Believing is powerful, and prayer is powerful, but sometimes we must pray, fast, and expect our miracle. Tammy Hotsenpiller
Quote for the Day
Reflection on Matthew 15: 21-28
Scripture
“Dear woman,” Jesus said to her,“your faith is great. Your request is granted.” And her daughter was instantly healed.
Observation
A gentile woman comes to Jesus, begging him to heal her demon possessed daughter. Jesus gives her no reply, and the disciples urge Jesus to send her away.
Jesus tells her that He was only sent to the lost sheep of Israel and that it’s not right to take the children’s food to feed the dogs.
The woman replies that even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table.
Jesus is impressed by her faith and declares that her daughter is healed.
Application
Jesus has a way of drawing faith from people. Here, He seems to be ignoring the woman and then, when He does speak to her, it seems that He is pushing her away.
But what He is really doing is causing her to press in more and to express that seed of faith more determinedly.
In the end, Jesus heals the girl, but tell her that her faith is great.
Unlike the disciples who have little faith, or faith as small as a mustard seed, this gentile woman has great faith.
While it is impossible for us to measure faith, God obviously can. We can have a little faith, a measure of faith, great faith.
The issue is this: how much can I trust God for? Am I willing to yield my family, my job, my house, my possessions over to God and trust Him for the result?
Prayer
Lord, I believe you. I trust you. Please help me to grow to great faith. Amen
Quote for the Day
That is why fasting is such a powerful practice—it is a way of letting go and fully embracing a God who loves us completely! Tammy Hotsenpiller
Desperate For A Rescuer
As I write this, the world is captivated by the fate of five people in a submersible craft that seems to have gone missing in near the wreck of the Titanic. It seems there has been some kind of mechanical failure. Even if they are on the surface, the passengers are locked inside an air tight container with limited oxygen.
To make matters worse, they are in a very remote part of the ocean, with no communications and could be up to 4 kilometres beneath the surface.
The situation is similar to the underground mining disasters that occur from time to time, where a collapse prevents people from returning to the surface unless the blockage can be removed.
It must be a terrifying situation to be aware that unless somebody intervenes, you will die in a matter of days.
Of course all of us are in a similar position, whether we realise it or not. When you are young, it feels like you will live for ever. As you grow older, you become aware that you are mortal, but t is still a theoretical knowledge.
For everyone of us there is a date set when we leave this life. It might be a few hours away or another 50 years. You will die.
For christians there is a wonderful assurance that our last breath here will be our first breath in eternity. Heaven will be a place of great joy and unmarked by any of the things that make life bitter here.
The Bible tells us that God has launched a rescue plan and everyone who wants to can be redeemed. One of the most famous sentences in the Bible is John 3:16. “ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Reach out to God and receive His promise.
Reflection on Matthew 15: 1-20
Scripture
” Anything you eat passes through the stomach and then goes into the sewer. But the words you speak are from the heart – that is what defiles you.”
Observation
Some Pharisees and teachers of the law come to Jesus and ask why he violates their traditions regarding hand washing before eating. Jesus turns the question back on them. While the law teaches us to honour our parents, they teach that they can sidestep the law by offering to the priests what they would have given to the parents .
Jesus then tells that it is not what goes into their mouths that makes them unclean, but what comes out of their mouths. What we eat passes through our body, but the words that come from our mouths reveal what is in the heart. and those sinful words and thoughts lead to a catalogue of sin .
Application
The words that we speak reveal what is in our hearts. We can do all kinds of religious activities, but if our hearts remain unclean, then we are not acceptable to God.
There are many people in churches who have not given their hearts to the Lord. There are many pastors who have never surrendered to God.
It doesn’t matter how good you are on the outside, it is the state of your heart that God looks at.
Our words will indicate where our heart is at. In that sense, our words render us unclean before the Lord.
Prayer
Lord, please cleanse my heart from every sinful desire or tendency. I surrender my life to you. Make of me what you desire. Amen.
Quote For The Day
Broadly speaking, miracles are divine interruptions into human affairs. Miracles are beyond our reach, our ability, our effort, our capacity, our strength. They are “beyond human” and beyond our human capacity to reason; thus, they are divine. Tammy Hotsenpiller
Reflection on Matthew 14:22-36
Scripture
Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid”, he said. “Take courage. I am here.”
Observation
Jesus sends the disciples back across the lake in a boat. Jesus goes up to the hills to pray.
A strong wind arises on the lake, and the disciples are afraid. About 3 o’clock in the morning, they see Jesus walking on the water towards them.
Jesus calls to them to reassure them that He is not a ghost. Peter calls to him,“Lord, if it is really you, tell me to come to you on the water.”
So Peter walks to Jesus on the water. When they get back in the boat, the storm calms.
Application
In the gospels, boats can often be seen as a symbol of the church. Here, the boat is being assaulted from every direction by wind and waves. To get to Jesus, Peter does something brave and unexpected – he leaves the safety of the boat and steps into the storm.
Sometimes, to find Jesus we have to temporarily leave our comfortable safe place, to go in faith to be with Him.
The test that Peter put out is brave. “Lord, if it is really you command me to come and walk on the water.”
Traditionally, we use safe tests of God’s will. But here, Peter lays his life on the line to know Jesus.
Finally, we have the words of Jesus: “Take courage. I am here.”
Whenever we are afraid or feeling under great pressure, we need to listen to Jesus. Peace comes from hearing the voice of the Lord.
Prayer
Thank you Lord that you meet us in stormy places, in scary places. Please help me to look to you, my Lord and Saviour. Amen.
Today’s Bike Ride
Another crisp, frosty morning, excellent for riding to Jacks Creek and Gun Club Roads. #narrabri #cycling
Quote for the Day
The sacrifice of praise is offered when all is darkness around us. It is offered of a heavy heart, unto God because He is God and Father and Lord. Merlin Carothers
The Voice Behind The Voice
Thomas Mayo has big plans for The Voice.
This is not a “modest proposal” or a matter of politeness. This is actually a communist take down of our nation.
New Life Narrabri 