-/\/\-----------------------------------------------------------------
\ / WHAT JESUS DID! -- http://www.heartlight.org/
--\/------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Affirming Faith
While Jesus was saying these things, a leader of the
synagogue came to him. The leader bowed down before Jesus and
said, "My daughter has just died. But come and touch her with
your hand, and she will live again." So Jesus stood up and
went with the leader. Jesus' followers went too. There was a
woman that had been bleeding for twelve years. The woman came
behind Jesus and touched the bottom of his coat. The woman
was thinking, "If I can touch his coat, then I will be
healed." Jesus turned and saw the woman. Jesus said, "Be
happy, dear woman. You are made well because you believed."
Then the woman was healed.
-- Matthew 9:18-22 (ERV)
KEY THOUGHT:
Two powerful realizations are driven home by this story of the
desperate and outcast woman. First, even though her outward
circumstances and personal demeanor are the opposite of the synagogue
ruler with whom she shares the story, their core issue is the same:
faith that Jesus can deliver them from their desperate concerns. They
both act in bold ways to find that deliverance. Second, in both
stories, even though there is a huge crowd pressing upon Jesus, he
ministers personally and specifically to the needs of the people. What
so powerfully sets Jesus apart from healing charlatans is that he does
not use these events to focus upon himself, but to personally minister
to the needs of the people involved. These stories remind us again of
how powerful it is that God would become human flesh to minister to us
-- personally!
TODAY'S PRAYER:
Holy Father, thank you for your love and compassion in sending Jesus. I
find it both awe inspiring and assuring to know that you walked among
people and ministered to them personally, not just spectacularly, in
Jesus. Thank you for reminding me that every human need, every
desperate struggle, is known to you and agonized over by you. In Jesus'
name I praise and thank you for this grace. Amen.
>> NEW: Phil's What Jesus Did devotional is now
>> available as a book. Click below to order!
http://images.ultracart.com/aff/ACU9/1414/108/185/575/0/index.html
>> The WJD! web page has related scriptures and the
>> full text of today's key passage. Read it at:
http://www.heartlight.org/wjd/matthew/0422-wjd.html
>> For further study of today's passage, use our
>> online Bible study site: SearchGodsWord.org!
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Matthew+9:18-22&sr=1&t=erv
|-- This Week's Bestsellers at ChristianBook.com: ---------|
Find the bestselling Christian books at Christianbook.com.
Updated every week! Just click the links below:
Bestsellers: http://ads.heartlight.org/email/168/
Just Added: http://ads.heartlight.org/email/169/
Christianbook.com: http://ads.heartlight.org/email/170/
|------------------------------------------------------------|
=========================== FEATURED PRODUCT =========================
HOUSE, by Frank Peretti & Ted Dekker
Best-selling authors Peretti and Dekker join forces for an
adrenaline-laced thriller!
http://shopping.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/link?260
Find more great books, CDs and videos at the Heartlight store! With
each purchase you make, you're helping to support Heartlight's
ministry. Thanks SO MUCH for your help!
WHAT JESUS DID! from HEARTLIGHT /\/\
===============================================================\ /===
http://www.heartlight.org/wjd \/
This devotional is made possible by YOUR donations! If you've found
our emails encouraging or inspiring, we pray you'll give a voluntary
donation to keep this ministry going. Donations are NOT required,
but they are appreciated!
http://www.heartlight.org/support
What Jesus Did! is a 365-day devotional through the book of Luke.
It is written by Phil Ware <phil@heartlight.org> and is part of
HEARTLIGHT Magazine, the leading Christian living e-zine on the
Web. Visit HEARTLIGHT on the web for even more articles, plus
music, devotionals and more for your Christian walk!
http://www.heartlight.org
HOW DO I SUBSCRIBE?
It's FREE! To subscribe send a blank email to:
join-wjd@maillists.heartlight.org
HOW DO I LEAVE?
Send a blank email to the unsubscribe address:
wjd-unsubscribe@maillists.heartlight.org
STILL HAVING TROUBLE?
If our automated unsubscribe system isn't working for you,
send an email to mailmaster@heartlight.org and let us know
what list you would like to leave. We'll take care of you.
OTHER QUESTIONS?
Find answers to your frequently asked questions:
http://www.heartlight.org/help/faq/wjd.html
======================================================================
