[Random Thoughts- 31]

Random Thoughts- 31

A couple of months back, a middle aged man came to me for treatment of his Diabetes. Lean and slender, not more that 5 ft. in height, he looked pale and worn out. His blood sugar was very high. When I told him that, he said he didn't care. He continued, "Last week I took an overdose of Insulin, wanting to die; I lost conciousness,when I woke up I was in the hospital, my wife had taken me there in an ambulance on finding me unconcious." Poor planning, he added, I should have walked away from home after taking the overdose, no one would have known.

Why do you want to die? I asked. No one cares for me, that's why, he said. Talking further, he told me how he had worked day and night to support his family, lived in pitiable conditions in the gulf for some 25 years, helped his sons to complete their education, but now they didn't care about him. I talked about God. He said he was an Aethist. I told him, "No wonder God brought you here."

That set up a discussion. He was stinking of alcohol, but I thought I may not get another chance. He was not in agreement but he said, "I'll come back to hear more."I gave him a couple of my books as he left and asked him to go through them. He agreed. He came back a couple of weeks later and I enquired how he was. I'm O.K. he said, and then added, "I couldn't get your face out of my mind for the past 2 weeks." Can you explain, he asked.
I laughed thinking of the ways of the Lord. He looked perplexed. Then I said, "I hope God replaces my face with his in your mind."

I talked to him again about Christ's love for him. He didn't seem to agree and left a little while later. But I was happy, a seed had been sown. My part in the great plans of God in his life had probably been done. Never saw him again. Perhaps will. Only God knows. Perhaps another person has taken over the baton from me in God's scheme of things.

[Praise Devotionals- 26Do not let the oppressed retreat in disgrace; may the poor and needy praise your name. (Psalm 74:21)]

Praise Devotionals- 26

Do not let the oppressed retreat in disgrace; may the poor and needy praise your name. (Psalm 74:21)

A cry from the heart of the psalmist. The world is one of the rich and mighty and justice often evades the poor. They are oppressed and suffer. Disgrace is often their food. Yet when the Almighty rises to fight for the oppressed believer, the Pharaohs of the world sink in the Red Seas.

All through the psalms, we read of cries for God to rise up and fight for the oppressed....You are God my stronghold. Why have you rejected me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy? (Psalm 43:2)
Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. (Psalm 82:3)
....and also the declarations that he is the helper of the oppressed.
The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. (Psalm 9:9)
The LORD works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed. (Psalm 103:6)
Jesus himself said this about those who are his:
And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18:7,

Of course, faith is what is he always seeks in our lives as believer's. The Bible says, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)

Jesus will not let you down. Cry out to him in your oppression. He will set you free. He will not let the enemy make you retreat in disgrace. Instead he will deliver you and you will praise him all the more.

[Praise Devotionals- 25With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the LORD: "He is good; his love to Israel endures forever." And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid. (Ezra 3:11)]

Praise Devotionals- 25

With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the LORD: "He is good; his love to Israel endures forever." And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid. (Ezra 3:11)

After 70 years of Babylonian exile, the Israelites were back in their land, but without a temple, for the earlier temple had been destroyed and Jerusalem burnt with fire by King Nebuchadnezzar during his 3 invasions of the land.

The elders who had witnessed the glory of the former temple built by Solomon wept and the younger generation rejoiced that the new temple foundation was being laid.

When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, the priests in their vestments and with trumpets, and the Levites (the sons of Asaph) with cymbals, took their places to praise the LORD, as prescribed by David king of Israel. (Ezra 3:10)

They were starting the new project by praising God, trusting that he would help them complete.

Who would have ever thought that the wonderful temple built by Solomon would be laid waste? It had taken 7 years to build and it was a magnificient monument. Nothing could match it's grandeur in that era.  But King Solomon  married foriegn women who worshipped idols and he was no longer faithful to God who had given him everything from knowledge and wisdom to riches and fame. Of the kings that followed Solomon's reign, only a few were faithful to the Lord.

Sin had led to punishment- an exile and now they were being restored by God himself. Joy and sorrow were both witnessed at this solemn occasion.

Many of the older priests and Levites and family heads, who had seen the former temple, wept aloud when they saw the foundation of this temple being laid, while many others shouted for joy. No one could distinguish the sound of the shouts of joy from the sound of weeping, because the people made so much noise. And the sound was heard far away. (Ezra 3:12, 13)

They praised God vociferously hoping and trusting that what they were starting would be brought into completion by God. And God was faithful. He did not leave them nor forsake them. The temple was built. Praise the Lord.

