Jesus asked some important questions – not because He didn’t know the answers, but because He wanted to challenge individuals to declare their faith.

Jesus asked a blind man, "What do you want Me to do for you?" (Luke 18:41). The man told Jesus he wanted to see, and Jesus responded by restoring his sight. He asked a crippled man by the Pool of Bethesda, "Do you want to be made well?" (John 5:6). This man was not so forthright with his answer. He gave Jesus several reasons why he couldn’t be healed. Jesus directed the man to do something to activate his miracle. He said, "Rise, take up your bed and walk" (John 5:8). The moment the man responded he received his healing.

When Jesus encountered a demon possessed man in Gadara, He asked, "What is your name?" (Luke 8:30). The man’s answer was actually a confession from the demon forces within him: "My name is Legion; for we are many" (Mark 5:9). The response exposed the evil spirits, who had to bow to the authority of Jesus’ command.

When Jesus healed a paralysed man, the religious leaders challenged His authority because He declared the man’s sins forgiven. He challenged them right back, asking, "Why are you reasoning in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, ’Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ’Rise up and walk?’ (Luke 5:22-23). Jesus had already clearly demonstrated the reality of His divinity, but they stubbornly refused to acknowledge it. So Jesus healed the man’s body as well, as further proof that He was indeed the Christ.

Jesus asked another blind man a question that you and I must also answer: "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" Matthew 9:28  You might say with great bravado, "Yes, Lord, I believe!" when it is a theoretical question. But when you are faced with an impossible situation in your own life, Jesus wants you to be just as confident that He will do a miracle for you. The Healer declared, "I will perform that good thing which I have promised" (Jeremiah 33:14). No question about it!

Daily Encouragement:
Jesus the Healer, challenges you with another question, "Who do you say that I am?" (Matthew 16:15). May your faith in Him be so solid that you can declare with complete assurance, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matthew 16:16)

By Gwen Prankard:    http://www.bpea.com

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See Bill and Gwen Prankard’s Website, “From the River” for their “From the River” video program.

“How do you transform a nation?  One person at a time!”  This week Bill and Gwen share heart-warming stories of their ministry to the ends of the earth, and challenge viewers to “Serve the one”.

Great Stuff

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by Greg Johnson http://www.gajohnson.org

When I was in my twenties my feelings toward what the church had become was the same as many of those under 29 today.  At one point in my early twenties I vowed to never step foot in one again. 

I ran from God to try to avoid the call on my life, but God wouldn't leave me alone.  He kept calling me to make a difference.  He spoke to my heart over and over again "you can either be a part of the problem or you can use your life to make a difference."  Finally, at the age of 28, I accepted the call of God on my life to make a difference in my day and be a part of the solution instead of part of the problem.

Some months back, I received a free book to read from the publisher when it was released.  The name caught my attention.  As I read unChristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks about Christianity... and Why It Matters by David Kinnaman & Gabe Lyons.  I was constantly reminded of my feelings toward the church when I was in my twenties and how God used those negative feelings as a catalyst to use my life in bringing much needed change. That is why I do what I do today.

I think every person in the US (or Australia) that claims to be Christian, should read the book. If you are a parent or grandparent of children or grandchildren that are under the age of 29 and wonder why they don't want to have anything to do with the church today, this book will be eye opening and hopefully life changing for you.

I've been in this long enough to realize that this book is not going to make everyone in the church world happy, but I think it is right on and a much needed read for all that are considered to be Christian.  

by Greg Johnson http://www.gajohnson.org

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A suggestion:

If you have ‘vowed’ never to go to Church again, why not ask God to lead you to the church he has prepared for you. A church that will speak truth in your life and that will challenge you with God’s word. A church that presents Jesus as Lord, healer and life giver. A church where people get to know God not just learn about God. The church for you is out there. There are no perfect churches out there, because they are made up of fallible people.  However there are churches out there that serve a perfect Lord.

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by Tim Savage   http://www.enewhope.org/

Observation

Have you ever been talking in a group of people, and then the conversation turns to talk about a party, but it's a party that you haven't been invited to?

Awkward...!

Have you ever felt like the Bible was written for the Children of Israel and wasn't necessarily addressed to you? I guess it's only natural, since so much of it refers specifically to them. "You are my children...," "...you are the chosen...," "God's people...," the references are innumerable and it's understandable that one might feel like we weren't invited to the party, but, in the book of John, Jesus clearly prays to God, His Father, for all of us who, now, or will in the future, believe in Him.

Scripture

"I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one-as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. (John 17:20-21)

The entire Old Testament is all about the Israelites. You're either an Israelite or you're an other (from the TV show "Lost"!). Well most of us aren't Israelites, so in some way and at some time we've all probably thought, "Where do I fit in to all of this?" "Are these lessons, stories and instructions really meant for meant for me?"

Application

Most of us know in our hearts that the Bible has deep and personal meaning for each of us, but it's always nice to hear it straight from Jesus! And He says that He is praying for each of us – yesterday, today and tomorrow – for all of us who choose to believe in Him.

He's not just an answer for a chosen few. He is an intimate and personal Saviour that loves us and knows us better than we know ourselves. And He is never far from us, He is as close to us now, as He was when He walked this earth with His disciples. He is here and He is now, and we are His children, whom He loves.

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for loving us so much and knowing 2000 years ago that you would be our Saviour and we would be your children. May I always remember that You are close to me no matter what my situation or circumstance. Thank You for the undeserved mercy, grace and blessings You give to my family and me.

In Jesus name,

Amen

By Tim Savage    http://www.enewhope.org/

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If you haven’t read the Bible for a while borrow one of the modern translations and have a read. Ask God to speak to you through it. He will and you will be surprised. It is written for you. night light

There is a song being sung from heaven. It is “Will You Run With Me?” The Lord is looking for those who will run in abandoned love and worship to Him without any contingencies, no strings attached. He is looking for a people who will hold and steward the things of the Lord with an open hand, just enough to carry but not control. He desires to pour out His Spirit in us and through us. He wants carriers, not controllers.

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. 2 Corinthians 4:7

We are called to carry the weight of His Presence, but leave the details to Him. Whatever and whoever it involves there must be an open hand that won’t clench to control. (Jer. 17:5) This is the condition for running with the Lord and consistently being able to carry His love and Presence. It is not about what we can do, but about what only He can do. It is His glory to be the sole provider of all things. In this He gets all the glory. Our role is simply to yield and be the releasers of His grace in love and freedom. Our song to Him is “I will run with You!”

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,  looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Hebrews 12:1-2

by John Belt    http://www.liveinhispresence.com

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John Belt is a prophetic psalmist whose desire is to open doors and provide atmospheres for healing, prophetic release and open heavens in worship in the manifested Presence of God. Out of a great desire to usher people into the Presence of God, he has produced several instrumental CD projects. His most recent work is "Overcomers: To Him Who Overcomes!"

Bless You, night light

God put this Bible passage on my heart tonight and I believe it is for one reader out there today. Are you questioning whose side God is on? Here is God's answer. 

Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, "Are you for us or for our enemies?"  "Neither," he replied, "but as commander of the army of the LORD I have now come." Then Joshua fell face down to the ground in reverence, and asked him, "What message does my Lord have for his servant?" The commander of the LORD's army replied, "Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy." And Joshua did so.

Joshua 5:13-15

 God says to you that He is not on your enemies side and he is not taking your side. He has His own agenda, He is not following human agendas.

He says "I am here with you. So where you are is now Holy, because I am there with you. Recognise my presence and follow my directions. Seek me and live. Seek my good for your enemy and you will prosper. Take off your sin. Let the blood of Jesus wash it away."

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