The calling of Levi.  This story is listed twice in my Thompson Chain Reference Bibles, Harmony of the Gospels.

It is interesting, one listed the Calling of Matthew, this one the calling of Levi.  The same scriptures,  but I  find myself writing slightly different posts.

I hope you enjoy.

Mark 2:14-20. Matthew  9:9-15.  Luke 5:27-35

Mark 2:14-20

King James Version (KJV)

“And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him.
And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him.
And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners?
When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say unto him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not?
And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.

But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.”

Once again, we find Jesus out among the people.  He didn’t wait in the Sanctuary for people to come to Him.

He was out looking to find those who needed Him.

We have no idea why Levi stood out, unless it again was a Word of Knowledge,  that Jesus knew that which was impossible to know.

Except it be revealed by God.   Levi, if asked, would follow Him, and immediately, he did.

He didn’t just follow,  he prepared a feast, called all his fellow tax collectors and sinners to meet the Man, Jesus. (His Disciples joined them).

It tells us many followed Him.

When we first meet the Master, we desire to share Him with everyone.  Unfortunately, our zeal cools down.

Why?  Sorry to say, sometimes it is because of the Religious, the Scribes and Pharisees.   You say we have no Scribes or Pharisees today?

Well open your eyes.  So many of our church leaders, are more concerned with the Law then the Spirit.

They really do, Pat us on the head, and say there there, you will see, God doesn’t do that anymore.

Apparently, Jesus lied, when He told us in John 14, that these things I do and more, will you do.  ONLY BELIEVE. 

Jesus goes on to tell us, He hasn’t come for the Righteous, but the sinner.  Not to bring the Law, but Liberty.

The Lord used signs and wonders in Egypt. To convince Pharaoh and the Hebrews that He was real.  Jesus, used signs and wonders for the same reason.

He told us to continue therein and build His Kingdom.  What happened?  Who changed?

They asked about fasting.  Some Denominations do not practice or teach on fasting.

I guess they reason, we have Jesus in our hearts, there is no need to fast.  What does it accomplish anyway?

We forget, to heal the young man, who was vexed by an unclean spirit, that they could not expel.

He said:  “This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.”

Fasting is a way of humbling ourselves before the Lord.  It gets His attention, when we deny ourselves, when in search for answers.

We can fast pleasant foods as Daniel, one meal a day or week, 3,7,14,21, or 40 day fasts.  They are all represented in the Bible.

I think He would even honor fasting our favorite things. TV, the Internet, secular music… ect.

The important thing is to Seek His Face.   Draw close to God and He will draw close to you.

AMEN

 

Matthew 9:9-15

King James Version (KJV)

9 And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.
10 And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.
11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?
12 But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.
13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
14 Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not?
15 And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.
Luke 5:27-35

King James Version (KJV)

27 And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me.
28 And he left all, rose up, and followed him.
29 And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them.
30 But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners?
31 And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick.
32 I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
33 And they said unto him, Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise the disciples of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink?
34 And he said unto them, Can ye make the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them?
35 But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.

As a teenager I watched as my Mom, suffered the debilitating pain of rampant arthritis. 

Dad, had to carry Mom up the stairs to enter the house.  We could almost see her hands and feet as they became crippled,  in real time.

She soon, learned to survive, through the use of prescription pain pills.   (I don’t think it removes the pain as much as makes you not care).

I was abnormally concerned with my own problems, oblivious to her pain and suffering. 

As I got older I began to think her bad attitude, lack of faith, and snide smile, as she said something she thought, was clever,was the cause of her sickness. 

Even as my wife and daughter reminded me, that I had the same faults….    Can you believe that?   lol

I was redeemed, forgiven, blameless in the beloved.   Yet hateful,  seeking vengeance, a miserable, unforgiving son of a gun.   

Yes, then arthritis in my feet and ankles, began to open my eyes.  

Gee, maybe Mom couldn’t help being short with people, couldn’t control her attitude. 

Now, into my hands.  

I could push through, damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead.  When it was just a problem, moving from here to there.

Now, it’s my hands.   One in particular,  not able to play octaves, painful to play single notes, never mind chords and melodies. 

Now, the Lord has my attention.   My livelihood is in jeopardy.  Sure I can tune pianos using my left hand, but a lot of my income, is derived from playing. 

Seek ye the Lord.  He has promised.

Deuteronomy: 28. 1. 

“And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:  And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.”

What is going on?  This pain is not a blessing? There are 13 verses of Blessings,  why am I experiencing the curses?

