Template:DOD protected/October 17
October Scripture Portion: Matthew chapter 1 - Luke chapter 22 including the Gospel according to Mark.
Chapter 9:14-29 records the story of Jesus and the father of the boy with the dumb spirit. Jesus said to the father, "...all things are possible to him that believeth." Knowing that faith in God is rewarded by God Himself should bring strength and encouragement to every Christian. Hebrews 11:6 says, "But without faith it is impossible to please him." You might feel that your faith is weak and needs to be strengthened. Paul told the church at Rome, "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God" (Romans 10:17). The daily practice of reading God's Word will enrich and strengthen your life and enable you to better face the trials and problems of our troubled world.
Chapter 10 records the Pharisees coming to Jesus again to tempt Him. Jesus answers their questions concerning divorce by telling them it was because of the hardness of their hearts that Moses wrote the precept about divorce found in Deuteronomy 24:1. In verses 11 and 12 we read what Jesus said concerning divorce. "And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her. And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.".
The compassion of Jesus is seen as He ministers to the little children and to the blind man in this same chapter. What a lesson for Christians today! We are often too busy to have time for others. We sincerely need more compassion and love--not only toward fellow Christians, but toward a lost and dying world. May God grant us that compassion, and the ability to see a world that is looking for someone who really cares about them--someone who can give them the peace they are seeking!
MEMORY VERSE FOR TODAY: Man now can be: Righteous.
Romans 5:19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
