ON THANKSGIVING, MY THANKS GO TO GOD

Without a doubt, I have so much to be thankful for. It seems that God has blessed me and then He has blessed me again. Dead in my sins and trespasses, by His grace and mercy He made me alive in Christ. He brought a young woman into my life who has now been my wife for more than thirty years. He gave me a daughter and a son whom I love dearly and I am so proud of them both. That each one loves the Lord Jesus is a blessing that I can rest and rejoice in each day. He has blessed me with my daughter in-law who I would gladly call my own and my son in-law who knows the importance of Christ and His word. What a joy it is to know that they both share the faith and hope of my children. And He has blessed me with two beautiful granddaughters who simply light up my life. There are times when it is almost impossible to express the joy that these two little girls give. And God has blessed me with a job that He has graciously allowed me to have for more than 25 years now. I have a wonderful church, a great pastor, the privilege to serve, family and friends, etc.. Yes, I have much to be thankful for and my thanks go to God!

It's Not Just a Name That I'm Called

I greatly appreciate the words that God inspired the Apostle John to write in 1 John 3:1. It is here that we read, "See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God; and such we are". I just love those words! Yes indeed, we are called the children of God and such a privilege is indicative of the great love He has bestowed upon us. God appears to emphasize the importance of our knowing that it isn't just something we are called, but something that we are. This truth inspired me to write the following that I've titled, "Not Just a Name":

“Believer”, is a name that we have been called for some time

Believed the gospel, trusted in Christ and since then that name has been mine, yes since then that name has been mine

It’s not just a name that I’m called but a name that by calling I am, yes a name that by calling I am

Called those of “The Way” and oh how much it is true

It’s one of the names that Jesus did claim, it was good for His followers too, yes good for His followers too

It’s not just a name that I’m called but a name that by calling I am, yes a name that by calling I am

 

“Christians” first in Antioch, is the name they were called

Now all around the world today, were “Christians” one and all, yes “Christians” one and all

It’s not just a name that I’m called but a name that by calling I am, yes a name that by calling I am

“Saints” we are called the Bible does say, Heaven are home one day

Not a “Saint” because of the things we have done but a “Saint” because of His name, yes a “Saint” because of His name

It’s not just a name that I’m called, but a name that by calling I am, yes a name that by calling I am

“Children of God” what a glorious name, but they’re not just words from afar

It’s a real name, the grandest of names, He wants us to know who we are, yes He wants us to know who we are

It’s not just a name that I’m called but a name that by calling I am, yes a name that by calling I am

Yes, it’s not just a name that I’m called, but a name that by calling I am.

Greg

Blessed Be the Blessor

In Ephesians 1:3 the Apostle Paul was inspired to write the following wonderful words of praise and truth regarding our gracious God. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ". The entire chapter is a detailed account of the many things that our loving God has done on our behalf in Christ. Oh, how blessed the believer is as His child. Chosen, predestined according to His purpose, adopted, redeemed, forgiven, lavished with His grace, granted knowledge of the mystery of His will, beneficiaries of an inheritance, afforded hope in Christ and sealed in Him by the Holy Spirit of promise. Furthermore we are told that these blessings have been given to us freely and are according to His love, His purpose, and the kind intention and counsel of His will.

A few months ago, this great chapter of scripture prompted me to write the following song which I pray might be a blessing to others. I guess to others it is more of a poem although I wrote it with a melody in mind.

