Hey sisters, let’s talk about something that’s been on my heart lately. It’s those two little words in Aramaic that Jesus spoke as recorded in Mark 5 – “talitha koum.” When I really dig into their meaning and context, they just blow me away.
You’re probably familiar with the story. There’s this dear little girl who had tragically died, and her family is absolutely devastated, as you can imagine. But then Jesus shows up (praise God!) and makes His way over to her bedside. With the most tender compassion, He takes her by the hand and utters those beautiful words: “Talitha koum” – “Little girl, I say to you, arise.”
And just like that, BOOM! Life and breath flood back into her body. This kid, who was just a lifeless corpse moments before, sits up full of energy and vigor. I mean, talk about a mic-drop moment, am I right? But as mind-blowing as the miracle itself is, I think there’s something even deeper going on here that we need to pay attention to.
Why would Jesus, the Son of God Himself, choose to speak in regular old Aramaic instead of Hebrew or Greek? He could have used any language He wanted. But I wonder if by using the common tongue, He was making sure His words would hit home with everyone listening, no matter their background. Like, these are words meant for all of humanity to hear.
And that’s where it gets real for us today as modern-day sisters in Christ. Because when you break it down, “talitha koum” is not just a command for that one little girl to get up from her sleep of death. It’s a powerful wake-up call blazing through the centuries and landing squarely on our hearts in 2024.
Can you hear our tender Savior calling out to you and me with those same words? “Talitha, koum! Arise, my daughter! Wake up from whatever spiritual slumber has bound you – the doubt, the fear, the hurt, the complacency. Shake it all off because I have an incredible, vibrant life prepared for you to walk in!”
I don’t know about you, but I desperately need to hear those words spoken over my life on a regular basis. Because if I’m being brutally honest, there are so many days when I’m just coasting, so out of touch with the power and purpose I’ve been endowed with as a follower of Jesus. My fire has dwindled to a few glowing embers, my passion replaced by numbing routine and apathy.
But then I’ll remember: “Talitha, koum!” My Lord is lovingly summoning me to spiritual awakening, to an invigorating awareness of who I am in Him and the glorious destiny He has prepared for this daughter of the King!
Maybe you’re in the same boat today. Perhaps insecurity has imprisoned your mind, fear has paralyzed your will, or past failures have you barely clinging to life. But pause for a moment and let those tender words of Jesus wash over your soul: “Talitha, arise!”
Hear the Holy Spirit breathing spiritual resurrection over you, calling you to get up and walk in the freedom He purchased at the cross. Shake off the grave clothes of sin, doubt and shame that have tried to entomb you. Rise above the accusing lies of the enemy and embrace the truth of who you are – forgiven, righteous, loved, chosen, redeemed!
I don’t know about you, but I’m answering that call today. “Yes, Lord! Yes, I am arising in faith, courage and holy boldness. Fill me afresh with your resurrection life and power. I was never meant to merely survive in spiritual torpor. By your grace, I am awaking to truly live and thrive in Christ!”
If you’re picking up what I’m putting down, then let those powerful words “talitha koum” reverberate through your innermost being. Don’t just let them be ancient history. Allow them to summon you to a radical awakening, a glorious resurrection of hope, joy and purpose for today and every day to come. Rise up, sisters, and embrace the remarkable life in Christ that awaits!
Men of God
Dwight L. Moody’s Faithful Prayer : 100% Success Rate
In the heart of the bustling 19th-century cities and expanding American frontiers, Dwight L. Moody stood as a beacon of hope and faith. Known for his dynamic preaching and compassionate heart, Moody’s life was a testament to the transformative power of the gospel. But one of the most poignant and powerful stories from his life centers around a simple piece of paper—a list of 100 names.
Early in his ministry, Moody felt a deep burden for the souls of those around him. He knew the power of prayer and believed fervently in God’s ability to change hearts. With this conviction, he created a list of 100 friends, family members, and acquaintances who did not know Christ. This list was not just a casual commitment; it was a solemn covenant between Moody and God. Each name represented a soul he desperately longed to see transformed by the love of Jesus.
Every day, without fail, Moody lifted each of these names in prayer. He carried the list with him, worn and tattered from years of handling. It was a tangible reminder of his mission and the weight of his spiritual burden. Moody’s prayers were not mere words; they were cries from the depths of his heart, filled with earnest pleading and unwavering faith. He would often be found in his study, on his knees, pouring out his soul before God for the salvation of these individuals.
Moody’s prayers were rooted in a deep trust in God’s promises. He clung to scriptures like James 5:16, “The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results” (NLT). He believed that God heard his prayers and would honor his heartfelt petitions.
As the years passed, Moody began to see the fruits of his labor. One by one, the names on his list began to be marked off. Each conversion was a testament to the power of prayer and God’s grace. Moody’s joy was palpable as he witnessed friends and loved ones surrender their lives to Christ. He would often share these victories with his congregation, his eyes brimming with tears of gratitude and awe.
By the end of his life, Moody had seen 96 of the 100 people on his list come to faith. Each marked-off name was a story of redemption, a life transformed by the power of God’s love. But even as his health began to fail, his commitment to the remaining names did not waver. On his deathbed, Moody continued to pray for these souls, his faith unshaken.
Moody’s funeral was a powerful and emotional event. People from all walks of life gathered to honor the man who had touched so many lives. The story of his list of 100 names was shared, moving many to tears. The testimony of his relentless prayers and the transformation of so many lives inspired those present. It was a profound illustration of how God honors the prayers of the faithful.
Remarkably, the story did not end with Moody’s death. The remaining four individuals on his list, who had not yet accepted Christ, were deeply moved by the testimony of his life and the stories shared at his funeral. The power of Moody’s prayers and the impact of his unwavering faith continued to resonate. Within a short period after the funeral, these four individuals also surrendered their lives to Christ, completing the list that Moody had so faithfully prayed over.
This story of Dwight L. Moody’s list of 100 names is a powerful reminder of the impact of persistent, heartfelt prayer. It demonstrates the incredible power of one person’s dedication to intercede for others and the faithfulness of God to answer those prayers. Moody’s life and legacy are a testament to the fact that no one is beyond the reach of God’s love and that earnest prayer can bring about miraculous transformations.
Moody’s story encourages us to never underestimate the power of prayer and to remain steadfast in our faith, trusting that God hears and honors the cries of His people.