Jesus and the Nobleman’s Son in Cana

By Paul Earnhart

As Jesus went about preaching in Galilee, he came to Cana where he had made the water into wine.  That was the only previous miracle Jesus had wrought in Galilee, but it had left its impression on the people there. (See John 4:46-54)

A nobleman, who lived several miles away in Capernaum, had a son who was at the point of death.  He came to Jesus, begging Him to come and heal his son.  Jesus did not immediately perform the miracle.  Miracles were secondary to teaching.  Their purpose was to encourage belief.  Jesus gently chided the man for requesting a sign.  Jesus said, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe.” (John 4:47).  But when the man persisted, Jesus said, “Go your way, your son lives.”

The man had enough faith to leave the presence of Jesus to make the journey back to Capernaum.  And he found that Jesus had indeed healed the boy, even from a distance, for the fever left the boy at the very time when Jesus had spoken the words.

There are several levels of faith revealed in this story: First, the man had faith enough to come to Jesus to ask for the healing.  Then his faith increased to the point that he was willing to return to Capernaum in the belief that Jesus had healed the boy.  Finally, we are told that after the miracle, the man himself believed and his whole house (John 4:53).

If Jesus felt that this man should believe without a miracle, how much more should we!  We have the account of numerous miracles that Jesus and the apostles did.  John said, “These are written that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God, and that believing you might have life through His name.” (John 20:31).  We can believe today through the study of the scriptures.  And just as the faith of this man grew as he saw the works of Jesus, ours can grow as we read about them in God’s word.  So then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17).

Blessings Through the Blood of Jesus

By Steve Gwin

When Jesus established the memorial of His death, He said, as recorded in 1 Corinthians 11:25, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood.”  What a wonderful blessing it is that through the blood of Jesus we have received a new and better covenant in which God has promised to remember our sins no more (Hebrews 8:8-12).

The Scriptures declare other blessings for believers through Jesus’ blood on the cross:

1. Justification: Romans 5:9 states, “Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.”  To be justified means to be declared innocent.  Through Jesus’ sacrifice, believers are seen as innocent before God, despite past transgressions.

2. Redemption: Ephesians 1:7 reveals, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.”  Redemption implies being freed from captivity through the payment of a ransom.  Our sins held us captive, and there was nothing we could do to free ourselves.  Jesus’ blood liberates believers from the bondage of sin, granting freedom and forgiveness.

3. Nearness to God: Ephesians 2:13 states, “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”  Our sins had resulted in us “having no hope and without God in the world” (Ephesians 2:12).  Christ’s blood allows believers to have a close relationship with God.

3. Reconciliation: Colossians 1:20 explains, “and through him to reconcile to himself all things… making peace by the blood of his cross.”  Reconciliation means the restoring of harmony between us and God, allowing believers to experience divine peace.

4. Clear Conscience: Hebrews 9:14 assures, “how much more will the blood of Christ… purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.”  Jesus’ blood removes the heavy burden of a guilty conscience and enables wholehearted service to God.

5. Cleansing from all sin: 1 John 1:7 promises, “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light… the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.”  Christ’s blood gives us the assurance that we need not worry about eternity if we will repent of our sins because Jesus’ blood can cleanse us from all sin.

In summary, the blood of Jesus establishes a new and better covenant, justifies us, redeems us, reconciles us to God, purifies our conscience, and cleanses us from all sin.  These blessings are profound gifts that transform our relationship with God as well as our lives.

Let us continually give thanks for Jesus’ blood which provides us with these immeasurable blessings.

WATCH Your Words, Actions, Thoughts, Company and Heart

By Boyd Hurst

The Power of Words

Words hold immense power.  As James 3:8 warns, the tongue is difficult to control.  It can build up or tear down, bring life or destruction.  Similarly, Colossians 4:6 encourages us to let our speech be full of grace and seasoned with wisdom.  The words we choose reflect our hearts and can either edify others or lead them astray.

The Weight of Actions

2 Corinthians 5:10 reminds us that we will all stand before Christ’s judgment seat to give an account of our actions.  Everything we do has consequences—whether good or bad.  Our actions should reflect our faith and values, as they are a testimony to those around us.

The Influence of Thoughts

Philippians 4:8 calls us to focus on things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and praiseworthy.  Our thoughts shape our attitudes and behaviors, influencing how we respond to challenges and opportunities.  If we dwell on negativity, fear, or sin, our actions will reflect that.  But if we meditate on what is good, our hearts and lives will be aligned with God’s will.

