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\ / WHAT JESUS DID! -- http://www.heartlight.org/
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Thursday, April 23, 2009
No Show, Just Grace
Jesus continued going with the Jewish leader and went into
the leader's house. Jesus saw people there that make music
for funerals. And he saw many people there upset {because the
girl died}. Jesus said, "Go away. The girl is not dead. She
is only asleep." But the people laughed at Jesus. After the
people were put out of the house, Jesus went into the girl's
room. Jesus held the girl's hand, and the girl stood up. The
news about this spread all around the area.
-- Matthew 9:23-26 (ERV)
KEY THOUGHT:
I'm amazed at how often Jesus left the crowds and went off to pray or
how he resisted the crowds and still generously shared his acts of
compassion. So often today, we have the tendency to think that things
have to be big and attract a big "audience" to be impressive and have
an impact on our community. In reality, very seldom is God's work done
by a crowd. Jesus' ministry was blessed because of God's grace and
Jesus' faithfulness, not because of some slick marketing scheme. Don't
get me wrong; I believe we need to find every available means to
ethically reach people with the Gospel. But notice that Jesus' ministry
expands, not because he does this miracle to prove something to the
crowds, but because he does something to care for a broken family in a
private but powerful way.
TODAY'S PRAYER:
Oh Lord, please give me the heart to give the highest earthly priority
to people so that caring for others is second only to you in my
ministry. Help me to not only see those around me that need your Son as
their Savior, but to minister to them in genuine ways that will help
them come to you. In Jesus' name I pray. 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/0423-wjd.html
>> For further study of today's passage, use our
>> online Bible study site: SearchGodsWord.org!
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Matthew+9:23-26&sr=1&t=erv
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