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The Blind Man Healed

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Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. John 9:3.
“And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?” …
In the question the disciples asked Jesus, they showed that they thought all disease and suffering the result of sin. This is indeed truth, but Jesus showed that it was an error to suppose that everyone who was a great sufferer was also a great sinner. While He corrected their errors, He spat upon the ground and made clay of the spittle, and anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay and said unto him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent),” and he went his way, and came seeing. Jesus answered the question the disciples put to Him in a practical way, and in the way He usually answered questions put to Him from curiosity. The disciples were not called upon to discuss the question of who had sinned or not sinned but to understand the power of God, His mercy and compassion, in giving sight to the blind. It was that all might be convinced that there was no healing virtue in the clay or in the pool wherein he was sent to wash, but that virtue was in Christ….
The friends and neighbors of the young man who had been healed looked upon him with doubt, for when his eyes were opened, his countenance had been changed and brightened, and made him appear like another man. From one to another the question was passed, “Is it he?” And some said, “It is like him,” but he who had received the great blessing settled the controversy by saying, “I am he.” He then told them of Jesus and by what means Jesus had healed him, and they inquired, “Where is he? He said, I know not. They brought to the Pharisees him that aforetime was blind. And it was the sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes…. Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them.” …
They knew not that it was He who had made the Sabbath, who knew all its obligations, who had healed the man.—Signs of the Times, October 23, 1893.
From the Heart p. 246
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for Sherry who had an cerebral aneurysm burst and is in ICU. Rose
—-Please pray for Bruce. He has lost another family member. Ron
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Friends,
Mr. Vanderlindy was my fourth-grade teacher. It was the first time we had had a man for a teacher, and we were all a bit intimidated by him at first. Eventually we realized that he was not scary at all. His enthusiasm and pleasant manner won our hearts.
About 3:00 one afternoon when it was the usual time to go home, our usually pleasant teacher stood up in front of the class with a stern look upon his face. Instantly fear crossed our faces. He announced that one of the students was missing his money. It was obvious to Mr. Vanderlindy that someone in that room had taken it. “No one will leave this room until the thief confesses and returns the money.” he declared.
Everyone looked surprised. Each student looked at his fellow classmates. Who could the thief be? A half an hour went by; no one said a word. Four o’clock came. Still, no one came forward to confess. Our teacher was getting more and more upset. He began to shout at us about the fact that no one was leaving that classroom for any reason until someone returned the money. We were getting more and more distressed. Each person looked at all of the others. Who was the thief? Why wouldn’t they confess? We wanted to go home. I began to think about what they must be thinking at home. I lived right across the street from the school. Surely, they must think that I had been kidnapped.
Indeed, that was exactly what they thought. My grandmother told my mother that I was missing. They were both frightened and greatly distressed. Had the thing that they had always feared come true? She went walking around the neighborhood calling my name. No answer. My mother decided that she would see if anyone in the school had seen anything suspicious. The school was deserted but still unlocked. Up to the third floor she climbed to my classroom to see if my teacher just happened to still be there. It was 4:45 PM by this time, almost two hours after I should have been home. She peeked through the long, narrow window that was in the classroom door. There, to her surprise, was a classroom full of students, looking very frightened and distressed.
My mother’s fear, turned to anger and my mother could get very, very angry. She knocked on the door and Mr. Vanderlindy stepped outside. By the time my mother was through “explaining” a few things to my teacher (which we could hear through that thick, wooden door), he meekly told the class that we could go home. We were so relieved. Everyone rushed for the door. I walked home with my mother, telling her all about how scared we had been.
Just as my mother delivered us from a distressing situation, so our Dear Saviour will soon deliver us from the evil one who tries in every way to capture us. Our “adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 In our own strength, we cannot resist him, but by taking hold of our Deliverer’s Powerful Hand, we can escape the snare of the enemy. If we refuse to take hold of the promises of God, we will still be sitting in the devil’s classroom unable to go home. Paul asks, “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?” Heb 2:3 To do so would be as foolish as it would have been if I had decided to stay in my classroom when my mother came to rescue me. May we allow our Great Rescuer to save us from the devil who wants to keep us captive is my prayer.
Rose

Source: https://rosesdevotional.org/the-blind-man-healed.html

Sunday: Thanksgiving

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Daily Lesson for Sunday 23rd of August 2026

Read 2 Corinthians 1:3-7. What is the reason for Paul’s attitude of thanksgiving here?