The Company We Keep

The people we surround ourselves with have a significant impact on our character and choices.  1 Corinthians 15:33 warns, "Do not be deceived: evil company corrupts good habits."  Also in the words of wise Solomon, "Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of evil." Prov. 4:14.

The Heart as the Source

Proverbs 4:23 further emphasizes the importance of guarding our hearts, "Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life."  Jesus teaches in Matthew 15:18-19 that our words, actions, and thoughts come from the heart.  If our hearts are pure, what flows out will also be pure.  But if our hearts are filled with sin, our lives will reflect that.  Keeping our hearts aligned with God’s truth is essential for living a righteous life.

A Call to Watchfulness

2 Timothy 4:5 urges us to "be watchful in all things."  This means being vigilant about our Words, Actions, Thoughts, Company and Heart.  As we strive to live righteously, we must also remember that others are watching us.  Our lives serve as an example, influencing those around us for good or bad.  May we be a light to others, reflecting God’s love and truth in everything we do.

Boldness: A Call to Live with Courage and Conviction

By David Norfleet

The Book of Acts is more than just an account of the early days of the church.  As the second volume of Luke’s writings, it captures the continuation of Jesus’ work through His disciples after His resurrection and ascension.  In Acts, we witness the powerful movement of the Holy Spirit and the spreading of the gospel despite intense opposition and persecution.  It reveals a striking pattern of boldness—boldness in message, boldness in action, and boldness in the face of danger.  This pattern serves as a model for believers today, calling us to boldly live out our faith with courage and conviction.

The Purpose of Acts: History, Guidance, and Triumph

At the heart of Acts lies a clear and significant purpose.  Luke’s goal was not just to tell a story, but to lay down a historical foundation for the church, demonstrating the origins of our faith and its miraculous spread across the Roman world.  As G. Campbell Morgan aptly put it, this book shows how God’s supply to humanity meets its deepest needs.

More importantly, Acts is a guide for the church.  It provides essential principles that guided the apostles through challenges, persecutions, and triumphs.  These same principles remain applicable to the church today, offering wisdom and direction on how to navigate the complexities of living out our faith in a hostile world.  Finally, Acts highlights the triumphant growth of Christianity, showcasing how the gospel not only survived under harsh opposition but thrived, making its way from Jerusalem to the far reaches of the Roman Empire.

Acts and Boldness: A Hallmark of the Early Church

Throughout Acts, one characteristic stands out: boldness.  The book begins and ends with the bold proclamation of the gospel.  Acts 2:29 and Acts 28:31 both describe the unwavering courage with which the apostles boldly preached the message of Christ.  The Greek word parrhesia, meaning “boldness,” is used consistently throughout the book, underscoring its central role in the early church's mission.

So, what is boldness?  It is the courage to take risks, to speak the truth even when it may lead to danger or opposition.  It combines integrity—honesty and moral uprightness—with courage—the strength to stand firm despite fear or adversity.  In Acts 4, we see a vivid portrayal of boldness in action as Peter and John boldly proclaim the message of Jesus, despite being threatened by the religious authorities.  This boldness was not born of arrogance or self-confidence, but from their deep conviction in the truth of the resurrection and the power of the Holy Spirit.

What Made the Apostles Bold?

In Acts 4, we see a powerful example of this boldness.  After Peter and John healed a man who had been lame from birth, they were arrested and questioned by the Jewish authorities.  The response they gave was a testament to their boldness: they spoke openly about the resurrection of Jesus, declaring that it was through Jesus’ name that the man had been healed (Acts 4:8-12).

What made these apostles so bold?  It was their unshakable conviction in the message they carried—the message of Jesus' resurrection and the hope of salvation through Him.  They had witnessed firsthand the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, and now they were empowered by the Holy Spirit to carry that message to the world.  Despite being untrained in the ways of the rabbinical schools, their boldness was evident to everyone, even the Jewish rulers, who could not deny the miraculous healing and the courage of these men.

Boldness in the Face of Opposition

The boldness of the apostles did not go unchallenged.  As we read through Acts, we see that opposition to the gospel grew increasingly intense.  The apostles were not only questioned and threatened, but they were also beaten and imprisoned.  Yet, their resolve did not waver.  When the authorities ordered them to stop speaking about Jesus, Peter and John responded, “We cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20).

