Jesus is King, with Power and Authority and Gentleness, Mark 1:21-34:

Verse 21: They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”

“Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.

The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.” News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.

As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her. So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them.

That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. The whole town gathered at the door, and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.

 

Jesus showed his power and authority by his teaching and by his sternness to not let demons speak. He showed his compassion by healing people of demon possession and of illness. Such a gentle picture as he took the hand of Peter’s mother-in-law and helped her up. 

May Today Be Your Isaiah 43, Rerun

This post first ran on my blog in November 2019.

 

Have you sat in a church service and said about the sermon, “This message was specifically meant for me today?” That’s what happened to me this week.

 

Our church closed in August, and we’ve been looking for a new church home. We’ve been meeting with a launch team for a church which plans to start in February.

 

In the meantime, we’ve been visiting different churches around the area. My husband Murray is having fun, getting to visit churches we might otherwise never go to. I’ll be happy to get settled again.

 

This was an excellent week. We visited a church in Cleveland which has some great history. The current building is from the 1870s. In the 1850s, James Garfield, later President of the United States, sometimes preached there.

 

This week they studied from Isaiah chapters 42 and 43, and it’s what I needed to hear.

 

Recently, I’ve been allowing the devil to bring me down by reminding me of my past. I believe I’ve been forgiven, but…

 

Isaiah 42: 9: See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you.”

 

Chapter 42 tells of times of Israel’s sin and their consequences. The former things have taken place. We cannot deny that.

 

But then comes chapter 43.

 

Isaiah 43:1-2: But now, this is what the Lord says—he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”

 

God says we are his. For those of us who have asked God to be our Savior, He promises to be with us. We may pass through sweeping rivers and flaming fires of trouble, but we are not alone.

 

Verses 18-19: “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

 

No, I cannot deny the former things of my past. But God says not to dwell on it. He will make a new thing for my life, like a path through the wilderness, streams in a wasteland. What an amazing promise from a loving God.

 

Verse 25: “I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.”

 

Because of who God is, he forgives us.

 

At the end of the service, the minister said, “May today be your Isaiah 43.” I pray that for you as well.

 

Psalm 131:1-11, God Knows Our Sorrows

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

In you, Lord, I have taken refuge;

    let me never be put to shame;

    deliver me in your righteousness.

Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue;

be my rock of refuge,

a strong fortress to save me.

Since you are my rock and my fortress,

    for the sake of your name lead and guide me.

Keep me free from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge.

Into your hands I commit my spirit;

    deliver me, Lord, my faithful God.

I hate those who cling to worthless idols;

    as for me, I trust in the Lord.

I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction

    and knew the anguish of my soul.

You have not given me into the hands of the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious place.

Be merciful to me, Lord, for I am in distress;

    my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and body with grief.

My life is consumed by anguish and my years by groaning;

my strength fails because of my affliction, and my bones grow weak.

Because of all my enemies, I am the utter contempt of my neighbors

and an object of dread to my closest friends—

    those who see me on the street flee from me.

 

Father, you know the sorrows of our days, of our hearts. Thank you, Lord, that if we give ourselves into your care, you rescue us from the enemy. 

Chicken Enchilada Slow Cooker Soup from Kathy's Kitchen

Something very similar to this will appear in Kathy’s Kitchen soon. Sounds wonderful for the cold weather.

 

READY IN ABOUT 7 hrs

"A tasty, quick, hot meal! We like to top the bowls of soup with crushed corn tortilla chips, shredded cheese or chopped green onions -- sometimes all three."

1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

 

1 (15.25 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained

 

1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes including juice

 

1 (14.5 ounce) can chicken broth

 

1 (10 ounce) can enchilada sauce

 

1 (4 ounce) can diced green chiles

 

1 white onion, chopped

 

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

 

2 bay leaves

 

3 cloves garlic, minced

 

1 teaspoon ground cumin

 

1 teaspoon chili powder

 

1 teaspoon salt

 

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper, or to taste

PREP

15 mins

COOK

6 hrs 30 mins

READY IN

6 hrs 45 mins

Directions

1. Rinse and pat dry the chicken breasts, then place into the bottom of a slow cooker. Add the corn, tomatoes, chicken broth, enchilada sauce, green chiles, onion, cilantro, bay leaves, garlic, cumin, chili powder, salt, and black pepper.

2. Cook on Low for 6 hours. Transfer the chicken to a large plate, then shred the meat with two forks. Return the chicken to the slow cooker and continue cooking for 30 minutes to 1 hour.