Reflections

“But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy for You to come under my roof, but just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.”” Matthew 8:8-9 NASB2020

The story of the Centurion is a great illustration of faith.  The Centurion’s faith was rooted in a few things.  First, the Centurion believed that Jesus was a healer.  News about Jesus had spread throughout the region.  It is not evident if the Centurion heard any of Jesus’ teachings but he knew that Jesus could heal his servant.  Second, the Centurion knew that Jesus was a man of authority.  The Centurion was a man of authority and knew Jesus also had authority.  The news about Jesus was that He spoke with great authority.  The Centurion must have also heard this about Jesus.  Third, the Centurion must have recognized that Jesus was a holy man.  The Centurion felt that he was unworthy for Jesus to come.  Also, Jesus was a Jew, and the Centurion was a Roman.  However, the Centurion did not say Jesus was not worthy to come to his house, but the Centurion said he was not worthy for Jesus to come.

The Centurion believed because Jesus was a healer and had authority, all Jesus had to do was say the word and the Centurion’s servant would be healed.  Jesus was astonished by this Centurion’s faith and even stated he had not seen this kind of faith in Israel.  We can surmise from this story that many in Israel still did not recognize who Jesus was and the authority that He had to heal the sick and even forgive sins.  Jesus then stated that people from various nations will come and recline at the table with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the Kingdom of Heaven and many of the sons of Israel would not and instead be thrown into darkness where there would be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

The Centurion’s story is powerful because it shows the willingness of this Centurion to humble himself before Jesus to ask for his servant’s healing.  Also, the Centurion’s faith shows his compassion for his servant because he found Jesus and asked for His help.  It is a lesson of faith for all of us.  We must believe that Jesus is able and willing to do what we ask according to His power, authority and will.  We also must believe that He hears us and will answer us.  Finally, it takes humility to admit our own weakness and go to Jesus’ seeking His help in our situations. 

Be encouraged by the Centurion’s story and may it spur your faith.  The Centurion was able to walk up to Jesus and see Him face to face.  The Centurion believed in Jesus because he had seen Jesus for himself and was able to talk to him.  Our faith is even greater because we still believe even when we have not seen Jesus with our own natural eyes.

“Jesus *said to him, “Because you have seen Me, have you now believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.””  John 20:29 NASB2020

“When the king came back from Damascus, he saw the altar. Then he approached the altar and ascended it. He offered his burnt offering and his grain offering, poured out his drink offering, and sprinkled the blood of his fellowship offerings on the altar. He took the bronze altar that was before the Lord in front of the temple between his altar and the Lord’s temple, and put it on the north side of his altar.”  2 Kings 16:12-14 HCSB

The above scriptures are a part of the story of King Ahaz.  King Ahaz had seen an altar when he was in Damascus.  He had the priest Uriah build a replica of this altar.  Once King Ahaz’s altar was built he had the offerings offered on this altar instead of the altar for God.  Then King Ahaz took the Lord’s Altar and brought it out from the temple to put near his altar.  He only wanted the Lord’s altar for when he wanted to seek guidance from the Lord.

This was an abomination to God.  King Ahaz did other detestable things in regard to removing items from the temple and worshipping other gods.  King Ahaz had no regard for the Holy items set aside for the offerings and worship of God.

We can learn so much from this story.  In Revelation there is a warning at the end of the book that if anyone adds or subtracts from God’s word will suffer the consequences.  As Christians we should view the Bible as sacred and treat the Bible with utmost reverence and respect.  It is not just merely a book.  However, like King Ahaz many just see the Bible as a book of guidance and nothing more.  Instead, our true worship is giving to idols.

The USA Bible contains the King James Version and various US government documents including the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Independence and the Pledge of allegiance.  The KJV is also considered public domain so you can do what you like with this version of the Bible without violating any copyright laws.

How can we combine man made documents with the Bible?  First the gospel is not just an American gospel.  The US documents helped to establish the USA as a nation, but the Bible shows us that no nation is everlasting, only the Kingdom of God will endure for all eternity. 

Many Christians see these US documents as sacred texts but even the men that founded this nation left room for these documents to be amended or changed.  It was not to be forever.  The Bible – God’s word remains forever.  Unfortunately, there are Christians who value these documents over the Bible.  Some are willing to die to preserve these government texts.

