On a Sabbath Day Jesus was teaching in a synagogue where there was a man whose right hand was shriveled. There is no explanation for the malady, just that he was in attendance.

Jesus was aware that Pharisees were present who were looking for an opportunity to accuse Him of some sin or wrong-doing. Jesus asked the man to stand before everyone. “He looked around at them all, and then said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ He did so, and his hand was completely restored” (Luke 6:10).

We often look at this scripture and see Jesus standing up to the Pharisees. But, today I want us to look at it from the perspective of the crippled man. Jesus told him to stop hiding it and stretch it out. Do you have some area of your life that is shriveled? Stretch it out and watch the healing that God wants to provide. He cannot heal unless you stretch. Exercise what has died and watch it become resurrected.

When Jesus sent out his followers on a training mission, he first “called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. And He sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick” (Luke 9:1-2). Note there were three purposes the twelve were to pursue:

1. They were to assume power and authority over demons. Jesus came to “undo” what the devil did in this world. Jesus was preparing His disciples to further that purpose. You are I are to take power and authority delegated by Jesus and use it to “undo” Satan’s destruction.

2. They were to cure diseases and to heal the sick. They weren’t told to pray for the sick, but to cure and heal the sick. There were no ‘what if’s; they were to go with an expectation.

3. They were to preach the kingdom of God. Jesus said elsewhere “the kingdom of God is within you”. It is not external, but internal. The kingdom of God becomes real to us when we allow God’s Spirit to indwell us.

Jesus started the mission with his original twelve. You are I are to continue that mission. Let’s roll!

“Then answered the Jews, and said unto Him, ‘What sign do you show us, seeing that you do these things?’ Jesus answered, and said unto them, ‘Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up’…(But he spoke of the temple of His body)” (John 2:18-19 & 21).

Jesus had just cleansed the Temple by driving out the money changers with a whip and declaring, “Take these things from here; make not my Father’s house a house of merchandise” (v. 16). The religious leaders then challenged him, asking what kind of a “sign” he would give that He had authority to do this. So, when Jesus referred to “this Temple“, they understood Him to be speaking of the House of Worship (that was the topic, correct?). But verse 21 explains that Jesus was referring to His body as the temple of God.

Do you think Jesus intended to talk in riddles to these Jews? I do. His disciples had spiritual insight later to tell the story correctly, but those without spiritual insight were left in the dark, and angry.

My experience is that God often speaks in riddles to me. Its up to me to stay close enough to His Spirit that I can interpret what He’s really saying. Spiritual Christians must read between the lines to glean His truth, because God hides.

The team preparing to go to the Dominican Republic on a mission trip in February had a Skype interview last night with Dr. Paul & Eileen Allyn. The Allyns briefed our team on what they would be doing and answered questions regarding both the construction and evangelism team projects. I think the team is ready to roll.

Taking a short term trip to another culture is a great project. The sights and smells remind us how much we are blessed as Americans and gives a heart of passion for another people as well as endear the team to the nationals and each other. I’ve never known anyone to take such a trip that regretted it later.

A short term trip like this is a part of the Great Commission to “go into all the world and make disciples of all people“. Pray for our team leaving in two weeks.

“You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the Lord’s renown, for an everlasting sign, which will not be destroyed” (Isaiah 55:12-13).

The Prophet Isaiah is here relating the Lord’s promises to His people. I consider this a word for me and you. Verse 12 speaks of God’s favor in a believer’s life. Problems will poetically turn into blessings and peace and prosperity will follow.

Verse 13 tells us that the Lord blesses us so that God will become famous among the people. God can only become famous out of our blessings when we give Him the glory for those blessings. So, let’s consider our beginning as sinners, and talk to others about the Lord’s favor and guidance in our lives. Even the bad will evolve into good if we trust in the Lord with all our ways.

“As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:10-11).

Although we sometimes don’t understand God’s ways in this world, God makes a solemn promise here that gives hope to those of us struggling. His word will not return void. Whether His word goes forth from the Bible, a prophetic word, a teaching word, or an encouraging word, it will never return void.

Often I have read something or heard something that I quickly put out of my mind. Later, that thought will come up in my mind again and gives me new insight. His word does not return to Him void. His words are life. They will achieve the purpose for which God intended.