Paul’s thankfulness focuses on the comfort that God provides for those who are suffering. In this passage, the verb parakaleō (to comfort) and the noun paraklēsis (comfort) occur together ten times. This represents one third of all occurrences of these words in 2 Corinthians (29 times). God is portrayed as the “Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4, NKJV).

"Come Unto Me" by Lars Justinen at GoodSalt.com

“Come Unto Me” Image ©Lars Justinen by Lars Justinen of GoodSalt.com

The comfort one receives from God is not to be kept for oneself (2 Corinthians 1:4-5). Only the afflicted heart that became the recipient of God’s consolation is able to impart comfort effectively to those in affliction, too.

Paul could comfort others because he himself, in his sufferings, received comfort from God. “If we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation. . . . Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation” (2 Corinthians 1:6, NKJV; emphasis supplied). This is love!

What is Paul expressing thanks for in 2 Corinthians 1:8-11?

Paul speaks of trouble “beyond measure, above strength” that made him and his fellow workers fear that the end had come to them (2 Corinthians 1:8). For a moment, they thought the resurrection was their only hope. However, God delivered them, and the scenario changed (2 Corinthians 1:10). From the fear of death (2 Corinthians 1:8), they rise to an implicit hope that God would deliver them once again (2 Corinthians 1:10). God’s victories in the past give us confidence that He will do the same in the future. God uses afflictions to teach us to trust in Him. Hardships can lead us to spiritual maturity, at least to the extent that we allow them to draw us closer to God. Paul’s thanksgiving also displays the power of intercessory prayer and the gratitude we experience because of God’s deliverance (2 Corinthians 1:11).

What have you found helpful in dealing with the suffering that, one way or another, we all face?

<–Sabbath Monday–>

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/26c-09-thanksgiving/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=26c-09-thanksgiving

🌙 STILL AWAKE? | 08.22.2026 | 👑 He Is Greater Than I Am

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🌙 Still awake?

Every evening, one step closer to Jesus.

📅 August 22

👑 He Is Greater Than I Am

📖 Matthew 3:11

“I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry.”
Matthew 3:11

By now, John had become well known far beyond the wilderness. People from Jerusalem, Judea, and the entire surrounding region came to him, listened to his sermons, confessed their sins, and were baptized in the Jordan. It would have been easy for anyone to be impressed by all this attention. John could have been proud that so many people made the journey into the wilderness because of him. He could have begun enjoying his own importance, building a great movement around himself, or considering himself indispensable.

But John did exactly the opposite. In the middle of his success, he directed attention away from himself and said: “After me comes one who is more powerful than I.” John knew that his ministry was important, but he also knew just as clearly that he was not the center of the story. His task was to prepare the way. The goal was Jesus.

🎯 John Knew His Mission

John knew why God had sent him. He was the forerunner of the Messiah, but he was not the Messiah himself. He could make people aware of their guilt and call them to repentance, but he could not take their guilt away. He could baptize them with water in the Jordan, but he could not renew their hearts through his own power. He could point them toward the right path, but Jesus himself was the way.

This is precisely where John’s humility becomes visible. Humility does not mean thinking badly about yourself or belittling your abilities. John did not say: “I am useless and can do nothing.” On the contrary, he preached courageously, faithfully fulfilled his mission, and allowed neither religious leaders nor powerful people to intimidate him. At the same time, he knew that his importance had limits. He was God’s servant, but Jesus was the Lord.

True humility therefore means seeing yourself as God sees you: neither more important nor less valuable than you truly are. John knew his place and did not need to try to take the place that belonged to Jesus.

📱 The Desire to Be the Center of Attention

Our world does not make it easy for us to think this way. So much revolves around being seen. We share our most beautiful pictures, talk about exciting experiences, and post our achievements. We watch how many people react to what we have shared and quickly compare ourselves with others. Perhaps it hurts when someone seems more popular, attractive, athletic, or successful. Perhaps we secretly wonder why others receive more attention than we do.

The desire for recognition is human. It becomes a problem when it begins to control our hearts. Then we no longer do things primarily because they are right, but because we want other people to notice them. We help while simultaneously hoping for praise. We talk about our successes but prefer to hide our mistakes. This desire can even conceal itself within our service for God. A person can speak about Jesus while secretly hoping that the listeners will mainly admire the speaker.

