Matthew 8:8b and 10 – “But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. . .                            When Jesus heard this, He was amazed, and said to those following him, ‘Truly, I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith!’”                                                    

Mark 6:6 “He was amazed at their lack of faith.”

There is a popular t.v. show I watch where singers compete in blind auditions for a coveted spot on a superstar’s team. In my opinion, every competitor possesses incredible vocal talent, and I am always stunned when one of them is deemed unworthy of being chosen. But I suppose superstars are not easily impressed by the talents of others.

Since superstars are rarely wowed, have you ever wondered just how difficult it might be to impress the greatest legend of all time – Jesus? Remember, Jesus helped create the universe. Jesus is part of the majesty of God. Jesus lives in paradise. It would seem futile to attempt to “wow” the Savior. But scripture records Jesus the Christ, the King of the Universe, the Beloved Son of God was twice amazed!

So, just what amazed Jesus two times?

Scriptures records both involved FAITH!

Once, a Roman Centurion sought Jesus with a request to heal his paralyzed servant. This soldier believed with all his heart that only one word from the Christ would achieve the impossible and restore his servant’s health. Scripture says,

“When Jesus heard this, He was amazed, and said to those following him, ‘Truly, I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith!’” (Matthew 8:10)

The man’s unwavering, unprecedented “great” faith astonished Christ!

But Jesus was twice amazed, so what caused the second?

When Jesus returned to His hometown, to the people who should have loved Him deeply, they scoffed at His deity and were offended by His power. Sadly, scripture records Jesus “was amazed at their lack of faith” (Mark 6:6). What a tremendous hurt to the Savior this must have been from those He held dear.

Today if we seek to amaze Jesus, remember it is all about our faith! A heart filled with mountain-moving faith amazes our Savior. But so does a life void of praise and worship. So friend, make sure you bear witness to His great love and power. Live each day mightily knowing “With God, all things are possible.” And seize every opportunity to profess Jesus as Lord. Then, may our lives amaze Jesus, the greatest superstar of them all!

Father God, may we amaze you every day with our unwavering faith in who You were, who You are, and who You always will be.

Blessings of Faith,

Rita Cochrane

“Be constant in prayer” (Rom. 12:12). “Continue steadfastly in prayer” (Col. 4:2). “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17).

When you faithfully attend worship, you are continually led in prayer. When your family goes to Bible classes, you and your children are probably led in prayer. When ladies get together for Bible studies and ladies’ retreats, prayers are shared. When teens participate in their special events, they pray together. When someone makes a need known, the church prays on their behalf. The elders pray for your congregation and your congregation prays for your elders. When you meet for any kind of fellowship, you pray together. And, of course, you probably pray for others throughout the week, and others are praying for you.

Have you heard a prayer that left an impression on you? I think of a sterling gentleman in his 90s named Johnson Kell. You could almost feel the anticipation of the whole congregation as he slowly made his way to the pulpit. His prayers were tender and thoughtful, and often accompanied by tears. I think of Loretta Carver, who said something in a prayer during ladies’ Bible class that I’ll never forget. She said, “Lord, sometimes we draw away from You and forget how much You love us.” I actually lifted my head and looked across the room at her because I was so struck (and comforted) by the fact that someone as sweet and faithful as her struggled with that, too. These two individuals are no longer with us but their prayers still impact me.

There are so many reasons to be thankful for all of those prayers being offered up:

• Prayer is powerful and effective (James 5:16).
• It’s comforting to know that someone is “remembering me to the Lord,” as the old song goes (Eph. 6:18).
• Prayer strengthens us, individually and as a congregation (Rom. 8:26-27).
• Prayer draws us closer together (Rom. 15:5-6). Think of all the people you’ve heard pray…young, old, new Christian, or seasoned saint. When they prayed, you saw a glimpse into their heart.

Prayer is a beautiful gift from a loving Father to His children. I hope you soak them in when you’re with your church family, and carry them with you when you’re apart.

“You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.”

(2 Cor. 1:11)

By Kathy Pollard

by Cindy Colley.

In 1 Samuel 24, David had this amazing opportunity to kill his foe. Saul went into a cave to relieve himself. At the risk of being graphic, it looks as if, in doing this, that he was squatting or sitting. Afterward, he rose up. Before he did rise up, though, David, who was apparently already hiding in the cave, stealthily crept over and whacked off a piece of Saul’s clothing.

Here we have the morally faltering king of Israel, caught by the one He’s zealously trying to kill—caught quite literally with his pants down—and finding that he was utterly at the mercy of David for his life in that cave. It’s an incredible story for your family Bible time!

You remember the reason for David’s restraint. He told his men, who wanted him to complete the fatal task, “I will not put out my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord’s anointed.”

The Lord’s anointed. David, the one revered by the Pharisees (and all Jewry) even today, would not put his hand on Saul’s life because He was God’s anointed. Yet the Pharisees lived in the Judean world with the most highly favored, anointed One that God had ever chosen (Acts 10:38). Jesus was prophet, priest, and King of kings. He was God. And the Pharisees could not wait to get Him to the Roman cross. Had it not been for the Roman rule over them (and the prophecies to be fulfilled), they would have likely killed King Jesus long before Calvary. They killed the anointed One.

