I need another touch

Mar 8:22 And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him. 23 And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought. 24 And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking. 25 After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly.

The first time Jesus took this blind man by the hand and drew him just out of the edge of town, spit on his eyes and laid His hands on him. The result; "he looked up." Here is a man who has never looked anywhere in his life, but now, his first look was up. For years he must have had his head down in discouragement, but now, for the first time, things are looking up. Up is where our help comes from, where we receive spiritual sight.

Next, he said, "I see..." Now, there are two words he was never able to say before. When we meet Jesus, all things become new. We see and say things never thought possible before.

And then, "...men as trees, walking." Imagine seeing people for the first time, not clearly yet, but the forms none the less.

But then, we see something striking. For whatever reason, Jesus left his sight less than perfect until this man had to have a second touch. It was the second touch that left him with 20/20 vision. Don't you see that as somewhat mystifying? We would expect complete healing straightaway, but this was a two-step process!

I am left with the impression that the Lord's work sometimes requires stages for the sake of those touched by His hand. Partial healing requires our continued trust and dependence on the Healer.

You recall that Paul implored the Lord for the removal of the thorn in his flesh. The Lord gave him grace rather than healing. The Lord knew which gift would be the greater blessing for Paul. He is now known as the apostle of grace, rather than the apostle of healing. Grace is his great theme in much of his inspired writing.

Some find healing only in death, for once they have breathed their final breath of earth's impure air, their diseased life gives way to immortality and perfect health in which celestial air is inhaled into perfect lungs.

Others find instantaneous healing from the almighty hand of God.

But most of us find our God working in and through us in stages. The Lord allows us to receive what we need and desire over a period of time as we pray and draw ever nearer to Him.

I am blessed that this man was touched, not once, but twice by the Lord's compassionate hand. It assures me that when the Lord has done something in me, that doesn't mean He is through. He just may have even greater things in store for me down the road.

Some of our brothers tout what they call the second blessing or the second work of grace in us. I have to testify that I must be on my 2 thousandth blessing, probably many more. And works of grace? Again, we are well into the many thousands.

Lord, you know I need a brand new touch, my strength from yesterday is gone
But if You'll give me, Lord, another touch, I'll have the strength to carry on

I thought the sun had come to stay, but all too soon it went away
And in its place the storm clouds came, and with the clouds there came the rain

It rained so hard and oh, so long, beneath the storm I felt a calm
It was Your touch that brought me through it all, without Your help I'd surely fall

But it matters not what comes my way, Lord, if you'll just touch me new each day
Your loving touch drives all my fears away, close by Your side I want to stay

Lord, You know how weak I really am, oh, even better than myself
But with Your help I know I really can, make it through the darkest night
Everything's gonna be all right!

Lord, You know I need a brand new touch, my strength from yesterday is gone
But if You'll give me, Lord, just one more touch, I'll have the strength to carry on

The Fault Finders

Mark 7:1 Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem. 2 And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault.

What are you looking for in others, faults or blessings?

Obviously, there is a time, a place and a need to cry aloud, spare not a lift up our voice like a trumpet to show God's people their sin. But to spend much of our time biting and devouring fellow believers is very unbecoming of one who claims to be a Christian.

Don't you remember what mom used to say? If you can't say something good about someone, don't say anything at all!

You basically are going to find whatever it is you are looking for in most people. Admittedly, you are going to find plenty of fault in me if you are looking for it.

The scribes felt it was their ministry to find fault with others, especially Jesus and the Disciples. I know plenty of people, preachers at the top of the list, who also feel their ministry is to point out the faults of everyone else.

Of course, you know why they do this, right? Insecurity! They can't match up, so they tear down. That's why folks gossip, why they are condescending and why they criticize.

Sad thing is, "ye shall know them by their fruit." That is, if a person does little but find fault in others, they are acting like the devil, AKA, the accuser of the brethren. But if a person is busy building others, and the law of kindness is under their tongue, they are acting more like Jesus. The result is that others will see this good work and glorify the Father, which is in heaven.

A poignant line from the Ruppe's song, Singin' in the Rain, is appropriate. It says, "when your mouth is full of praise, there's no room to complain." Well said!

If we are about the Father's business, winning souls and building people, we won't have any desire to be griping and cutting the legs out from the Lord's other disciples.

Let it not be said of us as of the fault finders of Mark 7, "This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men."

If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.

Proof of a Disciple - Following Christ

Mar 6:1 And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him.