John could easily have said: “Look how many people are being changed through my ministry!” Instead, he essentially said: “Do not look at me. Look at the one who is coming after me.” His success did not make Jesus smaller. On the contrary, John used his influence to make Jesus greater.

👟 Not Even the Sandals

John went even further. He said about Jesus: “I am not worthy to carry his sandals.” At that time, carrying or untying someone’s sandals was considered one of the lowest forms of service. With these words, John was not claiming that he was worthless as a human being. He wanted to make clear just how great Jesus is.

To many people at that time, Jesus appeared to be nothing more than a man from Nazareth. He wore no crown, was not accompanied by soldiers, and possessed no palace. But John knew that behind this outward simplicity stood an incomparable reality: the Son of God had come to live among humanity. The King of heaven was living in the middle of his creation. The sinless One had come to save sinners.

When you truly recognize the greatness of Jesus, you no longer need to make yourself appear artificially important. You do not need to keep proving how important you are when you know to whom you belong. You do not need to be the center of attention when Jesus is at the center of your life. His greatness does not take away your value. On the contrary, precisely because you belong to him, you can know how valuable you are.

🌟 A Signpost Is Not the Destination

Imagine a road sign pointing toward a city. The sign is important. Without it, some people might take the wrong road. Nevertheless, no one would stop in front of the sign and say: “At last, I have arrived!” The sign is not the destination. Its purpose is to point toward the destination.

This is how John understood his ministry. He was a signpost. His sermons, his way of life, and his baptism were meant to prepare people to meet Jesus. If people had ended up admiring only John, he would have failed in his mission.

Your life can also become such a signpost. You do not need to be a pastor or a missionary, nor do you have to speak before a large crowd. Perhaps your life points to Jesus when you remain honest even though others cheat. Perhaps it happens when you refuse to laugh at someone whom everyone else mocks, when you apologize after doing something wrong, or when you calmly explain why your faith is important to you. Perhaps a friend hears about God’s love for the first time because you listen and pray for them.

The decisive question is not: “Do people admire me?” Far more important is: “Does my life help them see Jesus?”

❤ Jesus Is More Than an Example

John did not merely say that Jesus was a better teacher or a greater prophet. Jesus was incomparably greater because he could do something no human being is capable of doing. John could call people to repentance; Jesus could grant forgiveness. John could baptize with water; Jesus could renew a heart through the Holy Spirit. John could announce the coming King; Jesus was that King.

Even today, some people see Jesus primarily as a good man or a teacher of love. Of course, Jesus is our perfect example. But if he were only an example, we would have a serious problem. An example can show you how you should live, but it cannot bear your guilt. An example can show you what is right, but it cannot give new life to your heart.

You therefore need more than better rules or a higher moral ideal. You need forgiveness. You need a renewed heart. You need someone who can act on your behalf where you cannot save yourself. You need Jesus.

🙌 When Others Are More Successful

Later, John would see more and more people going to Jesus. Some of his own disciples became uneasy because of this. They saw that people’s attention was shifting away from their teacher and toward Jesus. John could have become jealous. He could have thought: “After everything I have done, the people are simply leaving and going to him.”

But John reacted in a completely different way. He said: “He must become greater; I must become less.” This was precisely what John had been working toward. When people followed Jesus, John’s mission had not failed—it had been fulfilled.

How do you react when someone else succeeds? When a friend receives a better grade, someone else is praised for an achievement, or another person receives more attention? Can you rejoice with them, or do you immediately feel that this somehow makes you less valuable?

Jealousy often grows from the fear that another person’s success takes something away from us. But your value does not depend on whether you are better than others. Your loving Father sees you, knows your gifts, and knows the task he has given you. He does not demand that you surpass someone else. He invites you to be faithful to him with what he has entrusted to you.

🪞 Who Is Sitting on the Throne?

John described Jesus as the more powerful one. But it is possible to call Jesus King with our lips while still wanting to sit on the throne of our own lives. We pray: “Your will be done,” but sometimes we secretly mean: “As long as your will fits my plans.”