Deuteronomy: 28. 15.
“But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:”

Deuteronomy: 28. 22.
“The LORD shall smite thee with a consumption, and with a fever, and with an inflammation, and with an extreme burning, and with the sword, and with blasting, and with mildew; and they shall pursue thee until thou perish.”

Deuteronomy: 28. 35.
“The LORD shall smite thee in the knees, and in the legs, with a sore botch that cannot be healed, from the sole of thy foot unto the top of thy head.”

Isn’t it strange, arthritis, seems to be part of the curse, for not obeying, seeking and serving the Lord?

I haven’t always.  There were almost as many years of rebellion as there have been serving.

Is this arthritis a punishment for my past?

No, as with Job, (and I am not saying, I am the modern day Job), but we are all,  at times tested, tried, encouraged by the devil, to abandon our faith.

Job: 1. 8. 

“And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?“

When tested, do we stay true?  Do we remember the will of God?  Do we turn to or away from our salvation? 
Deuteronomy: 28. 63.
“And it shall come to pass, that as the LORD rejoiced over you to do you good, and to multiply you; so the LORD will rejoice over you to destroy you, and to bring you to nought; and ye shall be plucked from off the land whither thou goest to possess it.”

“that as the LORD rejoiced over you to do you good, and to multiply you;“

The Lords will is that we prosper and be in health, even as our soul prospers. 

Turn to the Lord, Harken diligently to His Word and Ways.

  He tells us, He is our Shepherd,  we SHALL NOT WANT.

We must learn to stand on His Word.   We must know His Word, We must know Him.

In the midst of trials and tribulation, turn to Jesus, the Author and finisher of our faith. 

Amen

Mark 5:1-20. Matthew 8:28-34 Luke 8:26-39

The story of the Legion.  In 3 Gospels, the only major difference is Matthew has two men instead of one.

Mark 5:1-20

5 And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes.

2 And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit,

3 Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains:

4 Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him.

5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.

6 But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him,

7 And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.

8 For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit.

9 And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many.

10 And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country.

11 Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding.

12 And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.

13 And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea.

14 And they that fed the swine fled, and told it in the city, and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that was done.

15 And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.

16 And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine.

17 And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts.

18 And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him.

19 Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.

20 And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.

The things that stand out to me:

~  Jesus, once again on the move…

Jesus would go somewhere, those in need would find Him.  Immediately…    Are folks flocking to your Church?   Is Jesus, really there?

Saints, we need to invite Jesus into our Services, we all want to grow our Church.

We need to grow His Kingdom.   Is there room for Him in our Services?

NO, for the most part.   We have a little music, Rituals, a message and bye, have a good week.

STOP…  SEEK JESUS… ALLOW THE HOLY SPIRIT TO MOVE IN OUR MIDST.

~  He was immediately met by one in need.

The man, with an unclean spirit.  This man was truly possessed.  Under the control of many unclean spirits.  Unnaturally strong, able to break chains and fetters, naked, crying, cutting himself.

Yet, when seeing Jesus, he ran to meet Him.

~  He fell to his knees, and Worshipped.

He cried out for mercy, torment me not…  The spirits sought release into the swine.

The whole world is tied up in chains and fetters, of sin, shame and torments. If they had the chance to experience the Power of the Lord, present, willing and able to set them free, they would flock to our Services.

The evil spirits, would cry out for mercy,  not parade around dressed as sex organs.

As people see the Power of God, something else happens.

When some see the Work of God, they ask the Worker to leave.  It isn’t possible in their lives, they haven’t or won’t spend the time and effort themselves.

It isn’t fair, that you have…  that the Lord answers your prayers.

So depart, go someplace else.  So the one who was healed, changed, set free… is left to tell of the great things God hath done.

If God moves in the midst of you.  People will marvel, be amazed.   Some will ask for more, others will ask Him to leave.

How do they know, unless they experience His Presence.

I pray our Churches our Hearts will invite Him to MOVE IN OUR MIDST.

Amen

Matthew 8:28-34

28 And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way.

29 And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?

30 And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding.

31 So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine.

32 And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters.

33 And they that kept them fled, and went their ways into the city, and told every thing, and what was befallen to the possessed of the devils.

34 And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts.
Luke 8:26-39

26 And they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee.

27 And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs.

28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high? I beseech thee, torment me not.

29 (For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For oftentimes it had caught him: and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he brake the bands, and was driven of the devil into the wilderness.)

