July 14, 2013

 Praise Filled Foundational Faith 

Luke 18: 35 - 43

Luke

As they approached Jericho, a blind beggar was sitting beside the road.  When he heard the noise of a crowd going past, he asked what was happening.  They told him that Jesus of Nazareth was going by.  So he began shouting, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"  The crowds ahead of Jesus tried to hush the man, but he only shouted louder, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"

When Jesus heard him, he stopped and ordered that the man be brought to him.  Then Jesus asked the man, "What do you want me to do for you?"

"Lord," he pleaded, "I want to see!"

And Jesus said, "All right, you can see!  Your faith has healed you"  Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus, praising God.  And all who saw it praised God, too.    

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Thoughts.....

Praise Filled Foundational Faith....Grounded In Belief....Built On Trust.

When was the last time you praised the Lord?  Normally we have a tendency to praise the Lord when something really big, profound, amazing, like a medical miracle enters our life.  Have you considered praising him for that which he has already done, but has not yet manifested?  Do you believe?  Do you trust....God?  Let's look at todays lesson and see how deep, how high, how wide your faith, belief, trust is.

"As they".  Who are 'they'?  We know Jesus was there, and more often than not, with Jesus, there is usually a crowd.  But we also know from the last lesson that he and his disciples were headed to Jerusalem.  So, hail, the gangs all there.  "As they approached Jericho," a blind beggar sitting beside the road 'heard the noise of a crowd'.  People who are blind, have very finely attuned senses of those remaining.  This man may have heard a buzz miles away, but we are told he heard the noise of the crowd 'going past'.  Upon questioning what was happening, he was told that Jesus of Nazareth was going by. 

Who was Jesus, Son of David?  Okay, you might think I've lost my mind asking this question.  That everyone knows he is the Messiah.  But although everyone who is a Christian might/should/does know that, folks who are not Christians also read this site, and for their sake, let me clarify who he is.  In 2 Samuel 7:11b-17, God told the prophet Nathan, who then prophesied to David, that a shoot from the branch of David (King David to him) would rule his Kingdom forever.  For further references, I provide the following:  Matthew 1:1-17 showing Jesus is indeed from the branch of David, and Matthew 22:17.  Further references include Isaiah 11:1-3; Matthew 9::27, 15:22; and Mark 1:24.  For those being confused by a different genealogy for Jesus in Luke 3:21-38, the genealogy from Luke is from Mary's side of the family indicating proof of Jesus being a Son of Man....and God, having come from the line of Adam.....son of God....and Eve's buddy.

So the townsfolk and neighbors knew that Jesus was not 'just the carpenter' from Nazareth, but that he hailed from God, and was clearly accepted by many, [many many many many] as the Messiah come.  Do your neighbors know who Jesus is?  Will you tell them?

So he began shouting, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"  Clearly he had heard Jesus was THE miracle worker....the Messiah....with a direct link to God.  Able to heal. 

'When Jesus heard him, he stopped and ordered that the man be brought to him.  Then Jesus asked the man, "What do you want me to do for you?" 

Read that sentence again.

Jesus listens.  When he hears our voice calling out to him, he stops what he is doing.  He calls us to himself and he gives us his full attention.  He asks us what we want him to do for us.  Wants....not needs....he fulfills our needs without our asking....usually.  Yes, I think the blind man needed to see, I'm guessing the blind man did, too.  However, perhaps God knew he needed to be blind until Jesus could heal him, so to bring greater glory....greater gratitude.  Maybe the blind man was used by God to show others the way to Jesus....the Messiah, the Savior come....that he has a gift to heal.

[I think....sometimes God brings us to our knees to be reminded HE is LORD and we have been trying to do to much without him.  Does it matter what I think?  Not really....it only matters what God's plan is.]

The blind man pleaded to Jesus, "Lord, I want to see!"  And Jesus said, "All right, you can see!"

