30th Mar 26 | 13:54
Studies by Book
Luke 18 35-43 THE FAITH OF BARTIMAEUS 14 Following Jesus with thanksgiving and praise
📖 Luke 18:35-43
13Nov2020 - *Following Jesus with thanksgiving and praise* - _Luke 18:35-43_ - THE FAITH OF BARTIMAEUS 14 – Bible reading: _I Peter 2:9-10_
_Luke 18:43 And immediately he received his sight, and followed Him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God._
Bartimaeus had come into the wellness of God. He was healed of his inner as well as his physical blindness. He had experienced the miracle of God’s word synergised with his faith. What did this produce in Bartimaeus?
He was now a follower of Jesus, a disciple, who was glorifying, thanking and worshipping God.
If we have received the healing of God and have come into the wellness of God, then our lives must be a life of a follower of Jesus, who is giving Him praise and glory.
Instead, if as children of God, we are complaining, grumbling, being negative and dreary, then there is a fundamental flaw in our discipleship. Discipleship is a life of thanksgiving and praise to the Lord.
God’s heart breaks, when He sees His people, who have experienced His deliverance and are in the wellness of God, living without being thankful and full of praise to Him.
_Psalm 107:6-8 Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, And He delivered them out of their distresses. (7) And He led them forth by the right way, That they might go to a city for a dwelling place. (8) Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men!_
_Psalm 107:13-15 Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, And He saved them out of their distresses. (14) He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, And broke their chains in pieces. (15) Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men!_
God has brought us out of the darkness and the shadow of death. He has broken our long-standing chains in pieces. Should we not be in constant praise and thanks to Him?
_Psalm 107:19-22 Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, And He saved them out of their distresses. (20) He sent His word and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions. (21) Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men! (22) Let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, And declare His works with rejoicing.
God has healed us and saved us from all the destructions in which we were struggling. He has calmed the storms of our life and has guided us.
_Psalm 107:28-32 Then they cry out to the LORD in their trouble, And He brings them out of their distresses. (29) He calms the storm, So that its waves are still. (30) Then they are glad because they are quiet; So He guides them to their desired haven. (31)
Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men! (32) Let them exalt Him also in the assembly of the people, And praise Him in the company of the elders._
_I Peter 2:9-10 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvellous light; (10) who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.
Being a follower of Jesus is to declare the praises of Him, who has called us out of our darkness into His marvellous light. _Isaiah 43:21 This people I have formed for Myself; They shall declare My praise._
_II Thessalonians 1:11-12 Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, (12) that *the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him*, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ._
The Lord’s name must be glorified in us. This is the identifying mark of a follower of Jesus.
*Thought to ponder*
```Often, the world looks at us and wonders if we truly are, who we claim to be…followers of Jesus.```