Salvation Is Yours
The Making of a Miracle:
And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered. And looking round about upon them all, he said unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the other.—Luke 6:6, 10
"Stretch forth your hand," Jesus instructed the man with the withered hand. When he did, a miracle occurred. However, that miracle didn't just fall on the man—the man's faith produced it. How do we know that? Well, Jesus told a man with a withered hand to stretch it. If that man had not been in faith he might have said, "What do You mean, stretch it forth? That's why I'm here—it doesn't stretch! I'm waiting for You to heal me so I can stretch it!" But this man's faith was in operation. You see, real faith does what it can do and then attempts to do what it cannot do. So when Jesus said, "Stretch out your hand," the man stretched it out. A person can't stretch a hand that doesn't stretch, so the man wouldn't even have tried to stretch his hand if he weren't expecting results. Why did the man expect results? He was in faith. How did he get in faith? Verse 6 says Jesus "entered into the synagogue and taught." The man heard Jesus teach. That's the way most miracles happened in Jesus' ministry. People heard Jesus teach, faith arose, and they were healed. And the same will be true for you.
My Confession: Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. I hear the Word on healing, act on it, and confidently receive my healing.
Please read these scriptures (Isaiah 53:5; Matthew 8:17; 1 Peter 2:24; Psalm 103:3; Matthew 4:23, 8:3. Revelation 22:6.
The above is our devotional lesson, but I would like to add an encouraging word from a very important friend of mine.
Quoted:
Imagine that you live in a country where there are no Bibles or churches. You know nothing about Christianity and have never heard of Jesus. However, in the middle of December, you have the opportunity to come to the United States for a vacation. After arriving, you dis- cover that everyone is celebrating a holiday called Christmas. Based on the people's activities and preparations, what would you assume was the purpose of the holiday?
This is a very convicting question, isn't it? You might conclude that Christmas is all about parties, Santa Claus, gifts, decorations, and family. But from the evidence, would you think that it was some kind of religious holy day? Probably not!
Many people today miss the true message of Christmas. For some, it's just a time to gather with family. Most know that it's a holiday with a religious connection, but their focus is on cultural traditions rather than spiritual meaning. A few, like the imagined visitor, may not even know that it's Jesus' birthday. But what about those of us who are believers? How much time do we spend contemplating and rejoicing at the marvel of God coming to earth in the form of a newborn baby?
To regain the wonder we may have lost, let's return to the scene where the first message of Christmas was given (Luke 2:8-20). It looks nothing like what we imagine a Christmas setting should be—no snow, decorated trees, or festive lights. There's simply a group of shepherds out in a field at night watching over their sheep. They were not important, powerful, or influential people. In fact, the Orthodox Jews of that time considered shepherds lowly and unclean. Yet they were the ones God chose for the most important birth announcement in human history. What kind of message was this, that was given to shepherds and changed the world forever?
First of all, it was a heavenly message. "An angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened" (Luke 2:9). In the Bible when God had a message for His people, He usually sent a prophet, but this event was so important that He sent word directly from heaven via His angel. The glory of God that accompanied the angel was manifested in radiant, dazzling light and confirmed that the message was coming directly from heaven.
Second, the angel's announcement was a universal message. "I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:10-11). This wasn't just good news for the Jews, but for every person on earth and throughout time. This baby would open the way of salvation for all people.
The angel identified the baby with three titles. He's called a Savior, but unlike all the previous men who'd claimed to be saviors, this baby was the Christ, or Messiah. The Jews had been waiting hundreds of years for their Messiah to come, and now, at last, He was here. The final title of Lord revealed His divinity. The shepherds wouldn't have failed to make this connection because the Israelites used this title for God or Yahweh.
Third, the angelic message announced peace. "Suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased'" (Luke 2:13-14). From a Jewish perspective, peace would only be possible when the Messiah overcame Rome, but political peace wasn't what the angel meant. That kind of peace will only come when Jesus returns to rule the entire earth.
There are three kinds of peace that Christ's life, death, and resurrection make possible today. Having been alienated from God by original sin as well as our personal transgressions, Christ's atoning death brings us back into peace with God. Once we've received Him by faith, He then gives us the internal peace of God that guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:7). And through the presence of His indwelling Spirit, we are also enabled to have peace with one another. This announcement of peace is for everyone who receives Jesus as Savior because only then can we become people "with whom He is pleased" (Luke 2:14).
Finally, the message of Christmas is meant to be shared. After the shepherds went to Bethlehem to see the baby, "They made known the statement which had been told them about this Child" (Luke 2:17). This was not an announcement they could keep to themselves, because the hope of humankind was lying in that manger.