We say that Jesus is our Lord, but when it comes to our relationships, free time, habits, or future plans, we would prefer to make all the decisions ourselves. Yet Jesus does not want to take away your joy in life. He is not a harsh king who uses his power to keep people down. He is the King who was willing to go to the cross for his people. That is precisely why you can trust him.

The most important question this evening is therefore not merely: “Is Jesus greater than John?” We already know the answer. The more personal question is: “May Jesus also become greater in my life?” May his voice become more important than the opinions of others? May his Word determine what is right and wrong? May he correct your plans and show you which habits you should let go of? May he truly be King?

🕯 Less of Me—More of Jesus

“Less of me” does not mean that you should lose your personality. God does not want to create colorless people who all think, speak, and act in exactly the same way. He has given you your own personality, abilities, and gifts. These things are valuable. The decisive question is simply what you use them for.

Perhaps you can sing well. Then you can use your voice not only so that people will admire you, but also to give them hope. Perhaps you are good at writing. Then your words can encourage people and point them toward Jesus. Perhaps you are athletic. Then you can demonstrate what fairness, respect, and Christian character look like. Perhaps you are especially good at listening. Then that very ability can become a gift from God to someone who feels lonely.

You do not need to become less valuable for Jesus to become greater. When Jesus is at the center, you discover what your abilities were truly meant for. John lost nothing by pointing people toward Jesus. In doing so, he fulfilled his mission.

Perhaps your greatest significance will ultimately not be found in having as many people as possible know your name. Perhaps it will be found in people coming to know the name of Jesus through your life.

💭 Think About It

In which situations do you especially want to be seen or praised? How do you react when someone else is more successful or receives more attention? Is there an area of your life in which you call Jesus your King but still want to make all the decisions yourself?

🌟 Challenge for Tomorrow

Tomorrow, intentionally do something good without telling anyone about it. Perhaps you can help someone, encourage someone, quietly complete a task, or pray for a person who currently needs support. Let it be a quiet act of service that perhaps only your loving Father knows about.

As you do it, pray: “Jesus, I do not need to be the center of attention today. Let something of you become visible through my life.”

🙏 Prayer

Dear Father,

Thank you that Jesus is greater, stronger, and more wonderful than any human being. Thank you that I do not need to make myself appear important because I can know that I belong to you.

Forgive me when I want to be the center of attention too often, when I compare myself with others, or when I become jealous because someone else receives more attention. You know my desire for recognition and how quickly I make my value depend on what other people think of me.

Help me not to base my identity on praise, success, or attention, but on your love. Let Jesus become greater in my life. May his words be more important than my desires, his love stronger than my pride, and his will more precious than my own plans.

Use my abilities, my words, and my decisions so that others can see something of Jesus. Teach me to rejoice sincerely in the good things happening in other people’s lives and to serve you faithfully even when no one praises me for it.

Like John, I do not want to point to myself, but to Jesus.

Amen.

🌙 Sleep well.

You do not need to be the center of attention to be valuable. Your loving Father knows you, loves you, and rejoices when your life points toward Jesus.

See you tomorrow.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/%f0%9f%8c%99-still-awake-08-22-2026-%f0%9f%91%91-he-is-greater-than-i-am/

📘Sabbath School with Pastor Mark Finley | 🤲 Lesson 9: Love-driven Ministry | ✉️ First and Second Corinthians | 3/2026

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Series: ✉ FIRST AND SECOND CORINTHIANS with Pastor Mark Finley

🤲 Lesson 9: Love-driven Ministry
🕊 Moved by God’s comfort toward sincere and reconciling ministry

Introduction:

In Lesson 9, we see how Paul understood his ministry to the Corinthians as flowing from the love of Christ. He had personally experienced severe affliction, but it was precisely in that suffering that he experienced God’s comfort. This comfort was not merely a source of personal strength for him, but became a source from which he could comfort others. His love was also revealed through sincerity, integrity, and a willingness to make decisions for the good of the church. Paul did not seek his own advantage, but the healing, forgiveness, and spiritual restoration of the believers. This lesson invites us to carry out our ministry sincerely, compassionately, and with our whole focus on Christ.

