The Daily Dose

One Team

But Jesus said to him, “Do not forbid him, for he who is not against us is on our side.” Luke 9:50

Football season if in full swing.  If you follow professional ball, you probably watch your favorite teams each week.  You may have even gone to the field to watch in person once or twice.  Most games you watch or attend have the same elements.  There is a stadium when you sit and watch the game, venders that sell food and souvenirs, restrooms, and the spectators.  Mostly the only difference from city to city are the teams.  There is always an opposing team.  There is the team you came to see and the other team.

In today’s reading, Jesus is talking to the two disciples about the difference between two different groups.  Those on our side and those on the other side.  Two different “teams”.  He explained to the disciples that if they are praying and doing good in my name, they are on our side.  Do not forbid them.  He continued saying no one who does miraculous things in Jesus’ name will be speaking evil of Him.

I believe this is a message we as the body of believer can get around today.  Just because other believers go to a different denomination or have doctrine that varies, if the pray in the name of Jesus, believe in His salvation to the world and do good to others in His name, we are on the same team.  We do not need to distance or condemn other church people.  They are all part of the family of God and our brothers and sisters in the LORD. Jesus finished this conversation with: Anyone who gives in My name will be rewarded for it.

Today I want to encourage you to help bridge the gap in the Church body.  Do not forbid others to pray and worship in the name of Jesus just because they go to a different church.  We are all on one team, the home team, the winning team.  Join together with all your kingdom of heaven family and serve one another in the name of Jesus!  Great things will happen when we live together as a family in this world and the next.

Today’s Scripture Reading: Luke 9:49-56

49 Now John answered and said, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow with us.”

50 But Jesus said to him, “Do not forbid him, for he who is not against us is on our side.”

51 Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem, 

52 and sent messengers before His face. And as they went, they entered a village of the Samaritans, to prepare for Him. 

53 But they did not receive Him, because His face was set for the journey to Jerusalem. 

54 And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?”

55 But He turned and rebuked them, and said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. 

56For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.” And they went to another village.

The least will be great

^{and said to them, “Whoever receives this little child in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me. For he who is least among you all will be great.” Luke 9:48}

Have you ever wanted to be the greatest at something?  The greatest basketball or baseball player?  The greatest concert pianist or artist that ever lived?  Maybe you have dreamed of being the greatest executive that built a great firm from the ground up?  We all have dreams and aspirations of some kind and a built-in desire to succeed.  As lofty and grand as your plans may be, it is not wrong to set goals and pursue advancement, but there is a secret to it all.

In today’s reading, Jesus gives us one of those opposite principles.  Jesus told His disciples whoever is least will be great. In other words, He was saying that if they wanted to be first or the best, they would have to always put others ahead of themselves and serve them.  Ouch!  This is not the most popular message He ever gave, and it is certainly not something that is in our nature to do.  I would say most people tend to go toward the pride side of things and want others to look what they have accomplished and admire it.  But Jesus said true success is when you humble yourself to take care of others and prefer people above yourself.

The apostle Paul talked about this in his letter to the Romans.  He said in Romans 12:10 to be kindly affectionate to one another with brother love, in honor giving preference to one another.  It is a true success law and a principle set up by God that works every time you follow it. 

Our heavenly Father wants us to take care of one another in a way that we make others feel loved and encouraged.  In order to accomplish this, you must put the focus on another person and take it off of yourself.  Think about it.  It doesn’t make anyone feel better about themselves if you tell them how great you are and how successful you have become because you had just the right ideas and plans.  Even if it is true, the thing that blesses others is when you talk about their strengths and their enablement to do great things.

You can also consider that it is not so special to others if they get to wait on you and serve your needs.  What really shows another person that you care about them is when you humbly take care of their needs and desires.

So, today I want to encourage you to put yourself in first place by being the last.  Make yourself the greatest by serving the needs of others around you.  Achieve great accomplishments in your life by blessing the people that God brings your way and put yourself in the path of God’s greatest plan by helping others to succeed, first.

Today’s scripture reading: Luke 9:37-48

37 Now it happened on the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, that a great multitude met Him.

38 Suddenly a man from the multitude cried out, saying, “Teacher, I implore You, look on my son, for he is my only child. 

