“And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them.” – Luke 5:17

It was not always so. Once we read that Jesus could not do any mighty works at a certain place. It was not said that He would not, but that He could not. It seems strange that could not should ever be written of the omnipotent Christ.

Did He then have his weak hours? Were there times when the power fled from His arm? No!

So no doubt the reason the power of the Lord was so graciously present to heal at this time was because the people’s hearts were open to take what He had to give. They met His compassion and love with faith, and the divine power in Him wrought unrestrained.

We ought not to miss this lesson. There is never any want of power in Christ to bless us, and yet we may be near Him and still receive no blessing from Him. He may have come to us eager to impart the rich gifts of strength, comfort, joy, help, wisdom, and yet He may be unable to bestow them.

We ourselves must be in a condition to receive what He has to give, or the blessing cannot be bestowed. We can shut up our hearts so close as to keep the mighty Christ outside. Weak as we are, even the divine omnipotence cannot compel any blessing into our lives. There must be a willingness on our part to receive. It is because of our unbelief that the power of God is not always present to heal and to bless. Then whenever we have faith and are willing to receive what Christ will give, His power will be present to heal, and to pour all manner of rich blessings into our hearts and lives. He will never force us to accept His gifts. – J. R. Miller

David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346

” Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. ” – John 14:27

Living with a troubled heart is disobedience to God. And the severity of the situation never justifies such failure. Think about this. While we live with uncertainty about our future (as to what we will suffer or when and how we shall die) the disciples knew what to expect. Jesus told them that they would be hated, persecuted, and killed. There would be no escape from for them. Nor could there be any excuse for not being at peace. The Lord said, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33).

” Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” – Phil. 4:11

Then David was one of the Lord’s sheep. All His sheep know Him, love Him, and follow Him. They possess His disposition; He was meek, and lowly in heart. Are you a sheep of Christ? Are you looking to, following of, and rejoicing in, your Shepherd? If so, it is His province to lead you, feed you, protect you, and heal you. Your person, life, health, comforts, and safety, are committed to His care. He is the good Shepherd, He laid down His life for His sheep; He searches and seeks out His sheep wherever they have been scattered; He feeds His flock; He gathereth the lambs with His arm, and carrieth them in His bosom. He loved His sheep more than His own life; He cares for His sheep more than for all the world beside. He feeds them in the most suitable pasture, and leads them in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. O view Jesus as your Shepherd! expect Him to lead you, feed you, fold you, and present you to His Father with exceeding joy. Cleave to Him; let nothing tempt you to leave His feet, His flock, or His fold. He will never leave you, nor forsake you. ( James Smith, 1840)

Jehovah is my Shepherd’s name!
Then what have I, though weak, to fear?
My sin and folly I proclaim,
If I despond, while He is near:
In every danger He is nigh.
And will my every want supply.

David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346

“And there was a day…” Job 1: 13

And what a day that was! Job’s possessions and children swept away within a few hours! It was such a day as Jacob had when his sons reported Joseph slain. Such a day as came to David with the death of his beloved Absalom.

There will come such days. Very few escape them. Castles tumble. The savings of a lifetime vanish. The doctor says there is no hope.

When the crash comes Jacob may lament, “All these things are against me.” But, later, Joseph may say, “Ye thought evil…but God meant it unto good.”

The grace of God is sufficient for the disastrous day as well as for the drab day when nothing happens. Our Lord asked that His disciples be kept by the Father (John 17:11), and they were. Yet they were not spared adversity and for most of them there was violent death. He kept them and none was lost save the son of perdition. His keeping may include days when all seems to collapse. The body, even the mind, may fail. But He takes care of the real “us,” though the outward man perish.

It was an awful day for Job. But it led to his greatest day, when he saw God. – Vance Havner

David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346