This is still true today. Jesus is the only One who can save us. So many people in the world need to hear why He arrived on Christmas. Those of us who have heard and accepted the message have a responsibility to tell them, and there's no better occasion than the holiday that carries His name. Since our culture has largely lost sight of the true meaning of Christmas, it's the perfect opportunity to bring God's Son back into the celebration.
I enjoyed this article I just had to include it in this Christmas lesson. So encouraging to me! We must share this with all. Amen.
Week # 13: Weekly prayer:
Jesus, the Light of the World, as we celebrate your birth . . . . may we begin to see the world in the light of the understanding you give us. As you chose the lowly, the outcasts, and the poor to receive the greatest news the world had ever known, so may we worship you in meekness of heart. May we also remember our brothers and sisters less fortunate than ourselves in this season of giving. THANK YOU, LORD, for the gift of Your love. May I be a shining example of that love to others. Amen. Eternal God, this joyful day is radiant with the brilliance of your one true light. May that light illuminate our hearts and shine in our words and deeds. May the hope, the peace, the joy, and the love represented by the birth in Bethlehem fill our lives and become part of all that we say and do. May we share the divine life of Your Son Jesus Christ, even as He humbled Himself to share our humanity. Bless us and the feast that You have provided for each one of us through Christ the Lord, let us be thankful for the true gift of Christmas, You Son, AMEN.
QUIZ: Joseph and Mary:
1 Who told Mary and Joseph to go to Bethlehem?
2 True or False: Mary and Joseph went to Bethlehem for the birth of Jesus because they were following a star.
3 What form of transportation did Mary and Joseph use to get to Bethlehem? The answer is not a taxi cab.
4 Which Old Testament prophet had the most to say about the birth of Christ?
5 In the accounts announcing the birth of Christ (Matthew 1 and Luke 1 and 2) how many times did an angel or angels appear?
6 Who told Joseph the baby's name was to be Jesus?
7 Can you list 5 names of Jesus found in the Bible? Some on my list are from Old Testament prophecies.
8 What are the meanings of the names Jesus and Emmanuel?
Shepherds and Wise Men:
9 The shepherds and the wise men went to see Jesus. Which group followed a star and which group went to find the baby because an angel told them where to look?
10 What did the angels sing to the shepherds?
11 When the shepherds went looking for Jesus, what was the sign they were to look for?
12 How many wise men or kings or magi came to see Jesus?
13 Matthew 2:8 says that Herod asked the wise men to inform him where the baby Jesus was. Why does this verse say he wanted to know?
14 How old was Jesus when the wise men found him?
15 What are the three gifts which are mentioned being given by the wise men?
16 Which emperor ordered all the young children be killed?
17 What animals does the Bible say were present at the birth of Jesus?
18 What was the name of the unkind innkeeper who would not allow the pregnant Mary to lodge in his inn?
19 What is the name of the priest who was told he would not die until he saw the Savior?
20 Two of the four Gospels do not mention the birth of Christ. Which two?
According to the study: Questions:
1). Read the Luke Christmas Story (Luke 1-2)
2). How was this man in (Luke 6:6, 10) faith was in operation?
3). Why did the man expect results?
4). How did He get faith?
My Confession:
Christmas Song:
Mary, did you know
that your baby boy will one day walk on water?
Mary, did you know
that your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?
Did you know,
that your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you've delivered,
will soon deliver you.
Mary, did you know
that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?
Mary, did you know
your baby boy will calm a storm with his hand?
Did you know,
that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
When you kiss your little baby,
you've kissed the face of God.
The blind will see
The deaf will hear
The dead will live again.
The lame will leap
The dumb will speak
The praises of The Lamb.
Mary, did you know
that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know
that your baby boy will one day rule the nations?
Did you know,
that your baby boy is heaven's perfect lamb?
This sleeping child you're holding, is the great I AM
Emmanuel
Holy Holy
I will bow before
My Lord and King
Hallelujah
You have come to us
You make all things new
Emmanuel
Jesus Christ
You'll never let me go
My Shepherd King
You'll never let me go
My Sheperd King
You're watching over me
Emmanuel
So amazing
You have named the stars
Of the deepest night
Still You love me
You have called my name
I will follow You
Holy Holy
God Almighty
There is none like You
Holy Holy
God Almighty
There is none like You
The Christmas Story:
Read Luke 1-3 and Matthew 1-2
A Withered Hand Becomes Whole
And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered. And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him. But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered hand, Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth. Then Jesus said unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? To save life, or to destroy it? And looking round about upon them all, he said unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the other. And they were filled with madness…. —Luke 6:6-11
The scribes and Pharisees watched closely to see whether Jesus would heal on the Sabbath. They wanted to accuse Jesus of breaking the law. But Jesus was looking for a way to show the goodness of God, the Lord of the Sabbath. Jesus called the man with the withered hand forward saying, "Stretch forth thy hand." Immediately it was restored, which made the religious leaders angry. You see, while the scribes and Pharisees associated doing good with obeying man-made Sabbath traditions, Jesus associated doing good with healing and saving life. Acts 10:38 says Jesus "went about doing good…." What good? "…healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him." Obviously, healing is good in God's sight.
