Moments to share with Jesus
Hello everyone,
The release of Castles in His Heart is only days away! Thank you for your support and prayers. I'm waiting for Amazon to review the book, but as soon as this happens you'll be able to purchase your copy. The Kindle upload will follow the release. I hope to post the link by next week.
Castles in His Heart
Heir to a Scottish earldom? Indeed, but does
Sandy respect his heritage or his mother’s faith? In a word, no. He leaves them
in favor of Cameron’s lure of fast cars and women, splendid dreams which beckon
his heart. Enter the striking 1920s American flapper, Dolores Stonehardt. Together,
they survive the Depression and the Wall Street Crash and build the most
successful car dealership in Birmingham. Will their business survive the Second
World War? Will Sandy ever reconcile with his parents? Is his success enough to
satisfy his dreams? As Sandy stands under the ruined walls of Coventry
Cathedral, how does he deal with the havoc a world at war has made in his life?
Jesus makes all the difference...
A treasured mother-in-law
Capernaum fishing vessels, moored for the sabbath, floated in
the lake of Galilee, while gentle waves rippled to the shore. The fishermen’s nets
straddled the beach, drying in the warm morning sun. In the synagogue, the town
folk gathered to listen to a vibrant young preacher. As the service finished,
they were bursting with curiosity and excitement. “Indeed!
He speaks about Jehovah as if he knows him! I’ve never heard such preaching!”
Strident yelling pierced the outer courtyard, and the two stared in
amazement at the uproar.
“Ha! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have
you come to destroy us? I know who you are - the Holy One of God!”
Jesus approached the raving man.
“Be quiet! Come out of him!” The demon threw the man to
the ground, where he slumped at Jesus’ feet.
“Did you see that? Who granted this man authority over
demons?”
“Mum has a high fever. Peter, I’m worried she’s going to
die. She’s shaking and burning, but says she feels cold. What are we going to
do?”Peter recalled the healing he’d witnessed in the
synagogue courts, just a few moments ago, and the powerful words Jesus had
preached! No wonder he and his brother, Andrew, had laid down their fishing
nets to follow Jesus. If Jesus could cast out a demon, he could heal his
mother-in-law.
“Don’t worry, dear wife. We’ll ask the Master to heal
her.”
The ailing woman lay exhausted, her face flushed, sweat
dripping from her brow.
As Jesus smiled at her, his eyes filled with compassion.
He bent over the woman, gripping her hand.
“I command the fever to leave you, dear lady. Be gone!”
They watched with bated breath as she clung to his firm clasp
and rose from her bed. Her breathing eased, settling into a slow, even rhythm, and
the lines of her face eased to a broad, open grin.
“I’m feeling better! He has healed my fever! Oh, Master,
let me serve you.”
*****
You’ve read the gospel accounts, and know the scenario.
They bring the sick to Jesus and he heals them. We’ve heard the stories so
often that we’ve forgotten their impact. Yet, from every healing, there is a
person whom Jesus has transformed.
Peter’s mother-in-law arose, completely healed, returned
to her kitchen and offered hospitality to her guests, as she’d always done.
Imagine the story she told her friends and family.
“Jesus is a miracle worker, and he healed me of a fever. I’ve never felt so well in all my life!”
We're already one month into the new year. Turmoil, changing societal expectations encroach on our existence, and they may derail us. We need an anchor. If we’re weary, ill, or mentally exhausted, Jesus cares. Let him restore and
provide you with sustaining hope. For most of us, it’s the mental strain of
modern life which weighs on our shoulders. We have too many tasks to complete
in the timeframe, too many outstanding bills to pay, or too many people and responsibilities demanding our
urgent attention.
“Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will
give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and
learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for
your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28.
Does a secret sin or past regret haunt you with guilt? When
we sin, we offend God, but if we ask him to forgive us, he removes our sin ‘as
far as the east is from the west.’
We focus on our deep physical needs because they are real and sometimes they’re debilitating, but God is equally interested in our spiritual health. Every sin separates us from him because there’s nothing we can do to remove it. He doesn’t weigh the good with bad to decide on a percentage appropriate to his standards because all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. Romans 3:23. That’s why Jesus died on the cross and rose again. Since God accepted his death as payment for our sin, believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and he will give you a new life, worthy of his spectacular grace.
The Bible says Jesus remains the same throughout history
and eternity. His heals regardless of our era, whether it was two thousand
years ago or today. He loves and heals us, because he’s God, our creator
and friend. How do we respond to his grace and mercy? With love, gratitude, and
worship?
At Peter’s house, Jesus enjoyed genuine hospitality, love, gratitude and acceptance. Whether he healed
in private homes and in public places, Jesus sought no accolades, but opportunities
to show his heavenly Father to the world. He preached, loved, lived by
perfection, and prayer.
What made the difference to
Peter’s mother-in-law? Was it Jesus’ power to heal? Yes, and his gentle,
life-giving touch. As he held her hand and raised her from the bed, she felt
his pure strength energize her. The touch of the Master’s hand is what I desire
most. I pray he touches you and you discover his powerful healing today.
I love this old hymn, penned c.170 years ago. Does it also resonate with you?
Praise the Saviour, ye who know Him,
Who can tell how much we
owe Him?
Gladly let us render to him
All we have and are.
Jesus is the name that charms us,
He for conflict fits and arms us,
Nothing moves, and nothing harms
us.
While we trust in Him.
Trust in Him, ye saints, forever,
He is faithful, changing never;
Neither force nor guile can sever
Those He loves from Him.
Keep us, Lord, oh keep us cleaving
To Thyself and still believing,
Till the hour of our receiving
Promised joys with Thee.
Then we shall be where we would
be,
Then we shall be what we should
be;
Things that are not now nor could
be
Soon shall be our own.
Thomas Kelly, c.1853.
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