30 And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? And he said, Legion: because many devils were entered into him.

31 And they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep.

32 And there was there an herd of many swine feeding on the mountain: and they besought him that he would suffer them to enter into them. And he suffered them.

33 Then went the devils out of the man, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the lake, and were choked.

34 When they that fed them saw what was done, they fled, and went and told it in the city and in the country.

35 Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.

36 They also which saw it told them by what means he that was possessed of the devils was healed.

37 Then the whole multitude of the country of the Gadarenes round about besought him to depart from them; for they were taken with great fear: and he went up into the ship, and returned back again.

38 Now the man out of whom the devils were departed besought him that he might be with him: but Jesus sent him away, saying,

39 Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him.

I am happy to report, I have dressed myself, (buttons, socks and belt), for the last three days.

I even managed to put two hands on the keys Sunday a.m.  (Simple one note lead lines).

This morning I have a tuning scheduled.   It will be my first left handed tuning in 20+ years.

A real learning experience.   (Help?  lol..)

Thank you for your prayers, the Lords answer is  the reason for my progress thus far.   Please pray I get full (painless)  use, back to my right hand.  

Thanks once again,

Blessings, 

Bill

Proverbs: 18. 14. 

“The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?”

Thank You, Lord, Your Spirit sustains me in my infirmity.  While weak, in Spirit I am strong. 

My Faith, causes me to look up and rely on You. All my needs are met,  by my Lord and Savior.  The Shepherd of my soul.

I love and  trust You, Lord.  I thank You, for You keep, Your promises,  Your Word is truth.  I am Yours, Oh Lord.

Matthew 5:6
“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.”
I currently play piano in a nice UMC.  I Know that the people, know and love the Lord.   (Why else attend  for 60 years?)

What I do not, and will not ever understand, is how they can just accept where they are and not hunger and thirst for more.

How can you accept that God has saved you, and not believe the rest of His Word.

To my natural mind, there is nothing more outrageous or unbelievable then, a man has to die, to save me from my sins.

A man, sacrificed, to replace the blood of bulls and goats.  How gullible, do we have to be, to believe this?

Yet, I do.  Why?  

Because, I sensed,  a knocking on the door of my heart.  I opened the door.  Jesus came in.

The weight of the world, lifted off my shoulders.  I experienced forgiveness and   freedom from the bondage of sin and shame.

I am blameless in the beloved. 

Should I stop here, continue no further?   Is that all I need or want?   No, no a thousand times, NO. 

That place, is the beginning of a never ending quest, a journey of discovery.   It gave me a hunger and thirst for righteousness. 

The first taste, gave me, a longing for more.   I search the Word, to know Him more.

You saved me Lord, You set me free, You let me recognize true love, for the first time ever.

I desire more.   I realize, I do not deserve anything,  that I am not worthy of Your notice.

Yet, I am loved, accepted and promised so much more.

IF I ONLY BELIEVE.  IF I,  HAVE FAITH IN GOD.

Saints, the Bible is full of promises, they are available for whosoever will.

We have too many who won’t.    

I beg you,  Seek first the kingdom of God, everything else you need will follow.

Blessings, 

Amen

Psalm: 10. 4. 

“The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.”

This is the condition of our towns, counties, states and country.  The people,  will not seek after God.   God is not in their thoughts.  God has no reverence in their lives.  

We, do fine without a God.  We, are all powerful, we, cause, and can fix, the climate, we, are the masters of our universe. 

I am, the master of my own life.  I have, by my own power and wisdom, caused my success.  I will succeed in all I do.

Is that not, the attitude of the world?  Do not the lost, believe this?  Are they not, delusional?

Are they correct?  Is there any reason to serve the Lord?  Is there an upside to becoming a Christian?   Is it worth it to press toward the mark, for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus?

Indeed it is worth it.  Here are some Blessings For the righteous from Proverbs 11.

  ~   The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: 

  ~   The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: 

  ~  The righteous is delivered out of trouble, 

  ~  By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: 

  ~  As righteousness tendeth to life: 

  ~  To the LORD:  such as are upright in their way are his delight.

  ~   To him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.

  ~   The desire of the righteous is only good: 

  ~  He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: 

  ~  The seed of the righteous shall be delivered.

  ~   The righteous shall flourish as a branch.

  ~   The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.

  ~  Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: 

These are Blessings promised to those who hunger and thirst for Righteousness. 

Is it worth the trouble?  ABSOLUTELY….

When you said, seek ye the Lord.  I answered, I will set my face like flint seek my God.  Amen. 