The early Christians faced real and immediate danger.  Today, while we may not face the same level of violent opposition, we still encounter challenges and resistance in different forms.  In many places around the world, Christians risk their lives simply by sharing the gospel.  Even in more open societies, there are cultural and social pressures that seek to silence the message of Christ.

We live in a world where speaking about Jesus can sometimes bring ridicule, rejection, or even legal consequences.  Yet, just as the apostles were bold in the face of opposition, we too must find the courage to stand firm in our faith.  In Matthew 10:16-23, Jesus prepares His followers for such opposition, reminding them that they will face persecution but assuring them of God’s presence and protection.

God Desires Boldness for His People

The boldness we see in Acts was not just a human effort.  It was the result of God’s power at work in the apostles.  After their release from prison, the believers in Jerusalem gathered to pray for boldness.  In Acts 4:29-31, they prayed, “Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.”  God answered their prayer, filling them with the Holy Spirit and empowering them to speak with even greater courage.

Just as God empowered the apostles, He is still at work in His people today.  He desires boldness in His followers.  The apostle Paul, in Ephesians 6:19, asked the church to pray for him, that he might speak the gospel boldly.  Likewise, we are called to seek God’s strength to live with courage in the face of challenges.  As we trust in His power, we can boldly proclaim the gospel, just as the apostles did.

A Personal Call to Boldness

Boldness is not a trait reserved for the apostles or for those with a certain personality type.  It is a characteristic of all who follow Christ.  Proverbs 28:1 tells us, “The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.”  As followers of God, we are called to be bold, standing firm in our faith and declaring the truth of the gospel.

However, this is not always easy.  There are moments when fear, doubt, or a desire to please others can cause us to shy away from speaking the truth.  Like many, I have faced moments of hesitation, moments when I was worried about what others would think or feared the consequences of standing firm in my beliefs.  But we are not called to live in fear.  Instead, we are called to trust in God, to remember that He is with us, and to speak boldly for His glory.

As we close, let us remember the words of Isaiah 50:7, “Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore, I have set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame.”  With God’s help, we can face opposition, speak with boldness, and live out the truth of the gospel in every situation.

A Salute to a Young Christian Mother

By Larry R. Coffey

Francis Chan wrote a book entitled “Crazy Love” in 2013.  Here is a quote from that book.  "We are consumed by safety.  Obsessed with it, actually.  Now, I’m not saying it is wrong to pray for God’s protection, but I am questioning how we’ve made safety our highest priority.  We’ve elevated safety to the neglect of whatever God’s best is, whatever would bring God the most glory, or whatever would accomplish His purposes in our lives and in the world.”

This reminds me of the Covid pandemic.  Many brethren didn’t attend the worship services for weeks, even months, and some never came back to the church.  That despite the multiple efforts made to provide a safe environment.  That is a once in a 100-year event.  But what about something more common: like the weather.

I have now been a member of the church for 65 years and I have never seen anything keep members away from worship more than the weather.  Something as simple as rain on Sunday morning will keep some away.  Heaven forbid what happens if there is snow or even a forecast of snow.  I want to review two recent weather-related events.

On a recent Sunday morning, it stated snowing about 8:00 am.  Up to three inches was predicted.  Of course, that kept a lot of folks at home.  But, not a young Christian mother with an infant.  She drove by herself almost 50 miles one way to be at worship.  I didn’t actually see her, but it was pointed out to me by one of the men.

Then on Wednesday night of that same week, it was predicted up to one inch of snow on that night starting after 9:00 pm.  I don’t know about others, but from my house to the building, the roads were as clear as any July night.  It did start to snow around 10:00 pm.  I have no lists of people, but I would estimate over one-half of the congregation was absent.

What about our young Christian mother?  Again, I didn’t see her, but a different man other than the one I have mentioned pointed out she was present with her baby.

Another Chan quote: “People who are obsessed with Jesus aren’t consumed with their personal safety and comfort above all else.”

I am told these blogs have low readership.  I am not writing this to put down our members since most are not likely to read it anyway.  I have learned after 65 years, it would be a waste of time.  My purpose is to salute this young mother.  It is obvious to me she is obsessed with Jesus.  Plus, I would not have known this information if two of our men had not been so highly impressed with her, they had to share this news.  And she doesn’t know this is being written.

I am saluting her faithfulness, her example, her commitment and love for our Lord.  She makes me want to be a better person and to never allow safety to come before my commitment to serve my God.  As we read in Heb 10:24-25, “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as we see the day approaching.”