She joined the crowd pressing around Jesus, furtively touched his robe, and was healed.
Jesus commended her secret act of faith publicly when He said, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace (Mark 5:34).”
Secret faith can lead to public praise.
“Ruth made this promise to Naomi, ‘Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried (Ruth 1:16-17).’
We can turn Ruth’s words into a prayer. ‘Jesus, Where you go I will go and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God and Father will be my God and Father. Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried.'”
*adapted from Tessa Afshar, The Way Home, p.256.
If Jesus knew we would do whatever He asked, what would He ask?
Am I willing?
Are you?
This is more than a sign speaking hope. The proceeds from its sale help provide for people in need.
If someone is poorly clothed and lacking daily food and you say, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled, without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?” So also faith by itself, if it does not have good works, is dead (James 2:16-17).
Let your faith produce prayer, and your prayer produce good deeds.
A cluster of daffodils looks like people longing to be free.
You can find true freedom during lockdown. If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed (John 8:36).
That is why we pray.
Chalk art that reminded me to choose joy.
Find joy through prayer. “In God’s presence there is fullness of joy (from Psalm 16:11).”
Flowers flourishing in an unlikely place, because they’re soaking up water and sunshine.
Pray that people will thrive during lock down, though reading God’s Word and Christian books*. Jesus said, “The very words I have spoken are spirit and life (John 6:63).“
*moodypublishers.com
Good work continues in locked-down Chicago. The ultimate good work is prayer. “Prayer is the work. Ministry is the fruit.”*
Let’s remain faithful!
*Ben Patterson, Deepening Your Conversation with God.
Brilliant, bright and beautiful flowers that don’t work. Or worry. Yet God cares for them.
He will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? (Matthew 6:30).
Tulips peeking out from behind bars, living proof that the sun still shines in Chicago.
God hasn’t changed. He listens for our cries in the midst of death, disease, isolation, grief and loss. His faithful love endures forever (Psalm 136:1).
