“But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.” James 1:25 NLT
Photo AI Generated wordpress
The other evening, I was watching the final seconds of a NCAA men’s college basketball tournament game. Game tied, the inbounder put the ball in play then immediately set himself up to retrieve the ball under the basket for an easy dunk. Game over! The commentator cried out, ‘Don’t forget the inbounder.’ He wasn’t covered. Both squads had their final instructions for that final play from their coaches. The offense played it perfectly. The defense failed to execute, forgetting what they heard in the bench huddle, leaving the inbounder wide open.
Reading a verse from the book of James this morning, I realized how easy it is to forget something we just heard or read. James writes, “But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.” (Ja.1:25 nlt) When things go wrong in my life most of the time it can be traced back to forgetting what I heard from Scripture. Obviously, there are no blessings when struggling with the results of disobedience. But after reading and hearing the Word preached, if we do what is heard and not forget, God promises blessings.
God’s Word is our lifeline in this world leading us to eternal life in the next. It is His game plan drawn up for us to follow in this game called life. Executing it will lead to a life full of blessings, and assurance of salvation. Forgetting what we hear will result in more than losing a game but losing our very souls.
“And he said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over’……But Jesus overheard them and said to Jairus, ‘Don’t be afraid. Just have faith.’” Mark 5:34, 36 NLT
FreeBibleimages.org
Is just having faith good enough? The phrase ‘have faith’ gets tossed around as if it’s a cure-all for what ails you. Seriously, if you are in the habit of using that phrase, what is your basis for using it? Is it hope, a feeling, something mysterious, or is it an assurance you have and if so, what is the basis for that assurance? The world defines faith as complete trust or confidence in something or somebody. I cannot disagree with that for that is what faith is. Now back to the first question. Is just having faith good enough? Well, yes, it depends on where your faith is placed. This week we have two stories were knowing where to place your faith is a matter of life or death.
After Jesus’ short stay in the Gerasenes region where He healed a demon-possessed man He headed back across the lake to Capernaum. As usual a crowd had formed rather quickly on the shore after His arrival with the help of old-fashion social media, word of mouth on foot. A synagogue official, a layman similar to deacons and elders today, was one of first people to greet him dropping to his knees and crying out, “My little daughter is dying, Please come and lay your hands on her; heal her so she can live.” (Mk.5:23 nlt) The official, Jarius by name, knew his daughter was near death and Jesus was her only hope. Jarius most likely heard Jesus speak in the synagogue when Jesus visited, and he knew of His miracles. Jarius placed his faith in the only one capable of healing His daughter.
Jesus agreed to go with Jarius and so did the crowds as they forced their way to get closer to Him as they traveled to Jarius’ home. In among the crowd was a woman who was severely sick with constant bleeding from an incurable disease. “She had suffered a great deal from many doctors, and over the years she had spent everything she had to pay them, but she had gotten no better. In fact, she had gotten worse.” (Mk.5:26 nlt) She too, like Jarius’ daughter was in a desperate situation although her death was not imminent it was certain without help from above. This woman, whose name we don’t know, was one of the many to had seen and heard about Jesus. She knew He could stop the bleeding. Her faith was so strong in Him knowing if she could only reach out to touch the hem of His garment she would be healed. And that is what she did, “Immediately the bleeding stopped, and she could feel in her body that she had been healed of her terrible condition.” (Mk.5:29 nlt) With so many people crowding around Jesus bumping into Him and touching Him, He specifically felt the power of healing faith go from Him to someone. It was an immediate healing for the woman.
Jesus then asked who touched Him. The disciples must have had a puzzled look on their faces when they answered, “Look at this crowd pressing around you. How can you ask, ‘Who touched me?’” (Mk.5:31 nlt) But Jesus knew someone did and kept looking around until she came forward. Jesus didn’t pursue this to call out the woman, but to afford her the chance to praise God and tell others what God has for her. Jesus was not going to let this opportunity go by without recognizing her publicly. She had been a social outcast for so many years, and it’s time to turn the tables. Those who evade her will now see she is no longer considered to be ‘unclean’ but whole and fully healed. Jesus confirmed this by saying, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over.” (Mk.5:34 nlt)
I guess you can say in a way, it was a hope, but a hope in Jesus. It was a feeling in that she felt it instantly. It certainly felt mysterious, but it was the power of God touching her and stopping the bleeding. We can say for sure; she based her faith on Jesus, that is where she had the assurance of being healed by putting her trust and confidence in Him.
