gathered at the door

Because he himself was tested through what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested. Hebrews 2:18

The thoughts of a Christian should center on God; should always encourage love, obedience, and service; should always be merciful. In fact our thoughts are often all over the place, filled with jealousy, anger, anxiety, selfishness, hatred. We are creatures of flesh and blood. This fact makes it easy for us to limit our understanding of God and to limit our relationship with God.

Human beings often impose all types of dichotomies onto life. Stop - Go. Black - White. Good - Bad. Life - Death.

There is both simplicity in this type of construction. There is also danger. In the search for opposites we forget or realign words to our own needs, often obstructing our view of God. Each flesh and blood action should be for the glory of God. Our flesh and blood existence is a chance to create a strong loving bond with God where we use our free will and show that we are obedient, loving servants. We must be able to share our love with our neighbors, show compassion, offer hope.

Our flesh and blood actions are important. We should not fear anything other than the Lord. We should not fear death. We should not fear our neighbors. We should not fear poverty, famine, disease. We are simply asked to believe and to remember that the sacrifice of Jesus Christ destroyed death. The aim of each Christian is eternal life with God.

The aim of each Christian is love. The power of honest, innocent, merciful love can do miracles. This love asks for patience, asks for prayer. When we act as Jesus Christ taught with social justice and compassion for all not just our loved ones but our enemies and those who might harm us, we are able to accomplish many things. We must always remember to give the power and the glory to God, we must remember to always give thanks and praise to God.

Reading about Jesus curing the sick, rebuking demons is very inspiring. Each of us in our own special way can continue this work by our daily choices, by our daily actions, by our daily prayers. When we honestly act in the name of God and allow ourselves to be his loving, obedient instruments nothing is impossible. When we love unselfishly, freely in the name of God, then we are doing what we were asked to do, then we are opening our hearts to the beauty of the world, then we are vulnerable; then we can encourage and inspire others to believe and follow the path of Jesus Christ.

When we use each word, each deed for the glory of God then we are truly being Christian. This is not easy. There will be many distractions and temptations. Allow prayer to give you strength, to give you encouragement.

Remember that Jesus Christ would cure illnesses, rebuke demons, and then go to a deserted place and pray. Prayer is essential for a relationship with God.

So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee. Mark 1:39