39 And behold, a spirit seizes him, and he suddenly cries out; it convulses him so that he foams at the mouth; and it departs from him with great difficulty, bruising him. 

40 So I implored Your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.”

41 Then Jesus answered and said, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here.” 

42 And as he was still coming, the demon threw him down and convulsed him. Then Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the child, and gave him back to his father.

43 And they were all amazed at the majesty of God. But while everyone marveled at all the things which Jesus did, He said to His disciples, 

44 “Let these words sink down into your ears, for the Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men.” 

45 But they did not understand this saying, and it was hidden from them so that they did not perceive it; and they were afraid to ask Him about this saying.

46 Then a dispute arose among them as to which of them would be greatest. 

47 And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a little child and set him by Him, 

48 and said to them, “Whoever receives this little child in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me. For he who is least among you all will be great.”

What should you say?

While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were fearful as they entered the cloud.  Luke 9:34

Have you ever known people who were uncomfortable with silence?   Anytime there is a gap in conversation, they feel the need to fill it?  They take it on themselves to keep control of any downtime or lull in social situations and speak whatever comes to their mind.  Usually it is useless information, gossip or boasting about their own accomplishments.  It can be more awkward than the silence and even annoying at times.

As we read through the gospel accounts of Jesus’ life here on earth, we get a little hint that Peter may have been that kind of person. In today’s reading Peter actually interrupts a conversation Jesus is having with Moses and Elijah. It implies that he felt like he had to say something because he was afraid and didn’t understand fully what he was seeing and hearing.

An interesting thing happened though, God speaks over Peter and tells them that they should listen to His Son Jesus.  Basically, telling the disciples that were there that day to stop talking and listen.  I’m sure they were very afraid then, in fact in another account of this scene, it says they fell on their faces because they were greatly afraid. (See Matthew 17)

The point is, you do not need to feel pressured into speaking, even when you have thoughts that pop into your head or there is a break in the discussion.  It is ok to sit and listen.  Check inside your heart to see if there is any prompting from the Holy Spirit.  Wait for others to share what is on their heart.  It might be an opportunity for you to show interest in what others are up against right now. You can be present without being the center of things.

Today I want to encourage you to first of all, listen to what the Spirit of God is impressing on your heart today.  Don’t just plan on doing and saying everything that comes into your mind.  Make your conversations and attentions be on what God is doing in other people’s lives and take time to listen to the wisdom that others may be speaking into your life and consider that. Wisdom is found not only in the things you know and say, it is also in the things you don’t say.

Today’s scripture reading: Luke 9:28-36

28 Now it came to pass, about eight days after these sayings, that He took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray. 

29 As He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe became white and glistening. 

30 And behold, two men talked with Him, who were Moses and Elijah, 

31 who appeared in glory and spoke of His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 

32 But Peter and those with him were heavy with sleep; and when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men who stood with Him. 

33 Then it happened, as they were parting from Him, that Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said.

34 While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were fearful as they entered the cloud. 

35 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!” 

36 When the voice had ceased, Jesus was found alone. But they kept quiet, and told no one in those days any of the things they had seen.

Pursue the Kingdom

_{For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? Luke 9:25}

Stuff!  It seems like the whole world is after it.  Constantly running after more possessions.  More things, pleasures, power, and recognition.  Today’s scripture asks the question, what value is it to gain the whole world?  I continually remind myself to ask this question: What am I running after in this world? What am I pursuing?  Is it things?  Am I trying to accumulate enough things to make me as comfortable as possible in this life?  Is my entire goal in life to work so I can have the things I want to have and do the things I want to do and go to the places I want to go?  When I look at the people of history who have a name that is remembered through the ages, the reason isn’t because of how much they accumulated in life or how comfortable they were able to make life while they were here.  What stands the test of time is a life of self-sacrifice.  The people who have made a difference in this world were people who lived their lives for others.  Whether it was presidents, preachers, even doctors and nurses, those who made a significant impact for the better were those who poured out themselves into the lives of others.

