Healing Power

There are two miracles recorded in Acts 9:32-43. One is a paralyzed man who is healed in Lydda and another is a woman brought back to life in Joppa. The result was that more people turned to the Lord as the power of Christ was demonstrated through Peter.

The town of Lydda is about 25 miles from Jerusalem. The church there was probably established by disciples fleeing Jerusalem after the stoning of Stephen and the brutal persecution of the followers of Christ during that time. Peter meets Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had been bedridden for eight years (v. 33). After telling Aeneas to get up because Jesus Christ had healed him, Aeneas immediately got up. Peter had demonstrated to the people that anything is possible through the power God gives through Christ. Many people in that region saw the power of God and were saved.

In the other miracle, a disciple named Dorcus (In Hebrew her name is Tabitha ) became sick and died in the nearby town of Joppa. Some disciples sent two men to Lydda urging Peter to come at once. Peter came to where the dead body of Dorcus was being prepared for burial. Peter then asked everyone to leave the room. Alone with the dead body, Peter prayed, turned to the dead body of Dorcus, and asked her to get up. Through the power of God, she was brought back to life (v. 40).

This day with You Lord, we can passionately believe in what You can do. Nothing can hold us up in doing Your work and with You Lord by our side, we know that one day at a time the impossible will become possible. We pray that more will believe in You after seeing the power You provide in how we live. Amen.

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Never Too Late for a Clean Slate

A Questionable deed of our past will continue to interfere with our present to wear us down and consume our thoughts but by confessing; by leaving it on the Cross and beginning a clean slate we gain momentum for victory. This poem inspires us to let go of the past and step ahead by accepting the amazing grace of God.

Mark Shields's avatarStep Ahead

Questionable deeds
Of our sinful past.
Where does this lead
One may ask?

The thoughts of the past can
Put tremendous strain on us.
Leading to a life of chaos
That makes us go nuts.

To eventually consume us
With negative thoughts
And destroy potential;
Tie us up in knots.

But God knows all
That we have done
So He sent a Redeemer
So new life is begun.

So we can come clean
From all the sorrows
Of a regretful past
To better tomorrows.

From a hopeless life
That is turned around;
To a life of believing;
Receiving the crown.

Seeing the light
And being changed
By an amazing power
That is exchanged.

Through the blood of the Lamb;
Stepping ahead by confessing.
Accepting this new life in Christ
And receiving the blessing.

Leaving our uncertain past
On the old rugged Cross
And beginning a clean slate
That puts Him…

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Sermon Thoughts

The second message of the sermon series titled “Questions Jesus Asked” was presented last Sunday at the church I worship at. The message was “Why Are You So Afraid”. Here is a link to the podcast which is live at 9:30 central time each Sunday morning (just click on the button titled live on the right side) or watch any past worship service at any time or place thereafter at this link: Sermon Podcast.

Life can be scary as we all face storms. That’s why it is so important to invite Jesus into the storms we face because His presence is our best life preserver. When we have faith in Jesus, our fears are defeated.

This weekend, share a thought from one of the great sermons in your community or from a podcast.

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With God All Things Are Possible

The post The Greatest Conversion Story was about Saul’s conversion on the road to Damascus. He had been a persecutor of the followers of Christ but suddenly became their strongest advocate. That’s how God works; turning what seems to be something impossible into something that is possible. Today’s inspiring video is about changing people for the better: Changed – Rascal Flatts. 


Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us. – Ephesians 3:20 

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The Greatest Conversion Story

Within Acts 9:1-31, we get the conversion of Saul. He was on his way to Damascus taking anyone who followed the teachings of Jesus and putting them in prison. As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him (v. 3). The voice of Jesus then confronted Saul about the reason for persecuting those who followed His teachings.

Saul was blind for three days until a follower of Jesus named Ananias obeyed God’s command to help Saul.  Ananias was hesitant about God’s command at first because of the reports about Saul’s anger toward them but he courageously obeyed and placed his hands on Saul to restore his sight (v. 12). Saul was then baptized and spent several days with the disciples in Damascus before beginning his ministry (v. 22).

Like Paul, there are many in this world going the wrong way but conversion can turn them to the right way. This day with You Lord, we ask that you use us to give sight to those who are blind spiritually. Like Ananias, help us to have the courage to obey You because with You, all things are possible.

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