TEXT: ‘“It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,” Jesus answered. “This happened so the power of God could be seen in him.’ – John 9:3 NLT THOUGHT: The healings of the Blind Man 1 and the Lame Man at the Temple 2 are remarkable miracles, but in this teaching I want to concentrate on the role of their parents and how they might have reacted at the birth and subsequent upbringing of their child. The joy of conception “I’m going to have a baby.” “That’s wonderful news!” No pre-natal scans, just the wait to discover the sex and health of the baby, unless of course God had revealed it specifically as with Mary the mother of Jesus. 3 The misery at birth Instead of a bouncing, healthy baby, something’s wrong – blind and lame. The disappointment and confusion, for children are a gift from the Lord. 4 These parents would have hesitated from going to the temple with a thanksgiving offering. They knew that the priest was likely to say, “This is the result of sin, it is God’s curse on you and your family.” Such wrong teaching leaves parents angry and confused, especially if they cannot think of anything they have done or are...
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TEXT: ‘A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.”’ – John 4:7 THOUGHT: The Biblical account of Jesus meeting this woman at Jacob’s well is so interesting. The narrative records Jesus wanting to leave Judea and return to Galilee. It states, ‘He needed to go through Samaria.’ 1 Actually it would have been safer to have avoided the area because of hostility between the Jews and Samaritans. But Jesus being led by the Holy Spirit took that route and it resulted in a God-appointed meeting. The same can happen to us if we are led by the Spirit. Rest – ‘Jesus, being wearied from His journey, sat by the well’ Jesus was unique as God in a human body. He physically experienced things that we do. He was hungry, 2 weary from the demands of the ministry and travel, 3 thirsty, 4 and wept. 5 Always remember Jesus understands when we go through similar experiences. 6 Request – ‘Give me a drink’ Surprisingly this woman comes alone at the hottest part of the day to draw water. She was astonished that Jesus, a Jew would ask her, a Samaritan for a drink. Jesus responded by talking about living water which aroused...
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TEXT: ‘He endured as seeing Him who is invisible’ – Hebrews 11:27 THOUGHT: In both the Tabernacle and the Temple, God manifested His presence by the Shekinah glory above the Mercy Seat over the Ark of the Covenant, within the Most Holy Place. The Children of Israel could not see this as only the High Priest was allowed in there once a year on the Day of Atonement, when he made sacrifice and intercession for the sins of the people. So when they came to the temple bringing their tithes and offerings, ready to be taught the word of God, they did it by faith. They believed in their invisible God! When you come to your church for the services, what do you see? One grumbling man told me, “In all the years I have been coming, I have only felt the presence of God a few times!” I replied, “How then do you explain people getting saved, healed and baptized with the Holy Spirit if God was not there?” Some Christians meet in hired buildings and this thought can trouble them, “It is not a proper church building, is God really there?” Maybe it is a tired-looking building that badly needs painting and refurbishment, so they wrongly think,...
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TEXT: ‘You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food’ – Hebrews 5:12 New Living Translation THOUGHT: The day we moved into our house in Saltash, the previous owner was still there finishing off cleaning. In the kitchen she had left 3 apples, explaining that they were for the blackbird. For some time she had been ensuring that every day the blackbird had an apple to eat. So we continued the tradition and our labour of love was worth it all when the blackbird brought its young to feed them apple. I was thrilled to capture the moment with its beak inside the young one’s mouth. In this photo the young blackbird waits patiently, not making a sound. It stares at the apple, waiting for its parents to come and feed it. Having grown so much, it looks like it can feed itself, but still it waits. “Feed me” it silently cries, but sooner or later it must learn to feed itself in order to survive! The Bible encourages every Christian to feed themselves. Jesus said, ‘Man shall...
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TEXT: ‘You are old …. and there remains very much yet to be possessed’ – Joshua 13:1 THOUGHT: Joshua was getting old, but rather than slow down, God wanted him to accelerate the possessing of the land by the Children of Israel. Retirement at any age can lull us into thinking that’s all we can do, but there are still plenty of opportunities left. We need to ask ourselves the question, “What remains to be done?” concerning: Unchurched People Paul kept going until all Asia had heard the gospel. 1 I have been surprised at how many people contacted through our door to door evangelism have had no experience of church. Just a handful of us visited the villages of Landrake and Hatt/Botus Fleming prior to holding an evangelistic meeting in each place, calling on nearly 600 homes to give a personal invitation. Although the vast majority remained unresponsive to the gospel, at least many have heard. But there are other surrounding villages to reach out to, plus a large part of Saltash still to call on. It will be the same in your area. There remains much to be done. Unfulfilled Promises ‘They shall still bear fruit in old age.’ 2 Take this promise by faith saying, “Lord,...
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