Before the Lord healed them, He wanted to
give them some instructions. He wanted them
to be able to keep there healing (deliverance).
Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the
word of God. Jesus knew his words would
help create faith in their hearts.

Being desparate for healing, is different from
having faith. They were desparate and deter-
mined to see. They pressed their way until
they were in front of Him.

Their desparation brought faith, when asked
they said, "Yes, Lord."

Jesus touched their eyes saying, "According
to your faith be it done unto you."

Faith is essential to receiving healing.

He strictly told them not to say anything, not
thinking that obedience is better than sacrifice.

They went on and told what had happened to
them.

The news of their healing would cause more
harm than good, even hindering His purpose

After the little girl was cared for, Jesus
left their house. He didn't say anything to
the crowd that was waiting to hear what
was happening.

But later as He was on His way else where,
He came across two men that were blind.
They were persistent and continued to
follow Him crying, "Thou Son of David,
have mercy on us." Matthew 9:27

They followed Him to the house where He
was staying so Jesus could not turn them
away.

From this Jesus is telling us that if we keep
our faith (because it is our faith that makes
us whole or brings the answers) we will
received the answer.

It seems like many times when we pray if
our need is immediate, urgent and/or grave,
while we are waiting for the manifestation
of the answer, we see others around us getting
theirs answered. And we get to thinking that
we will not get ours, that it's hopeless or even
too late.

We have to battle the devil over what we see,
hear and feel (our senses) and do as Jesus said
fear not, believe only.

"While he yet spake, there cometh one from
the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying to
him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the
Master. " Luke 8:49

While waiting for Jesus who was speaking to
the woman who had touched Him, here comes
one who tells him that his daughter is dead.

Again. imagine how he must have felt and
what he must have thought of being ignored
when his need was so grave. Wouldn't it be
hard not to be upset or even resentful?

"But when Jesus heard it, he answered him,
saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall
be made whole." Luke 8:50

Jesus assured him that it wasn't over or
hopeless. Fear not, believe only.

Jesus took only Peter, James and John with
Him. He spoke to the girl to 'arise' and her
'spirit came again' and she 'arose'. He charged
them 'give her meat' and to 'tell no one what
was done.'

"But as he went the
people thronged him.
And a woman having
an issue of blood

twelve years, which

had spent all her

living upon physicians,

neither could be

healed of any, Came

behind him, and

touched the border of his garment: and

immediately her issue of blood stanched."

Luke 8:40-42

Imagine how this man must have felt and

what he must have thought. Here his little

girl was dying and this woman stops Him

by touching his garment. Jesus takes His

time and questions who touched Him.

Her touch didn't pollute Him but instead it

cleansed her.

Her faith had made her whole. Read the

remaining verses in Luke 8:42 on to see

what she said and did that healed her.

"And it came to pass, that, when Jesus was
returned, the people gladly received him:
for they were all waiting for him.
And, behold, there came a man named Jairus,
and he was a ruler of the synagogue: and he
fell down at Jesus' feet, and besought him that
he would come into his house: For he had one
only daughter, about twelve years of age, and
she lay a dying."
Luke 8:40-42

After the feast at Matthew's ended, a ruler of the
synagogue, came to Jesus. His daughter was
dying and he was anxious for Jesus to come and
heal her.

He fell at Jesus' feet in great anguish because his
daughters condition was dire and immediate.

With His great compassion Jesus responded
quickly...!

God's Christmas Gift

'Twas the night before Christmas

and in Heaven above,

The angels were watching with such

intense love!

For the Prize of all Heaven was coming

to earth.

And, a manger was chosen as His place

of birth.

Mary, his mother (so weary and worn),

Was glad Joseph found a place cozy and warm.

And now, as she labored, a new life began ...

Destined to bring life to each willing man.

While out on the hillsides, the angels sang,

"Glory!" ...

Shepherds stood, trembling, as they heard

the story.

Quickly, they followed the angel's clear way ...

