365 Reflections

Some sickness are not physical... they ARE spiritual.  We have to begin admitting this with confidence if we are going to be effective workers in the Kingdom of God. Luke 13:11–13 (ESV) And behold, there was a woman who had had a disabling spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not fully straighten herself. 12 When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said to her, “Woman, you are freed from your disability.”  Jesus is in Synagogue on Sabbath and a woman has come to worship but cannot straighten up.  She has come bent over ... not because of a physical ailment but because of a spiritual attack.  Jesus makes sure to point out it was "Satan" who had her bound for 18 long years.  Luke 13:16 (ESV)  And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?” There are those who deny healing is for today.  They say God only heals spiritually.  But thi...

There can be no doubt Jesus spent a lot of time talking about how we talk.  He made it clear, the most dangerous element of the Pharisees was their teaching.  They taught what they didn't practice. They taught men burdensome things.  While they were unwilling to help anyone do them. In Luke 12, Jesus goes on a long discourse concerning the tongue. Some of the scariest verses of scriptures are found here: Luke 12:2–3 (ESV) Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 3 Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops. And then just a few verses later: Luke 12:8–10 (ESV) “And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God, 9 but the one who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God. 10 And everyone who speaks a word against the Son ...

I love what happens to the Roman Centurion when Jesus comes to his house to heal his prized servant: First, early in the short story, the Elders of the Jews requested Jesus' assistance since in their opinion, he was worthy of this good deed from Christ. This was the testimony of the people about him: "He is worthy to have you do this for him" Luke 7:4 He was a man of good deeds... building a synagogue and loving the Jewish people.  So Jesus starts on his way.   But when Jesus actually comes close, he sends friends telling him of his own unworthiness: "When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof." Luke 7:6   Then verse 7 "But say the word , and let my servant be healed." That's really something.  Friends know us better than our church leaders (Elders).  But Jesus knows us better than all.  And when Jesus got close,...