[Random Thoughts- 30]

Random Thoughts- 30

Of the diverse prayer requests that I receive, one stands out. A middle aged woman once came to my clinic for treatment of Diabetes, Hypertension, Acid Peptic Disease, Rhematism & Partial Blindness. She was very sick and after I had examined her and given her the prescription, she said she had one prayer request.

OK. I said with a smile. Soon, with tears in her eyes she said amidst sobs, "Can you pray for me to die?"
I was taken aback and thought it was because of her sickness that she wanted to die. But on enquiring, she said it because of her son that she wanted to die. He was a chronic alcoholic and verbally abused her threatening to kill her if she didn't hand over whatever property was in her name after her husband's death. He rarely worked and even if he did work, he finished all his earnings on liquor. Many people had conselled him but he did not have a change of heart. She said she was fed up of life with sickness, poverty and abuse.

I did not immediately speak, so she continued with her woes.
I just let her talk and pour out her sorrows. After a while she just sat near me sobbing.

I didn't see any instant solution; she waited for me to pray.

I prayed, not for her to die but that Jesus would grant her peace amidst all the sorrows in her life. I told her about the love that Jesus has for her and that she should trust in him to bring about a change in her son's life. She shook her head in the affirmative but seemed unconvinced that things would change.

We live in a world that is suffering.... The Apostle Paul writes to the Romans:
We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. (Romans 8:22-25)

The whole creation is groaning....only a child of God has hope.....

[But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9)]

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9)

The Apostle Peter sums up why God transformed 'some' according to his liking to become a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation & a people belonging to God- To declare the praises of the one who called them out of darkness into his wonderful light.

Is praising God justified? Yes it is. John the Apostle tells us why.
To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood,
and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father - to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. (Revelation 1:5, 6)

Because of his great love for us, he freed us from our sins by shedding his blood on the cross. And why did he do it? To make us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father.

The love that Jesus showed has no comparisons except what the Father also did. About the love of Jesus the Bible says,
"Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross! (Philippians 2:6-8)

And about the love of the Father the Bible says,
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)

We who were once "not a people" have now become "the people of God". And having become "the people of God", our aim in life should be to sing the praises of him who called us out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Praise be to the Lord now and forever.

I can and do accept all Born-Again Christians as Brothers and Sisters in Christ.

On the other side of the coin, I do NOT accept the FALSE teaching of speaking in tongues --  name it and claim it doctrines --  health and wealth doctrines  -- and any other doctrine that is completely contrary to God's Word. These doctrines are NOT taught here, and they won't be taught here.

Our Fellowship Here is not based on denominations, rather the GOSPEL OF THE GRACE OF GOD, JESUS CHRIST and the CROSS, THE GOOD NEWS. The Statement of Faith for those who pay the bills on Christians Unite is prominently posted, and the rules for the use of the forum are also prominently posted. There are NO pulpits here for false religions or false teaching, and we make no apology for that. We are NOT ashamed of the GOSPEL OF THE GRACE OF GOD.

If someone posts false teaching here, we won't be bashful about it. There isn't any choice on the user's part of whether false teaching will be posted here or not. We give warnings that are impossible to misunderstand, and it then becomes a choice for the user to either abide by our rules and stay OR leave or be banned if they wish to continue posting false teaching. There are no other choices regarding the use of the forum outside of the forum rules.

I already know that you want to teach some things you've already been warned about numerous times. The answer is still NO. If you want to teach these things, it will have to be elsewhere.

Moderator

cc:  Other Moderators

Brother Tom, what false teaching is there in this post of mine? Why are you so angry?

[Praise Devotionals- 22Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. (Romans 15:7)]

Praise Devotionals- 22

Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. (Romans 15:7)

Can we accept each other as our brothers and sisters in Christ? There may be differences in our doctrines even when they may seem sound to each of us (not talking about false doctrines--which we all must abhor) and differences in the way of worship and lots of other differences, but we should be able to accept one another because we all have the same factor that will give us eternal life- Jesus.

The New Testament is believing in what Jesus did by offering himself as a perfect sacrifice for our sins and the resulting eternal life with him if we live for him after accepting him as Savior.

Perhaps you may never have spoken in tongues or do not believe that that gift exists or any other gifts mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12 exists; still you should accept others who do believe in and exercise these gifts.

You may be a pre-tribulationist and you are sure that that is the right doctrine; still you should accept others who are post-tribulationists or mid-tribulationists for that matter because Jesus does not despise them because they believe so.

