TAKE HIM AT HIS WORD

[Pastor Bayo Afolaranmi]

Dearly Beloved,

TAKE HIM AT HIS WORD

"Jesus replied, `You may go. Your son will live.' The man took Jesus at his word and departed. While he was still on the way, his servants met him with the news that his boy was living" (John 4:50-51 NIV).

The son of a certain nobleman was sick. The man did not want the son to die, so he went to Jesus Christ so that He would come and heal the sick son miraculously. Jesus Christ knew that he wanted a miracle to be performed on his son, but He wanted him to exercise some faith in Him. Instead of following him to lay His hand on the sick child, Jesus told him to go and believe that the son would live. This nobleman believed Jesus Christ. He went back home and found his son well. When he made enquiry about when the son got well, he found out that it was at the very time that Jesus told him that the son would live. What an effectual faith!

What is your own problem? In what way are you or someone dear to you sick? This may not be physical sickness. It may emotional, financial, or even spiritual sickness. Have you come to Jesus Christ for a miracle? Will you also take Him at His word today?

Lazarus the brother of Mary and Martha was very sick. The expectation of the two sisters was that Jesus Christ would come and heal him. They sent to Jesus but He tarried till Lazarus died. Martha and Mary accused Jesus of late coming, but He assured them that Lazarus would live. Even when He was about to raise Lazarus from the dead, Martha was arguing with Jesus. "Then Jesus said, `Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?'" (John 11:40 NIV).

If you also can call unto Him today, as He promised in Matthew 7:7-8, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened" (NIV), and believe in Him, you will see the glory of God (Matthew 18:19; 21:22; Mark 11:24; John 14:13; 16:24). Take Him at His word!

In His service,

Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

NB

This message was first sent out on May 21, 2006.