Day 63 More healings… and commotion! Matt 9:27-31; Matt 9:32-34

Guided reflection:  

Two blind men were determined that they were going to get Jesus’ attention!   Because they asked and believed, they received.  A man “dumb” (meaning, unable to speak words) was healed and his tongue was free… and the reviews were divided.  Most said – WOW, we have never seen anything like this before!  But those pesky Pharisees still saw Jesus as from the devil.  Now, they must have been intrigued, because they seem to be always around, offering their comment and their take on what Jesus was up to.  Where do you see people in our culture today divided as to what is good and what is “of the devil”?   Have you ever had a paradigm shift from believing one thing to be true and then becoming convinced to another point of view?  Are you open to new ways to thinking?

Guided prayer: “Loving God, open my heart and my mind to see things in new ways.  Show me the

places where I have judged another as wanting or unacceptable… help me see people and their situations from your point of view.  Give me your eyes, please!  Amen” 

Day 62 The difference a day in Jesus’ life makes! Matt. 9:18-26

Guided reflection:  

In these eight short verses, we see lives turned around… a ruler believes that Jesus can make his dead daughter come back to life… and a women believes if she can just touch the fringe of his garment, she can be healed … She was healed, but the folks around the ruler’s house were starting the wake for this dead daughter… Jesus said – Stop the mourning party – she is just asleep… and raised her from her death bed.  Wow!   I wonder what the woman thought that night as she drifted off the sleep… and I wonder what the ruler and his wife did with that daughter that night when they tucked her into bed… what a difference Jesus can make!  Where do you need Jesus’ touch today?  Where have you been touched?  Are you still in awe?

Guided prayer:  “What a thrill it must have been to walk with Jesus on earth, O God.  Help me not

pine for those days, but help me see where Jesus is at work in my house, in my heart, in my time in history.  Help me to open to Jesus’ touch in my life.  (Name where that might be!)  Amen.

Day 61 Fasting Matt 9:14-17, Mark 2:18-22; Luke 5:33-39

Guided reflection:  

Once again, the Pharisees are “on” Jesus because now he parties too much.  They were so proud of their religious practices (they felt made them so good and worthy) that they judged Jesus and his disciples as party animals and not serious about God. Jesus points out that fasting is for those times when your spirit is dry and needs new life (wine)  but when there is life and a party going on, that is not the time to deny yourself!   The Messiah was right there in front of their eyes… why should they go and fast for the messiah to come?  Grab every moment when God is right there in front of you!   So, today we can ask: “Where is Jesus’ activity visible?  Where should I be enjoying God’s presence?”   OR, “Is this the time and place to seek newness… a fresh new day?” 

Guided Prayer:  “O God of life and vitality, help me enjoy what you are doing in my life today.  Help

me see where I should celebrate your love.  And help me also see where I need something new and fresh in my spirit.  Will you meet me at my point of need today?  Thank you.  Amen!

DAY 60 Matthew, the tax collector is called to follow Jesus Matt 9:9-13; Mark 2: 15-17; Luke 5 : 27-32

Guided reflection: 

Not only are the disciples collecting Jesus stories, but Jesus is collecting disciples as well!  Matthew is a tax collector– not a popular professions in that day.   But of course, the “holier than thou” types get all bent out of shape because Jesus included such a man – a TAX collector – into his inner circle.  Have you ever felt squeamish about the people that seem to want to come to Christ?  Are there times you are the Pharisees and you want to say – “Ugh, not THOSE people?” 

Guided Prayer:   “Jesus always included folks and widened the circle… and felt the heat.  O God,       are there people in my life that I do not want to come to our church?   Are there folks   who need to know Christ, but because of some kind of prejudice or preconceived notion,         I do not want them around?  Forgive me… and remind me again that you have included me in your circle.  I humbly say, “Thank you!”   Amen.”

DAY 59 Healing of a paralyzed man Matt 9:1-8; Mark 2: 1-2; Luke 5: 17-26

Guided reflections.  

This is a great story… check out the Luke version.   Now, that’s what friends     are for!  These friends drop Jesus right in the middle of a good sermon!  Not only is the       man healed and able to get up and walk… this sins are forgiven as well!  The churchy            types get all up in arms as to what right does Jesus have to forgive people OR heal             people.  Do you have a friend that needs to be plopped right down in front of Jesus?  Are   you bringing that person to Christ?  When has a friend made a way for you to know forgiveness and wholeness?  Write them a note right now and thank that person(s) for             their love for you!  Would any of your friends be writing you a note if they were doing         this Bible study?

