Verses 1-4
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Verses 1-3. Understand that God's will is for people to be healed.
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But understand that God determines the right timing. Not everyone will be healed in this life.
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Not every testimony is meant to be shared. Remember this and be wise about what you talk about around others.
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Sometimes, only certain people are meant to hear a testimony.
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Verses 5-13
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Great faith is as simple as hearing what God's Word says and being convinced that it's true without needing any further reassurance.
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Grow your faith by focusing on hearing and obeying the Word! Ask yourself how you can apply what you read, and apply it! Take action! This will grow your faith.
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Verses 11-12. This centurion was a Gentile, and he had faith in Christ, while the Jews did not. Jesus is teaching here that Gentiles will be saved, but many of the Jews, who were the original people of God, would not be saved.
Verses 14-17
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Jesus took our sicknesses and diseases on the cross, when He died, so that we can be healed (Isaiah 53:4-5). God cares to heal everything from fever to leprosy—all kinds of sicknesses.
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Pray for yourself for healing, if you need it, and pray for others.
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But remember that healing comes by the power of faith (James 5:14-15). Grow your faith, and you will see more healing.
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Verses 18-22
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Verses 18-20. Following Jesus requires sacrificing comforts. Jesus' life was uncomfortable. We need to know this about following Him.
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Verses 21-22. Following Jesus also requires urgency. Follow Him now. Don't wait until after you've done other things that you think are more important. There is nothing more important than Jesus!
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Obeying the Word must come before cultural and familial traditions also. Don't be held back from obeying the Word by trying to please an unbelieving family.
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This man would have received the inheritance, as the oldest son, if he waited until after his father died, and then buried him.
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Jesus was asking him to sacrifice that tradition, and the money that came with it, in order to follow Him immediately.
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Verses 23-27
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Because Jesus had great faith, and was not afraid, He could rest in any condition. And His calm showed His faith to calm the storm.
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There is nothing that great faith cannot accomplish (Mark 9:23, Matthew 17:20). Knowing this will give you peace.
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Understand that faith will conquer fear. Be committed to growing your faith!
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Verses 28-34
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Christ has power over demons! And demons can be cast into animals.
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If you ever find yourself in a position to cast out demons, it can be a good idea to cast them into animals, so that they don't wander and enter humans.
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Verse 34. Not everyone will like you for casting out demons. It is fearful to some.
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Be okay with this. However, do your best to act discreetly wherever possible. Don't worry about who will dislike you for obeying the Word.
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