February 14, 2026

 

Miracles Of Jesus: 18

Jesus Heals A Man Beside The Bethesda Pool On The Sabbath

There were many people in Jerusalem for the Feast of Passover, and Jesus, following the law, was also there. Near the sheep market, there was a pool where the lame would wait for the waters to be stirred; the first person to enter the water would be healed. There was an unfortunate man who had been lame for 38 years, waiting beside the pool, hoping for someone to help him into the water as it began to stir, but he had no friend to help him. Jesus saw him and asked, "Wilt thou be made whole?" Why would he ask that question? Perhaps this man was profiting from his lameness, and he wanted to hear him say he wanted to be healed. He responded by telling Jesus that he had no one to help him into the water.

Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath. John 5:8

Because it was the sabbath during a holy week, the overzealous people told him it was against the law to carry his bed on the sabbath. They asked who healed him, but Jesus had quickly disappeared into the crowd, so the man didn't know. It wasn't until Jesus saw him at the temple that the man knew who healed him.

Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee. John 5:14

Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God. John 5:18

Where was their mercy? 

Not only did Jesus come to save us, but he also came to dismantle the religious establishment and the zealots that run it. Unfortunately, it is alive and well, organized much like it was back in Jesus' time, disguised as the church. We have seminaries to make sure every preacher follows the established design, and those same professors and leaders use the Bible as a weapon to keep those preachers under their control. If they step out of line, they find reason to ostracize them. They make sure the Bible is understood the way they want the narrative to go, which allows the enemy's talons to gain a stronghold. If we, as Christ-followers, don't do something to change the way things are done, we will lose it all and have to resort to hiding to commune with our brothers and sisters in Christ. I wonder if that's how we should be doing it anyway. 

Pictured is the Cathédrale de la Major, Marseille, France

February 11, 2026

Miracles Of Jesus: 15

Jesus Raises Jairus’s Daughter Back To Life

While Jesus was on the way to the home of Jairus, the ruler of the synagogue, to heal his daughter from her sickness, he was given the news that she had died. Jesus didn’t let that stop him; he sent the crowd away and took only Peter, James, and John with him. This miracle wasn’t meant for display, so Jesus only needed a few chosen disciples to witness it. When Jesus told the mourners that the child was only sleeping, the people laughed, so he sent them out, too.

And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise. And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat. Luke 8:54-55

The Greek word for “spirit” is pneuma, meaning air, wind, breath, spirit, or soul. Pneuma is where we get the word pneumonia. I recently had a bout of pneumonia, and my lungs gurgled, and I struggled for air. If my air had been completely cut off, my body would have died, and my soul would have left. When Jesus took the girl by the hand and told her to arise, it shows that he is in control of the soul and that our soul will survive our body. In other words, Jesus commanded the soul to return to her body, and she got up. It doesn’t say where her soul was while her body lay there, but we do know that it was still alive and well, and that our soul is immortal. The death of our body does not extinguish our candle, and that is why Jesus told the people she wasn’t dead. So, while your soul still resides in your body, it is more important than ever to turn your life over to Jesus, set your sights on him, and live for him so you can be sure that your soul will reside with him forever.

The picture is from Barcelona, Spain. 

February 10, 2026

Miracles Of Jesus: 14

Woman With The Issue Of Blood

After Jesus healed the man with demons, he was run out of the region and got on a boat to another area. The crowds gathered and were pushing in on him when he felt power leave him. This wasn’t just a touch; he felt virtue leave his body. He stopped and asked who had touched his garment. 

Every picture I see of this scene shows a woman on the ground, but knowing that a hem could be anywhere on his garment and that depictions of clothing during that era show them draped with lots of folds, I doubt she would have been able to bend down, especially in a moving crowd. Not only that, she was trying to stay concealed because she was unclean, and being on the ground would have blown her cover because people would have tripped over her. Scripture says she was behind him, but doesn’t say she bent down until he called her out, and she thought she was in trouble. Point being: don’t read pictures, read scripture.

Here is the truth: this woman wasn’t healed because she touched his fringe; she was healed by her faith; Jesus said it himself. 

