All Saints Day focus - Mark 5:21-24, 35-43

Jesus raises Jairus' child

When fall sets in and the leaves turn colorful and then fall from the trees, we have faith that there will be more leaves in the spring.  We believe that the earth will regenerate and new life will spring forth in a few months.  We believe this because science will prove it, but mostly we believe it because we have experienced it.

We read many stories of faith, many tributes of people believing without seeing. Have you ever experienced anything like this? Has there been anything in your life that required you to sit tight and just believe that God has everything under control? Exercising this sort of faith does not always mean that we are sitting around twiddling thumbs. No, it means we are putting our trust in God, knowing He will do what He does.

Mark 5:36 (NIV)
“Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, "Don't be afraid; just believe."

This is a beautiful line and it is great advice anyone of us could use a healthy dose of. When others question our faith by ridicule or put downs, ignore what they say. When even family or close friends challenge us to turn from our faith because they don’t see results, ignore what they say. When Satan whispers into our ears words of disparagement and fear, ignore what he says.

This week we are focusing on All Saint’s Day. Each lesson will point to a time when someone is stretching their hearts by embracing faith during seasons where misery and despair could take over. “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1) All Saint’s Sunday is all about acknowledging the faith of those we loved who have gone before us. It is all about recognizing their faith and our faith with bring reunite us again.

Read Mark 5:21-24, 35-43 here

Listen to Mark 5:21-24, 35-43 here