You and I can do it, too.

Hebrews 6:4-6:

For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt.

Have you once been enlightened about the Lord? Do you know His story? Have you tasted salvation? Have you known just how good the Word of the Lord is in your life? Did you once rest in knowing the power and sovereignty of the anointed One?

What happened? Have you remained loyal to the Anointed? Or have you walked away? If you have walked away, as scores that I know have done in recent years, you have “put out your hand against the Lord’s anointed.”

You have crucified Him afresh.

Cindy Colley

Christians are to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth and we should be anxious to let that light shine. There is a difference between shining your light and letting it shine. Jesus said let it so shine (Matt 5:16) and that should be a natural response to desire to share the message of Christ on a regular basis when possible. The apostle Paul said it this way, I am debtor to every creature …I am ready to preach the gospel …and I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. So…let us get tuned-up and revved up and go share the greatest story ever told.

Tonya Olivas

About six weeks ago I was watching little Jude. Janelle asked me to try giving him some sweet potatoes. (Jude’s doctor had suggested starting him on some food.) I had some sweet potatoes from the garden, so I cooked them and pureed them until they were satiny smooth. I put a tiny spoonful in Jude’s mouth. He made a face that can best be described as fearful. He worked his mouth around as if he didn’t know what to do with that stuff. When he actually started gagging, I knew for sure he wasn’t ready. I cleaned up his face and got his bottle. You know what I didn’t do? I didn’t say, “Hey, I went to the trouble to make this for you. And this is good quality. It’s organic! What’s the matter with you?” How ridiculous that would be! I wasn’t the least bit disappointed in him. I didn’t take it personally. He’s a baby and it was just too soon. Just this week Janelle sent us a video of Jude eagerly eating some banana baby food. His eyes were lit up and he was reaching for the spoon with his hands and making all kinds of happy noises. Now he’s ready!

The Lord’s church is made up of Christians in various degrees of maturity. Some are new babes in Christ. Some grew up in the church and heard the gospel all their life. Some were completely “unchurched” and are starting from scratch. Some have baggage. Some may have good understanding in one area but still struggle to understand another. Some may be eager for knowledge but still don’t grasp that it should result in transformation. We’re all in various stages. We’re all still growing. The beauty of the Lord’s church is that we understand that about each other and we’re patient with each other.

For example, if we hear someone use a verse out of context, we recognize that they still have more to learn. When a brother or sister’s words or actions show spiritual immaturity, we don’t think less of them. And in those teaching moments, when someone doesn’t seem to get it, we know they’re just not ready yet. We try not to judge or feel superior. We know we have our own areas that need work!

We’re all trying to learn the worthy walk and trying to grow in the knowledge of God (Col. 1:10). We’re all doing our best to grow beyond the milk of the Word (Heb. 5:12). And since we’re family, we’re doing it together, “with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love” (Eph. 4:2).

By Kathy Pollard

I know you look around and see so many good things to do. I’ve already been invited to more than one event on the ninth of March. But let me tell you…I doubt you will find a more beneficial one if you have daughters between 10 and 20, than this one at Fairview  in Pulaski, Tennessee. In fact, even if you have boys, it would be a great thing for you to experience, so that you can better show them the characteristics they should be searching for in the ladies they spend time with and, one day, marry.

Oh, I know. I’ve heard it just like you have. “Purity days are not how we should teach our girls about waiting for marriage to have sex. In fact, when we keep emphasizing purity, we diminish from the healthy joy of sex, once our girls marry.”

That’s a theory that is simply untrue. Oh, we must constantly tell them that God has saved the best for his children. We, as mamas, must teach them about their sexuality and about how God has reserved that wonderful act, where one man and one woman share the most intimate act known to humanity, for marriage. We must make sure they know about and look forward to the physical union  that God made for much more than just procreation. These conversations come naturally to mothers who are growing pure hearts in little girls. But to say that a big group of girls learning together about cultivating a heart of holiness in a world of eye-candy and  expected sex in dating relationships, is a waste of time–well, that is absurdity.

If your kids are in school, they are hearing the devil’s message about sexuality at every turn. If they are on social media, at all, they are feeling the pull. If they watch any amount of indiscriminate videos online or television (cable or screened), they are getting the sexuality bullet-points from the devil. I’m just saying any immunization from the message that is being shouted all around them about relativism and sexuality, is worth your time and attention. It’s worth your drive.

I’m not sure exactly what topics will be covered on that day. But I know the ladies who are planning this. I know their deep love for their daughters. I know the spiritual-minded nature of their  Bible-focused hearts. I know it will be where I’d want to be, if I could, with my teen-aged daughter. Here you go…

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064531279575&mibextid=LQQJ4d

When we moved to Indiana many years ago, I thought my dear husband had taken me to another country. Not only did I talk like a southerner (and they reminded me often), but I cooked like a southerner. They didn’t know what a casserole was. They didn’t eat turnip greens. In fact, when one of our members took me out to see his turnip patch, I mentioned how many greens he had. He didn’t know you could eat the greens!