You may believe that your church or denomination has the perfect worship; still you should accept others from other denominations or churches despite their imperfections because Jesus still loves them.

You may have faith to move mountains; still you should not look down upon some other believer who cannot exercise as much faith as you.

Christ has accepted us with all our imperfections and he has given us the Holy Spirit and the Word of God to cleanse ourselves. We all are imperfect in one way or the other and so we should be able to accept one another as Christ accepted us. That will bring praise to God.

[April 24th 2009 So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days. When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God. (Nehemiah 6:15,16)]

April 24th 2009

So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days.
When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God. (Nehemiah 6:15,16)


Nehemiah had set his heart on rebuilding the broken walls of Jerusalem and God had given him success. He had gone about the task in a very systematic manner with much prayer and dependance on God. There was much opposition to this project he had undertaken but he succeeded because he fully trusted in God. Whenever there was opposition and ridicule, he immediately turned to God in prayer.

The begining of the whole endeavour was with weeping, prayer and fasting. He had enquired from his fellow Israelites about the state of the Jewish remnant that survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem and the report that he heard sent him into mourning.

They said to me, "Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire." When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. (Nehemiah 1:3, 4)

He confessed his own sins and the sins of the Israelites and asked for success that he may be granted favor when he dealt with the king in this matter. He was cupbearer to king Artaxerxes.
The king granted him permission to do as he had prayed to the Lord.
Opposition was not far away and it increased as he set about the task of rebuilding the broken walls.

Opposition and Nehemiah's Strategies
1. MOCKERY & RIDICULE- But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official and Geshem the Arab heard about it, they mocked and ridiculed us. "What is this you are doing?" they asked. "Are you rebelling against the king?" (Nehemiah 2:19)

COURAGE, DEPENDANCE & TRUST IN GOD- I answered them by saying, "The God of heaven will give us success. We his servants will start rebuilding, but as for you, you have no share in Jerusalem or any claim or historic right to it." (Nehemiah 2:20)

2. MOCKERY & RIDICULE- When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became angry and was greatly incensed. He ridiculed the Jews, and in the presence of his associates and the army of Samaria, he said, "What are those feeble Jews doing? Will they restore their wall? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they finish in a day? Can they bring the stones back to life from those heaps of rubble - burned as they are?" Tobiah the Ammonite, who was at his side, said, "What they are building - if even a fox climbed up on it, he would break down their wall of stones!" (Nehemiah 4:1-3)

PRAYER- Hear us, O our God, for we are despised. Turn their insults back on their own heads. Give them over as plunder in a land of captivity. (Nehemiah 4:4)

3. THREATS TO FIGHT- But when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the men of Ashdod heard that the repairs to Jerusalem's walls had gone ahead and that the gaps were being closed, they were very angry. They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it. (Nehemiah 4:7, 8)

PRAYER & SETTING GUARD- But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat. (Nehemiah 4:9)

4. INTERNAL DISCOURAGEMENTS- Meanwhile, the people in Judah said, "The strength of the laborers is giving out, and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall." Then the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times over, "Wherever you turn, they will attack us." (Nehemiah 4:10, 12)

SETTING GUARD & ENCOURAGING WORDS- Therefore I stationed some of the people behind the lowest points of the wall at the exposed places, posting them by families, with their swords, spears and bows. After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, "Don't be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes." (Nehemiah 4:13, 14)

5. CUNNING PLANS- When word came to Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies that I had rebuilt the wall and not a gap was left in it - though up to that time I had not set the doors in the gates -
Sanballat and Geshem sent me this message: "Come, let us meet together in one of the villages on the plain of Ono." But they were scheming to harm me; (Nehemiah 6:1, 2)

CAREFUL ATTITUDE- so I sent messengers to them with this reply: "I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?" Four times they sent me the same message, and each time I gave them the same answer. (Nehemiah 6:3, 4)

6. INTIMIDATION BY FALSE PROPHETS- One day I went to the house of Shemaiah son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel, who was shut in at his home. He said, "Let us meet in the house of God, inside the temple, and let us close the temple doors, because men are coming to kill you - by night they are coming to kill you." (Nehemiah 6:10)

COURAGEOUS ATTITUDE, PRAYER & DEPENDANCE ON GOD- But I said, "Should a man like me run away? Or should one like me go into the temple to save his life? I will not go!"
I realized that God had not sent him, but that he had prophesied against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. (Nehemiah 6:11, 12)
Remember Tobiah and Sanballat, O my God, because of what they have done; remember also the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets who have been trying to intimidate me. (Nehemiah 6:14)

Thus the wall was built in 52 days despite much ridicule, mockery, threats, intimidation and discouragemnets.