Mark 4:36-41. Matthew 8:23-27. Luke  8:22-25

 Who do you trust?   What do you believe?   When is your faith strongest?   Where is your faith?  Why does your faith fail?   How do we grow our faith?

These are all good questions,  do we have the answers at hand.

1 Peter 3:15
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:“

Jesus, in His ministry years, mentioned faith, often.   

He was disappointed with those who lacked sufficient faith, to walk on water, cast out devils,  be healed, calm the storm, or move mountains.

All because of a lack of faith. 

He marvelled at those with great faith… He saw their faith,  and healed them,  they received their petition because of their faith, they received their sight, were saved, were made whole.   

All because of faith.

So “In whom do you put your trust?”

Is your faith in Christ?   Or in your Pastor?  Billy Graham, Jimmy Swagart, Martin Luther, John Wesley?   

Is it Christ, or your Church that you Worship? 

I cringe, when I hear people,(in pride say), I am a Baptist, Methodist, Adventist, ect, and ect…

We identify with our Denomination, when we need to  identify, only with Christ. 

I joined the Church, the day I asked Jesus to be my Lord and Savior.   I am a member in good standing, forgiven, blameless, accepted in the beloved. 

Please don’t expect me to join your Denomination. 

I will gladly attend services,  Praise the Lord with you, listen to and embrace the teachings of your Denomination, or teach, as long as it lines up with the Word.

Our faith, our service, our praise,  needs to be centered and directed to Christ.  

What do you believe?

Are you a cafeteria Christian?  Or do you believe the Full Council of God?  

Please read beyond your Denominational teachings, Ask and Trust the Holy Spirit to Lead you to all truth.

Don’t waste your time asking UNBELIEVING BELIEVERS,  to explain, that which they do not believe.  

If the BOOK says one thing, and your Denomination, another?  

PLEASE TRUST THE BOOK AND SEEK THE HOLY SPIRIT, WHO WILL LEAD YOU TO ALL TRUTH.

ABOVE YOUR DENOMINATIONS.

When is your faith strongest?   Why does your faith fail?   How do we grow our faith?

We are all given a measure of Faith.  The ability to believe, if we will.

We need to understand a few things.  Faith in God and Salvation are personal things.  Mom and Dad cannot save us by their faith. 

We cannot save our children by our faith.

According to the Word, our lack of Faith, or our unbelief, our worship of anything that isn’t the Lord, brings us to trouble.  (Exodus 20, Deuteronomy 5)

” I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me,
And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.”

Our disbelief, our sins will have consequences to the third and forth generation.   If you feel like you are cursed?  You might be.

The other side of the coin is blessings to thousands of our descendents, if we love and keep His commandments.

We can easily fall away, by staying away or by never really growing to start with.  To be strong in the Lord, we must first know the Lord.

We must:

~  Study to show ourselves approved:

2 Timothy 2:15
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

~  Set ourselves apart:

Romans 12:1-2

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

We do this by renewing our minds, this takes Study of the Word, renewing our minds, learning to be holy, knowing God’s good, acceptable, and perfect will.

~  We must learn to pray:

Jude 1:20-21
“But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.”

Pray in the Holy Ghost,   yes, the best way to do that is to Pray in Tongues. 

1 Corinthians 14:2

“For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.“

If You don’t pray in Tongues,  at least know the Word and pray in accordance to it.  KNOW GOD’S WILL, AND PRAY THAT.

When do we need strong faith?   NOW.

We must believe.   Our Faith needs to be strong, sound and active.   Amen

Mark 4:36-41

36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.
37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.
38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?
39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

Matthew 8:23-27

23 And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him.
24 And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.
25 And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish.
26 And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.
27 But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!

Luke 8:22-25

22 Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth.
23 But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy.
24 And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm.
25 And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.

Psalm 139:13-14

“For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.   

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.”

We are POSSESSED…  

Possessed:  To occupy, to seize, to rob, to inherit. (Strongs Concordance #3423, OT)  These are some of the meanings given for the word Possessed in the Old Testament. 

It means to own, or occupy the land.  In the Psalm above we see that the Lord, possessed my reins.  What???

Reins:    Strongs #3629 tells this means an essential organ, a kidney or fig. the mind (as the interior self).  

We are Possessed by the Lord.  Every human ever conceived, was and is, fearfully and wonderfully made.    We belong to God. 

He is our Creator, herein lies the  problem,  Freewill.    He gives us the ability to choose whether to accept Him as Lord and Savior or not.

