Bring the Boy to Me

Jesus] answered him and said, “. . . Bring him to Me.” —Mark 9:19

“I don’t believe in God and I won’t go,” Mark said.

Amy struggled to swallow the lump in her throat. Her son had changed from a happy boy to a surly and uncooperative young man. Life was a battleground, and Sunday had become a day to dread, as Mark refused to go to church with the family. Finally his despairing parents consulted a counselor, who said: “Mark must make his own faith journey. You can’t force him into the kingdom. Give God space to work. Keep praying, and wait.”

Amy waited—and prayed. One morning the words of Jesus that she had read echoed through her mind. Jesus’ disciples had failed to help a demon-possessed boy, but Jesus had the answer: “Bring him to Me” (Mark 9:19). The sun shone through the window at Amy’s side, making a pool of light on the floor. If Jesus could heal in such an extreme situation, then surely He could also help her son. She pictured herself and Mark standing in that light with Jesus. Then she mentally stepped back, leaving her son alone with the One who loved him even more than she did.

Every day Amy silently handed Mark to God, clinging to the assurance that He knew Mark’s needs, and would in His time and in His way, work in his life.—Marion Stroud

Father, I lift my beloved to You, knowing that You love him even more than I do and You understand just what to do to meet his need. I commit him to Your care.

Prayer is the voice of faith trusting that God knows and cares.

God Loves You

THIS IS WHAT THE LORD SAYS--HE WHO MADE YOU,
     WHO FORMED YOU IN THE WOMB.
                            ( ISAIAH 44:2 *NKJV )

God knew you long before you were born, just as
   He knew Isaiah and Jeremiah.  He thought about you and
   planned for you!  For He wanted someone just like you,
   therefore you are very special to Him.  After all God has
   said; "BEFORE I FORMED YOU  IN THE WOMB I KNEW
   YOU, BEFORE YOU WERE BORN I SET YOU APART."
   ( JEREMIAH 1:5 )

       So when you feel discouraged or inadequate, remember
   that God has always thought of you as very valuable.  He is
   always with you and He loves you dearly, and nothing can
   separate you from that love!  FOR I AM CONVINCED THAT
   NEITHER DEATH NOR LIFE, NEITHER  ANGELS NOR
   DEMONS, NEITHER THE PRESENT NOR THE  FUTURE,
   NOR POWERS, NEITHER HEIGHT NOR DEPTH, NOR
   ANYTHING ELSE IN ALL CREATION, WILL BE ABLE TO
   SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF GOD THAT IS IN
   CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD.  ( ROMANS 8:38-39 )

       So, never feel that you are unloved, or let one of
   life's many discouragements set you back, instead; BE
   CONFIDENT OF THIS, THAT HE WHO BEGAN A GOOD
   WORK IN YOU WILL CARRY IT OUT TO COMPLETION
   UNTIL THE DAY OF CHRIST JESUS.   Amen.
   ( PHILIPPIANS 1:6 )

Why Worry about Tomorrow

  DO NOT WORRY ABOUT TOMORROW, FOR TOMORROW
  WILL WORRY ABOUT ITSELF.  EACH DAY HAS ENOUGH
  TROUBLE OF ITS OWN.
                         ( MATTHEW 6:34 *NIV )
Now I ask you, WHO OF YOU BY WORRYING CAN
   ADD A SINGLE HOUR TO HIS LIFE?  ( MATTHEW 6:27 )
   In fact, some studies even show that worry may actually
   shorten our life!

       Therefore instead of worrying; CAST ALL YOUR
   ANXIETY ON HIM BECAUSE HE CARES FOR YOU.
   ( 1 PETER 5:7 ) and then; WHEN YOU LIE DOWN, YOU
   WILL NOT BE AFRAID; WHEN YOU LIE DOWN YOUR
   SLEEP WILL BE SWEET.
   ( PROVERBS 3:24 )

        After all what is worry anyway, but the opposite of faith!
   So, have faith and always turn your worries over to
   God!  Then you will be able to say with confidence:
                  "Why Worry About Tomorrow?"

                  Why worry about tomorrow
                    And the rising of the sun,
                 Of anguish over past mistakes
                      That cannot be undone?

                Why waste life's precious moments
                   On things that bruise the heart
                    When today is ours to fashion
                           Into a work of art?

                Today comes but once, my friend,
                          It never can return--
                  So use it wisely while you can,
                 There's a lesson you may learn.

                     Let history record the past
                  And tomorrow come what may.
                    Be content to do your best
                    With what you have today!
                                        Poet: Clay Harrison

Jesus the Light of the World

 THEN JESUS SPOKE TO THEM, SAYING, I AM THE
   LIGHT OF THE WORLD.  HE WHO FOLLOWS ME SHALL
   NOT WALK IN DARKNESS, BUT HAVE THE LIGHT OF
   LIFE.
                              ( JOHN 8:12 *NKJV )
   Just as the sun provides our physical light, Jesus
   is our spiritual light.  As Children of God, we always have
   that Light to give us hope, and to strengthen us, and guide
   us out of the darkness!  SO COME LET US WALK IN
   THE LIGHT OF THE LORD.  ( ISAIAH 2:5 )

       What a wonderful Heavenly Father God is!  He is always
   they're with us no matter what, and always blessing us
   with His Hope, Faith, Peace and Love!  You see, those
   dark times in our lives actually strengthened us, and
   shaped us into the people that we are today!

