Life Journal February 26, 2008
Today's readings: Numbers 19-20; Psalm 28; Mark 5

Healing

Scripture

When Jesus was still some distance away, the man [possessed by an evil spirit (vs.2-5)] saw him. He ran to meet Jesus and fell down before Him. . . .

A leader of the local synagogue, whose name was Jairus, came and fell down before him [Jesus], pleading with him to heal his little daughter. "She is about to die," he said in desperation. "Please come and place your hand on her; heal her so she can live." . . . .

And there was a woman in the crowd who had had a hemorrhage for twelve years. . . . She had heard about Jesus, so she came up behind him, through the crowd and touched the fringe of his robe. For she thought to herself, "If I can just touch his clothing, I will be healed." Immediately the bleeding stopped, and she could feel that she had been healed!

Mark 5. 6, 22-23, 25-29

Observation

Jesus heals.

Application (How will I be different today because of what I have just read?)

Three completely different settings, people, and illnesses. The first, a man who is possessed. We aren't told that he asks to be healed--but we know that he did run to meet Jesus and fell down before him. We also know that the spirits that possessed him begged Jesus not to just cast them out. . . . so Jesus cast them into 2,000 pigs. And the man was restored.

Then parents come to Jesus--falling down before him--pleading with him to come and heal their daughter. "Please come and place your hands on her: heal her so she can live." Jesus goes and those at the house tell him he is too late--she is already dead. He goes in and heals her.

On his way to the house to heal the little girl, a woman comes and touches the hem of his garment and is healed. "Daughter, your faith has made you well." (vs.34)

Three very different healings--a man, a woman, and a little girl. . . . possession by evil spirits, hemorrhage, and death . . . all three restored.

What step(s) do I need to take to be "healed"? Have I fallen before the Lord and pleaded? Have I stepped out in faith to "touch" the hem of his garment? Has someone asked on my behalf?

All of us need healing of one form or another--some physical, some spiritual, some emotionally. But, we all need the touch of Jesus. Do we truly have the faith to step out and take action to be healed?

Today, I need to go before Him and ask for His healing touch. Today, I need to reach out and touch the hem of his garment. Today, I need to ask others to go to Jesus on my behalf. Today, I need to have the faith to believe that with God, all things are possible.

Prayer

Father God, I come before You today asking for Your healing touch. Today, Lord God, I reach out and take action to change. And today, I ask that You send others into my life who will come to You on my behalf and plead with You. Thank You Father for Your healing.

Life Journal February 12, 2008
Today's readings: Leviticus 18, 19; Psalm 13; Acts 19

Not Alone

Scripture

O Lord, how long will you forget me?

Forever?

How long will you look the other way?

How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul,

with sorrow in my heart every day?

How long will my enemy have the upper hand?

Turn and answer me, O Lor my God!

Restore the light to my eyes, or I will die.

Don't let my enemies gloat, saying,

"We have defeated him!"

Don't let them rejoice at my downfall.

But I trust in your unfailing love.

I will rejoice because you have rescued me.

I will sing to the Lord,

because he has been so good to me.

Psalm 13

Observation

No matter how things look we must hold on to the truths that we know--God's unfailing love and his promise to never leave us.

Application (How will I be different today because of what I have just read?)

I love this great reminder that no matter how bad things get or look, we need to remember what God has done in the past and remember his love and his promises. How he "rescues" me may not look the way I would like for it to--but I have to trust in God's sovereignty and love.

Remembering God's faithfulness in the past is so important as we walk through trials in the present. . . . reminding us that he is always there, watching, loving, caring, protecting.

Prayer

Father God, sometimes in the midst of difficult things it is easy to question--where are You--why would You let us go through this--don't You care?? When in truth, You have never left us. You remain with us loving us. Help me to remember Your faithfulness in the past. Help me to recall Your unfailing love. Help me to keep my eyes focused on You--no matter what the circumstances. Thank You for loving me so much that I can trust, whether I feel Your presence or not, that You are always with me--You will never leave me. Thank You Father for Your truths.

Life Journal February 5, 2008
Today's readings: Exodus 39, 40; Psalm 15; Acts 12

Answered Prayers

Scripture

About that time King Herod Agrippa began to persecute some believers in the church. He had the apostle James (John's brother) killed with a sword. When Herod saw how much this pleased the Jewish leaders, he arrested Peter during the Passover celebration and imprisoned him, placing him under the guard of four squads of four soldiers each. Herod's intention was to bring Peter out for public trial after the Passover. But while Peter was in prison, the church prayed very earnestly for him.