FreeBibleimages.org
We now go back to Jarius who has just witnessed miraculous healing before his eyes. But as they proceed to Jarius’ home, he received news that his daughter had died. In hearing this Jesus encourages Jarius by saying, “Don’t be afraid. Just have faith.” (Mk.5:36 nlt) Jesus is reminding Jarius of the faith he had when he first approached Jesus about his daughter’s condition. There is nothing impossible for Jesus to do, even raising the dead.
Jesus suddenly stops the crowd from following Him and took with Him only Peter, James, and John the rest of the way to Jarius’ home. They were greeted by weeping and wailing as professional mourners were already called in, as was the custom, when a death occurred. Burial would soon take place in the Jewish culture as it is still practiced today. But Jesus would have no part of it. “He went inside and asked, ‘Why all this commotion and weeping? The child isn’t dead; she’s only asleep.’” (Mk.5:39 nlt) He knew what He was going to do as the people laughed and ridiculed Him. So, Jesus sent these people out of the house for their unbelief, and took the girl’s mother, father, and the disciples to the girl’s room.
They entered the room and, “Holding her hand, he said to her, ‘Talitha koum’ which means ‘Little girl, get up!’” (Mk.5:41 nlt) The twelve-year-old got up immediately and Jesus told them to give her something to eat. Jesus not only raised her from the dead but made sure she had something to eat. Jesus’ reference to ‘she’s only sleeping’ is used to describe her death was only temporary. He was going to raise her, and the people who laughed will know it is a true miracle because they knew she was pronounced dead and funeral arrangements were being made.
Jesus performed two miracles concerning life and death in which faith was a factor. Not in our faith itself but in having faith in the one who can perform miracles. We may not need to exercise our faith in a life-or-death manner, but if we do, or when we do, it is good to know where to place our faith. Yes, it is OK to just have faith as long as it is in Jesus Christ, God the Son.
“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT
Photo AI Generated wordpress
A subtle change is taking place across America in case you have missed it, especially among Christian athletes. I call it, ‘A Grass Roots Jesus Movement.’ Never have there been such bold commitments from athletes sharing their faith publicly as there have been in the last few years. The most recent example is TCU’s Hailey Van Lith after helping send TCU women’s basketball team to the sweet 16 for the first the first time in the school’s history. Van Lith stated during the press conference, “I’m really standing on God’s shoulders right now, you guys, He’s delivered me from so much, man, and so much pain and suffering and confusion. I just — it’s all glory to God, truly. I would be nothing without Him. In the darkest moments of my life, He never turned His face from me, and I just couldn’t be more grateful to experience His love in this moment.” (1) The realization of what God has for her, that it’s all Him and not her, needed to be shared with the world. He is always there no matter what we are going through.
It’s hard to pinpoint when this movement started to pick up steam, but it had to start somewhere. Some mark the Covid 19 pandemic as the beginning of planting these seeds of spiritual growth. Others see the cultural shift in the politics of the nation starting to take root where athletes are no longer intimidated of sharing their faith. Another possibility could be the spiritual revivals that sprung up on college campuses in 2023 filtering down from the weeks long revival started on the campus of Asbury University in Kentucky. Whatever the case, there is a movement today that wasn’t there before, and it is growing.
It is good to see young athletes taking a stand for Christ amid all the chaos and secularization in our major universities. It is more refreshing to see professional athletes serving as role models doing the same, not only inspiring college students but young people of all ages. These Christian athletes are serving the Lord in every professional sport. In the NFL there are quarterbacks Russell Wilson, Patrick MaHomes, C, J. Stroud, and Kirk Cousins, along with running back Christian McCaffrey,and place kicker Harrison Butker, among many others. The NBA has Stephen Curry, Chris Paul, Kevin Durant, while Major League Baseball has Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, Orioles rookie Jackson Holliday and his father former MLB star Matt Holliday, and pitchers Aaron Nola and Zack Eflin and many more. My point is that the list is growing, and we certainly don’t want to leave out single competition athletes such as Olympian Allyson Felix, track and field, young tennis star Coco Gauff, and professional golfer Scottie Scheffler.
Sports have a way of connecting with people and bringing people together. For a few hours personal problems and the problems of the world are masked. But the mask comes off after the game or competition has ended. Perhaps God is using some of these athletes to heal their wounds, give them courage, and show them their need for Jesus Christ. So, I say, let the movement continue to grow. There are a lot of people who are hurting in this world.
