Jan. 18, 2023: The Lord Gives Sight

Read John 9:1-7.

“And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is, by interpretation, Sent.)

He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing” (v. 7).

 

   There is no promise in Scripture that God will remove all our trials. After all, God is the Creator of the Universe – all-wise, all-seeing, all-knowing…but NOT a vending machine. We glean from today’s passage that God does what He does for reasons more important than our comfort. He desires to build character and prepare us for the next life, not to grant us ease in this one. God acts in ways that best bring glory to Himself, not us. Sometimes the “sight” He gives is the ability to see Him above our circumstances.

That said, while on earth, Jesus did choose to provide physical healing for many. In today’s reading, yet another man’s sight was restored. Jesus did not just hand this man his healing, though. The afflicted man was given instructions. He obeyed, and only then did he receive his sight.

I take from this account two thought-provoking insights. One is that when we ask for healing, we should also make sure we are living in line with God’s Word. Obedience is one of God’s “love languages,” so to speak. Is your will aligned with His?

A second point is that Jesus handled each situation differently. He did not use mud on every blind person’s eyes. My story will not look like your story. God is God. His methods are His business; obedience is mine. Of one thing, I am sure – ALL healing comes from Him! (Shawna Wright)

 

"It is truly wonderful what the Lord has done!

Glory to His name!"

--- Barney E. Warren

2023-01-16T20:58:10+00:00January 18th, 2023|Categories: Opening the Word|Tags: , |0 Comments

Peter: A Man of Action

Focus Text: Matthew 14:25-31; Acts 3:1-7
Central Truth: Faith in God requires action.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to identify ways we can put our faith into action.
Lesson Outline:
I. Faith in Action (Matt. 14:25-31)
II. Healing the Sick (Acts 3:1-7)

2018-08-06T09:00:42+00:00August 6th, 2018|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: , , , , |0 Comments

What is your motive in praying?

The objective for today's lesson is: "By the end of this lesson my students should be able to identify various improper motives people have in praying for miracles."
Discussion: What are some such improper motives in praying? (Feel free to add your comments below!)

2016-01-08T09:00:06+00:00January 8th, 2016|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: , , |0 Comments

5 Insights on Divine Healing From James 5

In "Doctrinal Discussion", Dr. Glenn McClure points out five insights on divine healing from James 5:14-20:

  1. The person who is sick must want the healing.
  2. The church leaders not only directed this request for healing to God, but also acknowledged that only God could bring it about.
  3. We must pray in faith; faith is a prerequisite for healing.
  4. We should not overlook those who are praying and the one for whom prayer is offered.
  5. We must consider the intensity of the prayer of faith.

For deeper explanation of these insights, please see your Adult Teacher's Insights, pages 37-38.

2016-01-07T09:00:33+00:00January 7th, 2016|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: , , |0 Comments

Why Jesus Was Impressed

"When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee." (Mark 2:5)
In "Biblical Perspective", Dr. Gayle Woods writes:

Jesus and the crowd in the room heard the noise above them as the roof was dismantled. It was not long until sand and bits of mortar fell into the room. A cloudy haze filled the room as they watched in wonder. A hole appeared, revealing the sky above. The opening grew larger and larger until they saw the four men feverishly destroying the roof. Then the cot with the paralyzed man was lowered carefully into the room. Somehow people bunched closer together to allow for its intrusion into their midst. Jesus was impressed. It was the collective faith of the friends that impressed Jesus. They brought their friend for physical healing, but Jesus offered him much more. Jesus spoke to the need of his heart. Using a Greek term that was used affectionately, Jesus said, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.

Discussion: What one step can you take today to demonstrate a greater faith in Jesus?
Source: Miracles of Jesus: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 35.

2016-01-06T09:00:48+00:00January 6th, 2016|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: , , |0 Comments

Devotional: Confession and Healing

Read James 5:15-20
“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (v. 16).
Throughout Scripture, men have turned to God in prayer when plagued with physical illness. The prayer for healing is both private and shared with the Church. But James suggests that sickness MAY be related to conduct — a discipline from God for disobedience. The translation “faults” is misleading as to seriousness, for the Greek word translated “fault” is the word for “sin” (see James 1:15). It will be necessary to confess to God (and man as it applies) the offending action. It is then that the prayer of faith imploring God’s will for healing may be presented.
Confession is not pleasant, but it is necessary. “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper” (Prov. 28:13). Confession brings humility, and it is the humble man that finds help from God. The clear instruction of this passage is that sickness can be related to disobedience. Equally clear is that confession accompanied with prayer brings healing. Certainly confession brings healing to the soul. Practicing these divine directives can and will bring health and renewed usefulness to the kingdom of God. Perhaps the words of J. Edwin Orr would be appropriate for us to pray today. (William Snider)

Search me O God,
And know my heart today.
Try me, O Savior;
Know my thoughts, I pray
See if there be some wicked way in me;
Cleanse me from every sin, and set me free.

Turn to God for healing.

This devotional is the Sunday, January 10, 2016 entry of Opening the Word.

2016-01-05T14:00:16+00:00January 5th, 2016|Categories: Opening the Word|Tags: , , |0 Comments

Lesson 6: The Paralyzed Restored

Lesson 6 - January 10, 2016
Focus Text: Mark 2:1
Central Truth: Christ performed miracles to promote God’s glory.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to identify various improper motives people have in praying for miracles.

  1. The Helpless Sufferer (Mark 2:1-4)
  2. The Compassionate Savior (Mark 2:5)
  3. The Murmuring Scribes (Mark 2:6-7)
  4. The Powerful Healer (Mark 2:8-12)
2016-01-04T10:00:33+00:00January 4th, 2016|Categories: Weekly Lesson Summaries|Tags: , , |0 Comments

Lesson 5: The Lepers Cleansed

Lesson 5 - January 3, 2016
Focus Text: Mark 1:40-45; Luke 17:11-19
Central Truth: Christ has power to make us whole.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to explain the difference between temporary faith and saving faith.
Lesson Outline:

  1. Compassion and Healing (Mark 1:40-45)
  2. Mercy and Healing (Luke 17:11-14)
  3. Gratitude and Healing (Luke 17:15-19)
2015-12-28T10:00:13+00:00December 28th, 2015|Categories: Weekly Lesson Summaries|Tags: , , , |0 Comments
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