Some follow bright lights
Their names to be known
Others follow fortune
That their worth might be grown

Thrills are the things
Others hope to find
While educated knowledge
Desire many for their mind

But we follow Christ
Our Saviour and King
For in following just Him
Our hearts freely sing

He never misleads
As we list to His call
Satisfying the souls
Who give Him their all

You call yourself saved, born-again, a blood bought believer and on your way to heaven. Wonderful! But discipleship could be the step you have not yet taken.

Jesus calls us today to deny ourselves, take up the cross and follow Him. But the call of the world is too strong for many believers.

We can never outgive the Lord. When we finally and consistently give it all up for Christ, the rewards are literally out of this world. Deep satisfaction ensues when we submit our all to the Lord, and we will be greeted in heaven with a "Well done, my good and faithful servant."

A Frustrated Dad

Mar 5:21 And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him: and he was nigh unto the sea. 22 And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet, 23 And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live. 24 And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him.

Jairus, the ruler of the synagogue, had a little 12 year old girl lying at death's door. As God's will would have it, Jesus was in town to do something about that. But a lot transpired that would frustrate any parent.

What was the source of his frustration?

1. His daughter was just a little girl. There is something special about a tender-aged child. It is most difficult to accept that a young child is in grave danger of death.

2. While on the way to his house, the procession was detained by the event surrounding the woman with the issue of blood and her subsequent healing. I am sure that in Jairus' mind, there was no time for other people to be dealt with.

3. The throng. All these people, this "press" as the passage calls the crowd, was a distraction from Jairus' agenda, get the Healer to my daughter's bedside.

4. The whole "who touched me" delay. Perhaps he joined in with those who said, "Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?" "We don't have time for this!"

5. The announcement of one of Jairus' acquaintances, "Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?"

6. All the people in and surrounding his house weeping and wailing, again, in the way. Then, upon Jesus' word that the little girl is only sleeping and is not dead, they laughed Jesus to scorn. This disrespect to a guest would have been extremely embarrassing to the host in that culture.

But two words from Jesus changed all that frustration in to amazed rejoicing.
"Talitha cumi!" "Damsel, arise."

The lesson we can learn is found back in verse 36, when in the midst of Jairus' frustration, Jesus says to him, "Be not afraid, only believe."

No doubt you and I will suffer frustration today now and again. Generally, it will be due to delays and departures from our agenda. We must realize though, that God's agenda trumps ours for good reason. Timing and results are in His control. Our job is to fear not and just trust. There is no sense in getting all out of sorts during the process of God's work.

So, be patient today, allow God to do His thing. In the end, you will be rejoicing in amazement as a result of His miraculous work.

Where Have You Made a Road Today?

1Sa 27:10 And Achish said, Whither have ye made a road to day? And David said, Against the south of Judah, and against the south of the Jerahmeelites, and against the south of the Kenites.

David was an Old Testament saint and the King of Israel, the roads he had to make were a little different than ours. The trails we are called to blaze are more related to the Gospel and are paved with grace.

The thing is, each of us should attempt to accomplish at least one thing of lasting value each day.

1. Touch a life – Today, I met for prayer with our city’s fire chief. We had a wonderful time of Christian fellowship and mutual appreciation.

I sat in the office of the Asst chief to thank him for his work. He mentioned a prayer need for a fellow employee. Right then, I decided to make a road… we shut the door and I had prayer with him for the one who is suffering from this unknown disease. Not just for her benefit, but also for his, Frankly, I put God up against it in praying for and claiming healing for our mutual friend. My goal was to make a road so he would see the power of prayer and eventually we could have that talk of salvation!

2. Gain a victory – Life is all about ups and downs, every day is a battle. We have a very real enemy and an even more real captain of our souls. If we have more victories than defeats, life is a lot better. But when the defeats outnumber the victories, it gets almighty discouraging.

Sometimes, those victories are there, but we don’t perceive them. For instance, getting up out of bed is a victory, still having a job, seeing the faces of your family, still having food and a car and housing, we take these victories for granted. Having a church and a Christian family, that’s a victory!

Conversely, we sometimes mischaracterize our defeats. Not making the whole chain of 9 green lights on Capitol Parkway is not a defeat. Your boss calling you on the carpet for being late from coming back from your break is not a defeat. Etc. So you see, perception has a lot to do with victories and losses, but we should strive to make a road each day by gaining a victory.

3. Win a soul – there is nothing like it!!! I will never forget the day that our good friends, my little boy and I went to see the president. It may seem silly, but when we walked out of there, having just heard the POTUS, we found ourselves walking side by side with Johnny Rodgers and his pastor and I was able to introduce my son to the most celebrated athlete in the history of Nebraska football, well, how cool was that!