My Confession: Jesus healed all who came to Him in faith, and He's still the same today. It's good in His sight when by faith I receive my healing.
Please read these scriptures (Isaiah 53:5; Matthew 8:17; 1 Peter 2:24; Psalm 103:3; Matthew 4:23, 8:3. Revelation 22:6.
Week # 12: Weekly prayer:
Father God, we come to You as our Father in Heaven, and honor You as the only Father of all. In the beginning You, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit created the heaven and the earth, and all glory, power, honor be unto You and the Trinity. Thank You, that You took a withered people and made them whole as You sent Your Son Jesus to be born through a young virgin in Bethlehem. Down through the years You have proved this to generations after generations that Your hand did this for Your chosen people who are called by Your Name. Help us to respond to our Savior in a special way this season and through the New Year. Help us to stretch forth our hands to all who are in need this season. Help us to preach and teach that Jesus is the reason for the season, and for all eternity. Bless our withered lives to become whole in Jesus. AMEN.
Quiz: Week # 12
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Scripture Reading Mark 5
In Mark 5:30 what did Jesus say to the woman with the issue of blood?
A). Thy faith has made thee whole
B). Why are you so faithless?
C). Where is your faith?
D). Who touched my clothes?
According to this study: Questions
1). Read (Hebrews 13:8), explain what it means to you.
2). The Scribes and Pharisees was doing to Jesus what Satan does to each one of us every day, what was that?
3). Can you explain what Doctor Luke meant when he said, "And they were filled with madness?"
4). What good did Jesus do as He traveled in His ministry?
My Confession:
A Withered Hand Becomes Whole
And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered. And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him. But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered hand, Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth. Then Jesus said unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? To save life, or to destroy it? And looking round about upon them all, he said unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the other. And they were filled with madness…. —Luke 6:6-11
The scribes and Pharisees watched closely to see whether Jesus would heal on the Sabbath. They wanted to accuse Jesus of breaking the law. But Jesus was looking for a way to show the goodness of God, the Lord of the Sabbath. Jesus called the man with the withered hand forward saying, "Stretch forth thy hand." Immediately it was restored, which made the religious leaders angry. You see, while the scribes and Pharisees associated doing good with obeying man-made Sabbath traditions, Jesus associated doing good with healing and saving life. Acts 10:38 says Jesus "went about doing good…." What good? "…healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him." Obviously, healing is good in God's sight.
My Confession: Jesus healed all who came to Him in faith, and He's still the same today. It's good in His sight when by faith I receive my healing.
Please read these scriptures (Isaiah 53:5; Matthew 8:17; 1 Peter 2:24; Psalm 103:3; Matthew 4:23, 8:3. Revelation 22:6.
Week # 12: Weekly prayer:
Father God, we come to You as our Father in Heaven, and honor You as the only Father of all. In the beginning You, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit created the heaven and the earth, and all glory, power, honor be unto You and the Trinity. Thank You, that You took a withered people and made them whole as You sent Your Son Jesus to be born through a young virgin in Bethlehem. Down through the years You have proved this to generations after generations that Your hand did this for Your chosen people who are called by Your Name. Help us to respond to our Savior in a special way this season and through the New Year. Help us to stretch forth our hands to all who are in need this season. Help us to preach and teach that Jesus is the reason for the season, and for all eternity. Bless our withered lives to become whole in Jesus. AMEN.
Quiz: Week # 12
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| 2). What happened when Jesus touched the blind man the second time? (Mark 8:25) A). Saw men as trees walking. B). Saw every man clearly. C). Told to go wash in the pool of Siloam. D). None of the above. |
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Scripture Reading Mark 5
In Mark 5:30 what did Jesus say to the woman with the issue of blood?
A). Thy faith has made thee whole
B). Why are you so faithless?
C). Where is your faith?
D). Who touched my clothes?
According to this study: Questions
1). Read (Hebrews 13:8), explain what it means to you.
2). The Scribes and Pharisees was doing to Jesus what Satan does to each one of us every day, what was that?
3). Can you explain what Doctor Luke meant when he said, "And they were filled with madness?"
4). What good did Jesus do as He traveled in His ministry?