I often wonder when I read this if it was a cloudy day.  I would think the sheer brilliance of Jesus might be overwhelming, but bright sunshine to a previously blind man....might be pretty painful as well.  Just taking out the dog first thing in the morning, before I am fully awake, is visually painful.  This story brings to mind that Jesus took a deaf man into the desert to heal him, so to soften the entry of noise.  I wonder how the blind man could have withstood the light of Jesus, his love, the sun's brilliance beyond that of the Son. And then I am reminded of what Jesus says in Mark 10:27, "Humanly speaking it is impossible.  But not with God.  Everything is possible with God."  Jesus may have been further along in his faith walk, too, with a better understanding of his healing powers.

But lets look at what Jesus says next to the blind man, "Your faith has healed you."  Read that again...."Your faith has healed you."

So, it wasn't Jesus healing the man, according to Jesus, it was the blind man's faith.  Faith.  Jesus said, "I assure you, even if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain 'move from here to there' and it would move.  Nothing would be impossible."   Matthew 17:20.  In Luke 17:6 Jesus said, "Even if you had faith as small as a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, 'May God uproot you and throw you into the sea.' and it would obey you!"  [For another study:  Jesus indicates in this reference in Luke that a mulberry tree would understand what you are saying to it and obey you.  How can that be if it doesn't have Spirit within?  Hmmmmm.  Let me know what you come up with and get back to me.]  Faith.  Belief.  With God all things are possible.  

The word 'Faith' is in the Old Testament, and a whole lot of times in the New Testament.  Two times in the Old, and 245 times in the New!  In the Old Testament the references define as faithful, trustworthy, faith, truth; faithfulness, steadiness, faithfully, set office, stability, steady, truly, verily.  In the New Testament, the definitions are faith, faithfulness, belief, trust, with an implication that actions based on that trust will follow; "the faith" often refers to the Christian system of belief and lifestyle - faith, assurance, belief, believeth, believe, fidelity.  Those references are for a positive form of faith....as in 'great faith'.  'O ye of little faith' would find 5 references in the NT.  Faithful appears 28 times in the OT, and 54 times in the NT.  Faithfully....OT 7, NT 1.  Faithfulness - OT 19, NT 0.  Faithless appears zero times in the OT, and 4 times in the NT.  All with derivative or exact meaning.  This info comes from Strongest Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible.   

Faith....a foundation to go the distance....per me.  Foundations are traditionally made of concrete or stone.  Unmovable, unchanging, strong, solid, steadfast, able to withstand great weight....burdens, longlasting. 

Let's read in context exactly what Jesus said.  "All right you can see.  Your faith has healed you."  Although I broke the sentences apart  to clarify definition, Jesus gave them as a complete thought.  He didn't separate the foundation from the intent.  Foundation being faith, intent being the healing, the growth of gratitude....the blossom of glory.

In speaking to the Hebrews 10:35-39, Paul said, "Do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord, no matter what happens.  Remember the great reward it brings you!  Patient endurance is what you need now, so you will continue to do God's will [!!!!].  Then you will receive all that he has promised.  "For in just a little while, the Coming One will come and not delay.  And a righteous person will....say WILL....live by faith.  But I will have no pleasure in anyone who turns away."  But we are not like those who turn their backs on God and seal their fate.  We have faith that assures our salvation.' 

Do you see what Paul is saying here?  Confident trust and faith are synonymous here.  Patient endurance applies to faith as well.  He tells us we NEED it....to continue to do God's will.  That we will receive all that God has promised, IF we have it.  Paul says a righteous person will....say WILL....a righteous person will LIVE BY IT!   He tells us our fate will be sealed, IF we turn our backs on God....and THAT is not good!!!!  Our FAITH assures our salvation!  Emphatically, undeniably, assuredly, blanketed, our salvation is assured, not just if we have faith, but if we KEEP the faith, cling to it, confidently trust, patiently endure....righteously LIVE by faith, so to be able to do God's will.  Please read all of Hebrews Chapter 11 for great examples of faith.  In verse 39 of such,  Paul said "All of these people we have mentioned, received God's approval because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised.  For God had far better things in mind for us that would also benefit them, for they can't receive the prize at the end of the race until we finish the race."  Paul said as noted in Philippians 3:14, "I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven."

