TGN: Jesus Restores Life

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SOUTHERN CALIFORNIAN READERS: Amazing opportunity to mentor the youth. If you're between the ages of 17-24, send me your email and I will email the attachment with the details. Please feel free to pass on to other young adults with a heart for the youth and service.
Wish I could join you; crazy- I've entered the stage of being "TOO OLD" for things. LOL!

All questions should be directed toward the contact on the flyer.

1 Peter 4:10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace...
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Daily Prayer: I will praise the LORD at all times. I will constantly speak His praises. I borrow the words of Jacob when I say, that I am unworthy of the kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant. But I am so grateful. There is something about that name Jesus! Oh how I love it. Thank You, Jesus! Amen. (Psalm 34:1, Genesis 32:10)
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www.biblegateway.com
Mark 5:37-43 (NLT)
Jesus Restores a Girl to Life
37 Then Jesus stopped the crowd and wouldn't let anyone go with him except Peter, James, and John (the brother of James). 38 When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw much commotion and weeping and wailing. 39 He went inside and asked, "Why all this commotion and weeping? The child isn't dead; she's only asleep."
40 The crowd laughed at him. But he made them all leave, and he took the girl's father and mother and his three disciples into the room where the girl was lying. 41 Holding her hand, he said to her, "Talitha koum," which means "Little girl, get up!" 42 And the girl, who was twelve years old, immediately stood up and walked around! They were overwhelmed and totally amazed. 43 Jesus gave them strict orders not to tell anyone what had happened, and then he told them to give her something to eat.
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The crowd/mourners sure were not looking at the situation from Jesus' point of view; they actually had the nerve to laugh at the Source of Life. The child was dead, but Jesus used the image of sleep to indicate that her condition was temporary and that she would be restored. I absolutely LOVE how He made all the non-believers leave. Their disbelief was not going to get in the way of the Promise before this young girl. Today, many (too many) people laugh at Christ's claims, which seem ridiculous to them. When you are belittled for expressing faith in Jesus and hope for eternal life, remember that unbelievers don't see from God's perspective (1 Thessalonians 4:13,14- for a clear statement about life after death).
Jesus told the girls parents not to spread the news of the miracle. He wanted the facts to speak for themselves, and the time was not yet right for a major confrontation with the religious leaders. Jesus still had much to accomplish, and He didn't want people following Him just to see miracles.
Jesus not only demonstrated great power, He also showed tremendous compassion. Jesus' power over nature, evil spirits, and death was motivated by compassion- for a demon-possessed man who lived among tombs, for a diseased woman, and for the family of a dead girl. The rabbis of the day considered such people unclean. Polite society avoided them. But Jesus reached out and helped anyone in need.
So what are we to get from all of this?
First, take an inventory of those you have in your life. Jesus was very specific when he brought Peter, James and John with Him. And you should be prayerfully as specific in your life. Are you entrusting your hopes in the hands of people who do not believe in the power of our faithful God? Real quick, I am NOT saying that if they're not of faith, you need to get rid of them. Nope that's NOT what I'm saying. What I am saying is that you do have to guard your hope. You have to watch what you say, how much you share. Why, because their disbelief can affect your belief. You're probably saying, "Yeah right." But how many of you who claim to trust God, accept the worldly statement, "Good Luck?" Do you know when you receive that (no matter how nice the intention), you have accepted contradiction to God. God is not a God of luck; He is the God of Purpose. He is not the God of chance; He is a deliberate God-completely. You might think this is small and insignificant, but God is concerned with the small- just as much as He is concerned with the big things. I stress over and over, the way we live this life is something we should all be seriously concerned about.
We can't tell everybody everything. Just ask yourself, "Why would I share what I'm hoping for in God with someone who doesn't trust Him?" You need all the people who trust Him to surround you. You need the people who are going to encourage you in His Word. You need the people who are going to pray over you and for you, according to that Word. You need those people who can stand in the Gap on your spiritual behalf. You need the people who are going to offer up advice according to the Word- not opinion. You also (definitely) need people who are going to gently correct you according to the Word. You need the people filled with FAITH in the LORD ALMIGHTY!
Only when you get this, can you allow the facts to speak for themselves- like Jesus did. It's not our job to convince people about our LORD and Savior, it's our mission to live a life where He is clearly involved in it all. Living a life in honor of God, is one form of "preaching the Gospel." You're living the Word that you hold as Truth.
And like Jesus, let all that you do be motivated by compassion. We don't have enough of it. Do you want compassion shown towards you? Well, begin to start demonstrating it yourself.
- I know, this all sounds serious! Right? And when things are serious, many people believe the fun is taken out of it. This is a LIE. Who is the creator of fun! God is. So, it's pressed upon me to stress the importance of really pressing into the Word you are receiving. It's pressed upon me, that if the Holy Spirit is speaking to you in certain areas- it's time for you to listen to His gently voice and obey. I believe you will then be able to experience the fun, joy and happiness that comes from God; and in abundance.

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Personal Prayer: LORD, I just want to take the time to thank You for correction and revelation. I pray we each adhere to what You are telling us today. There is no time better than now, to make better decisions. Decisions that honor You and do not contradict my faith in You. LORD, You are speaking to Your people. The time is NOW! In the mighty name of Jesus, amen.
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Resources: biblegateway.com, NIV Women's Devotional Bible- Classic Edition, Life Application Study Bible.
Spread The Good News: www.thegoodnews4yourlife.blogspot.com "Providing you with what you already have access to in the most convenient way. So that we all can continue to grow in wisdom & understanding of God." LT
Peace comes when our minds stay on Him.