Month: July 2018

Reflections

A Second Touch

He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?” He looked up and said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.” Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. (Mark 8: 23-25)

The following summary is based on a sermon I heard earlier today. The sermon was based on the preceding text. I don’t recall the title of the sermon, the name of the church, nor the name of the preacher. But, I do recall the powerful message.

I stumbled upon the church while looking for a different worship community. I stayed because I didn’t want to be rude and disrupt the service by moving around. I am thankful that I stayed. The message I heard was the one I needed to hear. Praise God!

Sermon Summary– Sometimes each of us needs a second touch from God. For us to receive the blessing, God has to remove us from the distractions that hinder us from receiving spiritual wholeness.

Like the blind man in the referenced passage from Mark, it may take more than one touch from God for us to receive complete deliverance or healing. When we are alone with God and cognizant of his love, we are not afraid to confess that we have not fully received deliverance. We are free to confess, “I don’t see clearly, or I’m only partially free. Help me, Lord.”

God hears our admission, comes to our rescue without condemning us and gives us a second touch.

Halleluiah! Praise God for the written word, for powerful preaching under the unction of the Holy Spirit, and for second touches!!!

Reflections

A Litany of Thanks, for Sunday, July 29, 2018

Thank you, Creator, for
Your amazing grace and the constant presence of your Holy Spirit
Advocates who work for justice
Artists who entertain and inspire
Power to overcome evil with good
Protection from things seen and unseen
Quality time
Quiet spaces to rest and meditate
Songs that stimulate thought and touch the heart
Sweet sleep and days full of adventure
The diversity of nature, and the variations within each species
Time to reflect, relax, repent, and reform
Thank you, Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer of all life and giver of all that is good!

Featured Reflections

The Value of Mustard Seed Size Faith

A little bit of biblical faith goes a long way (Matthew 17:20. It gives one the courage to stand for what is right, even when such a stand is unpopular (study the lives of the Apostles and other early believers).

Mustard Seed Size Faith –

  • frees one to acknowledge his or her shortcomings and to trust God for help in overcoming those weaknesses (Mark 9: 21 – 24)
  • releases one from the paralyzing grips of fear, guilt, and shame (Romans 8:1)
  • is God-centered and concerned about restoring wholeness- physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being (James 2: 14 – 26)
  • cares about the common good, not just personal gain (Colossians 3: 12)
  • helps one remain focused on the power of God, not mired down by the problems of the present (Proverbs 3: 5 – 9)
  • gives hope that there is light at the end of every tunnel (Psalm 30: 5)
  • is a tool used to request deliverance from distress, protection from the powerful, and to uplift broken spirits (James 5: 17)
  • wants justice for all (Micah 6: 8)

Thank God for mustard seed size faith!

 

Reflections

Limited Faith: The Power to Move Mountains

Biblical faith is not perfect; it is often limited. It encompasses a range or degrees of belief in God. It can be compartmentalized, situational, and evidenced by lapses of trust in God to intercede in specific ways to shape human affairs. It is often formed and restricted by the perceptions one has of who God is, how God interacts with creation, and how one sees one’s self in relation to God and the rest of creation.

Biblical faith is a link between God and humankind that unlocks barriers that hinder one from fully experiencing God’s love and amazing grace. One who has biblical faith possesses complete confidence in God’s existence and God’s love. However, one may not fully trust God in every situation. That lack of trust no matter how brief is an example of limited faith.

Limited faith shows up when one is fearful, confused, or uncertain. The strength of limited faith is it allows one to acknowledge the gaps in his or her faith with the confidence that God will honor the admission and respond with loving- kindness.

One of the best example of limited faith is depicted in Mark 9: 21- 24. In the passage, a father demonstrated limited faith when he said to Jesus, “help us if you can (v. 22).” Jesus seized the opportunity to show that the love of God operates despite limited faith.

Jesus responded to the man’s gap in faith by replying, “What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” “Anything is possible if a person believes.”

The father replied, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”

Jesus honored the man’s gap in or limited faith by healing his son.

God, like the father in the text, we pray for you to help us overcome limited faith!

 

Reflections

Keep Faith in God

A miracle occurs every time the tiniest amount of faith intersects with God’s great love for humankind as demonstrated by His amazing grace. The miracle one receives may not be the one for which one hoped and prayed, but it will be the one needed at the time it is manifested.
Pray for the grace to recognize and appreciate every miracle

Faith is

  • the shield that protects the heart, mind, and soul (Ephesians 6: 16)
  • believing that God will work all things to the good of those who love the Lord (Romans 8: 29)
  • the seed of hope- it reminds us that “trouble don’t last always” (Psalm 30:5)
  • the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen (Hebrews 11:1)
  • believing God will not withhold any good thing from those who love God-                 (Psalm 84:11)
    Keep faith in God!