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Thoughts Archived > Belief....Faith & Trust


12 Aug 2012

                                   

 

August 12, 2012

     Belief....Faith & Trust    

Luke 8: 40 - 56

 

Luke

On the other side of the lake the crowds received Jesus with open arms because they had been waiting for him.  And now a man named Jairus, a leader of the local synagogue, came and fell down at Jesus' feet, begging him to come home with him.  His only child was dying, a little girl twelve years old.

As Jesus went with him, he was surrounded by the crowds.  And there was a woman in the crowd who had had a hemorrhage for twelve years.  She had spent everything she had on doctors and still could find no cure.  She came up behind Jesus and touched the fringe of his robe.  Immediately, the bleeding stopped.

"Who touched me?"  Jesus asked.

Everyone denied it, and Peter said, "Master, this whole crowd is pressing up against you."

But Jesus told him, "No, someone deliberately touched me, for I felt healing power go out from me."  When the woman realized that Jesus knew, she began to tremble and fell to her knees before him.  The whole crowd heard her explain why she had touched him and that she had been immediately healed.  "Daughter," he said to her, "your faith has made you well.  Go in peace."

While he was still speaking to her, a messenger arrived from Jairus's home with the message, "Your little girl is dead.  There's no use troubling the Teacher now."

But when Jesus heard what had happened, he said to Jairus, "Don't be afraid.  Just trust me, and she will be all right."

When they arrived at the house, Jesus wouldn't let anyone go in with him except Peter, James, John, and the little girl's father and mother.  The house was filled with people weeping and wailing, but he said, "Stop the weeping!  She isn't dead, she is only asleep."

But they crowd laughed at him because they all knew she had died.  Then Jesus took her by the hand and said in a loud voice, "Get up, my child!  And at that moment her life returned, and she immediately stood up!  Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat.  Her parents were overwhelmed, but Jesus insisted that they not tell anyone what had happened.   

 

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Thoughts.....

 

Praise GOD!  God is good.  He is wonderful!  For years and years I've praised the Lord.  I shared with you recently that we are to give thanks IN everything.  Not just for the good times, but IN the midst of everything, even the bad.  So whatever is going on in your life today....right now....let's just praise the Lord.  Hallelujah, Lord God Almighty!  We just praise you and give you thanks for this moment in our lives, for everything you've done for us up until now, and for everything you mean to us (heart filled), and are doing for us now (life giving), and what you are going to do for us in our future.  We are mightily blessed for what we have been able to do for you and will continue to do for you Father God.  Thank you for allowing us the privilege of stepping out to help others in your name.  Thank you for loving us.  We just praise you and thank you again!  Alleluia!  Amen!

Todays message, as always, is very exciting news.  Consider the headlines:  Jairus's Daughter Alive After Death! Lifelong Bleeding Stopped!  This brings to mind the song, "He touched me....he put his hand in mine and then he touched me....and suddenly....nothing else is the same."  Consider poetic license here, if I've mistaken the words.

Jesus has crossed over to the other side....of the lake.  Crowds had been waiting for him and received him with open arms.  Finally he is fully received.  The people are finally starting to understand his ministry.  They are finally understanding he is THE child of the living God sent to the people to heal them....the Messiah has come....to raise them from the dead, freely give them forgiveness of sins, offer eternal life.  Word is getting around. 

Enter Jairus who begs him to go to his home and heal his 12 year old daughter who is dying. 

Enter a woman in the crowd who had hemorrhaged for 12 years, without cure by Doctors.  She touched the fringe of Jesus' robe.  She was immediately healed....her profuse bleeding stopped. 

Then Jesus asked "Who touched me?"

Peter 'is like', 'What?!  Dude, you've got to be kidding, the place is crammed with people pressing up against you.'  (My paraphrase.)  But Jesus, being Jesus, just said to him, 'I'm thinkin' like', 'Dude, back.....who am I?!'  'I said, Nooooooooooo, someone deliberately touched me, for I felt the healing power go out from me.'

I have to interject a story here.  I used to have a friend that would say after a healing seminar that she was so exhausted trying to heal people....the power would just go out of her and she would be drained.  Folks.  If she was exhausted, maybe she was trying to do it on her own steam instead of opening to Holy Spirit going through her.  I want you to understand something.  Some folks will say that they are 'just drained from having the healing power go out of them' based on this statement in an attempt for others to think they are definitely working under the power of the Almighty.  Listen closely.  Jesus 'felt healing power go out from him'.  He did not say it exhausted him, he was left bereft, empty, powerless.  He didn't say 'my life blood, my body was drained of all power....oh no!'.  Leave the drama at home.  Me, I'm energized, but who cares....'not about me.  (Reminds me of Joyce Meyer saying, "Not about me....not about me.")   Jesus was a fountain of living water.  We are to open ourselves to Holy Spirit as a vessel.  If you are tired, start eating better, have your blood levels for iron checked, your thyroid checked, your emotional state checked, sleep well, drink more water.  Jesus wasn't being dramatic, he was Jesus being Jesus.  YOU do not need to have a flair for the dramatic to be a vessel for the Lord.  In fact, if you are bringing drama of that nature into your ministry, I have to ask if you are in it for the Lord or for your own misguided self-importance.  Note:  he had enough energy/healing power to walk (which was probably not around the corner) to Jairus's house and heal a little girl after that.  Knowing Jesus, there is not telling what else he accomplished that day.  No loss of energy....this guy.  Back to scripture.

