Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

Daily Encouragement for the Family of God by Kenton Cheek

24 January 2025

Reading From Matthew 15:21-39

“Jesus left there and went along the Sea of Galilee. Then he went up on a mountainside and sat down. Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them. The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel.

Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way.”

–Matthew 15:29-32

     There are those who have the idea that Jesus only healed people physically to confirm His Word with signs and wonders.  I believe that He performed miracles to confirm that His Word is true but also so that people give glory to the Father and because He had compassion for them.  His tender care for them is not only on display in this passage, but all over the accounts of His earthly ministry.  Jesus loves people and He set the perfect example for us for life and godliness.     

     The Spirit convicts us of sin and part of this is that He shows us that they way we naturally treat people according to our sinful nature is not right.  So how then are we to act toward others?  We need to look to the example Jesus gave us to see how to interact with our fellow men and women in ways that are loving, healthy and godly.  God can increase our faith as we pray for the sick to be healed by His power.  We are moved by the Spirit to give glory to the Father.  As we live to bring honor to Him, we are commanded to obey the Great Commandment in loving God, loving others and loving ourselves.

“Lord Jesus, thank You so much for the example that You set for us when You walked among us.  I cannot do this life on my own and be truly successful without You and Your help.  Fill me to overflowing with Your love and the power of Your Holy Spirit.  Give me wisdom and insight to know what to pray and when to pray it.  Increase my faith to see Your wonders in this present reality.  Bring spiritual and physical healing to Your children.  Guide me forward into my eternal destiny in You.  In the Name of Jesus Christ I pray these things.  Amen.”

When the Lord saw her, He felt compassion for her, and said to her, “Do not weep.”

 –Luke 7:13

He tends his flock like a shepherd:
    He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart;
    he gently leads those that have young.

–Isaiah 40:11

When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:

“He took up our infirmities
    and bore our diseases.”

 –Matthew 8:16-17

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

–Matthew 9:36

Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.

–Matthew 20:34

Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

–John 14:12-14