But Christ’s interaction with Peter’s mother-in-law is quiet and powerful!

“And when Jesus was come into Peter’s house, he saw his wife’s mother laid, and sick of a fever.

“And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them.” (Matthew 8:14-15)

As far as the record shows, no words were exchanged.

(Of course, it’s possible there were, but I like to imagine there weren’t.) ⁣

Maybe she wanted to be healed in her heart, but she couldn’t voice that.

She didn’t want to sound selfish or self-important. ⁣

“And Jesus listening can hear the songs I cannot sing”.

But Jesus saw her, blessed her, and she was healed. ⁣

What an intimate, compassionate moment! ⁣

And then what did she do?

She ministered.

She probably spoke to them and testified of our Savior. That is amazing.

But I also think of another definition of the word “minister.”

One that we are probably more familiar with.

I like to think she lived a beautiful, healthy life filled with serving others after this point. ⁣

She used her silent healing to go and do even more of God’s will.

She was healed and chose to use her healing to become an extension of the Savior.

Just like this important woman, we can choose to ask for blessings and then use those blessings to go out and bless others!

In this way, Jesus knows He is healing more than one person when He blesses us.

Heal.

And then minister.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Heal and minister first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

I bow in my grief today.

The depths of my sad heart are troubled.

Oh, waken and save, I pray!

Torrents of sin and of anguish

Sweep o’er my sinking soul,

And I perish! I perish! dear Master.

Oh, hasten and take control!

-Mary Ann Baker, “Master, the Tempest is Raging”, verse 2

Anguish. Grief. A sinking soul that is ready to perish.

We aren’t literally on a sinking ship.

But boy, can our lives feel like that from time to time.

“Carest thou not that we perish?” (Mark 4:38)

How could Jesus not care about our situation?!

How could He sit by and watch this painful situation unfold?

How could He not step in when I’m drowning, and there is no way out?

Why is the storm even allowed to brew?

Well…

Jesus knows the storm won’t actually destroy us.

Jesus knows we will be okay.

Jesus knows that maybe we even need the storm.

In His infinite compassion, He also understands that storms can hurt and wear us down and scare us.

And yet He invites us to use our faith to trust that it really will all be okay in the end.

He sees our panic and He invites us to replace it with peace.

“Peace, be still.” (Mark 4:39)

The tempest will end.

Panic yields no good fruits.

And Jesus invites us to find peace with Him.

Master, the terror is over.

The elements sweetly rest.

Earth’s sun in the calm lake is mirrored,

And heaven’s within my breast.

Linger, O blessed Redeemer!

Leave me alone no more,

And with joy I shall make the blest harbor

And rest on the blissful shore.

-Mary Ann Baker, “Master, the Tempest is Raging”, verse 3

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Peace, be still first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

In my interpretation, the Centurion in Capernaum finds a balance many of us struggle with:

First, I see a man who is very aware of his shortcomings and sins:

“Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof.” (Matthew 8:8)

But he still approaches the Savior and asks for a miracle!

Christ then says, “I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.”⁣ (Matthew 8:10)

Would you consider yourself someone who feels like you are constantly falling short of perfection?

Someone who easily feels unworthy?

Someone who thinks they can never do enough?

OR

Are you someone who brushes off their weaknesses a lot?

Someone who struggles with feeling lots of pride?

Someone who thinks they are sailing pretty smoothly?

I think one of the greatest mysteries in life is finding the balance between recognizing and understanding the magnitude of our weaknesses and not wallowing in feelings of unworthiness.

Not going too far either direction.

I think the Centurion got something right. ⁣

He allowed his weaknesses to humble him.

But he didn’t let them stop his approach to the Savior, filled with faith and ready for a miracle.

We need both!

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post The Centurion’s balance first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

The story of the man with palsy is interesting, because Jesus first forgives him of his sins.

No physical healing had happened.

Just spiritual healing.

“Just.”

And then Jesus makes an interesting comment to the scribes who had been watching.

“Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?” (Mark 2:9)

I imagine Jesus thinking:

“I know some of them will only believe I forgave his sins if I also heal his physical infirmity.”⁣

This week, like in much of the New Testament, we will read about many miracles.

And sometimes we put the most focus on the physical aspects (raising the dead, healing lepers, casting out devils and calming the storm). ⁣

But it’s a little more challenging to look for the subtle hints we receive about the even more miraculous spiritual healings that accompany each of these physical miracles.

There might be more personal applications and connections to find that way.

Spiritual healing looks like a peaceful and understanding heart.

A heart that has been invited change.

A heart that will no longer focus on things of the world.

A heart that puts God and Jesus above all else.

A heart that serves and sacrifices rather than looking for comfort and ease.

The physical healing is amazing. Beautiful. Full of grace. Absolutely miraculous.

But the spiritual healing is unfathomable.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Spiritual miracles first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.