Guided prayer:  “I don’t even know where to begin on this one, Lord.  Where do I need my sins

forgiven?:  Where do I need to get up out of my bed and get walking?  And who are my friends who need to know the story of your love?  Motivate me to get up and do something to help others in need – even raise a roof or two!  Amen”

DAY 58 The fierce man who was filled with demons Matt 8:28-34, Mark 5: 1-20; Luke 8: 26-39

Guided reflection: 

This must have been some event…each of the gospels tells this story.  This

man (In Matthew, it is listed as two men) was a crazy man – folks were scared of him/them!  Mentally disturbed…fierce… naked…the town did not know what to do with a man who could free this scary man.  Has there ever been a time when YOU have been the scary person…The one out of your mind and frightening?  Do you know that Jesus does not condemn you, but offers you another way of being… a life that is free from the chains that bind you and cause you to be NOT what you dream of being. 

Guider Prayer – “You are the God of love and of a sound mind… but fear robs me of a sound            mind.  Heal me, and free me from the things that keep me from being God’s dream of me.           Set me free.  Right now I pray for those who are bound by addictions and mental chains.        Set the captives free.  Amen.” 

DAY 57 Jesus calms the storm Matt 8:23-27; Mark 4:35-41, Luke 8:22-25

Guided reflection: 

This is one of the twos stories in which Jesus calmed a storm.  This time, we find Jesus, sleeping sweetly, as the boat was pounded with waves.  When they woke him, he wonders why they are upset – where is your faith, men?  Jesus rebuked the storm and all was calm.  Can you imagine the awe in that boat – goodness, even storms obey him!  Remember they are just beginning this adventure with Jesus.  They are collecting “Jesus stories” that will help them when the storms of life hit them.  Where are you sleepless and feeling every wave hitting you in the storms of life?  Where is your faith?

Guided prayer: “O God, sometimes when my life is rocking with the waves of a life storm, I      forget that I am in your hands.  Remind me again… and allow me to begin collecting     stories of when Jesus calmed my storm.  Amen”

DAY 56 What it means to be a Disciple Matt 8:18-22; Luke 9: 57-60

Guided reflection:  

Do you know what you are getting yourself into when you say that you will

follow Jesus?  This scribe glibly states he will follow Jesus anywhere.  Jesus must have seen stars in the man’s eyes because he retorts – “even animals have a place to sleep, but I will not promise you that!”  Discipleship involves commitment!    We are living in a country where being a Christian is accepted…others have paid the price for our “soft” Christianity.   However, saying “yes” to Jesus might be saying “no” to habits, friends who place us in compromising situations.   Has there ever been a “cost” to your discipleship?

Guided Prayer:   “Thank you, God, for the many who have gone before me… so that now my cost as a disciple is minimal compared with past generations.  But, Lord, help me to be honest about the places you would have me choose you instead.  Right now, I pray for those who are in harms way because of their faith.  Be their comfort and guide.  Amen” 

DAY 55 The Centurion’s Servant Matt 8:5-13; Luke 7: 1-10

Guided reflection: 

This story shows us the power of Jesus’ words – the centurion understood that Jesus did not have to be physically   beside his servant to heal him, he just needed Jesus to say the word!  The Luke passage shows more of the love of the centurion for this servant.  The lesson to those standing around was – Oh, have such great faith!  Today, let us pray for those whom we love that need Jesus’ touch:

Guider prayer:  “Healing God, just like the centurion, there for those that I love who need your

healing touch.  (Name your loved ones; name what you desire God to do for them; and remind yourself how much you love them.)  Thank you for allowing me to love these dear people.  Amen” 

DAY 54 The Healing of the Leper Matt 8: 1-4; Mark 1:40-45; Luke 5:12-16

Guided reflection:

“Jesus, if you will, you can make me clean?”   A leper was the outcast – closest to us would be maybe an AIDS patient who is contagious with a disease that can destroy and then make you an outcast.  The man not only needed to be healed of a disease, he needed a way to reconnect with his community, and to be pronounced no longer a threat to others.  I am not sure any of us have needed so much from Jesus… but maybe you have.   Jesus said “I WILL!” And then gave him instructions on how to be taken out of exclusion.   But Mark goes on to say that the man was so thrilled he began to tell everyone and Jesus began to be seen as a Magic Man and crowds love a show.  Jesus was disturbed that folks were coming to the show instead of allowing him to “show them the way”.  Do you ever come to worship for the show and miss the point of what God wants to say to you on that day? 

Guided Prayer:  “Today I pray for those who are caught in circumstances that keep them not only ill, but shunned by others, O Lord.  Open my eyes to see where I need Jesus’ touch… and help me to focus on what God’s Word wants to say to me instead of focusing on whether folks are performing well. Amen”