Finding baby Jesus upon the clean hay.

Down from the heavens, there came a new light.

A star born anew on that very night!

Softly, the mother sang sweet lullabies ...

'Til sweet baby Jesus closed His little eyes.

Humbly, the shepherds gave worship and praise;

Bowing down softly where God's baby lay.

They told how the angels had spoken to them,

"Joy to the world and peace to all men!"

The wise men were coming, having followed the star.

They were bringing the Savior their gifts, from afar.

And up in God's Heaven, a great sigh was heard;

As the Angels looked down on God's own Living Word.

They had to come closer. They loved Him so much!

Their wings swept by Him, for just one more touch.

Then they nestled by legions, above His wee bed,

And spread out their wings; enclosing the shed.

Yes, trials would follow. A plan was engaged.

But just for tonight, the angels would say,

"Oh, men of earth, who struggle in vain ...

Seek here and find release from all shame.

Peace on the earth! Oh, learn it anew.

Peace! God has sent His own Son to you!"

© by Joan Clifton Costner

THE STAR

The star which lead the wisemen

o Christ without delay,

Reminds me of the Word of God

which is our guide today.

And we will read the Word with faith,

believe each promise true

then it will be a precious guide,

for us our whole life through.

If all would love the Holy Book,

it's great commandments heed,

we'd try to show all men our love

and help them in their need,

no matter what temptations come

Or what the world may say,

we shall be loyal to God's Word

and read it every day.

The Scriptures should be read with prayer

which seeks God's will to know,

as wisemen followed faithfully

that star of long ago.

O, if the Bible is our guide
and we its words obey,

we'll surely serve both God

and man in every kindly way.

And as we serve our whole life through,

it still will beckon on

to guide us to our Heavenly home

where Christ shall say "Well Done"

Later that day, Jesus went to Matthew's
house, (after having called him to be one
of His disciples) for a feast that Matthew
had prepared.

Matthew had invited some of his personal
friends and the Pharisees and scribes who
had seen Jesus earlier was watching. They
had great misgivings of the company He
was keeping.

But the regular people were realizing that
Jesus was the great prophet they were
waiting for. They as well as the disciples
had the idea that the Messiah would set
up His earthly kingdom soon.

When Jesus said to the paralyzed man, "Man,
thy sins are forgiven thee", He knew there were
Pharisees and doctors of the law among them.
He knew that His words to forgive the man had
not gone over too well with them. He saw the
looks and the glances they made to each other
as they whispered.

Luke 5:22-24 "But when Jesus perceived their
thoughts He......."

Anyone can say "Thy sins be forgiven thee" but
who knows if it is true? If someone says "Arise
and walk" and they do, He must have authority.

If God gave Him power to heal the man, was that
not proof that He also gave Him the power to for-
give sin? The Pharisees would not accept that
explanation.

Though they opposed, many others praised and
glorified God. Then the man arose healed, took
his bed leaving them also praising God.

When Jesus said that He saw their faith, it tells
us that faith can be seen (by our actions and
words). There is such a thing as group faith in
which the faith of many combined will make
manifested the thing desired.

The very opposite was found in Nazareth when
Jesus was there. He could do no mighty work
there because of their unbelief. (Mark 6:5)

Jesus, instead of rebuking them for tearing up
the roof was pleased with their faith.

The words their faith is important because we
find that when the person needing healing is
unable to believe for themselves others can
supply the faith needed to get them well.

Jesus and His disciples
went back across the
sea of Galiliee. The trip
back was calm and
normal.

A crowd was forming
on the shore as they
arrived.

Jesus went to a house (which could
have been Peter's) and started teaching.

Like what often happened, He would then
minister to the people that were gathered
all around Him.

Some men brought a man on a bed and they
couldn't get near Jesus so they got the idea
to go up on the roof, removed a portion of it,
and lowered the man down in front of Jesus.
Read Luke 5:17-20

Jesus saw their faith "and said unto him,
Man, thy sins are forgiven thee"