Most of the world chooses not.  How Sad.

That’s not what this post is about.  Let’s talk about us.  We possess things.  We own our cars, homes, land, things…   Some, once owned people. 

Slavery, unfortunately once was practiced  here in the United States,  and is still practiced in many parts of the world.   That is certainly a wrong that should be corrected.   

We as Christians  should be slaves, though, bond slaves of Christ.

To be a bond slave of Christ is by choice, by our   Freewill.  It is a total giving of our mind, heart and body to the Lord.

How about being Possessed by the devil?   We find a lot of references to people being Possessed by the devil in the New Testament. Really?  What does that mean?

Matthew 12:22. Luke 11:14
Matthew 12:22
“Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.”
Luke 11:14
“And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. And it came to pass, when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake; and the people wondered.”

Possessed:  In the New Testament it can mean to own something, (such as property or things), but when connected to the devil, (possesed by, it is #1139, Strongs Concordance New Testament), it means to be exercised by, or vexed, troubled, bothered.

It is from the root word for devil.  A demon or devil cannot possess you, they can continuously trouble us, tempting us, vex our Spirit, but  We  are the Lords.

As Eve found out, the devil can tempt us by reminding us of our lust, greed, or pride.

Paul tells us a messenger of Satan, can buffet us, be a continuous thorn in our side.  

Tempting us, reminding us, if we fail in the fight, it can become the sin that so easily be sets us.

We see different levels of trials from this vexing, trouble, agitation.  From the Legion, wild, crazy, out of control. 

To seizures, issues of blood, deformities of limbs, to spirits of divination. 

 The point is Jesus can heal and set us free from anything the devil sends our way.  As He healed the blind and dumb man, causing him to see and speak.

The point?   NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD.

He can comfort, heal, set us free from all the vexatious, troubles of the devil.

Unfortunately,  we do have to deal with the consequences of our decisions and actions.

That is a whole separate can of worms.

This story is told in three Gospels.   In the mouth of two or three witnesses… we find the truth.

Mark 2:1-12  Luke 5:17-26. Matthew 9:1-8

Mark 2

2 And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house.
2 And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them.  (Luke-the power of the Lord was present to heal them.)
3 And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.
4 And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.
5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.
6 But there was certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts,
7 Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?
8 And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit  (knew their thoughts) that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts?
9 Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?
10 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,)
11 I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.
12 And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.

This is a Faith building Story.   There are several points I would like to make.

A.  Not a Sabbath, Not in a Church (Jesus taught, on boats, hillsides,  private homes, on the streets). 

Wherever He was, the Word was shared.

We must carry the Gospel wherever we go.  We don’t need to know a lot of scriptures, (although it doesn’t hurt).   Women at well,  Legion, all who meet Him, long to tell of His Grace and Mercy.

It is important to know the Author.   Know in whom you believe and why.  This comes from time in the Word and in Prayer and Meditation. 

Spending time with the Lord.

B. It was noised about: 

The news of the presence of the Lord, gets talked about…  Churches grow, if the Lord is revealed. 

C.  Straightway  many were gathered:

Standing room only…. or no room at all.  Our Churches should be full, and would be full.  IF we allow the Lords Presence.    

Moment of meditation.  A place for God to reveal Himself.

This is a place where we could hear a Word of Wisdom or Knowledge, Prophecy… 

1 Corinthians 12:27-28

27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, (all the easiest gifts to walk in). after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
If God spoke through a Donkey,  He could surely speak through the newest of Christians.

Miracles, gifts of healings,… these call for a deeper walk with the Lord…  Taking His Yoke upon us, walking with Him.

D.  He preached the Word:

The problem with the Church, we never hear the Full Council of God.   Lectionary’s, are great, they keep track of the Church Calendar. 

So we preach and teach, what happened when and what, year in and year out.  Birth, Death, Resurrection,  Pentecost….

Then we get into Doctrines:  Justification, Sanctification, Baptism, ect…

We end up missing the real message.  When John the Baptists faith wavered, he sent his followers to Jesus.  Are you the one?

Luke 7:22
Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.

When we tell people what we have seen and heard, it doesn’t build up or renew  faith… We haven’t experienced those things. So when we tell people about the Lord.   It’s so what?

We need to hear the Full Council of God. 

Acts 17:18
he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection.

Galatians 3:5-6

5 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.

2 Corinthians 3:5-6

5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;

6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

E.  There was no o way to get close.

They made a way.  Made a hole in the roof.