In his address in Gettysburg, Lincoln makes a profound statement about the USA –  that the government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

Here is what John says in the Gospel of John about Jesus:

“All things were created through Him, and apart from Him not one thing was created that has been created. Life was in Him, and that life was the light of men. That light shines in the darkness, yet the darkness did not overcome it. He was in the world, and the world was created through Him, yet the world did not recognize Him. He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him. But to all who did receive Him, He gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood, or of the will of the flesh, or of the will of man, but of God. The Word became flesh and took up residence among us. We observed His glory, the glory as the One and Only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:3-5, 10-14 HCSB

As Christian’s our lives belong to Jesus.  Jesus bought us for a price.  It is an abomination to Jesus to take texts created by men and put them in the same framework as the Bible.  We cannot serve two masters.  We cannot give allegiance to two different entities.  We cannot serve God and mammon.

If we died with Christ, then we will be raised with Him on the last day.  We have been adopted into God’s kingdom and we eagerly wait for Jesus’ return.  For this reason, how could we hold any text apart from the Bible as sacred?

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us.” Romans 8:18 HCSB

When I used to quote this scripture in the past I would think that Paul was referring to the time of Jesus’ return.  However, as I have been meditating on this scripture recently, I realized Paul was referring to our present.  When we suffer, whether it be in our bodies, or trials and tribulations we face, a time will come when Jesus will be glorified in that situation and it will not compare to our suffering.

For example, I remember when I was sick and at the time I thought I could die.  I was undergoing chemotherapy, and the drug was causing a lot of side effects and then I started to experience pain in my body.  At the time I wanted the suffering to end.  I ended up in the hospital and did not know if I was going to get worse or how long I would have to endure this treatment. The day the doctor told me that my numbers were dropping that Indicated I could stop chemotherapy because the tumors were shrinking, I was overjoyed.  I kept praising God and testifying on how He healed me.  Even today when I tell the story the sufferings are a distant memory but the glory that God revealed to me as Healer has lifted my faith and all I feel is joy when I share my story.

Whatever you are going through, when your prayer is answered or deliverance comes you will be overjoyed.  It will be like what you suffered was not such a big deal.  The reason is when God reveals His glory in your situation the suffering you endure cannot compare to God’s glory.  Your story becomes a testimony for others.  What is remembered is how God got you through and revealed Himself in your situation.

How many stories do you have like this? Just remember if you are going through a difficult time right now and the end seems to be so far away, the time is coming when God’s glory will be revealed. What a day of rejoicing that will be.

Whatever you ask in My name, I will do it so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” John 14:13 HCSB

There is no other name which men can be saved except Jesus.  There is power in His name.  We know that as Christians when a person calls on the name of Jesus for salvation they will be saved.  Jesus will never say “I will not save you” to a person seeking salvation from Him.  We know in our hearts that every person who calls on Jesus to be saved will be saved.

However, when it comes to prayer we do not have that same conviction.  We hesitate in our prayers.  We doubt God’s willingness to answer.  We question our worthiness.  Yet Jesus said whatever we ask in Jesus’ name He will do it.  If Jesus can save, He can heal.

Prayer has been abused by many in the pulpit by telling us to focus our prayers on what we want and our selfish desires.  The Bible tells us if we delight ourselves in the Lord, He will give us the desires of our heart.  If Jesus is truly Lord over our lives and He is our master, then it makes sense that He would do whatever we ask in His name.

The Bible says that the Father wants all to come to the saving power of Jesus.  He does not want anyone to perish.  That is why when a person ca Los upon the name of Jesus to be saved the Father will save Him because that is His desire.

If our desires line up with Jesus’ desires, then what we ask in His name will come to pass. That is why it is crucial that Jesus is the Lord over our lives. We must allow Him to be our Master. As our master and Lord, He will do what we ask in His name because He truly reigns over our lives.

“In the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa developed a disease in his feet, and his disease became increasingly severe. Yet even in his disease he didn’t seek the Lord but only the physicians.” 2 Chronicles 16:12 HCSB

Does God still heal people?  There is a debate in the church that healings were miracles done for the early church, but it is not necessary now since we have the Bible.  The truth is medicine is trial and error and though we have made great strides in the medical community it is not an exact science.  Even though we have found cures for some things, and we can treat many diseases, there is no guarantee that healing will always come with treatment.

Yet God is Jehovah Rapha – our healer. It is foolish only to look for help from physicians. The first person we should turn to and cry out to is God. We must pray a prayer of faith for our healing. The Bible has so many instructions about healing. God did not stop healing when the Bible became more accessible. It is in God’s nature to heal. He is our creator, He is also our healer. The same God who saved you can and will heal you. All you have to do is ask and believe. King Asa did not bother seeking the Lord regarding his sickness. So many Christians are like this today, they would rather seek the physician over Jehovah Rapha. You do not have to wait until you are dying to call on the Lord. Whenever you need Healing call upon His name and believe He will heal you.