Content:

🙏 9.1 Thanksgiving
💧 Comforted by God in order to comfort others

Paul begins this section with thanksgiving because he had experienced God as the “Father of mercies” and the “God of all comfort.” His suffering was not insignificant, but so severe that at times he even despaired of life itself. Yet it was precisely in this affliction that Paul learned not to trust in himself, but in God, who can even raise the dead. The comfort he received did not end with him, but became a ministry to others who were suffering. Paul thus shows that God can use our difficult experiences to make us more mature, compassionate, and helpful to others. Gratitude grows when we recognize God’s deliverance and continue to trust in his faithfulness for the future.

🪞 9.2 Simplicity and Sincerity
🤍 Genuine love acts openly, honestly, and with pure motives

Paul shows that love not only comforts, but also acts with integrity and sincerity. Although some of the Corinthians questioned his motives, he could say with a clear conscience that his conduct was characterized by sincerity and God’s grace. He sought neither personal advantage nor manipulative influence, but wanted to communicate with the church clearly, honestly, and understandably. True spiritual leadership therefore requires not only zeal, but also purity of motive and transparent communication. This attitude reminds us to be cautious when judging the intentions of others. Love does not blindly believe everything, but neither does it hastily assume evil motives where sincerity may be present.

🧭 9.3 Changing Plans for Love
💛 Love does not seek to protect its own image, but the spiritual well-being of others

Paul changed his travel plans not because he was unreliable or lacked love, but precisely because he cared about the Corinthians. Another immediate visit would probably have intensified the tensions and caused the church more pain than help. Paul therefore decided to write a serious letter instead, allowing room for repentance, clarification, and healing. His love was not demonstrated by stubbornly carrying out his original plans, but by placing the spiritual well-being of the church above his own reputation. At the same time, he reminded the Corinthians that God’s faithfulness in Christ remains firm and dependable. True love is willing to change its plans when doing so protects, strengthens, and leads people closer to Christ.

🤝 9.4 Forgiveness and Reaffirmation of Love
🌿 Correction with the goal of forgiveness and restoration

Paul shows that genuine love does not ignore sin, but neither does it abandon the sinner. The “tearful letter” had led the Corinthians to repentance and demonstrated that painful admonition can bear fruit when it comes from love. However, after the offender had been corrected, the church was not to continue crushing him, but to forgive him and reaffirm its love for him. Biblical correction never seeks to shame people permanently, but to lead them back to Christ. A church therefore needs both truth and mercy, clarity regarding sin, and open arms for the repentant. Those who have personally experienced God’s love will learn not only to admonish others, but also to help them rise again.

🏆 9.5 Triumph in Christ
✝ Christ leads his ministry to victory despite worry and pain

Paul was inwardly troubled as he waited for news from Titus and for the Corinthians’ response. Nevertheless, he did not remain silent, but continued proclaiming the gospel of Christ in Troas. When he later heard about the positive effect of his letter, he thanked God, who “always leads us in triumph in Christ.” For Paul, true victory was not personal success, but that Christ was made known, the church was strengthened, and hearts were led to repentance. At the same time, he emphasized that true proclamation does not arise from self-interest, but is carried out sincerely before God and out of love for Christ. This attitude also challenges us to ask whether our ministry is shaped by self-interest or by the desire for Jesus to become visible through us.

📌 9.6 Summary
🔥 Sustained by God’s comfort and led into ministry through love

Lesson 9 shows that genuine ministry grows from the love of Christ and is sustained even through suffering, worry, and pain. Paul thanks God because he comforted him in his affliction, and that comfort can now benefit others. His love for the Corinthians was demonstrated through integrity, sincerity, and a willingness to change his plans so that he would not place an unnecessary burden on the church. Even correction did not come from harshness, but pursued the goal of forgiveness, restoration, and a renewed affirmation of love. Despite his inner distress, Paul remained a faithful proclaimer of Christ and rejoiced when God’s work bore fruit. We thus learn that ministry motivated by love is sincere, comforting, reconciling, and entirely centered on Christ.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/%f0%9f%93%98sabbath-school-with-pastor-mark-finley-%f0%9f%a4%b2-lesson-9-love-driven-ministry-%e2%9c%89%ef%b8%8f-first-and-second-corinthians-3-2026/

Erton Köhler on What the New Generation Needs

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Every generation seems to have the same struggle for identity. What miracles might happen if this new generation found its identity in Christ, bringing together purpose and faith? Would you share some encouraging words for Gen Z below? Source: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/D4y8ImEuQDk

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