F.  JESUS SAW THEIR FAITH:

He saw their faith, because, they made a way to reach Him, when there was no way.
We come to Church, maybe even a Bible Study, we accept being fed, with no apparent  desire to learn to feed ourselves.
We never learn to chew our food, we don’t have the meat of the Word in our Spiritual diet.
We do not, study to shew ourselves approved unto God, workmen, rightly dividing the word of Truth.
It really isn’t hard to get close to God, to study His Word, to enter into the Holy of Holies.  To abide in Him.

When we do, we believe and act on His Word.

John 14:12

“He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.“

The Lord is God, He desires that all men be saved, He wants us to prosper and be in health, even as our soul prospers.

We need to read the Word Daily…  No big deal, not for hours, a Proverb or a Psalm a day.  If you have time a chapter of the New Testament. 

We need to know the Word, so we can judge the truth of what we are taught.

MANY DON’T BELIEVE GOD SAVES, HEALS SETS FREE…

Why?

They haven’t learned to feed themselves… They only know what they have been taught. 

It is impossible to expect a Pastor or teacher to teach the Full Council of God.  We aren’t under his teaching full time.  

He can only hope to entice us to Seek the Lord ourselves. 

We must feed ourselves.  Pastors lead to the food source,  we must feed ourselves. 

G.  They reasoned in their hearts:

The Religious, the UNBELIEVING BELIEVERS:   Those who know the Lord, who when they hear or see something they have not seen or believed before, anything they haven’t been taught, will search the scriptures to prove it wrong.   Rather to see if it is true.

We need to be open to Revelation Knowledge.  Luther was, the Wesley’s were.  We need to FOLLOW JESUS… not them.

  Deuteronomy 29:29
“The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.”

The Word never changes, the Spirit leads and teaches us to new understanding.   Growth in the Lord.

H.  Jesus perceived in His Spirit:  He knew their thoughts.

The Gift of a WORD OF KNOWLEDGE.   As He saw Phillip, under the fig tree, the Desciples out in the storm, before walking on water to meet them.

The Gifts of the Spirit, in 1 Corinthians 13 are ours for the building of His Church.  They are the STRAW TO MAKE THE BRICKS….  We see their use through out the Bible.

We need to be taught to recognize them.  Paul told us to seek the best gifts.  Which one is that?

The One we need right now.

I.  He wanted them to know HE IS GOD.

Enoch knew GOD IS AND HE IS A REWARDER OF THEM WHO DILIGENTLY SEEK HIM.

THERE IS NO EXPIRATION DATE ON THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT. 

J.  Immediately  he was healed.  All were amazed and glorified God. 

I pray our hearts and minds are open to receive the Revelation Knowledge the Holy Spirit longs to share.

Seek His Face.  Amen

https://www.dropbox.com/s/7ltjl98h4mv4vp8/20170102_122939.mp4?dl=0

Piano and vocal.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/b6mxu0trmka7poy/mary%20did%20you%20know.%20vocal.mp4?dl=0

Luke 7:36-48.  Matthew 26:6-13

These two stories are similar, yet appear to be in different cities at different times.

Similarities are:

Both man named Simon.  One a Pharisee, the other a Leper.

an alabaster box of ointment,
an alabaster box of very precious ointment,

anointed feet with the ointment.
she hath poured this ointment on my body

The Differences:
The Disciples at one were concerned with the cost.
The Pharisee was concerned she was a sinner.

The woman at the Pharisees house, her sins were forgiven.
At the Lepers, she would be remembered for her love, in Annointing Jesus for burial.

Pharisees a sermon on forgiveness
Leper, a sermon on what was the more immediate need. “To seek and serve the Lord while He may be found.”

Is it possible that these two stories are one incident?   If I remember, I’ll ask Jesus next time we talk.   lol

We need to remember the impotent messages given in both.

Luke 7:36-48

36 And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to meat.
37 And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,
38 And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.
39 Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.
40 And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.
41 There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.
42 And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?
43 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.
44 And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.
45 Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.
46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.
47 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.
48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.

Matthew 26:6-13

6 Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,
7 There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat.
8 But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste?
9 For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.
10 When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me.
11 For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.
12 For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial.
13 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.

Matthew 11:7-24. Luke 7:24-35

​We are turning now to some teachings of Jesus.

I am just a simple guy, who loves the Word and attempts to be obedient to the Holy Spirit.

Jesus is asking why go out, and what did they expect, when they did go out to see John the Baptist.