As I come to the part of my life that I am currently in, some of the things that I am recognizing is:  1. Life is short! 2. Only what’s done for the kingdom of heaven will last.  3. History is our teacher.  There are many people in history that gained great wealth that we have never heard of since the day they died.  Only those who contributed to others have built been noted in time.  Yet, even that memory fades.  The thing that will last for all eternity is being rich toward God.  Living a life that exemplifies love, not just any love, but the love of God.  It is not something that can be attained through wealth.  Which, by the way, is great news because anyone can have it.  It is only through God’s love that we can make our life count.

Most of us know that you cannot buy eternal life.  It is a gift from God, yet so many of us are so focused on loading up our bank account instead of loading up our heavenly account.  By turning everything, we have over to God for the Kingdom of heaven’s expansion, we are storing up our treasure in heaven and not wasting it away here on earth.

Today, I encourage you to start being rich toward God in this world.  Turn everything you have and are over to Him.  Make a lasting difference in the world by committing to God your resources (time, abilities, words, and finances).  Everywhere you go, let your relationship with God through Jesus be the light that shines through.  When you enter a room, let it be God entering that place. Others will think of God when they see you because you are different than the rest of the world.  Make your life count for all eternity by building God’s eternal Kingdom not your temporary dwelling place on Earth.

Today’s scripture reading:  Luke 9:23-27

23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. 

24 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. 

25 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? 

26 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels. 

27 But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the kingdom of God.”

Timing

And He strictly warned and commanded them to tell this to no one. Luke 9:21

I recently went to the symphony where I listened to the beautiful flow of many instruments making music together in perfect harmony?  How soothing it was when all the musician played in sync, following the musical plan flawlessly.  As I watched closely, I noticed during certain parts of the performance, some of the instruments were not playing at all, but they still watched the maestro and sheet music to know exactly the right time to begin or join in.  When they picked up and began to play their instrument at just the right moment to add their part into the concerto, oh how sweet it was to hear!  I considered that if someone missed a note or began playing at the wrong time, it would be more than obvious, it would have been disruptive and chaotic.

In today’s reading, there is a discussion between Jesus and His disciples about what the people are saying about Him.  What a contrasting stand Jesus takes at this point in His ministry.  He asked the disciples what people are saying about Him and who do they think He is?  The disciples had many different answers: John the Baptist, Elijah or one of the prophets.  Then Jesus turned the question to them.  “But who do you say that I am?”  At that prompt, Peter spoke up boldly “You are the Christ (Messiah).”

The next statement is the contrasting part.  Jesus firmly told His disciples at that time don’t tell anyone about Him.  At the end of His time in this world, He told His disciples and many others to go tell the whole world about Him.  What was the difference if they told them at that point of the ministry or later?

If you continue reading the following verses, you will see that Jesus unpacked the reason and told them plainly and openly (See vs. 22) that the elders, chief priests and scribes are going to kill Him and after three days He is going to raise up from the dead.  His concern was the timing.  There was a plan, and He was following it step by step, day by day.  The disciples, on the other hand, were following Him, but didn’t necessarily know the plan or at least they didn’t understand it.  This was their direction for that time.  Jesus was saying: Don’t be telling everyone what you know until the timing is right.  Now is not the time for that.

If I think about it, I can easily understand the point about timing.  Many times, in my life I know the Lord dropped something into my heart.  Whether it was a dream for the future or even a kind and encouraging word for a friend or stranger.  If I would have run with it at the time, the results would not have been productive because He was just letting me know it was coming up some day, but not necessarily right now.  How did I know it wasn’t the time right now?  Mostly because in order to make it happen, I would have to force it or make it happen in my own strength and way.  When I pray about it and wait for the open door that He provides, then I know it is time to move.  He even reminds me about it when it is happening if I forget.

Timing is crucial to the plan of God.  Rushing to get things moving or pushing to make something happen is not His plan.  There are many examples in scripture that prove this out.  The way to execute God’s plans in your life is to watch the maestro, follow closely along to the written notes (God’s Word) and begin to play at the appointed time as directed.

Today I want to encourage you to press in.  Listen to the prompts and nudging the Holy Spirit is giving you.  Write down the thing He is dropping into your spirit.  Pray over these things daily and watch for the open door to walk through when the right time comes.  Play your part perfectly in God’s great orchestra and let Him pull you into the melody at just the right timing.

