Scripture:
Matthew 8:5-13 ESV
[5] When he had entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him, [6] “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.” [7] And he said to him, “I will come and heal him.” [8] But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. [9] For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” [10] When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith. [11] I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, [12] while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place, there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” [13] And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed at that very moment.
Observation:
I was brought to this scripture in the middle of the night. I believe that it’s very important to pay attention when the Holy Spirit does something like that. So here we go. Jesus had just entered Capenaum with HIS men when HE was approached by a centurion soldier. This man came to HIM with a problem. It seems that at his house, one of his servants had fallen ill. Of course, Jesus responded with love… let’s heal him, come on, let’s go. But the centurion gave sharp warning. WAIT, I am not worthy of you being in my house. Just speak the words… just say it… and that will work. I am a man with authority. I tell this one go, and he does, and this one stays, and he does. The response caught the attention of Jesus. Even though HE was among HIS followers. Jesus chose to use it as a teaching moment. The faith that the soldier had was so profound. Jesus had to comment on it. In a sense, HE said look guys… that’s what I have been trying to teach you… this man’s faith is real, and because HE believes it will happen, it is going to happen. The words that Jesus spoke after that were simple and to the point… LET IT BE DONE AS YOU BELIEVE IT… wait, WOW… are you telling me the way I believe makes a difference.
Application:
I absolutely love GOD’S word. As I look back and see the power inside of it being let loose in my life. It still amazes me. I made a decision some time ago to do my absolute best to live by what the bible says. But in order to do that I had to find out what it said. This meant reading… not my strong suit. But it was worth a shot. Over the years of study, the bible has molded and shaped the way I believe, and I have seen so many absolutely amazing things come to pass in my life. Hearts healed men and women redeemed from drug addiction and restored to right living. GOD is so good. But I really want to zone in on how it all happens. In Mark chapter 16, we see this concept again when it’s said these are the signs that will follow THOSE WHO BELIEVE. The way we believe shapes our lives and motivates our actions, Peter believed that if the LORD Jesus told him to come that he would be able to walk on water. Guess what HE DID. Granted, it was only a few steps he still did. When doubt had crept in, he started to sink. The way we believe determines the actions we take. So let me ask you this question… what is faith? Well, put simply faith is believing in something you can not see that leads to action to obtain it. Are you seeing how it works? My brother in Christ Carl Hase repeats a quote pretty regularly that I love. “Whether you believe you can or you can’t, you’re right” Again WOW. That’s pretty profound. Your beliefs shape your actions, and your actions determine your results. If you want positive results, take positive action because negative results come from negative actions. I want to see us all living to the full potential that the LORD has for us. I BELIEVE WE CAN. I have to say this because it’s very important. DON’T BELIEVE THE LIE. The enemy tries to keep us from doing what GOD has designed, so to do so, along the way, he uses people to redirect our beliefs. DON’T LET HIM!!! You can do this because GOD said so. Fasten your belt of truth and be who GOD designed you to be… a man or a woman of faith that leads to action.
Prayer:
Father, you are only limited by what we believe about you. We are asking you to remove the limits we put on you. Let us act not out of dought but out of total belief. Your word says it. We believe it, and that settles it. We are asking you to help us live like your word is true… why… because it is. We can do what it says. Because that’s what it says. The gold mine that we have found in it can literally change the course of this world if we simply act in faith. It is impossible to please you without faith. So let us walk in it. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus we pray amen