His comments on their reactions.

“But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows,
And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented.

For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil.

The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.”

To me, “Wisdom is justified of all her children. “  Is the key to His message.   Are you open to the prophets teaching?  Or do you know it all.

In these scriptures we have Pharisees, (church leaders) and publicans, (tax collectors, sinners). The religious didn’t accept John’s Baptism, the publicans did.

Today we have so many sects in our Christianity.  Some are Baptist,  some Lutheran,  Episcopal, Anglican, Methodist, Pentecostal.   Why?

“Wisdom is justified of all her children. “

We all have our little corner of truth, we worship the right way, have the right Rituals, we preform Communion, Baptism, Marriage the way Jesus did it.

Our style of Praise is the only way to please the Lord.  We Worship, THE RIGHT WAY,  DON’T MESS WITH US.

When in reality, the way we DO CHURCH, has nothing to do with pleasing God.

It is all about what is comfortable for us, what pleases us.

We find comfort in our Rituals, our ways, our music and prayer.   Is it pleasing to God?  

It doesn’t really matter, it  pleases us.

Again, in these scriptures we have Pharisees, (church leaders) and publicans, (tax collector).   The religious didn’t accept John’s Baptism,  the publicans did.

Today, we have the religious, they have read and know the Word.  They have been taught what Luther, Wesley or Graham understood the meaning of certain passages and that’s what they mean.

They are comfortable in their understanding.   The Word hasn’t changed, so why should we?   Here’s why.

Ephesians 1:18

“The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,”

As we grow in the Lord, we should understand more and more perfectly.   Those scriptures that confuse or trouble us are like the Parables of old.

We must seek the understanding.  Be open to what the Lord is saying today.  That is how the great awakenings of the past happened.

It is people that need to be willing and able to change as the TRUTH OF THE WORD, is revealed.

If not, YOU MIGHT BE RELIGIOUS.

The Lord wants and needs us to be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit. It is He, that leads and teaches us all truth.

We can not go off on a tangent because we found one scripture that we like, the mouth of two or three witnesses, is our guide.

There should be several scriptures to validate any Biblical truth,  the scriptures have more authority then any man.

We need to listen to and trust the Holy Spirit.

Luke 7:24-35
“And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to speak unto the people concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness for to see? A reed shaken with the wind?
But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings’ courts.
But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet.
This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.

For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.

And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.

But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him.
And the Lord said, Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like?
They are like unto children sitting in the marketplace, and calling one to another, and saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned to you, and ye have not wept.
For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a devil.
The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!

But wisdom is justified of all her children.”
Matthew 11:7-24
“And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?

But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses.

But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.

For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.

Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.

For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.

And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows,

And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented.

For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil.

The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.

Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not:

Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.

But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.

And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.

But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.”

Do you find it strange, even unbelievable,  that someone who loves the Lord, has been saved, sanctified, Holy Spirit filled and water baptized,  could lose their faith, even their Salvation.

Do you believe in “Once saved always saved”?

It is true in John 10:28 it says:

“And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.”

The problem is once saved, we do not lose our Freewill.  The Father did not stop the prodigal from leaving.  He also did not go find him.

The son, had the Freewill to return to the Father or stay away.  He was still a son, who left the family.  We have the same Freewill.

Even the greatest prophet, born of women:

Luke 7:28
“For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

Who once proclaimed:
“Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”

Can be beat down to the point he asks:
“Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?”

The question, was not a sin, not a sign of falling away, but a plea, a cry for reassurance, for strength at a point of weakness.

The Lord was not upset, did not chastise,  He sent John’s disciples back, with Words of Truth to renew his faith.

“The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.”

Why did God do miracles?  Why do we need to learn and seek the Gifts of the Spirit?

Isaiah 41:20
“That they may see, and know, and consider, and understand together, that the hand of the Lord hath done this, and the Holy One of Israel hath created it.”

The Lord used miracles in the Exodus to gather His people, Jesus used miracles to find those who would leave all and follow Him.

He gave us the Holy Spirit to continue His Work.  If He needed miracles, coupled with the TRUTH OF THE WORD, why do we believe Words alone are enough.

Paul tells us to “Seek the Best Gift.”

Which one is that?   The one needed now.

“And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.”

Matthew 11:2-6. Luke 7:18-23

Matthew 11:1-6

“And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities.

Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,

And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?

Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see:

The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.

And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.”

Luke 7:18-23

“And the disciples of John shewed him of all these things.

And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?

When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?