Today’s scripture reading: Luke 9:18-22

18 And it happened, as He was alone praying, that His disciples joined Him, and He asked them, saying, “Who do the crowds say that I am?”

19 So they answered and said, “John the Baptist, but some say Elijah; and others say that one of the old prophets has risen again.”

20 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered and said, “The Christ of God.”

21 And He strictly warned and commanded them to tell this to no one, 

22 saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.”

Get it in His hands

Then He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the multitude. Luke 9:16

Do you believe in miracles?  Do you believe that God is still doing them today?  Surly we have all heard of miraculous healings and provisions throughout history and even maybe in our lifetime, but is God still working miracles in this day and hour? In 2022?

I believe so!  I believe He wants to do even more, but we have developed a lifestyle of taking care of our own problems and meeting our own needs.  In the richness of our day, miracles are few and far between.  We have become self sufficient and have little need of God’s intervention.  Still times come when the Dr. just isn’t enough or the circumstances build up to where we cannot get out a mess we have gotten into. Somehow have forgotten that God is the answer and if we would just turn things over to Him, He would turn the situations around for good instead of evil.

In today’s reading, we see the hand of God move over a crowd of people who didn’t even realize what was happening.  They came out to learn and listen to Jesus and to see if He would do some healing or miraculous things.  Little did they know, they were about to be a part of one of the greatest miracles of all time.  The breaking of 5 loaves and 2 fish to feed 5000 people.  There is no need to make this miracle any greater by saying it was probably 15000 – 20000 people.  There is no way that these 5 small loaves and 2 fish could be stretched in the natural to feed 500 people let along 5000.  Jesus received a boy’s lunch of five small loves of bread (dinner rolls) and two fish and after He lifted them up to heaven, He blessed and broke them.  Then He began to distributing them to the crowd.  There ended up being enough in that small lunch to feed the multitudes there that day plus there were 12 baskets of leftovers.  Amazing!!

How did it happen?  The disciples simply brought all they had to Jesus, then He blessed that gift and multiplied it back into the entire crowd.  This is the same way any miracle happens.  Bring it all to Jesus and He will bless it and return it back to you in abundance.  Maybe it isn’t food that you need.  Maybe you need a financial miracle to pay some insurmountable bill?  Get all you have into the hands of Jesus, and He will multiply it back to you.  Maybe you are facing an illness or physical disability?  Get it in the hands of Jesus!  Maybe you are having a family struggle?  Get it into the hands of Jesus!  Your miracle is waiting for you there.

Today I want to encourage you especially if you are in need of heavenly intervention in your life.  Take that issue, crisis, dilemma, and problem and get it into the hands of Jesus!  He will multiply a miracle back.  It may not look exactly like you imagined it would, but it will be a beautiful thing!  It may not happen in an instant but know that when you turn all your need over to Him and put your problem in His hands, He is working it all together for good!

Today’s scripture reading: Luke 9:7-17

7 Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by Him; and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had risen from the dead, 

8 and by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the old prophets had risen again. 

9 Herod said, “John I have beheaded, but who is this of whom I hear such things?” So he sought to see Him.

10 And the apostles, when they had returned, told Him all that they had done. Then He took them and went aside privately into a deserted place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. 

11 But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing. 

12 When the day began to wear away, the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding towns and country, and lodge and get provisions; for we are in a deserted place here.”

13 But He said to them, “You give them something to eat.” and they said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish, unless we go and buy food for all these people.” 

14 For there were about five thousand men. Then He said to His disciples, “Make them sit down in groups of fifty.” 

15 And they did so, and made them all sit down.

16 Then He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the multitude. 

17 So they all ate and were filled, and twelve baskets of the leftover fragments were taken up by them.

Called and sent

Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. Luke 9:1-2

I don’t remember the exact day I was called into ministry, but I was trained for it since the day I was born.  I don’t remember the day I was sent out to minister to others, but I began doing it even as a young child in my grade school to friends there.  The calling was there when I was born into a Pastor’s family, but I wasn’t sent until I went out into the world.

