Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Jesus Christ Who Heals
Bible portion Acts 9:32-35“As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the saints in Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, a paralytic who had been bedridden for eight years. ” Aeneas”, Peter said to him. “Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and take care of your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up. All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.”
Devotional Text
Physical healing after a long and challenging illness is something we all have experienced personally or have witnessed it within our own families or friend circle. It is truly amazing to see the countless miracles that God has orchestrated to heal people from their sickness and how these same people that were worried and distraught bring their newly found health in glorifying Almighty God for their recovery.
The New Testament tells us that Jesus Christ healed the lame and sick. These healings were miraculous in nature and all four Gospels provide a wonderful testimony about this. We also find that the same supernatural healing ability was given to a few of His disciples. These few men were able to perform miracles, one such miracle was the ability to heal the sick. We also find that this supernatural healing ministry of Jesus did not end after His ascension into heaven. The Book of Acts records several healing miracles performed by Jesus’ disciples. One such example of healing by Peter is found in this passage, Acts 9: 32-35.
The brief story of Aeneas in Acts 9: 32-35 and many other stories of healing demonstrate the power of the Holy Spirit working through Peter to perform a miraculous healing. This is a consistent theme in the Book of Acts, emphasizing the power and work of the Holy Spirit in the expansion of the early Church. This story speaks about the healing of a man who had been bedridden and paralyzed for 8 years and told by Peter to “rise and take your mat”. This was nothing short of a miracle and it highlights Peter’s boldness, integrity, and authority. This miracle, among others may all have contributed to the growth of the early Church, as people were getting drawn to the message of the Gospel.
The Apostles went and carried on Christ’s work as a witness, healing and encouraging others to follow Christ with their boldness and fortitude. We are living in a world filled with much chaos, pain, and hostility. It is easy to get pulled into that negativity and discouragement in our lives. We must remember that we should not only seek God when we are in pain or troubled, but rely upon Him as our source of strength daily. God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. His love and faithfulness endure forever and we all should continue to be beacons of hope, light, and life to all who we meet, as this is what Jesus has commanded us to do.
Prayer
Almighty Father, you are the Great Physician. You are our Healer and Redeemer. Help us, strengthen us when we are weak in body and mind to believe in You, To Trust in your healing power in our lives and to believe in the power of your Healing Touch, so that we may “rise and take our mat,” with our head held up high, looking to you for comfort and peace. Remove all our doubts, fears, and anxiety and heal us from the inside out. Help us to always remember that your love, grace, and peace is everlasting.
Amen
Thought for the Day
The way you help heal the world is when you start with your own family. Mother Teresa
Gracy Thomas, Long Island Mar Thoma Church
Physical healing after a long and challenging illness is something we all have experienced personally or have witnessed it within our own families or friend circle. It is truly amazing to see the countless miracles that God has orchestrated to heal people from their sickness and how these same people that were worried and distraught bring their newly found health in glorifying Almighty God for their recovery.
The New Testament tells us that Jesus Christ healed the lame and sick. These healings were miraculous in nature and all four Gospels provide a wonderful testimony about this. We also find that the same supernatural healing ability was given to a few of His disciples. These few men were able to perform miracles, one such miracle was the ability to heal the sick. We also find that this supernatural healing ministry of Jesus did not end after His ascension into heaven. The Book of Acts records several healing miracles performed by Jesus’ disciples. One such example of healing by Peter is found in this passage, Acts 9: 32-35.
The brief story of Aeneas in Acts 9: 32-35 and many other stories of healing demonstrate the power of the Holy Spirit working through Peter to perform a miraculous healing. This is a consistent theme in the Book of Acts, emphasizing the power and work of the Holy Spirit in the expansion of the early Church. This story speaks about the healing of a man who had been bedridden and paralyzed for 8 years and told by Peter to “rise and take your mat”. This was nothing short of a miracle and it highlights Peter’s boldness, integrity, and authority. This miracle, among others may all have contributed to the growth of the early Church, as people were getting drawn to the message of the Gospel.
The Apostles went and carried on Christ’s work as a witness, healing and encouraging others to follow Christ with their boldness and fortitude. We are living in a world filled with much chaos, pain, and hostility. It is easy to get pulled into that negativity and discouragement in our lives. We must remember that we should not only seek God when we are in pain or troubled, but rely upon Him as our source of strength daily. God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. His love and faithfulness endure forever and we all should continue to be beacons of hope, light, and life to all who we meet, as this is what Jesus has commanded us to do.
Prayer
Almighty Father, you are the Great Physician. You are our Healer and Redeemer. Help us, strengthen us when we are weak in body and mind to believe in You, To Trust in your healing power in our lives and to believe in the power of your Healing Touch, so that we may “rise and take our mat,” with our head held up high, looking to you for comfort and peace. Remove all our doubts, fears, and anxiety and heal us from the inside out. Help us to always remember that your love, grace, and peace is everlasting.
Amen
Thought for the Day
The way you help heal the world is when you start with your own family. Mother Teresa
Gracy Thomas, Long Island Mar Thoma Church