And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight.

Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.

And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.”

Most times we hear about these scriptures, the theme is. “I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.”

Immediately, we know Jesus is speaking of the Centurion who’s servant was dying.  Who told Jesus, you don’t have to do this personally.

Just say the word, it will be done.  This is indeed great faith.  As well as a knowledge of the will of God.

3 John 1:2
“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.”

We forget that the Lords will is for us to prosper.   Does this just mean financial prosperity?  No, but it is included, with physical and Spiritual health.

Some believe you cannot be a good Christian if you have money.   Dumb, dumb, dumb.

It’s not the condition of our bank accounts,  but the condition of our hearts that matter.

When you read these scriptures you come to Matthew 8:12, and find the “children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

What, the children cast out?  Can this possibly be true?  What is He saying?  What is the condition of their hearts?

If the Lord will cast out, even His original people,  the Israelites, who choose not to believe, so, where does it leave the unbelieving believers?

Who?  Those who believe in Salvation by Faith, but God doesn’t do that other stuff today.  (Like,speak to us, heal the sick, raise the dead, or have us speak in tongues ).

You know, that Supernatural Stuff.

The Biblical truth according to Jesus is:

John 14:11-12

“Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.”

So this brings me to the title of this post:

“As thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee.”

Belief, or Faith, can be seen… it is an action, James tells us faith without works is dead.

What are these works, tithing,  giving to the poor, feeding the hungry, bringing those who need the Lord, to the Lord.  (Tear off the roof if need be).

“As thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee
To be healed, set free, find comfort, peace and joy….  We must believe.   “Lord, I believe,  help my unbelief.” 

Matthew 8:5-13.  Luke 7:2-10
Matthew 8:5-13

“And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him,   And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.

And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him.

The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.

For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.

When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.

But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.”

Luke 7:2-10

And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die.

And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant.

And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this:

For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue.

Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof:

Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.

For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.

When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.”

After healing the man with the withered hand, He tried to find a place of peace.  A place of prayer, meditation,  a time of communion with the Father.

He had a problem: “A great multitude, when they had heard what great things he did, came unto him.”

Saints, I know, and understand, I am a broken record, but, our Churches today should be full, because:

“A great multitude, when they had heard what great things he did, came unto him.”

We should be seeking God and asking why we do not see His power in our lives.

In this post we find Jesus sending out the 12.  He didn’t say, go talk people into the Kingdom.

No, He sent them to show everyone, that, The Kingdom of God is at Hand.”  He gave them Power, He promised us Power.

He wants us to know Him and to accomplish His will.

“For he had healed many; insomuch that they pressed upon him for to touch him, as many as had plagues.
And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God.
And he straitly charged them that they should not make him known.”

Notice, they pressed in to touch Him.  Folks, that is what we need to do.  We must learn how to touch Jesus. “

You will tell me you pray, you read His Word, you even believe…  What more can I do?

Well what do you believe?

In Salvation for sure.  Maybe in healing?  Raising the dead?  Am I  nuts?

Yet, these are all things Jesus did, and told us, only believe, and these things I do and more shall you do.

Yet, we see very little Power.  Ahhh, here is your loophole,  He only ordained 12.

“He ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,
And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:”

Tell me something, why do you think He only choose 12?  Was there something special about these men?

NO, THEY WERE REGULAR GUYS, HARD WORKING,  MEN.  WHO WHEN CALLED, LEFT ALL TO FOLLOW HIM.

That is what made them Special, why He chose them, gave them His Power, sent them to Preach, Teach, Heal, and bring The Kingdom of God, to those without.

Have you left all to Follow Him?  Or are you one of the multitude, hoping to gain favor.

CHOOSE YE THIS DAY WHOM YE WILL SERVE,  As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. 

Whosoever will, the choice is yours.

Mark 3:7-15
“But Jesus withdrew himself with his disciples to the sea: and a great multitude from Galilee followed him, and from Judaea,

And from Jerusalem, and from Idumaea, and from beyond Jordan; and they about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they had heard what great things he did, came unto him.

And he spake to his disciples, that a small ship should wait on him because of the multitude, lest they should throng him.

For he had healed many; insomuch that they pressed upon him for to touch him, as many as had plagues.

And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God.   And he straitly charged them that they should not make him known.

And he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto him whom he would: and they came unto him.

And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,   And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:“

Matthew 12:15-16,  10:1
“But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all;  And charged them that they should not make him known:”

“And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.”

Luke 6:12-13
“And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.

And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;”