In today’s reading, Jesus called His disciples to Him and gave them power and authority over the works of darkness.  They had been with Him for some time before He sent them out into the cities.  They were being trained from the first day they began walking with Jesus, but it was after they had done some growing and developing in their faith that they were sent out into the world to minister. 

Jesus told the disciples that their message would be received by some and not by others.  He wanted them to know and expect that there would be some resistance, but that was not to stop their mission.  He told them to just shake it off when they were rejected, and it would be a testimony to the world around them.

Today, He calls and sends us too.  We are called to learn and walk with Him through His Words and Holy Spirit.  He is with us guiding and empowering each one of His people to reach others in our lives with the message of His great love and salvation.  We do this by telling them how His love has changed our lives and those we know.  

Today I want to encourage you to put yourself in training.  Hear His call to worship, praise and salvation.  Begin to learn of Him and let His love transform your life by spending time with Him and walking close to Him each day.  Then when you are sent out, you will be different than you were before.  You are now a child of the God in heaven.  You have been changed from the inside out.  You no longer have to try to behave a certain way, you have become a new creation in Christ Jesus.  You are called to Him and sent by Him to the world you have been placed in to lead to Him. Expect some opposition, but shake it off as a testimony to those who would be reached.

Today’s scripture reading: Luke 9:1-6

1 Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. 

2 He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. 

3 And He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey, neither staffs nor bag nor bread nor money; and do not have two tunics apiece.

4 “Whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. 

5 And whoever will not receive you, when you go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet as a testimony against them.”

6 So they departed and went through the towns, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.

Don’t doubt, only believe

But He put them all outside, took her by the hand and called, saying, “Little girl, arise.” Luke 8:54

Have you ever got a direction from God and got excited in your spirit to take that step of faith required to get there?  Inevitably the next thing that happens is you tell a close friend, and they begin to warn you off, telling you why it will not work.  They sincerely think they are helping and are not deliberately trying to sabotage you, but they are not considering that you are following the lead of the Holy Spirit and there is a plan. All they see is that is doesn’t make sense in the natural world.

This is a similar experience to what Jairus had when he took Jesus and His disciples to his house.  When he got there, all the people were carrying on because the little girl had died.  They were sincerely sad but when Jesus told them she was just sleeping, they begin to ridicule Him and give Him all the reasons that they knew better than that.

I love what Jesus did next.  He made them all leave the house.  This was a bold move especially because it was not even His house.  I’m sure these were friends and relatives of Jairus.  People he had known for years maybe even his whole life, but that didn’t matter to Jesus.  He just cleared the place out.

I have often wondered why He did that.  Surly there were some that were offended and even hurt that Jairus would allow a stranger to come in at such a time and make them all leave.  There were probably even some that were upset with Jairus because he didn’t step in and say it was okay for them to stay.  I don’t believe the reason Jesus asked them to leave was because He needed a quiet environment so He could concentrate on preforming a miracle and I don’t think He made them leave because their weeping and wailing was annoying Him.  I believe the reason He made everyone leave was because of their unbelief.  He didn’t want the negative words and attitude shutting down the miracle that was about to happen.

I know that you are probably thinking that He is Jesus, and He could do anything at any time regardless of who or what was coming against His actions, and it is true, but even the scriptures say that in Jesus own town He could do no mighty work there because of the people’s unbelief. (See Matthew 13:58) The truth is that our heart and attitude have everything to do with seeing a move of God in our lives.  It is up to us to shut out the nay-sayers and the doubting words that people want to “help” us with and trust the scripture and word from God that He has given to us to follow.  Even when it comes to directly obeying scripture, people will try to talk you out of it because it is Old Testament or just for bible times day.  However, if you truly want to walk with God in life, you will have to stop walking in unbelief and fear of what others will think.

Today I want to encourage you to take a look at the places where you have stepped out in faith following the direction God had given.  Did you ever have to resist some negativity?  Now think about the steps the Holy Spirit is leading you to now.  Are you hearing any doubting and steering in a different direction from the people around you?  Begin today to put those voices out and step closer to the ones who will support and help you accomplish all that God has put in your heart.  Don’t lose out on your miracle because of doubt and unbelief, turn away from the opposers and criticizers and turn toward the One who will make miracles happen!