        So, as a child of light always; LET YOUR
   LIGHT SO SHINE BEFORE MEN, THAT THEY MAY
   SEE YOUR GOOD WORKS AND GLORIFY YOUR
   FATHER IN HEAVEN. ( MATTHEW 5:16 )  For;
   EVEN IN DARKNESS LIGHT DAWNS FOR THE UPRIGHT,
   FOR THE GRACIOUS AND COMPASSIONATE AND
   RIGHTEOUS MAN.   ( PSALM 112:4 )

       Therefore; ARISE, SHINE FOR YOUR LIGHT HAS
   COME, AND THE GLORY OF THE LORD RISES UPON
   YOU!   Amen.                   ( ISAIAH 60:1 )

Confession

   HE WHO COVERS HIS SINS WILL NOT PROSPER, BUT
   WHOEVER CONFESSES AND FORSAKES THEM WILL
   HAVE MERCY."
                      ( PROVERBS 28:13 *NKJV )
When we confess our sins and ask for God's forgiveness,
   they are cleaned from the Book Of Life by the Most Precious
   Blood of our Savior Jesus Christ.  It is then that those sins
   are not only forgiven, but they are also forgotten by our
   Heavenly Father as well.  For it is written, "I WILL BE
   MERCIFUL TO THEIR UNRIGHTEOUSNESS, AND THEIR
   SINS AND THEIR LAWLESS DEEDS I WILL REMEMBER
   NO MORE."  ( HEBREWS 8:12 )

       Now that doesn't mean that we may continue to do the
   same sin over and over, and still be forgiven each time we
   repent.  After all the first verse does state "WHOEVER
   CONFESSES AND FORSAKES THEM" does it not?

       Therefore when you pray remember the confession of your
   sins should be a daily routine, for to be of the flesh is to be
   of a sinful nature.  However God realizes that, so never feel
   that because of your past sins God will never forgive you!
   After all you are His Child, and HE Loves You very much!
   Amen.

Grace of God

  TO EACH ONE OF US GRACE WAS GIVEN ACCORDING
   TO THE MEASURE OF CHRIST'S GIFT.
                        ( EPHESIANS 4:7 *NKJV )
We have all heard the Hymn "Amazing Grace,"
   but did you ever wonder what the word "grace" meant
   in the Bible?   Well "grace" in the New Testament is the
   Greek word [charis] which means underserved
   acceptance or favor, as well as, love received from
   another.

       Now let us look at the Grace of God and what it means
   to each one of us.  It is written; FOR BY GRACE YOU
   HAVE BEEN SAVED THROUGH FAITH, AND THAT NOT
   OF YOURSELVES; IT IS A GIFT OF GOD.
   ( EPHESIANS 2:8 )

      Also the same Grace protects us, comforts us, and
   guides us as well, so; LET US THEREFORE COME
   BOLDLY TO THE THRONE OF GRACE, THAT WE MAY
   OBTAIN MERCY AND FIND GRACE TO HELP IN TIME
   OF NEED. ( HEBREWS 4:16 )

       Further, God's Great Love comes to us through His;
   Grace; AND WE HAVE KNOWN AND BELIEVED THE
   LOVE THAT GOD HAS FOR US.  GOD IS LOVE, AND
   HE WHO ABIDES IN LOVE ABIDES IN GOD, AND
   GOD IN HIM.  For after all; WE LOVE HIM BECAUSE
   HE FIRST LOVED US.  ( 1 JOHN 4:16 & 19 )

       So, my prayer for you is to; GROW IN THE

   GRACE AND KNOWLEDGE OF OUR LORD AND
   SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST.  TO HIM BE THE GLORY
   BOTH NOW AND FOREVER.  AMEN
   ( 2 PETER 3:18 )

The Fruit of the Spirit

REMAIN IN ME, AND I WILL REMAIN IN YOU. NO BRANCH
   CAN BEAR FRUIT BY ITS SELF; IT MUST REMAIN IN THE
   VINE. NEITHER CAN YOU BEAR FRUIT UNLESS YOU
   REMAIN IN ME. I AM THE VINE; YOU ARE THE BRANCHES.
   IF A MAN REMAINS IN ME AND I IN HIM, HE WILL BEAR
   MUCH FRUIT; APART FROM ME YOU CAN DO NOTHING.
                                ( JOHN 15:4-5 *NIV ) Now our Savior Jesus Christ is the vine and we are the
   branches, so you may ask what is this fruit?  The answer
   is found in the Book of Galatians, for it is written; THE FRUIT
   OF THE SPIRIT IS LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENTS,
   KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS
   AND SELF CONTROL. AGAINST SUCH THINGS THERE IS
   NO LAW.    (GALATIANS 5:22-23 )

       The fruit of the Spirit is the work of the Holy Spirit within
   us, for it produces these character traits in us.  It helps us to
   become more like Christ, which should be the goal of every
   Christian.

       This happens to us because; IF ANYONE IS IN CHRIST,
   HE IS A NEW CREATION; OLD THINGS HAVE PASSED
   AWAY; BEHOLD, ALL THING HAVE BECOME NEW.
   ( 2 CORINTHIANS 5:17 )

       So, why not take a few minutes tonight and read this
   wonderful 15th Chapter of John. For those words were spoken
   by our Savior, Jesus Christ.

       Now may; THE GRACE OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST,
   AND THE LOVE OF GOD, ANT THE COMMUNION OF THE
   HOLY SPIRIT BE WITH YOU ALL.    Amen.
   (2 CORINTHIANS 13:14 )