The night before Peter was to be placed on trial, he was asleep, chained between two soldiers, with others standing guard at the prison gate. Suddenly there was a bright light in the cell, and an angel of the Lord stood before Peter. The angel tapped him on the side to awaken him and said, "Quick! Get up!" And the chains fell off his wrists. Then the angel told him, "Get dressed and put on your sandals." And he did. "Now put on your coat and follow me," the angel ordered.

So Peter left the cell, following the angel. But all the time he thought it was a vision. He didn't realize it was really happening. They passed the first and second guard posts and came to the iron gate to the street, and this opened to them all by itself. So they passed through and started walking down the street, and then the angel suddenly left him.

Peter finally realized what had happened. "It's really true!" he said to himself. "The Lord has sent his angel and saved me from Herod and from what the Jews were hoping to do to me!"

After a little thought, he went to the home of Mary, the mother of John Mark, where many were gathered for prayer. He knocked at the door in the gate, and a servant girl named Rhoda came to open it. When she recognized Peter's voice, she was so overjoyed that, instead of opening the door, she ran back inside and told everyone, "Peter is standing at the door!"

"You're out of your mind," they said. When she insisted, they decided, "It must be his angel."

Meanwhile, Peter continued knocking. When they finally went out and opened the door, they were amazed. He motioned for them to quiet down and told them what had happened and how the Lord had led him out of jail.

Acts 12.1-17

Observation

God answers prayer.

Application (How will I be different today because of what I have just read?)

The church is praying "earnestly" for Peter. God answers . . . . . and everyone is surprised.

How often do I miss God's answers to my prayers, because I really don't expect Him to answer them--or at least not answer them the way I want.

God is faithful. When we pray, we are told that we are to believe. . . . otherwise, why bother?!?!?!

Yet we do pray, hoping that God might hear, . . . . hoping that God might answer.

Today's reading reminds me that God does answer prayer. How often do I miss his answers? I need to keep my eyes and heart open so I don't miss a thing!

Prayer

Father, forgive me for not always believing and trusting that You will answer my prayers. I pray because I know I should. I pray hoping that You will answer--knowing that You do answer--yet not sure You will. Forgive my unbelief. Open my eyes and my heart to see the answers. Help me to not miss a one. I know that You do answer prayers--help me to believe that You will answer all of them!

Life Journal February 1, 2008

Today's readings: Exodus 30-32; Acts 8

Sabbath

Scripture

The Lord then gave these further instructions to Moses: "Tell the people of Israel to keep my Sabbath day, for the Sabbath is a sign of the covenant between me and you forever. It helps you to remember that I am the Lord, who makes you holy. Yes, keep the Sabbath day, for it is holy. Anyone who desecrates it must die; anyone who works on that day will be cut off from the community. Work six days only, but the seventh day must be a day of total rest. I repeat: Because the Lord considers it a holy day, anyone who works on the Sabbath must be put to death. The people of Israel must keep the Sabbath day forever. It is a permanent sign of my covenant with them. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, but he rested on the seventh day and was refreshed."

Exodus 31.12-17

Observation

The Sabbath is to be a special day set aside.

Application (How will I be different today because of what I have just read?)

I am not very good at keeping a Sabbath. It's not that I don't want to--there is just always something to do, someone who needs something. I could say "no" . . . . but that just doesn't seem to work.

So, the question is, how can I arrange life so I can take a Sabbath?

When I do try to take a Sabbath, I find myself feeling guilty for not doing something. . . . There is always sooooooo much to do. I never seem to get caught up.

I find myself falling prey to expectations . . . . expectations from others and from myself. These are not things that God is calling me to do. . . . But those things that others believe I need to do--and I believe I need to do.

How do I get over this? How do I obey God and set aside one day a week to just be? That would be so wonderful.

Simplify my life would be one thing I could do. Learn to say "no" more--at least when it comes to my Sabbath. Learn to be still. Learn to be quiet. Learn to just be. To not worry about expectations from others or myself--but instead be concerned about God's expectations of me.

This is going to take some work, but I believe that if I can learn how to truly take a Sabbath, that I won't be so tired, so stressed, so . . . . crazy! God created me to need a Sabbath. God set the example for me. I just need to do it. Maybe next week..................

Prayer

Lord, Your Word on the importance of taking a Sabbath--no commanding us to take a Sabbath, is really convicting me. The world tells us that we always need to be busy. We can't stop for a moment or we will miss something. You tell us that we must stop everything and rest in You one day a week. You command that if anyone breaks the Sabbath law that they will be put to death--today we kill ourselves by not doing what Your Word commands. We push ourselves past what You created us to do--and it kills us--and we blame You. Forgive me Lord, for not listening to You. Forgive me for thinking the world cannot go on without me actively involved in it. Forgive me for not obeying You. I know it will take time, but Father, I want to do as You command. I want to learn to keep the Sabbath. Help me. Thank You for Your patience with me!