Stay The Course

But, what did GOD say?

I WILL LIFT UP MY EYES UNTO THE HILLS [of Jerusalem]—

FROM WHENCE SHALL MY HELP COME?

MY HELP COMES FROM THE LORD

WHO MADE HEAVEN AND EARTH

PSALM 121:1

Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace. Jesus told the woman who had enough faith to touch the hem of HIS garment. Imagine touching Jesus's garment, becoming healed, and then right after people come and tell you that someone's daughter is dead. The "messengers" basically said, someone's daughter is dead, why are y'all wasting your time talking to Jesus?

Have you ever had an encounter with Jesus then shortly after bad news tries whispering in your ear? Bad news like the people you thought were praying for you are the ones belittling you, talking about you behind your back, and even talking about your children. Bad news like your child having cancer, a voice saying "You will never prosper", followed by a push and pull from the enemy telling you to give up and go back from where you came from.

THIS WEEKS NEW BOUNDARY = NO NEGATIVITY!!!

Guess what. As a child of God, who is suffering for what is right, YOU are the good news. What God spoke over your life, outweighs any bad news. What you are going through will make a difference not only in your life but also in the lives of others if you just stay the course.

There is value in all of my stories.

-Bishop Joel C. Lofton

 Immediately Jesus, recognizing in Himself that power had gone out from Him, turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched My clothes?” His disciples said to Him, “You see the crowd pressing in around You [from all sides], and You ask, ‘Who touched Me?’” Still He kept looking around to see the woman who had done it.  And the woman, though she was afraid and trembling, aware of what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. Then He said to her, “Daughter, your faith [your personal trust and confidence in Me] has restored you to health; go in peace and be [permanently] healed from your suffering.”

While He was still speaking, some people came from the synagogue official’s house, saying [to Jairus], “Your daughter has died; why bother the Teacher any longer?” Overhearing what was being said, Jesus said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid; only keep on believing [in Me and my power].” And He allowed no one to go with Him [as witnesses], except Peter and James and John the brother of James.  They came to the house of the synagogue official; and He looked [with understanding] at the uproar and commotion, and people loudly weeping and wailing [in mourning]. 39 When He had gone in, He said to them, “Why make a commotion and weep? The child has not died, but is sleeping.” They began laughing [scornfully] at Him [because they knew the child was dead]. But He made them all ]go outside, and took along the child’s father and mother and His own [three] companions, and entered the room where the child was. Taking the child’s hand, He said [tenderly] to her, “Talitha kum!”—which translated [from Aramaic] means, “Little girl, I say to you, get up!” The little girl immediately got up and began to walk, for she was twelve years old. And immediately they [who witnessed the child’s resurrection] were overcome with great wonder and utter amazement.

Mark 5:31-42

This passage can teach us so much. The woman did not care who was saying what nor did she care about the looks of others. She cared only to keep her eyes on Jesus while knowing she needed to touch Him to be healed. She was in the midst of hate, slander, doubt, and confusion but God was in the midst of her. She did not fight back in words or with fists. (1 Peter 3:9) She died out of pride and was stripped of everything she had ever tried or knew to do in the past. She did not rend evil for evil. She touched the hem of His garment and heard "Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace." In the amplified it reads

Then He said to her, “Daughter, your faith [your personal trust and confidence in Me] has restored you to health; go in peace and be [permanently] healed from your suffering.” (Mark 5:34)

YOUR FAITH IS PERSONAL.

YOUR TRUST IN JESUS IS PERSONAL.

BAYBEE LISTEN, THIS SALVATION WALK IS PERSONAL.

When the woman who touched the hem of His garment was healed, nobody embraced her healing nor glorified God for what He did. They just brought more bad news and distraction. Jesus handled it all...

(cause that is what He does) HE HANDLES IT ALL!

 Overhearing what was being said, Jesus said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid; only keep on believing [in Me and my power]. Mark 5:36'

My brother and my sister. let them talk.

KEEP TRUSTING GOD.

LET GOD BE GLORIFIED THROUGH YOU! (Isaiah 49:3)

 And He allowed no one to go with Him [as witnesses], except Peter and James and John the brother of James. Mark 5:37

Jesus knew not to allow everyone with Him on this part of the journey. Don't be scared when God starts rearranging the people in your circle. Lean not to your own understanding and remember, Your heavenly knows best. Keep your hands clean and your heart postured in obedience to God.

They began laughing [scornfully] at Him [because they knew the child was dead]. Mark 5:40

We spend time with God and hear, acknowledge, and discern what He says about our process. Yet, we go out into the world (or around church folk) and get mocked and laughed at for walking in and standing on His promises.

STAY FOCUSED!

GOD IS AND WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR YOU AND COME THROUGH ON YOUR BEHALF!

 Taking the child’s hand, He said [tenderly] to her, “Talitha kum!”—which translated [from Aramaic] means, “Little girl, I say to you, get up!” The little girl immediately got up and began to walk, for she was twelve years old. And immediately they [who witnessed the child’s resurrection] were overcome with great wonder and utter amazement. Mark 5:41-42

GET UP! KEEP YOUR FAITH!

Continue to walk this walk with Jesus.

No matter what others say or do, God will finish this good work HE started in you.

Listen to Me, you who know righteousness (right standing with God), The people in whose heart is My law and instruction; Do not fear the reproach and taunting of man, Nor be distressed at their reviling. For the moth will eat them like a garment, And the worm will eat them like wool. But My righteousness and justice [faithfully promised] will exist forever, And My salvation to all generations.” Isaiah 51:7-8

But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened" 1 Peter 3:14

They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, to deliver you. Declares the Lord. Jeremiah 1:19

Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thy goest. Joshua 1:9

It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes. 10 All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the Lord will I destroy them.

Psalm 118:9-10

 Seek the Lord, and his strength: seek his face evermore.

Psalm 105:4

Behold, I am doing a new thing, now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

Isaiah 43:19

KEEP YOUR HEAD UP.

CHIN UP.

I will lift up my eyes to the hills [of Jerusalem]—

From where shall my help come?

My help comes from the Lord,

Who made heaven and earth.

Psalm 121:1

BE ENCOURAGED.

EVEN WHEN SURROUNDED BY CHAOS, YOU ARE CHOSEN AND LOVED BY GOD.