But what about an opportunity to take a sinner’s hand and God’s hand and let them meet!!! That is making a road!

4. Make a difference - Jud 1:22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:
You know, all the folks of my church have made a difference in my life and I hope the feeling’s mutual. But I want that to be a daily thing. It could be just a smile or a phone call or a kind word or a text that says, “I just prayed for you!” If we can just change a person’s day for the positive, we have made a road.

5. Draw nearer to God – You know what was the last song the string quartet played on the Titanic before it sank? Nearer my God to thee. Hey, any day we get closer to the Lord is a day where we have made a good road.

I think of the words of that wonderful song of long ago, Footprints of Jesus:

Sweetly, Lord, have we heard Thee calling, Come, follow Me!
And we see where Thy footprints falling, Lead us to Thee.

Refrain - Footprints of Jesus, That make the pathway glow;
We will follow the steps of Jesus, Where’er they go.

Though they lead o’er the cold, dark mountains, Seeking His sheep;
Or along by Siloam’s fountains, Helping the weak.

Refrain

If they lead through the temple holy, Preaching the Word;
Or in homes of the poor and lowly, Serving the Lord.

Refrain

Though, dear Lord, in Thy pathway keeping, We follow Thee;
Through the gloom of that place of weeping, Gethsemane!

Refrain

If Thy way and its sorrows bearing, We go again,
Up the slope of the hillside, bearing, Our cross of pain.

Refrain

By and by, through the shining portals, Turning our feet,
We shall walk, with the glad immortals, Heav’n’s golden street.


Refrain

Then at last when on high He sees us, Our journey done,
We will rest where the steps of Jesus, End at His throne.

Refrain - Footprints of Jesus, That make the pathway glow;
We will follow the steps of Jesus, Where’er they go.

You just keep trying to walk in His footprints and you WILL make a road today!

These are all worthy roads.

Many could go through several days and not make any roads.

Making roads involves surveying, building a base and paving the way.

Fishers of Men, Maker of Toffee Bars.

Mar 1:16 Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. 17 And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.

Don't you love how Jesus used the situation at hand to make His point?

When Jesus talked about cities on a hill which cannot be hid, He spoke from the hillside overlooking Galilee. Across the water, in the distant hills were towns with their white houses gleaming in the sun.

Jesus had His disciples observe the people giving their offerings to the Temple collection box to teach of the eternal investment the little widow was making with her two puny coins, all she had.

We see this over and over in the Gospels. Now, at the onset of His ministry, Jesus is calling fishermen from their nets to become fishers of men. He was using language and culture they knew and to which they could easily relate.

To bring this thought to where you live…

If you are a teacher and He were calling you to discipleship, He might have said, "Come with me and I will teach you to teach the gospel to the students I will give into your care."

To a mechanic, "Be my follower and you will overhaul and tune lives for my service."

To a mail carrier, "Ye shall soon deliver the message of salvation door to door."

To the farmer, "Come, plant the seed of my Word."

What is your proficiency and passion? Is there some way you can relate those skills to the ministry of the gospel?

That, by the way, is exactly how the Lord called me to ministry. I was a candy maker at Russell Stover's. I made butter almond toffee, among other confections. (think Skor or Heath Bars)

One day the Lord asked me, "How many of those do you make a day?

I said, "Ten thousand bars a day, plus several thousand toffee chips."

He asked, "And how much will the company make from your work?"

I said "about $10,000 per day."

"And what good does that do for the people?"

"They will enjoy them, but it will contribute to their poor health."

And here is what the Lord said to me, "Follow me and I will have you to make a profit for me that will be eternal and much healthier for the people."

I put down my confectioner's tools and went to Bible college.

That was 32 years and 6 months ago. And though I still have dreams at night of working in the candy factory, I have never looked back, never considered anything but investing in the eternities of others. I have preached and taught somewhere around 7500 sermons and lessons. I don’t know how many have been saved, how many have been encouraged or enlightened, I leave that up to the recording angel. But I know more lives have been touched than had I still been mixing and cooking sugar, water, almond dust, almond extract, palm kernel oil, lecithin and salt.

Listen for the voice of the Savior, perhaps He is calling you to something greater and more eternal today.

If not, know that that to which He has called you should also be ministry with eternal implications.

A Blessed and Fruitful New Year to You!

Luk 13:6 He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.
Luk 13:7 Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?
Luk 13:8 And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:
Luk 13:9 And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.

I pray that you, dear reader, will be a fruitful tree in the year 2011 for our Lord! God bless you in 2011