I had no idea what they meant when they asked if I wanted a pop. They didn’t eat pinto beans, only white beans. They didn’t eat chicken stew like they do in Alabama; they ate chicken and noodles. Our ladies were not used to preparing food for families when there was sickness or death. If someone wanted to take food they did, but they didn’t know how to organize a meal after a funeral or take food to the home of the deceased.

I am a born southerner, and nothing is going to change me. I finally told them that I was born a southerner, and I would die a southerner. They just needed to understand that and stop making fun of me. They never did.

A lot of the way we are is because of where we were born or what our families believe. Our political views, our general opinions about many things, and our religious beliefs come from our families. So, do you think of yourself as a Christian because you were born into a religious family; or are you a Christian because you have been converted to the gospel?

I was raised in a home where we went to worship on Sunday mornings. We didn’t have a car, so we walked. Eventually, a couple came to pick us up, but I don’t remember going three times a week until I was in the fourth or fifth grade. We moved; we had a car; and we started attending regularly. In the new congregation we attended was a kind and loving elder’s wife who took a personal interest in me. She taught me how to teach Bible classes, and supervised the first class I taught. When I became a Christian, it was not because I was born into a strong Christian family. It was because I wanted to be obedient to the truth.

Paul, the apostle, is a great example of one who lived life according to his upbringing. He was a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee. He was born into a family that lived the life of strict conviction, and he truly believed he was doing the right thing in persecuting the Christians. As a young adult, he faced the Lord of heaven and earth on a road that was taking him to more death and destruction for the Jewish Christians.

Paul was born into a religious family; and though his convictions carried him into adult life, he had to face the reality that what he had was not enough. In fact, it was wrong.

When Paul heard the gospel from Ananias, he immediately arose and was baptized. His life changed forever; and eventually he gave his life for the God he served.

There are many today that have Paul’s background. They were born into a religious family. They may have gone to “church” most of their lives. They may have been baptized. The big question is, “Were they converted?”

I am watching a generation of young people go through my Bible class that know very little about the Bible. They can tell me that they know they have to be baptized, but they cannot tell me why. They can tell me what we do in worship, but they cannot explain why we do it. Few carry a Bible, and likely they don’t use it from one Sunday to the next.

There is such biblical evidence of strong convicted converts in the New Testament. Stephen was so convicted in his beliefs that he preached a sermon that cost him his life. Those on Pentecost interrupted Peter’s sermon to ask what they needed to do to be saved. John the Baptizer preached repentance, and he preached against adultery. He was beheaded. Cornelius, the first Gentile convert, went to a lot of trouble to get to Peter to help him find the truth. Even a sorcerer was changed by the gospel.

There are others, but these are sufficient proof for the power of the gospel. Cornelius was religious, but it wasn’t enough. He was missing that true conversion, that change of heart and obedience of being buried with Christ in a watery grave and raised to walk a new life. Religious, but not saved!

When Paul was instructing Timothy, he gave this young man some sound advice. He said, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth” (Second Timothy 2:15). When we are obedient to the gospel and do our best to live our lives for the Lord, we will be Christians because we have been converted to the truth, not because we were born into a religious family.

Sandra Oliver

Luke 6:32 “But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.”

It is a normal part of homeownership; something breaks, something stops performing, and something wears out. At that point, we must decide to fix it or ditch it. Making it useful again will require an investment of valuable time and unwanted frustration. Truthfully, the easier option is to just ditch it and get a new one.

Jesus had the same conundrum when it came to the broken people He encountered. He could have ditched them due to the frustrations and time they would take from His schedule. But not our loving Savior. He chose to stop and fix them. Jesus was committed to mending lives, piecing back together fractured relationships, and healing injured hearts when without a doubt, walking away would have been far less complicated.

Mary Magdalene was one of those. Seven demons controlled her body and mind. Walking away from this cursed woman was what everyone else had done, but not Jesus. His power and love cast out her demons and restored her to a useful life of service.

Zacchaeus was a flawed man when the Savior found him in a tree. This little man’s heart lay fractured among the glitter of his possessions. But as Jesus journeyed through Jericho, Zacchaeus’s broken life took precedence over His agenda. The Savior’s gift of time bound this man’s heart with compassion and restored Zacchaeus’s focus on what was important.

In my most glorious daydreams, I visualize myself investing time into lost and broken souls with a Jesus-heart. Then quickly I am jerked back into reality as I read the red letters of Luke 6:27-31 and discover the depth of this calling. The Jesus-method of restoring lives involves loving the difficult people, finding ways to bless those who hurt you, praying for those who spread rumors about you behind your back, sharing what you have with those you feel do not deserve it, and offering generosity when your spirit wearies of carrying them. Yikes!

So, should you ever wonder if tossing aside broken and hurting people would be easier than restoring them, wonder no more. But, we are called to love like Jesus loved, with a love so deep it will require time and frustration. But friend, as you choose today how to love, remember this: Jesus never ditches us when we find ourselves fractured. His loving desire is always to fix us.

Father God, we praise you for redeeming us, even in our times of brokenness.

Blessings,
Rita Cochrane