Then Shemaiah the prophet went to Rehoboam and the leaders of Judah who were gathered at Jerusalem because of Shishak. He said to them: “This is what the Lord says: ‘You have abandoned Me; therefore, I have abandoned you into the hand of Shishak.’ ””

2 Chronicles 12:5 HCSB

In the New Testament Jesus tells us if we abide in Him, Hw will abide in us.  Another time he tells us if we deny Him before others, He will deny us before the Father.  The effort we put in our relationship with Jesus matters.  So many want to put little effort in their relationship with God., but still receive many blessings.  The Bible is clear we reap what we sow.

In the Old Testament the children of Israel had a bad habit of abandoning God for idols.  Time and time again they God and ignoring the law of Moses.  God made it clear, if we abandon Him, He will abandon us.  We are told to draw closer to God so He can draw closer to us.  We need God in our lives.  We should be cultivating our relationship with Him and other believers.  A time may come when all you have is God.  So don’t abandon the Lord Your God.

“I will thank Yahweh with all my heart; I will declare all Your wonderful works.”

Psalms 9:1 HCSB

This week we celebrate Thanksgiving here in the USA.  It is a time of family gatherings and people traveling to various places.  People come together to give thanks.  It has become a tradition in our country to gather as families during this time.  It is good to give thanks and reflect on the blessings we have.

For some this time of year can be stressful. Some do not have families to gather with or some families are experiencing turmoil. Whatever the case maybe we should give thanks to God. This is a time to reflect on God’s wonderful works. No matter your situation – give thanks. We may experience the highs and lows in life, but God is worthy of our praise.

When we focus on thanking God, it will cause our heart and mind to focus on His goodness.  This thoughtfulness can bring us great joy.  Just think about His faithfulness and thank God for always being there even if you are alone.  It is good to give thanks.  So even if things do not go this week as you plan just remember to thank God in all situations.  Blessed be the name of the Lord.

“For at that time there will be great tribulation, the kind that hasn’t taken place from the beginning of the world until now and never will again!”

Matthew 24:21 HCSB

Many of speculated about the Great Tribulation.  Some have even said it has already happened.  Jesus is telling us here that this tribulation will be like no other in the history of the world.  We have seen some great tragedies from the past.  Think about World War II.  There was the Holocaust and Nuclear Bombs dropping on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.  We have also seen various types of terrorist attacks and wars.  Recently we endured COVID.  Still these events do not compare to what Jesus was talking about.

So many teachings are out there about the Great Tribulation.  There are those who have predicted the events that will surround this time including the Rapture.  Another thing that Jesus said would happen is that many will leave the faith.

Many of the trials and tribulations we go through is to prepare for the end of things and endure what is to come.  It is evident that our faith will be challenged.  Right now God developing our perseverance, building our character and establishing our hope.  This is preparing for what is to come.  Our faith is being exercised now and is growing.

Knowing that a difficult time is coming, we need to prepare. We prepare by building up our faith through the word of God. Meditating on His word day and night. We do not need to fear what is to come because Christ is in us. Remember in the end we win.

“So then, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” Philippians 2:12 HCSB

How do you work out your salvation?  The clue is in the verse – obedience.  As Christians we think about our salvation and being able to escape death.  However, our walk is to be marked by obedience.  Jesus told us that if we loved Him, we would keep His commandments.  When making disciples we are to teach them the commands of Jesus to obey.  The evidence of our salvation in obedience.  How can you call on the name of the Lord to be saved and then decide to continue to walk contrary to His teachings.

Salvation is a regeneration process. We are born again, we are being sanctified. We cannot continue to be children of disobedience. So, when we are told to work out our salvation with fear and trembling, we are supposed to walk in obedience. Obedience is the work we are supposed to do in our process of being saved.

“In these last days, He has spoken to us by His Son. God has appointed Him heir of all things and made the universe through Him.” Hebrews 1:2 HCSB

In the Old Testament God would speak through the prophets.  There were some who would hear God directly, but prophets were the ones who spoke on behalf of God.  Today we have prophets, but every believer can hear from God.  In these last days God speaks to us through His Son – Jesus.  Jesus is the word made flesh.  All things were created by Him and for Him.  Jesus said as His sheep we know His voice.  You do not need a prophet to hear from Jesus.  You have direct access to Jesus.  We also have God’s word and the Holy Spirit.

The above verse also tells us that in the last days God would speak by His Son. So we are in the last days. This is another reason to rejoice. If you never allowed yourself to hear Jesus take some time in prayer and listen for His voice. The best way to do this is to take a scripture or two meditate on them and then write down whatever you hear. This is Jesus speaking to you.