WE CAN LEARN FROM NEHEMIAH'S STRATEGIES. HE DEPENDED MUCH ON PRAYER, GODLY WISDOM, COURAGE AND A CAREFUL ATTITUDE WHILE GOING ABOUT DOING HIS TASK AND ALSO SIMULTANEOUSLY DEALING WITH HIS ENEMIES.

[Praise Devotionals- 21Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD. (Psalm 150:6)]

Praise Devotionals- 21

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD. (Psalm 150:6)

Lot's of exhortations in this psalm. The final one being, "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord."

Many things to be noticed here in this psalm and all about praise.
1. Praise God in....verse 1...Praise the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. (Psalm 150:1)

2. Praise God for....verse 2...Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. (Psalm 150:2)

3. Praise God with....verses 3-5...Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals. (Psalm 150:3-5)

The "Praise God with.." part is the largest in this series. The psalmist is considering maximizing his praise and worship with the use of all kinds of musical instruments and with dancing. He intends to be loud with his praise and worship and also is exhorting others to do the same.

"Praise him with resounding cymbals" he says.
Worship is something personal to each of us. Some like to quietly worship the Lord while others like to make much noise. The psalmist here seems to be in the second category. He likes to enjoy his worship by making it lively with the use of many instruments and also by dancing to the tune. He seems to be delighting in the Lord.

Do you delight in the Lord while you praise and worship him? Try it, it can bring you a joy that you may have never experienced.

 

[I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies. (Psalm 18:3)]

I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies. (Psalm 18:3)

Is the Lord worthy of praise? Yes, he is! The psalmists definitely thought so. That's why they sang,
Great is the LORD, and most worthy of praise, in the city of our God, his holy mountain. (Psalm 48:1)
For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods. (Psalm 96:4)
Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. (Psalm 145:3)

They affirmed that God was not only worthy, but most worthy.

The writer of Hebrews says, Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself. (Hebrews 3:3)

Why? Because "He was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses was faithful in all God's house. (Hebrews 3:2)Moses was faithful as a servant in all God's house, testifying to what would be said in the future. But Christ is faithful as a son over God's house. (Hebrews 3:5, 6a)

And then this beautiful part in the book of Revelation;
And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, "Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?" I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. He came and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. (Revelation 5:2,4,6,7)

And they sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. In a loud voice they sang: "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!" (Revelation 5:9,12)

He truly is worthy of praise, your praise. Yes; your praise will bring him glory. So do not keep silent.

Agree with your explanation Br. Tom. I just mentioned a few examples of those who were redeemed by the Lord in their distress.

[Simple Thoughts On Promises- 35 My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you. (Psalm 63:5)]

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 35

My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you. (Psalm 63:5)

Have you been feeding your soul as much as you have been feeding your body? It's vital because God says, "Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."While wordly pursuits bring only temporary satisfaction, feeding your soul with spiritual food will bring lasting satisfaction. Time for a new decision??

[Simple Thoughts On Promises- 34 For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God. (2 Corinthians 1:20)]

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 34

For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God. (2 Corinthians 1:20)

A promise regarding promises. The Bible says, "Not one of all the LORD's good promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled." (Joshua 21:45) So be strong and courageous. Whatever God has promised you will also come to pass.

[Praise God Using His Word-7- Praise God for giving Joy]

Praise God Using His Word-7- Praise God for giving Joy

1.I thank you and praise you Jesus because splendor and majesty are before you, strength and joy in your dwelling place. (Based on 1 Chronicles 16:27)

2.I thank you and praise you Jesus because the joy of the LORD is our strength." (Based on Nehemiah 8:10)

3.I thank you and praise you Jesus because you will yet fill our mouth with laughter and our lips with shouts of joy. (Based on Job 8:21)

4.I thank you and praise you Jesus because you have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound. (Based on Psalm 4:7)

5.I thank you and praise you Jesus because your word says, “But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them that those who love your name may rejoice in you. (Based on Psalm 5:11)

6.I thank you and praise you Jesus because you have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. (Based on Psalm 16:11)

7.I thank you and praise you Jesus because we can shout for joy when you are victorious and can lift up our banners in the name of our God. (Based on Psalm 20:5)