Blessed Be the Blessor 

Blessed be the Blessor

He’s blessed me this I know

By grace I am His child

By grace He loves me so

Blessed be the Blessor

Predestined in His love

Trespasses all forgiven

In kindness from God above

Blessed be the Blessor

Spiritual blessings in Christ are mine

And in this life He’s given

Each one of them divine

Blessed be the Blessor

The One who comforts me

In all my woes and worries

His loving care is what I see

Blessed be the Blessor

In Christ my hope is sure

The Spirit is my promise

In Christ sealed and secure

Yes, Blessed be the Blessor

Joy and peace He gives

Honor, glory, praise are due Him

Each creation wonder His

Blessed be the Blessor

Through Christ He strengthens me

To serve Him and serve others

In grace and humility

Blessed be the Blessor

One day He will come again

His Church, the dead and living

Forevermore to be with Him

Blessed be the Blessor

One day His face I’ll see

Yes blessed be the Blessor

The One who died for me

Yes, blessed be the Blessor

Oh, truly can it be

That I will dwell with Him one day

For all eternity

Yes, I will dwell with Him one day

For all eternity

Greg

Praying For The Unborn - The Best and The Least We Can Do

As the sun set across our nation today, time zone after time zone, well over 2,000 unborn babies had been aborted by days end. This same national tragedy will occur tomorrow and each and every day that follows. Thousands of babies who are peacefully developing in their mother's womb tonight will unexpectedly have their lives end tomorrow when they are suddenly torn from the womb and discarded.

In Romans Chapter 1, the Apostle Paul was inspired by God to provide a list that describes the characteristics of man when he refuses to acknowledge God. Even though His invisible attributes are clearly seen in His creation, they refuse to honor Him as God and do not give Him thanks, the word says. They worship and serve the creature instead of the Creator. Among the long list of negative qualities associated with such a people, Paul writes that in addition to their sinful behaviors, they are even "inventors of evil". Perhaps there is no greater example of this than the practice of abortion. I am convinced that it is surely an invention of evil.

While Americans cry out and demand that there be safe places for our children, we have made the womb of an American mother the most unsafe place for a baby to be. Through this "invention of evil" we have taken that which God designed and intended to be the safest of places, the womb of a mother, and turned it into a place where life is purposely taken every day by the thousands. Oh, I agree that we ought to have a desire for our children to be safe wherever they are. But abortion makes the irony so great, the paradox so startling.

Much has been done in the name of Christ to stop or lessen the practice of abortion. There is no doubt in my mind that some of these efforts have been honoring to God and that some have been shamefully wrong. Over the past several months the Lord has burdened my heart about this matter in a very specific way. Through a song that I found myself writing several weeks ago, I felt compelled to begin praying for the unborn as I never had. Praying as it were, for those with no voice. It seemed as if the Lord was speaking to my heart and telling me that the believer's prayers were the best and the least we could do. Ours is a mighty God who answers prayers.

May we ask God to intervene in the lives of these women who are choosing to abort their babies and ask Him to change their hearts and minds to choose life instead. May we also pray that God would open the hearts and minds of these women to know the love and person of Christ Himself. To know the glorious truth of the gospel. My hope is that this would be an unceasing prayer. That thousands and thousands of Christians would be praying daily for the unborn. I pray that God might stir up and raise up a great number of believers who, like Epaphras in the Book of Colossians, would be "always laboring earnestly" for them in their prayers.

The following is the song that I wrote as mentioned above:

"For Those with No Voice"

