The last Sunday in December, we said good-bye to Pastor Bonnie and anticipated the arrival of Rev. Doug Wintermute.
Pastor Bonnie left us with thoughts on faith and healing from Luke 5:17-26. Take time to read this text now. [If you don't have a Bible handy, click the Scripture reference to read online.]
She told us:
Faith is when we keep going through any difficulty...
The paralytic's friends were filled with faith. They did not allow the crowds to deter them from getting to Jesus. Their faith was visible to Him as they peered down with anticipation through the hole in the roof.
He blessed the faithful friends by forgiving the paralytic his sins.
Not what they expected --- not what anyone expected --- and the scribes and Pharisees were indignant.
So, Jesus physically healed the man, too, in order to show He had the authority to forgive sins.
Bonnie left us with the understanding that both forgiveness and physical healing lead to human restoration when done in the name of Jesus.
Rev. Wintermute began by sharing the power of God's covenantal love with His people, from Ephesians 1:3-14. [Ditto, as above, if you don't have a Bible.]
In love, he predestined us for adoption
as sons through Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 1:4-5 ESV
Father God's powerful covenantal love deserves a powerful response. We were encouraged by Rev. Wintermute to live this next year as a covenant with Him. Raising the bar on our faith.
Real faith perseveres in the face of difficulties.
Real faith responds to His love with action through forgiveness and healing.
Real faith pursues Him with passion in His Word and through prayer.
Real faith expresses itself in love for God and love for others.
Our life is a series of beginnings and endings: relationships, jobs, semesters, days, seasons, years... Throughout each we have the opportunity to exercise real faith.
How are you making your faith real?
Just some thoughts from the past couple of Sundays.
Carol Weaver
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