There are many things we take for granted today. I’m sure previous generations have done the same, but I sense it’s a lot easier for us in our advanced technology savvy culture. Just about anything and everything is available at our fingertips. We have grown accustomed to quick service, abundant supplies, easy access, instant communication, the world has gotten smaller, and we more or less come and go as we please. We take for granted all the material things we have accumulated in life, the friendships we’ve developed, the work we do, the families we have, and even our own lives without giving much thought to know who is responsible for it all.
It’s easy to get caught up in our daily lives just going along and forget to honor the one who makes our life possible, the Lord God. The Lord brought all things into being, in which we take for granted not realizing it. He is in control and brings everything into our lives whether we like it or not. For that alone, we should honor Him. We couldn’t be in better hands. Yet, we fail at times even to notice the sunrise or sunset placed there by God for our enjoyment. We pass it by saying to ourselves, it will be there again tomorrow.
King Belshazzar learned a horrible lesson by not honoring the sovereign God who is over all things. He not only did not honor God but blasphemed Him by using the sacred vessels from the Temple in Jerusalem in worshiping idol gods. We may not ever go that far in not honoring God but let everyday be a reminder of all that God does for us, from supplying our needs and providing us with His creation to enjoy. May we not hear, “But you have not honored the God who gives you the breath of life and controls your destiny!” (Dan.5:23 nlt)
“So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him….and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished.” Acts 12:5, 16 NIV
Have you ever experienced the resolution of a problem that occurred unexpectedly. It may have been a major concern you thought was not possible to resolve, or something minor that was just an annoyance. Then you come to realize and say to yourself, ‘Hey, I prayed about that!’ We pray about many things, and it seems that none of our prayers are being answered. Then out of the blue comes an answer to a prayer and we don’t realize it until later. It may have been a prayer we put on the burner, but God did not forget. He heard and answered. If we put our minds to it, there will be many answers to the prayers we made revealed to us. Yes, God did answer those prayers, and it could have been not in the way we desired. Perhaps that is why we forget, but He did answer.
The early church in the book of Acts had been praying for Peter who was in prison and about to be executed. King Herod was beginning to arrest Christians and had put the apostle James to death. When he saw his actions pleased the Jewish rulers, he preceded to arrest Peter also, planning to kill him after the Passover. When the people in the church heard of it, they immediately started praying earnestly for Peter’s release. Their prayers were answered. An angel of the Lord appeared before Peter waking him up, his chains fell off, and the angel led him out of the prison.
However, when Peter went to the home where the church people were praying and knocked on the door, they didn’t believe it was him, except for a servant girl named Rhoda. Finally, they were convinced after they were astonished that God answered their prayer. The Lord does what seems impossible. He answers quickly, as in Peter’s case. Sometimes He answers slowly as in our case, but He always answers. When we eventually do remember, let us rejoice, thanking Him for answering prayer and not forgetting.
“The LORD says, ‘I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.’” Psalm 32:8 NLT
Photo AI Generated wordpress
This past week my wife and I took a short trip for a scheduled appointment. Not knowing the best route to take that time of day with congested traffic we used the handy GPS system to guide us. I was quite confused when instructed to exit not where I had thought. Knowing the place was west of the city, I followed its lead. But after a few miles on a two-lane road with traffic signals I was prompted back on to the highway. The GPS was leading me along the shortest route and not the fastest or least congested. It was not the best path forward. I must admit, I’m somewhat to blame for not checking which route I had chosen. It’s not the first time I haven’t chosen the best path, and it probably won’t be the last.
In this life we all need someone to lead us who is more capable in areas where we struggle. Getting to know people who have skills we lack and can help when needed is beneficial. It is also a good way to get to know a lot of people, not for selfish reasons, but to be able to share and help others with our skills which they lack.
There is one we all need to lead us in our lives, the Lord God. It doesn’t matter how accomplished we are, or think we are, all of us lack certain abilities and need help with them. Yes, God is concerned about our souls not wanting any to perish believing in His Son for salvation (2Pt.3:9), but God also cares about the little things we struggle with in life. David writes in Psalm 32:8, “The LORD says, ‘I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.’” (nlt) The Lord will indeed guide us along the best path forward. We never need to worry about a wrong turn and going the wrong way once we ask Him for guidance.