This song I have written, to the Body of Christ

Asking prayer for the unborn, yes for those with no voice

It seems clear to me now and I hope so to you

Our prayers are the best; they’re the least we can do

You see there’s a girl, out in the world somewhere

In her mother’s womb and she needs all our prayers

Her mother you see, has decided today

A choice that will end the life of this girl with no say

Please pray that the Lord changes the heart of this mother

And not hers alone, oh there's thousands of others

This girl is so small, oh but give her some time

Let her grow and be born, watch her blossom and shine

No she can’t say a word but if given the chance

One day she will speak, yes one day she will dance

And the words she will say will come straight from her heart

A heart made in the womb and shaped from the start

Words like Papa thats fun, can we do it again

That’s my eye and my nose and this is my chin

Papa lets read a book, I’ll pick one for you

Build a tent out of blankets or maybe watch Pooh

Papa let’s dance, turn the music up loud

Look up high in the sky, I see the moon in the clouds

Yes pray that the Lord changes one woman’s heart

No it won’t be the end but it might be a start

If their mothers choose life, oh the joy they will bring

Each boy and each girl, a new song to sing

What’s your name little girl, Papa my name is Hannah

Look at me now; I’m washing dishes with Nana

Papa, you’re my best friend, mommy says its ok

If Nana says yes, we can marry someday

Yes the words they will say will come straight from the heart

A heart made in the womb and shaped from the start

Please pray for them all, yes, each girl and each boy

In the wombs of their mothers, kept for life and for joy

This song I have written, to the Body of Christ

Asking prayer for the unborn, yes for those with no voice

It’s clear to me now and I hope so to you,

Our prayers are the best; they’re the least we can do

Yes, it’s clear to me now and I hope so to you,

Our prayers are the best; they’re the least we can do

The sun has set on another day and thousands of babies were aborted today in America. Would you pray that God would intervene in the lives of those women who plan to do the same tomorrow. And would you do so again the next day and the next. May God help us to be fervent in our prayers. May He remind each of us that He is able to do "exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think". As those who believe in the power of prayer, may God help us to pray accordingly. My hope that believers would be fervent prayer warriors for the unborn is not to suggest that it become our cause. Our cause is the gospel of Christ. May we be sharers of the Gospel of Christ with a lost world. The gospel, the word says, is the power of God unto salvation to all who believe. And the salvation of souls is the true changing of a heart. But as we fight the good fight of faith, may God help us to remember to pray for those most vulnerable among us, the unborn.
Greg

Grace is For Me, What About You

Here is a song I have written regarding one of my favorite topics; "grace". The title, "Grace is For Me, What About You", is both a statement and a question. As a statement it seems twofold. "Grace is for me" in the sense that I believe that it is by God's grace alone that salvation is wrought in the lives of sinful men and that it is by grace that we live and walk "in Christ". But "grace is for me" is also indicative of another truth. Grace is on my side. It is indeed "for me". Amen. And then there is the question, "what about you". To my brothers and sisters in Christ it is a Pauline sort of question to challenge us in our thoughts, understanding and appreciation of His grace found in Christ. To the unbeliever it can only be a seed planting or watering question as the Spirit might use it. 

Chorus

Grace is for me, what about you

Grace every day, yes grace sees me through

Grace every morning when I arise

Grace every evening when I close my eyes

I’ve been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb

By grace and through faith, His child’s what I am

Part of God’s family, His family divine

Joint heirs with Jesus, yes Jesus is mine

Grace is a wonder I cannot describe

Not from this world, no it comes from on high

Called to love others, its grace that I need

Called to be holy, its grace that I plead

So much by grace to me He affords,

His Spirit, His people, His life giving words

Blessings, their many, in Him they are found

In Him I have freedom, to sin no more bound

Repeat chorus

Never could I earn this love He has given

It all comes from Him, yes it all comes from Heaven

Merit, no never, no merit I claim

It’s only by grace, Oh praise His dear name

A race He has given, a race I must run

With strength and endurance, with grace from above

Eyes fixed on Jesus the author of faith

He giveth and giveth and giveth more grace

In weakness and trial, each struggle I see

“My grace is sufficient” are dear words to me

And on that day when I gaze at His face

I want to say “Thank you”, yes “Thank you” for grace

Repeat chorus

Oh, to know Jesus, by grace I have peace

Sins are forgiven, from striving I’ve ceased

One day I will see Him, with Him I’ll be home

For now He is with me, I’m never alone

Oh, that you would know Him, this Jesus I know

Grace would be yours and blessings untold

Trust the words of the Father regarding His Son

He died for your sins, yes this Christ from above

Jesus is coming again this I know

There’s no doubt about it, He promised it so

That He is coming for me I am sure

By grace He confirmed it, by grace it’s secure

Soon He who is coming, the Word says will come

His church He will gather in clouds high above

Grace brought me to Him, in grace I do stand

Yes, grace from the one with the nailed scared hands

Repeat chorus

Greg

Every Day, Every Morning

Here is my first attempt ever at writing lyrics to a song that came to my mind one recent Saturday morning driving home from our men's bible study at church. It was a little odd to me that I would do this but the words seemed to come so naturally.