Today’s scripture reading: Luke 8:49-56

49 While He was still speaking, someone came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house, saying to him, “Your daughter is dead. Do not trouble the Teacher.”

50 But when Jesus heard it, He answered him, saying, “Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well.” 

51 When He came into the house, He permitted no one to go in except Peter, James, and John, and the father and mother of the girl. 

52 Now all wept and mourned for her; but He said, “Do not weep; she is not dead, but sleeping.” 

53 And they ridiculed Him, knowing that she was dead.

54 But He put them all outside, took her by the hand and called, saying, “Little girl, arise.” 

55 Then her spirit returned, and she arose immediately. And He commanded that she be given something to eat. 

56 And her parents were astonished, but He charged them to tell no one what had happened.

Reach out and touch Him

And He said to her, “Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace.” Luke 8:48

I can’t even imagine what this woman must have been going through.  She was sick!  Sick for twelve years.  The passage says she suffered through many “medical” treatments from many physicians.  In that day, you can be sure the “treatments” were barbaric.  Not only that, she had given everything she had for the chance to be made well and only grew worse in her condition.   After twelve years, it would seem that there was no hope for her to ever be well.  On top of everything, she was considered unclean, and the law prohibited her to live among healthy people.  She was considered contagious.  Just imagine the surge of hope that began in her when she heard about Jesus.  Maybe there was a chance she could be healed like others she had heard about.  However, she didn’t think “maybe”. The scripture says she believed it so much that she kept saying, “if I can get to Him and touch Him, I know I will be made well.”  She was convinced that touching just the hem of Jesus’ clothes would be all it took to make her clean again.  The reason was because she kept saying it until she believed it.  She repeated over and over, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.”

Take a look at the steps she took to get to Jesus.  First of all, she came up behind Him in a crowd of people, thinking she could just sneak her healing from Him, without Him even knowing. (Not very likely) She took her faith stand by believing and repeating to herself, “I only have to touch His clothes.”  She didn’t even want Him to know she was there.  However, as soon as she was close enough and actually did touch Him, He felt that healing power leave Him.  What?  This is unbelievable.  How could Jesus unintentionally heal someone? Then to make it even more unbelievable, there were many people touching Him at that exact moment.  The disciples said the crowd was thronging/pressing Him.  Why didn’t any of the others get that release of power?

The answer is in Jesus’ response to her, He said:  “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace and be healed of your affliction.”  Jesus told her that she did it.   It was her faith that drew that healing power out of Jesus.  We know that faith comes by hearing and apparently, she heard about Jesus healing others, then she heard herself say, “I can just touch His clothes and be healed.”  Nobody else ever did that, at least not that were written about. 

Lastly, I want to consider how she was feeling.  We know she wasn’t feeling well.  She was sick and for sure she was weak and drained of energy because of her blood issue.  Yet she pushed through it all to get to where Jesus was.  She believed so much that if she could get to where Jesus was, she would be better.  Therefore, nothing could hold her back.  In all likelihood, she was crawling on the ground to get to Jesus.  How many of us today are willing to take that that kind of faith stance?  When we feel symptoms coming on where do we run? Is our first thought to press into Jesus for strength and healing or do we head to the medicine cabinet for a pill of relief? I completely understand this. When I am ill and in a weakened condition, I find it hard not to talk about how badly I am feeling instead of looking for a promise from God’s Word. It is just as easy for me to say: Psalms 103:3 says that He heals all my diseases, so Lord Jesus I ask you to heal the dis-ease in my body today, instead of saying: I feel miserable, my head is all messed up. My body hurts and I am in bad shape. The key is to remember Who your strength comes from.

Today I want to encourage you to press into God with faith in the area where you need an answer to prayer.  Say in your heart and out loud the promise that He has given you about that situation.  Keep saying that scripture or “word” you have from Him about your struggle and draw that answer from Him with the faith His Word has given you!  Reach out and touch Him with your faith filled prayer and thank Him for the release of power into your life as you receive all the strength, healing and deliverance that He has for you!