Perhaps you have heard the saying, ‘the only Jesus some people will see is the one they see in you.’ It is very true. Those who are lost in need of salvation may have heard of Jesus, even gone to church on occasion, but don’t know Him as their savior. They never had that personal experience that is necessary to knowing Jesus; to know they are lost, a sinner in need of forgiveness, and assurance of eternal life.
Will they be drawn to you when the Holy Spirit begins to convict their heart? Will they see a true Christ follower? Will the name of Jesus you proclaim be evident to the wandering seeking soul by your speech and conduct. Who will they see? Will they see the savior of your soul, the one who changed your life and gave it meaning, or will your demeanor show a passive Jesus, one who is inactive and lifeless? Be careful not represent Jesus in name only, and not His Great name! If Jesus is alive in you, He cannot remain hidden, or your flesh will take over shading His light from being seen to the world.
The sound of Jesus’ great name is backed up by the evident change in those who have come to know Him. They know not only His great name, but Jesus Himself, who died for them and is their healer, redeemer, Lord, and King. When others see this change in our lives, and it is consistent, never wavering no matter what our circumstances, they will be able to see what a great name is the name of Jesus. Jesus’ name is great, because He is great, may people see His great name in us.
‘There’s no place like home’ repeated Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz. What began as an enchanting adventure to find her way home turned into an experience she would not soon forget. We all desire the comforts of home. Familiar surroundings, friendly faces, and a sense of security all contribute to feeling safe at home.
Unfortunately, there are many in today’s world who do not have a sense of security in their home. It is not a safe haven for them. They are not yearning to go home by repeating ‘there’s no place like home.’ Struggles in the family due to divorce, sickness, addictions, finances, outside interference, and social issues have led to insecure family settings. Some would rather leave the home, and some have, than continue in their current state.
For the Christian, we not only have an earthly home, but also a heavenly one. We may be dwelling in our family home on earth today, but our heavenly home is as much a reality. It is guaranteed and secured by Jesus’ sacrifice for us on Calvary’s cross, and God’s promise to save all who accept Christ as their savior. God is as much our Father here on earth as He will be in heaven. In fact, Deuteronomy 33:27 says, “The eternal God is a dwelling place, And underneath are the everlasting arms.” (nasb) In a sense, we are dwelling in the eternal God who is upholding us in His arms. Now, how safe is that?
Your earthly home conditions may not be safe, and there are agencies who provide services to help you. Let me encourage you to take advantage of them. Also know for sure, if you’re a child of God, you have a heavenly Father who guards His children in His heavenly home, where is one can say, ‘there’s no place like home.’
“A crowd soon gathered around Jesus, and they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons. He was sitting there fully clothed and perfectly sane, and they were all afraid.” Mark 5:15 NLT
FreeBibleimages.org
Jesus and His disciples finally reached the other side of the Sea of Galilee after a stormy night. They arrived in the region of the Gerasenes. This area just east of the Sea of Galilee was predominately a Gentile area. We learned last week of Jesus’ desire for rest. This region, which was not very populated and mainly a Gentile region, would be a welcome break from the large crowds that followed Him. But no sooner was Jesus out of the boat and on to the shore a demon-possessed man recognized Him. It was the demons who possessed him that recognized Jesus, for they knew who He was, the Son of God.
This man had been exiled from the villagers and was living among the tombs, a burial place inside the caves. These burial caves provided shelter to the poor and were frequently used. His demonic condition forced him away from society. He was bound by the people around him for their safety, but it was becoming impossible to restrain him even with shackles and chains. “Whenever he was put into chains and shackles—as he often was—he snapped the chains from his wrists and smashed the shackles. No one was strong enough to subdue him.” (Mk.5:4 nlt) The man would howl unearthly screams while cutting himself to pieces using flint with sharp jagged edges.