Todays lesson is not just for us to see that crowds followed Jesus, or that a blind man can be healed.  It's about faith in God, belief in all he, Jesus and Holy Spirit can do.  It's about confident trust that they will do/give/grant/gift, and, patient endurance, while we are being prepared to receive.  Yes, we are being prepared to receive.  How else will there be glory in the gratitude?  Please note that if we are being prepared to receive, God IS watching us closely.  [Are you sure you want to make 'that' decision?  Is there a better decision for your life?]       

Call out to Jesus.  Expect him to hear you and invite you to come to him.  Expect to receive that which you want.  He already gives you what you need, whether you have received it....or not....yet.  Maybe you haven't received it because your faith has not been strong enough to believe it will come to you.  Maybe your lesson is all about faith, belief, trust.  Mine is....he's certainly teaching me.  Will I obey?  Will you?  'Let us break bread together on our knees', as we worship him, obey him, have faith in, and believe in, our sovereign Lord God, while we righteously live by faith....loving him with faith sincere.

And you must 'Praise Him'!  For it is in praising him that he best hears your love and thanks for all he has given you, is giving you, will give you.  In doing so, he will see your faith, and, he will run to your arms as you open them in righteous faith to him.  Alleluia!  Selah.

Be healed by the blood of the Lamb!        

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Let Us Pray

Lord God, please give me faith as small as a mustard seed, and give me your love, which as great as the mountains I must move for you.....and me.  Help me be humble, as I live righteously, confidently trusting, patiently enduring....in and with faith.  Heal me in the ways that only you can:  mind, body, spirit, and soul.  I praise you and thank you for granting my wants, as you fulfill all my needs....I will rest assured in my faith, as I, with blind trust, await all to be granted, and new truths and joys revealed.  May all glory be yours as I give you praise and gratitude!  I praise you and thank you!  I love you!  Alleluia!  Amen. 

Thank You

Dear God,

I want to thank you for what you have already done.

I am not going to wait until I see results or receive rewards; I am thanking you right now.

I am not going to wait until I feel better or things look better; I am thanking you right now.

I am not going to wait until people say they are sorry or until they stop talking about me; I am thanking you right now.

I am not going to wait until the pain in my body disappears; I am thanking you right now.

I am not going to wait until my financial situation improves; I am going to thank you right now.

I am not going to wait until the children are asleep and the house is quiet; I am going to thank you right now.

I am not going to wait until I get promoted at work or until I get the job; I am going to thank you right now.

I am not going to wait until I understand every experience in my life that has caused me pain or grief; I am thanking you right now.

I am not going to wait until the journey gets easier or the challenges are removed; I am thanking your right now.

I am thanking you because I am alive.

I am thanking you because I made it through the day's difficulties.

I am thanking you because I have walked around the obstacles.

I am thanking you because I have the ability and the opportunity to do more and do better.

I'm thanking you because FATHER, YOU haven't given up on me.

Amen!

Anonymous                     

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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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    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.  I encourage you to pray your own prayers as well.

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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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NOTE:  I said it long ago, but let me say it again.  If you are wanting to lead a group, start a church, or are confined in an institution, or live in a country where the Gospel is not preached, and you don't know what to say or how to say it, and yet feel led to share, teach, or preach, besides just reading straight out of the Bible and sharing what God puts on your heart, please feel free to share any or all of what I've written, if it will help you, as long as you include where it comes from, due to copyright laws.  Jesus gave God's love and healing freely, as well as his message.  Our responsibility is to get the Word out to those who need to hear it.  If what I've written....by the power and direction of the Holy Spirit....or what he has said through me....has helped you, it may help others that you know.  You are welcome to share it.  God calls all of us to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the world.  Please share it with the fullness of love that God, Jesus, Holy Spirit....and I....have given it.  Amen!   

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