My Confession:
God leads us through the inner prompting of the Holy Spirit.
Read the following statement carefully:
So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. (Philippians 2:12–13)
The inner prompting of the Holy Spirit gives us a sense of God's leading, although that leading is not always what we might call a "feel-good" experience. In my own life, my decision to accept the presidency of Dallas Theological Seminary was not an easy one. Ultimately, it was an "at-peace" decision, but it was not what I would have wanted or chosen. I found all kinds of ways to resist when the position was first offered to me. I wrote the president and the chairman a two-page letter, well thought through, carefully stated, and full of Scripture. It should have convinced anybody that I was the wrong person for the job. Except that God was busy convincing them—and, later, me—that I was the right person. Although it went against my own wishes at the time, I could not resist the compelling, all-powerful prompting of the Holy Spirit.
So I can testify from personal experience that you can believe you really know God's will, and you may be dead wrong. But if you are, the prompting of the Holy Spirit will be nudging you within.
The mind of man plans his way,
But the LORD directs his steps. (Proverbs 16:9)
It's easier to steer a moving car—just get the car rolling and you can push it into the filling station to get the gas. But it's hard to get it moving from a dead stop. So you're on your way, you're making your plans, you're thinking it through. In the process, stay open. By doing so, you may well sense inner promptings from the Holy Spirit steering you.
That inner prompting is crucial, because much of the time we just can't figure it out.
Man's steps are ordained by the LORD,
How then can man understand his way? (Proverbs 20:24)
(I love that!) When all is said and done, you'll say, "Honestly, I didn't figure this thing out. It must have been God." Talk about mysterious! The longer I live the Christian life, the less I know about why He leads as He does. But I am absolutely confident that He leads.
Your grace and mercy, brought me through I'm living this moment because of You I want to thank You, and praise You too Your grace and mercy, brought me through Thank You, for saving a sinner like me To tell the world salvation is free There...there were times when I just didn’t do right But You watched over me Both day and night Justice demanded, that I, I should die But grace and mercy said oh, no, oh, no, oh no, we've already paid the price I once was blind, but thank God now I can see It was because grace and mercy came along and rescued me Your grace and mercy brought me through I'm living this moment because of You I want to thank You and praise You too Your grace and mercy Your grace and mercy Your grace and mercy Brought me through.
1.) A woman begged Jesus to heal her demon-possessed daughter and Jesus said to her, "Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it unto the dogs." Why did he say this to her?
D). The woman was a gentile. (Matthew 15:21-28)
2.) What was wrong with the man whom Jesus asked, "What do you want me to do for you?"
A). He was blind. (Mark 10:51)
3.) How many lepers were in the group that Jesus healed and told to go and show themselves to the priests?
B). Ten (Luke 17:11-19)
Scripture Reading For this lesson Mark 5
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| B). Twelve years (Mark 5:25) |
According to this study: Questions
1). What is God’s mercy?
The very nature of God is mercy. " But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.
2). Have you ever experienced God’s mercy?
Oh so many times in my life! I truly believe each morning I wake I experience God’s mercy on my life. I am so grateful! I was in an accident once which should have killed me, but God’s mercy was on my life and He place an angel between the car I was in and the electric box we were headed for, if it were not for God we would have blew up, I am sure of that. Even the police officer and ambulance attender said the same thing.
3). When they called on Jesus, what was they calling on?
They called on the compassion—or the mercy—of God. In other words, He called on the very nature of God, which was Jesus Himself.
4). Explain the compassion in Mark 9:17, 18, 22.
The issue here was a boy was possessed with a spirit and Jesus (including his disciples) were called upon to cast the spirit out. Jesus disciples were unsuccessful at doing that however. So we could say that there were two issues here.
Isaiah 53:5
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Matthew 8:17
That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.
1 Peter 2:24
Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
Psalm 103:3
Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
Matthew 4:23
And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.
Matthew 8:3
And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
Revelation 22:6
And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.
Yes, I read these scriptures as many times as I can. We must get them in our spirit and our hearts. AMEN.
Father God, we come to You with praises in our hearts today, we thank You for Your grace and mercy today. You are an awesome God! We love You, Lord. We stand in agreement for Your will to be done in our life, just as it is said in “The Lord’s Prayer.” Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in US, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. As the Christmas season come, Lord, help all of us to remember that You are the Reason for the Season. Bless our Nation, all our leaders, both natural and spiritual too. We stand with Israel as they stand for You, Lord. Open their eyes to see You right now in Jesus’ mighty Name. We are reminded as said in Isaiah 7:14 and Matthew 1:23 “God is with us” Immanuel, Thank You, Lord. Amen.