The man came up to Jesus and bowed before Him saying, “Why are you interfering with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In the name of God, I beg you, don’t torture me!” (Mk.5:7 nlt) Again, it is the demons, or the chief spokesman representing them begging Jesus not to torment them. Jesus demanded what is your name, the demons replied ‘legion’. Jesus wanted to draw attention to the condition of the man and the evil he was going to be relieved from. There were many demons inside the man. A Roman legion was 6,000 men. This brings understanding to the strength the man had in breaking the chains from his hands and crushing the shackles on his feet. The horrifying screams from the tombs of 6,000 demons inside the man would, as one commentor put it, ‘destroyed the divine likeness with which man was created. “
The demons knew they were about to be punished. They were standing before Jesus, God the Son, who had the power to destroy them by sending them to their eternal punishment into the abyss. “There happened to be a large herd of pigs feeding on the hillside nearby.” (Mk.5:11 nlt) They requested that Jesus permit them to enter the herd of 2,000 pigs. “So Jesus gave them permission. The evil spirits came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the entire herd of about 2,000 pigs plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned in the water.” (Mk.5:13 nlt) The amazement just witnessed by the herdsmen caused them to quickly flee and tell what they had seen. People were soon coming from all directions the herdsmen had traveled with the news. Jesus’ peaceful rest was put on hold again.
There may be times when we are looking for that special quiet time only for it to be interrupted. It happens to all of us. It happened to Jesus. When these times occur, we need to consider them as divine appointments, for that is what they are. The Lord knows we need rest, but He also has more important things in mind that He wants us to take care of first. Jesus had a divine appointment to help a man with a legion of demons tormenting him. We may not be helping a demon-possessed person, but to them it may feel that way. So, put your rest on hold and do what is necessary at the moment.
“A crowd soon gathered around Jesus, and they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons. He was sitting there fully clothed and perfectly sane, and they were all afraid. And the crowd began pleading with Jesus to go away and leave them alone.” (Mk.5:15, 17 nlt) There were several reasons for the people being afraid and asking Jesus to leave their region. The vast number of demons that entered the pigs showed the immensity of what evil was inside the demon-possessed man. They were possibly aware of their own ungodly lifestyle, and were afraid of Jesus’ power, and then there was the financial aspect. 2,000 pigs that were lost equals loss revenue. A side note here; noticed Jesus did not command the demons to enter the pigs, He permitted them. Satan brought about the destruction of the pigs as he continues to work havoc to this day as the Lord permits.
FreeBibleimages.org
The man now freed from the demons asked Jesus if he can go with Him, begging Him. Jesus told him no, but to go to his family and tell them what the Lord had done for him. In telling the man this, Jesus is again claiming His deity as God. The man went on throughout the region becoming the first evangelist to the Gentiles. Another side note as we close: Jesus doesn’t rescue us and deliver us from sin to keep it to ourselves, but to go out telling others the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Advocating for something before speaking against is known in the political realm as being for something before being against it. The catch phrase dates to a presidential candidate in the 2004 presidential election who made the statement, ‘I voted for it before I voted against it’ in reference to a Senate bill. Ever since, the phrase has been used to display the on-going hypocrisy in politics. A prime example are the recent attacks on Tesla dealerships in the United States and now spreading to other countries. CBS News reports, “Graffiti on a Tesla dealership sign. Molotov cocktails thrown in another dealership’s lot. Tesla charging stations set on fire. Across the country, the electric vehicle company’s facilities and vehicles are being hit with protests and violence over Elon Musk’s role in the Trump administration.” (1) From the Associated Press, “Cybertrucks set ablaze. Bullets and Molotov cocktails aimed at Tesla showrooms. Attacks on property carrying the logo of Elon Musk’s electric-car company are cropping up across the U.S. and overseas.” (2)
What was once hailed as a great achievement and supported very passionately for the protection of the environment, is now being destroyed by the same people due to politics. On the other hand, those who adamantly oppose electric cars are now finding a change of heart due to their politics. Hypocrisy knows no boundaries. They were for it before they were against it and vice versa.
Some Christians today have the same mindset. Due to pressure from the culture, what they were once for based on a Biblical conviction and worldview they are now against. Finding it easier to go along with the crowd they are persuaded their beliefs do not reflect the norms of society, are outdated, not respectful of our time, and should be abandoned. A word of caution in support of that kind of thinking; society may have changed, but God never changes. His Word stands alone.
Jesus said, “Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me.” (Lk.11:23 nlt) When we start to move away from Scripture and Jesus’ words to adapt to the world we are working against Him. “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.” (2Tim.3:16 nlt) Jesus, God the Son, used Scripture throughout His ministry on earth to teach us right from wrong. Scripture has not changed, and just because Jesus while on earth did not address certain issues does not mean they are no longer relevant or weren’t relevant in Jesus’ day.
Opposing certain passages of Scripture due to our politics or changing culture is opposing Jesus. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Heb.13:8 nlt) May Jesus’ followers never be heard to say, ‘we were for it, before we were against it.’
Word for the Soul 