And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague. Mark 5:34

Our thoughts matter. If you are bent toward negativity, you need to change the pattern of your thinking, not just for being healed of infirmities, but in every aspect of your life. For example, if you’re broke, don’t say it. Show gratitude for what you have and have faith that God will provide. It’s the change of mindset that makes a difference. Also, pray about everything, big or small; write them down and record when you get your answer. Seeing your prayers answered is how you grow your faith. 

Picture is of Corfu, Greece

February 9, 2026

Miracles Of Jesus: 13

Jesus Heals a Man with a Demon 

The story of the man with a demon is recorded in all three of the synoptic gospels. However, Matthew tells us that there were two men, but Mark and Luke record only one. 

When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high? I beseech thee, torment me not. Luke 8:28

This man lived in the cemetery and caused havoc to visitors. Jesus knew about him and crossed over in a storm to get to him. Jesus asked for the spirit's name and was told it was Legions, because there were many of them. These demons cried out to Jesus, knowing he had the power to send them away. He told them to "go," and sent them into a herd of pigs, and they ran off a cliff. The man regained his sanity and told his story to his town. This story shows Jesus's power over the principalities of the air, demonic beings.

Most people have their heads in the sand when it comes to demonic activity; I assure you, they are alive and well, even today. We don't want to admit they live among us because we would have to believe in the hooky-spooky. They try to stay quiet so people are unaware of their activity, so they can easily slip in unannounced. They will tell you of their presence; it may be a legal requirement in the spiritual realm, but you'd better believe they will make it seem like it's not a big deal and perfectly innocent. 

For example, I was at the grand opening of a sound studio where bands can play without disturbing their neighbors; it is such a great idea. The enemy has its talons in the music industry, and these bands probably wouldn't make it unless they made a deal with the devil, even though they were really good. Then the main attraction began, and I was all into it because I like a little rock and roll and heavy metal now and then. When they got to their second song, they announced it was an original called "Borrowed Soul." I immediately got a check in my spirit and looked up the meaning. Unfortunately, the gist was that they made a deal to borrow a soul so they wouldn't face legal or moral consequences; I wonder who they got the soul from. I immediately lost all interest. The devil's playground is very attractive, even to Christ-followers, but once we know the truth, it is essential that we reject it in favor of Jesus. Pay attention, and use discernment when traversing this earth; we live in the devil's playground, and he will include you in his fun if you allow it.

February 8, 2026

 

Miracles Of Jesus: 12

Jesus Calms A Storm On The Sea

This story is recorded in all three synoptic gospels.

After Jesus finished teaching his followers, he sent them away with a blessing, then entered a fishing boat to go to the other side of the lake. Other smaller boats went with them. Jesus lay down to take a nap. While he was sleeping a storm arose and nearly over took the boat with water. 

Richard and I were on a cruise, and when we went through a certain pass around the tip of Italy's boot near Sicily in the Strait of Messina, the ship tossed back and forth. While at dinner, the waves were so high that we could see them splashing against the window. At bedtime, Richard was up all night, barely getting any sleep, while I slept like a baby, being rocked, or was it that I slept like Jesus in the midst of a storm? I don't think he was worried, just a little seasick. Our reaction to a storm may come down to our personality, but sometimes it comes down to our faith. No matter the situation, God is responsible for the plan, so our response is to act when he tells us to. Sometimes we must stay quiet and allow the pieces fall where they may, but other times we must intervene and take charge of the situation. God will give you the go-ahead when the time is right if he requires action. 

The men cried out to Jesus for his help, and he rebuked the storm. Then fear came over them because who can command a storm other than God himself? They cried out in prayer, and Jesus awoke and calmed their storm. Sometimes he doesn't rebuke the storm, but rejoices over us when we pass through it in his strength. 

This poem by George Herbert says it plainly:

When winds and waves assault my keel,

He doth preserve it, he doth steer,

Ev'n when the boat seems most to reel.

Storms are the triumph of his art;

Though he may close his eyes, yet not his heart.

And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him. Luke 8:25