Every Day, Every Morning

Every day, every morning
I'm reminded of You

You're love and You're mercy
Through it all comes shining through

I could never imagine
Living life on my own

I need you now more than ever

Though through the years I have grown

Yes, its grace every day that I look to from You
You have promised it sufficient for all that I do
And I pray that this grace, abundant and free
Will guide me to serve and glorify Thee

Every day, every morning
I'm reminded of You

You're love and You're mercy
Through it all comes shining through

When I struggle with thoughts
That don't honor Your name
You are gentle but strong

To draw me close yet again

And when I think of life's blessings
I humbly thank You

Undeserving of each one

Oh, but faithful are You

Yes, every day, every morning
I'm reminded of You

You're love and You're mercy
Through it all comes shining through

Music only

In this race that I'm running
I ask endurance from Thee
Keep my eyes fixed on Jesus

With humble heart and bended knee

And if one day someone says, that he fought the good fight
A vessel well used for God's truth and His light

It would be my hope and my prayer on that day

That they only see Jesus, His love and His grace
That they only see Jesus, His love and His grace

Yes, every day, every morning
I'm reminded of You

You're love and You're mercy
Through it all comes shining through

And my hope and my prayer for the rest of my days
Is to know Jesus better and grow deeper in grace
Is to know Jesus better and grow deeper in grace

Every day, every morning
I'm reminded of You

You're love and You're mercy
Through it all comes shining through
Yes You're love and You're mercy
Through it all comes shining through

Every day, every morning

I’m reminded of You

Greg Engebretson

Some Words from Pastor Lee Toms

Back in October of 2008 I shared some thoughts on my blog about Dr. Lee Toms and recalled some of the things I had heard him say when I listened to him speak some years ago. Pastor Toms served at Arcade Baptist Church in Sacramento, California for more than 40 years. At the age of 80, he went home to be with the Lord in May 2007. I am currently reading his book, Mantle of Ministry, and thought I would share some of the words he left behind. For now I will title these sort of posts as being "Some Words from Pastor Lee Toms".

I thought the following excerpt was quite appropriate and a great reminder for those involved in ministry or for anyone who is a member of the body of Christ today.

"In this day, the cause of godlessness and unbelief does not suffer from timidity; it is bold and brazen in its manners and message. A fainthearted Christian message will never compete in such an atmosphere. The day calls for heroics in the heart. We cannot be cowed or intimidated into silence or a soft-pedaling of truth; we must set forth our message simply and strongly. 

This boldness is born of undeviating faith in our message, of unquestionable conviction as to the nature of our calling and inviolate loyalty to the Captain of our salvation, the Master of our service. Some important things are non-negotiable. We can avoid being "bull-dogmatic," but dogmatic we must be. There is a point easily reached where a demand for tolerance leads us into treason to Christ. The apostles and prophets were bold men and paid dearly for it. We can get by more cheaply but not with a good conscience."

"Just as He Said"

On that first resurrection day, Mathew's Gospel account tells us that "Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave" where Jesus had been laid following His crucifixion. An angel of the Lord proclaimed to them the glorious truth that we celebrate this Resurrection day. "He is not here, He has risen, just as He said." Let me repeat those last four words, "just as He said." If God will allow it, it is my intention to express the importance of the truth that is represented in those four words.

