10/23/2024
My devotional reading in “The Power of Prayer” this morning was titled "God Called Men", and it was wonderful. Pastor E. M. Bounds wrote that all things are truly possible through God. Which I believe firmly, and that prayer leads us there. He was profound when he wrote these words:
"If God's people would pray as they ought to pray, the great things that happened in the past would happen again and again." E. M. Bounds
When we read the entirety of Mark 10, the source chapter of our morning bible verse, we quickly realize that there is a way in which we are meant to travel in our life of faith, and that it often involves earthly sacrifice. We might be called to give up those things on earth which will not benefit us during our journey towards heaven, or be of any use to us at our faithful destination. Once we chose to believe in Jesus we should be like the blind man whose sight was restored in verse 52... he abandoned his own way, even though Jesus told him he could continue to go that way. He chose instead to follow Jesus in the way that He was going, along His path, His road, and down His thoroughfare. The blind man didn’t simply attempt to carry his belief in Christ with him as he traveled his old life, no, he travelled with Jesus in the way.
“And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.”
Mark 10:52 KJV
And we already know from reading Matthew 7 that the way of faith is narrow and not easily followed. As a matter of fact, not many who seek eternal life will succeed in finding their way to it. Many will choose, as the wealthy young ruler, that the easy, or worldly path through life on earth is too alluring.
“Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”
Matthew 7:14 KJV
We might be one of those who fail too, unless, that is, we pray fervently as we seek it, and realize the truth in today's scripture reading… that we travel with Jesus, and that God is there with us:
“And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.”
Mark 10:26-27 KJV
How wonderful is that! Where we stray He will guide us back, where we fall He will lift us up, where we are blinded He will restore our sight, and where we are hindered by infirmity He will heal us. In God all things are indeed possible... and don't these things align with those that Jesus taught and did? Aren’t these in concert with those things He did that we call His miracles? Are we prepared to sacrifice those things that are hindrances to us in our walk with Christ, and are tempting distractions in our worldly life? Are we ready to pick up our cross and follow Jesus where He leads us; to follow Him along the straight and narrow road that leads us to life? I pray that we are.
Father, we thank you for providing us redemption in your Son Jesus Christ, and then calling us to you. Lord, we thank you for your goodness and strength as well as your mercy, and know that you help us in every way as we develop a full relationship with you. Help us this day to increase our faith and follow your will as you reveal it to us. Hear us this morningFather as we raise our hands and voices from our prayer closets and churches... hear us from wherever we are for we live to praise and pray unto you... our God.
Prayer:
Thank you Father for leading us to your Son Jesus, and for showing us that he is the way, the truth, and the life. Father, we thank you for providing us redemption in Him, your Son, and then calling us to walk with Him towards you. Lord, we thank you for your goodness and strength as well as your mercy and grace, because we know that you will help us in every way as we develop a full and righteous relationship with you. Help us this day to increase in our faith and to obediently follow your will as you reveal it to us. Hear us this morning Father as we raise our hands and voices from our prayer closets, and churches. Hear us from wherever we are as we live to praise and pray unto you... our God. Let where we are at any given moment be forever with Jesus as He leads us to you. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who desires that none of us should perish. Holy are you who sent your Son to redeem us, and through whom we will find the way we must travel if we are to come to you. Thank you for your comfort along the way, but teach us to count as blessings the many hardships of the world that you help us through. Help us today to increase in faith as we turn expectantly to you in the midst of our blindness, and the storms we encounter. You are our strong tower, our healer, provider, defender, and shelter against all evil. You are our hope that defeats sin and death, and in your loving embrace we find safe harbor; and in your grace and goodness is your presence, and safe passage through the narrow gate that leads to eternal life. Lord, you are the one true God, and Jesus the only way that leads us to you. Open our eyes as you had Jesus open the eyes of the blind, and speak to our hearts as we decide whether to go our own way, or follow your Son home to you. All glory is yours Father for every soul that finds its way home, and for every prayer that is lifted up to you along the way.
In every hope and prayer we say AMEN!!!
“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.””
John 14:6 ESV
“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.”
Proverbs 18:10 ESV
“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
Ephesians 3:20-21 ESV
Rich Forbes