Key Thought

Today's Prayer

O gracious God and Father, give me the heart to follow Jesus, the faith to expect his great works to be done through me, and the humility to give him all the glory for what happens that is good. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Today's Verses in Context

When Jesus was leaving there, two blind men followed him. The blind men said loudly, "Show kindness to us, Son of David. " Jesus went inside, and the blind men went with him. Jesus asked the men, "Do you believe that I am able to make you see again?" The blind men answered, "Yes, Lord, we believe." Then Jesus touched their eyes and said, "You believe that I can make you see again, so this will happen." Then the men were able to see again. Jesus warned them very strongly. Jesus said, "Don't tell any person about this." But the blind men left and spread the news about Jesus all around that area. When the two men were leaving, some people brought another man to Jesus. This man could not talk because he had a demon inside him. Jesus forced the demon to leave the man. Then the man that couldn't talk was able to speak. The people were amazed and said, "We have never seen anything like this in Israel." But the Pharisees said, "The leader of demons (the devil) is the one that gives him (Jesus) power to force demons out." Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages. Jesus taught in their synagogues and told people the Good News about the kingdom. And Jesus healed all kinds of diseases and sicknesses. Jesus saw the many people and felt sorry for them. Jesus felt sorry for the people because the people were worried and helpless. The people were like sheep without a shepherd to lead them. Jesus said to his followers, "There are many, many people to harvest (save). But there are only a few workers to help harvest them. God owns the harvest (people). Pray to him that he will send more workers to help gather his harvest." Jesus called his twelve followers together. Jesus gave them power over evil spirits. Jesus gave them power to heal every kind of disease and sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles : Simon (also called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James, son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew, the tax collector; James,son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot. Judas is the one that gave Jesus to his enemies.

Related Scripture Readings

The Jewish leaders understood that Peter and John had no special training or education. But the leaders also saw that Peter and John were not afraid to speak. So the leaders were amazed. Then they realized that Peter and John had been with Jesus.

Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or believe because of the miracles I have done. I tell you the truth. The person that believes in me will do the same things I have done. Yes! He will do even greater things than I have done. Why? Because I am going to the Father. And if you ask for anything in my name, I will do it for you. Then the Father's glory will be shown through the Son. If you ask me for anything in my name, I will do it.

"Men, why are you doing these things? We are not gods! We have the same feelings as you have! We came to tell you the Good News. We are telling you to turn away from these worthless things. Turn to the true living God. He is the One who made the sky, the earth, the sea, and everything that is in them. In the past, God let all the nations do what they wanted. But God was always there doing things that prove he is real. He gives you rain from the sky. He gives you good harvests at the right times. He gives you plenty of food, and he fills your hearts with joy." Paul and Barnabas told the people these things. But still Paul and Barnabas almost could not stop the people from offering sacrifices to {worship} them.