Prior to His crucifixion Jesus had openly taught that the Son of Man would be delivered into the hands of men and be condemned to death. It came to pass, just as He said. On several occasions Jesus proclaimed that following His death He would rise from the dead after 3 days. As we celebrate today, He did indeed rise from the dead, just as He said, and our hope is in a risen Savior. Jesus proclaimed that it was to our advantage that He go away and that He would send the Helper. On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit (the Helper) came, just as He said. Jesus said that He would build His church and that the gates of Hades would not overpower it. For almost two thousand years He has been building His church, just as He said. And though the enemy has fought to rid the world of His church, the gates of Hades have not overpowered it and it remains this glorious resurrection day. Perhaps you see where this is leading.

Oh, how important are the things that He has said! And how important it is to know them! In John's Gospel, John records Jesus as having said, "If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself, that where I am, you may be also." To be sure, just as Jesus said, there are mockers asking "Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation." Just as we can look back and see the things that have come to pass, "just as He said", so will His coming again be one day.

I do not propose to know the day or the hour in which He will come. I don't know the year in which it will come to pass. But I believe what the Hebrew author was inspired to write in Chapter ten and verse 37, "For yet in a very little while, He who is coming will come, and will not delay." Yes, He said He would come again and one day, like His resurrection, it will be a past event wherein He was glorified.
May His church glory in His name as they remember Him this day. Perhaps a boy or a girl, a man or a woman came to know Him for the very first time today. Praise the Lord and praise the truth of His resurrection!
Greg

A Boy with a Special Coat, A Girl with a Special Problem

I was privileged to speak during the Sunday morning service at my church this week while our pastor was on a mission trip to Uganda. The following was the message that I shared.

“A Boy with a Special Coat, A Girl with a Special Problem”

Genesis 37:1-4

Mark 5:21-24

I have thought much lately about the care and provisions that God extends to His children. Over the last couple of years I have seen brothers and sisters in Christ suffer the loss of loved ones, struggle through other difficult personal trials of their own and struggle in their hearts while they pray out of love and concern for those they care deeply for.

And time and time again, not always in the same way, in fact, perhaps never in the same way, I have seen God graciously bestow His loving care. I’m sure that if we went around the sanctuary this morning we would hear testimony after testimony about how you have seen God do the same.

As I speak this morning about this matter of God’s care, I want to be clear that my intention is not necessarily to focus on the recipients but the giver or provider of the care. This can be a difficult division of thought because to some degree the two go hand in hand. But let me say that it is you and I who are dependent upon God and His character if we are to ever be privileged to rejoice in Christ and have hope for the care that is ours in Him. 

To say that the Bible is full of examples of God's loving care would be perhaps one of the greatest understatements ever made. Through both Old and New Testaments we find a multitude of scripture that provide for us countless examples.

Something else I have been considering recently is the vast amount of practical lessons that are seen in the Bible stories that God has preserved for so many years that we can learn and teach from. 

The title of my message this morning is "A boy with a special coat, A girl with a special problem". You may be wondering what these two Bible stories have in common and I will simply say what ties them together is God, God and His wondrous ways. They are just two biblical accounts of the wonder of God's sovereign care and oversight.

So the first passage of scripture that we read from this morning (out of Genesis 37) is the beginning of a lengthy story of God’s sovereign oversight of Joseph and how He would use him to care for his people. Right or wrong, Jacob's favoritism towards his son Joseph would prove very problematic in Joseph’s relationship with his brothers. As it still does today, jealousy can create great difficulties between siblings and relationships in general.

Most of you are quite familiar with the story. In an apparent demonstration of his love and favoritism for Joseph, Jacob gives him a varicolored tunic (or coat of many colors as it is often referred to). The scripture says this gift, in addition to Joseph having given his father a bad report about his brothers, resulted in their hating him and an inability for them to speak to him on friendly terms.

As these sort of feelings often do, unchecked they continued to fester. When Joseph shared some dreams he had with his brothers, the scripture tells us they hated him even more. His dreams spoke of a subservient role that his brothers would have under him one day and their jealousy and hatred grew.

On another occasion Jacob asks Joseph to go and check on his brothers who are shepherding their father’s flock and to bring a report back to him regarding the welfare of both his brothers and that of his flock.