8.I thank you and praise you Jesus because you are my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in you, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to you in song. (Based on Psalm 28:7)

9.I thank you and praise you Jesus because you turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy. (Based on Psalm 30:11)

10.I thank you and praise you Jesus because you love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy. (Based on Psalm 45:7)

11.I thank you and praise you Jesus that when anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul. (Based on Psalm 94:19)

12.I thank you and praise you Jesus because light is shed upon the righteous and joy on the upright in heart. (Based on Psalm 97:11)

13.I thank you and praise you Jesus because you brought out your people with rejoicing, your chosen ones with shouts of joy. (Based on Psalm 105:43)

14.I thank you and praise you Jesus because you have done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. (Based on Psalm 126:3)

15.I thank you and praise you Jesus because your word says, “Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him. (Based on Psalm126:5, 6)

16.I thank you and praise you Jesus because you say, “Instead of their shame my people will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace they will rejoice in their inheritance; and so they will inherit a double portion in their land, and everlasting joy will be theirs.” (Based on Isaiah 61:7)

17.I thank you and praise you Jesus because you will give me comfort and joy instead of sorrow. (Based on Jeremiah 31:13)

18.I thank you and praise you Jesus because you say, “Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. (Based on John 16:24)

19.I thank you and praise you Jesus because you have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence. (Based on Acts 2:28)

20.I thank you and praise you Jesus because the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Based on Romans 14:17)

21.I thank you and praise you Jesus because your word says, “But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful. (Based on Psalm 68:3)

[Miracles Of Jesus In The Gospels- Bible Study- 10 Narrated In 1 Gospel Gospel Of Luke One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, he was being carefully watched. There in front of him was a man suffering from dropsy. Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in the law, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?" But they remained silent. So taking hold of the man, he healed him and sent him away. Then he asked them, "If one of you has a son or an ox that falls into a well on the Sabbath day, will you not immediately pull him out?" And they had nothing to say. (Luke 14:1-6)]

Miracles Of Jesus In The Gospels- Bible Study- 10

Narrated In 1 Gospel

Gospel Of Luke

One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, he was being carefully watched. There in front of him was a man suffering from dropsy. Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in the law, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?" But they remained silent. So taking hold of the man, he healed him and sent him away. Then he asked them, "If one of you has a son or an ox that falls into a well on the Sabbath day, will you not immediately pull him out?" And they had nothing to say. (Luke 14:1-6)

The confrontations with the rich, learned and powerful continued unabated in the 3 1/2 years of Jesus’ ministry. He was always watched carefully so that he might be caught in something that he said or something that he did. He spoke wisely so they could never catch him in his words. Finally they resorted to false testimony. But he knew that no one could do anything to him before it was his time so he continued his work with zeal and unmatched success.

Here was another occasion where the religious rulers, the experts in the law were eagerly waiting to accuse. Instead the tables were turned on them by his words and deeds. Whether the man suffering from dropsy was bait laid before him we wouldn’t know for sure but Jesus was up to the challenge anyway.

Here again we do not see Jesus looking for faith (for healing) in the sick man. He had dealt similarly with the woman bound by a spirit of infirmity for 18 years. He was here to prove a point; that God is compassion and love personified and one who cares for the afflicted, performing beyond the boundaries of laws and regulation which he has set.

He had been healing many on the Sabbath and again he chose a Sabbath here to heal this man. He posed a question before his critics: "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?" Strangely the Pharisees and experts in the law present there did not choose to argue or debate; perhaps knowing that it was an exercise in futility, because he was going to heal anyway.

The man in question here was suffering from Dropsy. Dropsy is an accumulation of watery fluid in the cellular tissues or in any of the cavities of the body, as the chest or abdomen, and may be due to disease of the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, or peritoneum. Whatever the cause, here was a man with generalized swelling; he must have been quite out of shape, but for Jesus, it was no major task. When someone is healed of a major debilitating illness or of a sickness which has no treatment, it is a MIRACLE to them and those who witness it, but for God it’s simple. He doesn’t have to work hard or put in extra effort. For him, it’s just “SAID & DONE”. So Jesus just took hold of the man, healed him and sent him away. All in a flash. He then faced his critics and asked, “"If one of you has a son or an ox that falls into a well on the Sabbath day, will you not immediately pull him out?"

There wouldn’t have been 2 answers to that question, so again everyone kept quiet. Jesus had proved to them again that God was good and intended to do good to those who suffered, be it the Sabbath or not. He thus silenced his critics time and again by his miraculous works.