Everyone denied touching Jesus.  The woman became afraid, thinking she would be chastised or worse for doing something wrong.  She began to tremble and fell to her knees before Jesus.  The whole crowd heard her explanation stating she had been immediately healed having just touched his robe.  Jesus is such a good guy.  Hear the softness, gentleness, compassion, empathy, and love in his voice when he says to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well.  Go in peace."  Rapture........

Meanwhile, while Jesus was still talking to the woman who touched his robe, a messenger arrived from Jairus's home with the message that his little girl is dead and that there was no use now troubling the Teacher.  But when Jesus heard what had happened, he said to Jairus, "Don't be afraid.  Just trust me, and she will be all right."  Peace....that peace that passes all understanding....can you hear it emanating from his voice....feel it from his being as Jairus must have at that moment?

Lord, may we all feel your peace today in the midst of chaos that surrounds us.  Amen.   

When they arrived at Jairus's home, Jesus wouldn't let anyone go in with him except Peter, James, John and the child's parents.  The house was filled with people weeping and wailing.  But Jesus said to them, "Stop the weeping!  She isn't dead, she is only asleep."  This is where belief enters in.  Of course, the woman and Jairus both needed belief to have faith and trust.  And the people weeping must have faith and trust to have belief.  Do you see how they all go hand in hand?  But the crowd laughed at Jesus because they all believed she had died.  How is that belief, you might ask?  Well, they had belief that she had died!  Right, I know, it doesn't jive with the positive aspect of the story.  But I'm guessing they had God's positive belief after the child got up and ate!  How could they NOT?! 

Please be cautious about what you believe, who you believe in, and the words you use.  Jesus called life into a body.  Could you drown life out with your negativity?  Yes.  Better start praising God!  

Then Jesus took the child by the hand and said in a loud voice, "Get up, my child!"  How special that he called her by name......'my child'.  He claimed her for himself.....just like he claims all of us.  Will you respond to him today and give him your life? 

At the moment he spoke to the child, her life returned and she immediately stood up!  How cool is that?  'The man'....the Messiah....the Lord....saved her.  He is truly life giving.  Give him your life today.....he is calling out to you, too.  He is saying to you, "Get up, my child!"  Return to your Savior, if you've left for a time.  Praise him for wanting you still.  Ask him to forgive you for walking away, not being fully present, not worshiping him always.  Bow down to the ever living, ever loving God, Lord and Savior.  Ask Holy Spirit to baptize you with his fire, that you might have a mighty relationship from this day forward.  You are chosen.  Run to his arms today. 

Then Jesus told her parent to give her something to eat.  Have you been given new life?  Eat of the Bread of Life.....Jesus.  Take him into your heart today.  Open your mouth and breathe in Holy Spirit...deeply, reverently, excitedly for all he has in store for you.  It's time to have an abundant life!!!! 

Jairus and his wife were overwhelmed with what happened, but Jesus insisted they not tell anyone.  Why, do you suppose?  Because he had trade secrets?  Because he wanted the crowds to be left in their negativity?  Because maybe he knew that a secret was a hard thing to keep and it would get the word out faster that she was healed...by him?  Because they wanted them to ponder Jesus' actions, understand the enormity, fall down in gratitude and praise honoring him?  Sometimes when something great happens, we want to go tell everybody.  But in doing so, we miss the opportunity to bask in the glory of it.  We forget to give glory where glory is due. 

It's interesting to note that everyone believed this child was dead.  Jesus believed she was only asleep.  Did he know she was really asleep.... or perhaps in a coma by our standards?  Surely he understood, when in a coma, a person hovers between life and death and what appears to be death is only a coma....or appears as sleep.  That it's a spiritual battle bar none when the body drifts into a space between 'here' and 'there'?

Maybe he wanted to downplay his action, his role in this situation.  Perhaps as to not leave the child or family overly concerned or stigmatized for her future.  Consider this last statement.  How would you act, if your child had been brought back from death?  From a coma?  From a faint?  A deep sleep?  Do you see the differences?  Being a man of compassion, empathy, with vast understanding of yesterday, today and tomorrow.....I cannot help but believe it might have been to protect the child from future fears that would hound her were she actually dead.  He knew Joyce's favorite phrase...."It's not about me, not about me."  He didn't need the world to know at that moment of his gifts.  He needed to heal and protect the child.  He wants to heal and protect all of us, if we only have belief, faith and trust in him.  Yes, there was power in his words.....there is power in your words, too.  Say 'yes' to Jesus today, ask Holy Spirit to baptize you with his fire, and praise God! 