Neither of them is aware of it at the time, but this will be the last time they see each other for many years. But God will be sovereignly caring for both of them and accomplishing His will while using the circumstances of the relationships that have developed between Joseph, his brothers and their father.

We ought to take a moment and say, “praise God”, for His ability to do this. To use the thoughts, intentions and actions of men, whether noble or ill advised, to accomplish His perfect will. Ours is indeed the God who “causes all things to work together for good”! Some of you have heard me say this before but I think it is a truth worth repeating. “Things” in and of themselves cannot, and in a sin affected world, would not work together for good. It takes the Creator’s hand to “cause” them to do so. Praise God for His grace to do so.

By the time Joseph meets up with his brothers to check on them and the flock, even when they had seen him “afar off”, the scripture says, they were plotting to kill him. It seems evident that they had continued to feed the anger and jealousy they felt towards him while they had been shepherding together. Reuben, Jacob’s eldest son is then used by God to preserve Joseph’s life and talks them into not taking his life but suggests throwing him into a pit where he would himself return and rescue him and return him to their father. So Joseph is thrown into the pit by his own brothers.

Ultimately his brothers, apparently unknown to Reuben, and at the advice of Judah, sell him to some Midianite traders who were traveling by on their way to Egypt. They decided to put the blood of a goat on Joseph’s varicolored tunic and present it to their father when they returned home in order to trick him into believing that Joseph had been killed by wild beasts. Obviously, a very cruel thing for them to do to their brother and to their father.

It is interesting to note, that back in Genesis 27, we read that Jacob himself had used the skin of a goat to trick his father Isaac into thinking he was his older and hairy brother Esau in his effort to steal his brother’s blessing and now his own sons were using the blood of a goat to trick him into thinking that his son Joseph was dead. “God is not mocked” the scripture says, “whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.” Perhaps Jacob was experiencing this.

As the story continues, Joseph is subsequently sold by the Midianites to Potiphar, the captain of the bodyguard of Pharaoh. Unfortunately, we don’t have time for the whole detailed story. A key part of the story however, that I don’t want to miss, is that we are told that the Lord was with Joseph and so he became a successful man.

True biblical “success” for you and I is measured in accordance with God’s ways and not the ways of men. But the truth that Joseph experienced seems to remain, the success we desire is that which comes when “the Lord is with us”. Success in ministry, success in our marriages, our families, our churches, and so on. 

Later, Joseph is falsely accused and jailed. He continues to receive wisdom from God to interpret dreams, interpreting the dreams of Pharaoh’s chief cupbearer, his chief baker and ultimately, after spending a significant period of time in jail, he interprets the dreams of Pharaoh himself. Released from prison, at the age of 30, Pharaoh puts him in charge of all of Egypt. Only Pharaoh himself has more authority.

Pharaoh’s dreams, as interpreted by Joseph, come to pass with the 7 years of plenty and the 7 years of famine. It is during this time of famine that the dreams Joseph had once shared with his brothers some 20 years earlier come to pass as his father Jacob sends his sons to Egypt to purchase grain.

By this time Joseph appears to have been 39 years of age when his brothers bow before him and he is reunited with his father and family. (30 when appointed by Pharaoh, 7 years plenty and 2 years into the famine.)

The sovereign care and providence of God is quite dramatic and clearly seen throughout this entire story that covers several chapters of scripture.

And what about the perspective that Joseph conveyed to his family and God uses to speak to us these hundreds of years later?

In Genesis 45:4-8 we read the account of Joseph disclosing himself to his brothers;

“I am your brother Joseph, who you sold into Egypt. Now do not be grieved or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are still five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvesting. God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant in the earth, and to keep you alive by a great deliverance. Now, therefore, it was not you who sent me here, but God;”

Oh, that we might have the attitude and perspective that Joseph expressed “as the Lord was with him”. Having already suffered the loss of his mother following the birth of his younger brother and then separated from the love of his father 17 years of age. Sold by his own brothers as a slave. Jailed without cause for a couple of years of his life.

