowers. The message the disciples heard reaches across to me to. Christian's in 1998 and compels us. We have a job to do. Are we up to the task? We are not alone. The Holy Spirit is with us.

PRAYER THOUGHTS: Our Father are honored and at times overwhelmed that You would trust us with the mission of Your gospel. Please forgive us, for we have not always been faithful. We ask for Your divine help to reach a world that is dying to know You. On Jesus' name, Amen.

A MIRACLE OF LIFE

SCRIPTURE: Acts 9:32-42

VERSE FOR TODAY: I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die (John 11:25, New International Version).

HYMN FOR TODAY: Because He Lives"

"Mom, should we throw this away?" My son handed me a pot full of dirt and the remains of a one lovely plant.

"Yeah, I guess so." I took the pot and examined it as I walked to the trash. Then my eye caught a hint of green. Hm-m-m-m, could it be possible? I watered it and set it in the light; our family watched in amazement as the plant slowly came to life.

If God can bring life to lifeless plants, how much more can He restore human bodies! Jesus' power flowed through Peter to heal the crippled man and restore life to Dorcas.

If Jesus can restore crippled bodies and bring life back to the lifeless, surely He can restores hearts that are crippled and bring life to lifeless souls! Just as my plant was at death's door, people all around us are at death's door; but their plight is more much more serious, for eternity is at stake.

The miracle Jesus can and will perform are beyond our comprehension. The transformation He can make in humanity is simply amazing. It gives us a taste of what transformation will be like when we get to heaven.

Jesus is the resurrection and the life. Do you believe it? Will you share it ?

PRAYER THOUGHTS: Dear Jesus, the fact that You would love us enough to come to earth and die for us is a miracle beyond our comprehension. And yet there is so much more! May our lives todaybe an offering of Thanksgiving to You. Amen

AUTHORITY AUTHORED WITH LOVE

SCRIPTURE: Mark 1:21-34

VERSE FOR TODAY: This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: "He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases"' (Matthew 8:17, New International Version).

HYMN FOR TODAY: "What Wondrous Love Is This"

Oh, good! A guest teacher! Perhaps the crowds hoped to hear something new and different.

They got it. This new teacher spoke with authoritative ring in His voice. The crowd's musings may have continued. Who is this guy? Isn't He the carpenter's son from Nazareth? How did He come to know so much?"

Jesus didn't speak with empty words. He spoke with authority and action. Then He showed them His  credentials, not in a piece of paper, but in miracles of love, mercy, and healing. God in the flesh was reaching out and touching mankind spirituality and physically, showing that He cares. Not only did He know firsthand what pain and sickness and death were, he also demonstrated that he had the power to overcome it.

Would He have your attention!? Would you wonder if someone with so much knowledge and power could care about someone like you and me? Then man who had healed from the evil spirit and Peter's mother- in- law could have no doubts.

We too need no doubt. The same Jesus knows us by name. He reaches out with power that we lack. What we need from to do is simply reach back.

PRAYER THOUGHTS: Thank You, Lord Jesus, for caring for us in such a visible ways. You are Lord over all, and yet You demonstrate Your power through Your loving and healing hands. May we turn to You and trust You for healing in our lives. You are truly wonderful. Amen.

A PERFECT PLAN FOR A PACKED DAY

SCRIPTURE Mark 1:35-45

VERSE FOR TODAY: Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man (Mark 1:41 New International Version).

HYMN FOR TODAY: "Reach Out and Touch"

The word was out! There was a man who taught with authority and performed miracle. "Where is he? The newly form fan club clamoured for Jesus, but He knew what He had to do. First you pray. Jesus needed that time with the Father, but even His prayer time was interrupted. He had prioritized however and was able to focus on the mission at hand.

Still He kept His compassion. A leper was an outcast from society; and Jesus dared to stop, and listen, and touch.

What a busy day! How did He handle it? He had a perfect pattern that we can use. Pray; prioritize: proclaim God's truth; reach out to touch others with love of God.

Easy to say, hard to do? Sometimes it is. We start with good intentions, but the phone keeps ringing. The copier keeps jamming. A child is sick. A traffic jam makes us late. We sense that a co-worker is struggling. But we haven't got time. A child says, "Want to listen to my song?" "Sure" we reply, "but later. I'v got a lot to do now." 

If Jesus' had rushed inthe leper might never have been healed. But Her stopped, and reached out and touched, and a miracle took place. May we allow Him to guide us and allow Him to continue to work His wonders in the lives of His people today.

PRAYER THOUGHTS: Lord Jesus You are our perfect example. Please help us to remember to spend time with You, to proclaim Your Word to others, and to take time to reach out to them in a personal way. May we be Your hands of love to a hurting world. Amen.

LORD OF ALL CREATION

SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 64:1-7

VERSE FOR TODAY: O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! (Psalm 8:1, New International Version).

HYMN FOR TODAY: "How Great Thou Art"

"Where is God? Why does He allow wickness to exist? Why doesn't God do something?" Sound familiar?

The prophet asks question like these and thinks back to the time when God's presence was very real in the life of Israel. If God would only be more visible in his time, that would surely bring a swift end to the godlessness he saw on every hand. This idea is found in many of the Psalms, like 2:1: "Why do the nation conspire, and the people's plot in vain?" (Revised Standard Version).

Such thoughts aren't very strange to us. How often do we find ourselves saying," Why does God allow this to go on?" Or "Is God really in control?" We think that if God would show His power, that would produce more respect for Him and  more righteous society for mankind.

However, God has given us many signs of His presence (Romans 1:18-23). Nature speaks to us eloquently of His creative power; human history assures us of His moral authority. Evil does not, cannot, triumph. In our time we have witnessed the fall of Hitler and then of godless communism. God's timetable may not coincide with ours, but in the long term God's judgement of human affairs is very obvious. God is still on His throne; He is still Lord of history.

PRAYER THOUGHTS: YOU, O Lord, are God, sovereign of the universe and Lord of all human affairs. Help us that we never lose sight of Your majesty and power. When our faith wavers, open our eyes to Your glory, Amen.