"Let's just praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let's sing glory hallelujah, and praise the Lord."

I highly recommend reading the book, Power In Your Words by Pastor Robert Morris of Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas.  I just read it, it's easy reading, profound teaching encapsulated, aligns with scripture, and is what I've been teaching you, sharing with you, and reminding you about for years now.  'Power in your words' has been said many ways since Jesus walked, but Robert Morris states it simply, with scripture to back up what he is saying.  After all....it is about The Word.  It's available in most libraries, can be ordered through inter-library loan between states, or can be purchased nearly anywhere, including as a used book through Abesbooks.com.               

 

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Let Us Pray

 

God, I praise you, I bow down to you, I thank you.  Jesus, I praise you, I bow down to you, I thank you.  Holy Spirit, I praise you, I bow down to you, I thank you.  I am extremely grateful to be alive in this moment in my life.  Satan is knocking on the door to my life, my walls, my family, everywhere he can....but you, God, Jesus, Holy Spirit are handling everything.  I don't know how, but I don't need to, as long as you do.  I figure you will tell me when you need my action on something.  Until then, I will just praise you, and give you thanks, and continue on my journey with you. Together we will vanquish the devil, Satan, and his assigns!  He will be removed from my life and that of my family's, as far as the east is from the west, when he is cast into the depths of hell away from us.  I have belief in you, I trust you, I have faith in you.  Enrapture me with your love as you envelop me in your arms.  Carry me onward with my load until such time as the dust has settled, having brushed Satan off my feet, my body, from everyone I care about and from the vicinity.  Help me make sure I always have on the armor necessary for battle.  Baptize me anew....again, more fully Holy Spirit, so I may more wholly and completely magnify your Holy Name.  Thank you God, Jesus, Holy Spirit for giving me life, dying for me, and being in my life.  IN you I live, and breathe, and have my being.  IN you I have my name.....Promise Child....Child of the Living God....Child of the King....living in the Kingdom of Father God Almighty. Hallelujah and Alleluia!  I love you.  Amen         

       

Lord,LordJesJeJeJJjEJJJ     JJThe LORD is king!  Let the nations tremble!  T***

 

More love.... 

  Benediction....Blessing

 

Let us hear from Paul as he prays:  

When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.  I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit.  And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him.  May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it.  Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Now glory be to God!  By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.  May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages.  Amen.  Ephesians 3:14-21 NLT         

 

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Scroll down to read Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving...'The Unforced Rhythms of Grace'.

 

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Definition of a Christian:  Anyone who believes in God, Jesus and Holy Spirit, and accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior.  Regardless of church name or religious affiliation. 

It is not how we worship, but that we worship....the Trinity!   

 

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If you feel that the Church of the Holy Spirit has inspired or helped you, we'd like you to prayerfully consider tithing regularly to us or gifting us, so that we can further the work and carry out the will of the Father as proclaimed in Matthew 28:19-20 NLT

 to

 "Go and make disciples out of all the nations

baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.  And be sure of this:

I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

 

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  Our Current Cause

 

It is time to reach into the community and the world around you to see wherein lies the greatest need.  As you choose to focus on these areas, do so with a servant's heart.  Whether the need is for children, adults, or animals, or any cause in between that will help those in need, ask God how you can best serve his needs, what path you must take, and how long you should persevere.  Sometimes we are to be in the lives of others merely as stepping stones.  Sometimes we are to touch those lives forever.  Whatever journey you are called to take, whatever team you will be a member, know this:  God is with you always...even til the end of time.  He loves you, is grateful for you, and will help you along life's way, especially if you are helping others along theirs, persevering with a servant's heart. 

Now and always, the Church of the Holy Spirit needs your support.  I pray you will find it in your heart to give today.

  

Please accept my sincerest thanks....and God's....and may God richly bless you! 

BesidesBesid   

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    One last thing....

 

 Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving

'The Unforced Rhythms of Grace'

 

"Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer:  "Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth.  You've concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people.  Yes, Father, that's the way you like to work."

Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly.  "The Father has given me all these things to do and say.  This is a unique Father - Son operation, coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge.  No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does.  But I'm not keeping it to myself; I'm ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen."

"Are you tired?  Worn out?  Burned out on religion?  Come to me.  Get away with me and you'll recover your life.  I'll show you how to take a real rest.  Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it.  Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.  I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn how to live freely and lightly.

 

  Matthew 11:  25-30

  The Message

 

And the people said,

"Amen."

 

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I now write most prayers in the position of ' I ' (first person) because most people are sitting at their computer alone, not in groups, and it allows those reading and praying to personalize the prayer as coming from them going to God.  Variations may appear on holidays when families may wish to use the prayer provided. 

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  Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189.  All rights reserved.

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Bible Authors and Minister