And yet he tells his brothers not to be grieved or to be angry with themselves for what they had done. (As Bob Rodgers spoke with the men about yesterday morning at men’s bible study, a spirit of forgiveness had set Joseph free from the bondage of anger and bitterness that could have been his for the having.) But as the Lord was with him he chose to see things from the Lord’s perspective.

It was God who had sent Joseph into Egypt before his brothers. He had simply used his brothers to accomplish His perfect will. And Joseph reminds us that we can and should look at the bigger picture and not just the immediate circumstances. He saw himself as having been sent by God to preserve life. To be even more specific, he had been sent ahead to preserve the very lives of the ones who had mistreated him.

We see a similar attitude expressed by the Apostle Paul (in Philippians Chapter 1) where Paul is expressing his desire to depart this life and be with Christ, which was for him, that which is described as being “very much better”. But again, seeing the bigger picture, he said, “yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake”.

There are many lessons that we can learn from as we consider the life of Joseph and so many others but I must go on.

The second passage of scripture that we read this morning was out of Mark Chapter 5 where we find the story of the synagogue official seeking the Lord’s healing of his daughter.

Mark 5:21-24:

"When Jesus had crossed over again in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around Him; and so He stayed by the seashore. One of the synagogue officials named Jairus *came up, and on seeing Him, *fell at His feet  and *implored Him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death; please come and lay Your hands on her, so that she will get well and live.” And He went off with him; and a large crowd was following Him and pressing in on Him.”

So we have a man, described as one of the synagogue officials, coming up to Jesus, falling before Him and earnestly imploring Him to come and lay hands on his “little daughter” who is described as being at the very point of death, that she might get well and live. I will also describe Jairus as a father who desperately wants his daughter, his only daughter according to Luke’s Gospel, to live.

Again, most of you may remember the story. There is another healing that takes place while Jesus travels to Jairus’ home when he heals the woman who had suffered with a hemorrhage for 12 years that no one else had been able to heal but only make worse. It is interesting to note that this woman had suffered with her problem the entire lifetime of Jairus’ little girl. She touches Jesus’ cloak and is healed immediately.

Jesus continues on His journey to Jairus’ house. In each of the three Gospel accounts found in Matthew, Mark and Luke, we read various assertions as to the little girl’s state. In the beginning she was said to be dying, to be at the very point of death or to have died already. By the time Jesus reaches her home we read that she is presumed to be dead and that some are suggesting that the Teacher should not be “troubled” any longer.

I have to take a moment and say that any advice to not “trouble” the Lord Jesus should be ignored. I would go so far as to say that it is the deception of Satan that you not trouble Him. Whether in a loud voice or a whisper, do not believe the lie that it is ever “a trouble” to Him when we come to Him with our concerns.

We should have that same sort of attitude which was expressed when Jesus asked the twelve a question after we are told that many of His disciples had withdrawn and were not walking with Him anymore after He had taught some difficult matters for them to receive. In John 6:67 Jesus asks them, “You do not want to go away also, do you?” And Peter responds on their behalf in verse 68-69 saying, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life. We have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God.”

If we don’t go to Jesus, where will we go? If we don’t have Him to go to, who will take His place? Brothers and sisters in Christ, it is no trouble to Him, go to Jesus!

In the three Gospel accounts Jesus tells those who are present at the house that the little girl is only sleeping.

In each account it says that Jesus went into where the girl was lying and took her by the hand. Mark’s Gospel records Jesus as having taken her hand and saying to her, “Talitha kum” or “little girl, I say to you, get up!”