Today’s scripture reading: Luke 8:40-48

40 So it was, when Jesus returned, that the multitude welcomed Him, for they were all waiting for Him. 

41 And behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue. And he fell down at Jesus’ feet and begged Him to come to his house, 

42 for he had an only daughter about twelve years of age, and she was dying. But as He went, the multitudes thronged Him. 

43 Now a woman, having a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her livelihood on physicians and could not be healed by any, 

44 came from behind and touched the border of His garment. And immediately her flow of blood stopped.

45 And Jesus said, “Who touched Me?” When all denied it, Peter and those with him said, “Master, the multitudes throng and press You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’ ”

46 But Jesus said, “Somebody touched Me, for I perceived power going out from Me.” 

47 Now when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before Him, she declared to Him in the presence of all the people the reason she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately.

48 And He said to her, “Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”

Great things He has done

^{“Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you.” And he went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him. Luke 8:39}

God has done great things for me in my lifetime.  He has rescued me from many pits and plans of the enemy.  Some personal, some financial and some physical.  I have written about many of these in past Daily Doses.  I am so thankful that He has rescued me, and He continues to still today.  Even though He turned my life around years ago, I still depend on His deliverance each day from the traps that would be set for me.  Of course, I fall into less of them today, but I still sometime do fall.  The difference is that now I run back to Him immediately instead of holding on to pride by trying to get myself out.

In today’s reading, Jesus and His disciples are approached by a man full of demons.  He was not only oppressed, but this man was also possessed by many demonic spirits.  The spirits inside him begged Jesus not to torment them so He commanded them to get out of that man and sent them into a herd of pigs.  When the people who lived in that region came out to see what was going on, they found the man sitting at the feet of Jesus and in his right mind.  He was delivered!  The man wanted to leave that place with Jesus and join his ministry, but Jesus told Him to go back to his home and talk about the great thing that God had done for him. 

This is a word for us today.  We should live life at the feet of Jesus and telling what great things God has done for us. Wherever you have left “home” or the places God has led you to, return to that place and proclaim the great things He has done for you.  Wherever you have fallen away from His great love and peace, return and tell others what great things He has done for you.  It doesn’t have to be a hard thing, simply turn in His direction and ask for His help and salvation.  He will save you from what ever you have gotten into and He will help and empower you not to fall into these traps again.  The secret is to humble yourself and go to Him.  Admit that you messed up, forget and let go of the things that are leading you away from Him and quit those activities that cause you to live your life outside of His kingdom plan.

Today I want to encourage you to return to the Lord and talk about the great things He has done to rescue you.  Make a list of these things and begin to rehearse them day after day.  Thank Him for always being there and answering you when you call out to Him and let others know He wants to help them too.  Turn away from the evil that is luring you into the pits of poverty and despair and call out to your Savior today for help.  Even if He has already rescued you many times before, don’t let that stop you from letting Him do it again.  Then thank Him and tell the world around you what great things He has done.

Today’s scripture reading: Luke 8:26-39

26 Then they sailed to the country of the Gadarenes, which is opposite Galilee. 

27 And when He stepped out on the land, there met Him a certain man from the city who had demons for a long time. And he wore no clothes, nor did he live in a house but in the tombs. 

28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out, fell down before Him, and with a loud voice said, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me!” 

29 For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For it had often seized him, and he was kept under guard, bound with chains and shackles; and he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the wilderness.

30 Jesus asked him, saying, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion,” because many demons had entered him. 

31 And they begged Him that He would not command them to go out into the abyss.

32 Now a herd of many swine was feeding there on the mountain. So they begged Him that He would permit them to enter them. And He permitted them. 

33 Then the demons went out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the lake and drowned.

34 When those who fed them saw what had happened, they fled and told it in the city and in the country. 

35 Then they went out to see what had happened, and came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. 

36 They also who had seen it told them by what means he who had been demon-possessed was healed. 

37 Then the whole multitude of the surrounding region of the Gadarenes asked Him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear. And He got into the boat and returned.

38 Now the man from whom the demons had departed begged Him that he might be with Him. But Jesus sent him away, saying, 

39 “Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you.” And he went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.