Let me suggest that it doesn't matter if she was dying, at the point of death or dead. In Luke Chapter 7:11-15 we read this spectacular account of Jesus’ interaction with a dead man:

^”Soon afterwards He went to a city called Nain; and His disciples were going along with Him, accompanied by a large crowd.  Now as He approached the gate of the city, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow; and a sizeable crowd from the city was with her.  When the Lord saw her, He felt compassion for her, and said to her, “Do not weep.”  And He came up and touched the coffin; and the bearers came to a halt. And He said, “Young man, I say to you, arise!” The dead man sat up and began to speak.”

No request for healing. Just out of the deep well of compassion that belongs to Christ, He does something incredible. There is no mention here that the man is just sleeping. Jesus speaks to a dead person and Jesus quickens the dead person to respond.

Praise God that Jesus speaks to the dead. You and I were dead in our sins and trespasses the scriptures says and yet the One who spoke to the dead son of the widow at Nain, has spoken to us and quickened us to respond. Praise God!

I share the story of Jairus’ daughter because it speaks of a tremendous truth for us to learn and to remember. Let me read the rest of the account found in Mark 5:35-48.

"While He was still speaking, they *came from the house of the synagogue official, saying, “Your daughter has died; why trouble the Teacher anymore?” But Jesus, overhearing what was being spoken, *said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid any longer, only believe.” And He allowed no one to accompany Him, except Peter and James and John the brother of James. They *came to the house of the synagogue official; and He *saw a commotion, and people loudly weeping and wailing.  And entering in, He *said to them, “Why make a commotion and weep? The child has not died, but is asleep.”  They began laughing at Him. But putting them all out, He *took along the child’s father and mother and His own companions, and *entered the room where the child was.  Taking the child by the hand, He *said to her, “Talitha kum!” (which translated means, “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”).  Immediately the girl got up and began to walk, for she was twelve years old. And immediately they were completely astounded.  And He gave them strict orders that no one should know about this, and He said that something should be given her to eat.”

 Did you catch that? After doing all that the girl’s father and mother could have been hoping for at the moment, giving their little girl life, we are reminded that the Lord’s care does not end there with the giving of life. “Something should be given her to eat” He said! That is incredible to me.

I find the same principle incredibly true for my life and yours. He has done all that we could have hope for in giving us eternal life, abundant life with Himself. And yet there is not a day that goes by that He is not concerned about all the needs that we have.

Yes, God cares for you. He cares for me. Peter was inspired by God to admonish us to cast our cares, or our anxieties, on Him and that we do so, on the basis of the truth that He cares for us. To the extent that we allow the of God to apply this discipline to our lives, we will grow in our understanding and appreciation of the depth of His care.

He inspired Paul to write to the troubled church in Corinth and the churches in Galatia who were struggling to hold on to truth because He cared for them.

He tells us to walk in a manner worthy of our calling because He cares for us.

He tells us to not forsake our assembling together because He cares for us.

He speaks of His concerned that we not partake of the Lord’s Supper in an unworthy manner because He cares for us.

He warns of being conformed to the world and admonishes us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds because He cares for us.

He tells us not to love the world, nor the things in the world because He cares for us.

He tells us to fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith; to keep seeking the things above where Christ is, because He cares for us.

He tells us of the blessed hope of our Savior’s return because He cares for us.

I suppose I could go on but I hope the point has been made. He cares deeply for you and I. We ought to respond with a heart full of gratitude, minds eager to know Him and vessels desirous of serving Him.

A brother in Christ recently sent out an email that was a reminder of a verse we find in Luke 12:6-7 where Jesus said the following;

"Are not five sparrows sold for two cents? Yet not one of them is forgotten before God.  Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.”

As believers in Christ, members of His body, we are the children of God. Heirs of God the word says, fellow heirs with Christ. May we rejoice each day in the relationship we find that we have been graced to have with God in Christ.

As there is a story of Joseph’s life, a story told of Jairus’ little daughter, the story of the son of the widow at Nain, a story of the Apostle Paul and many others, so there is a story of your life and mine. As your story is lived, or perhaps one day remembered by others, God’s sovereign care will no doubt be interwoven in the details of your life for others to see and to give Him the glory. Amen