July 10, 2025 Devotional

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“Then [Jesus] said to him, ‘Rise and go; your faith has made you well.'”
Luke 17:19 (NIV)

July Devotional Series:
“Faith That Moves Mountains”
Week II

Have you ever prayed for healing and wondered why nothing seemed to change? Maybe it was physical—an illness, chronic pain, or the fear of a diagnosis. Maybe it was deeper—wounds no MRI can detect: grief, guilt, isolation, or shame. As a pastor, I’ve had the opportunity to see people healed and some not healed, after faithful prayers.

In Luke 17, ten people with leprosy stood at a distance and cried out to Jesus: “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” They were outcasts—physically afflicted, socially excluded, spiritually distant. And Jesus healed them all. But only one came back to give thanks—and only one heard the words that make all the difference: “Your faith has made you well.”

This devotion is about THAT kind of healing. Not just healing that touches the body, but healing that restores the soul. Because that’s what Jesus offers—whole healing. And that’s what your faith makes possible.

Jesus could’ve healed those ten lepers instantly and completely with a word—and He did, but in a way that required obedience and trust. He told them to go show themselves to the priests—something only a healed person would do. So they walked away… still sick. But on the way, they were cleansed. Their healing happened in their obedience.

But here’s where it gets real: only one of them came back to Jesus. Only one—a Samaritan, no less—returned to praise God, fall at Jesus’ feet, and give thanks. And to that one, Jesus said something different: “Your faith has made you well.” The word here for “well” can also mean whole, saved, or restored. Ten were healed in body—but only one was healed in heart.

So what made the difference? Gratitude. Worship. Returning to the Healer, not just the healing. Healing in the kingdom of God is always more than skin deep. Jesus cares deeply about the body—but He cares most about the soul. He’s not just offering temporary relief. He’s offering eternal restoration.

Dr. William M. Greathouse, Wesleyan theologian in the Church of the Nazarene, wrote, “The work of the Spirit in healing is not confined to the body, but includes the restoration of the soul to the image of God in righteousness and true holiness.”

Let’s get honest: there are parts of our lives that need healing today.

  • Maybe your body is broken.
  • Maybe your heart is bitter.
  • Maybe your soul feels far from God.
  • Maybe you’re exhausted, anxious, or ashamed.

Jesus can and does heal miraculously. But the deepest healing comes when we turn back, fall at His feet, and let Him do more than fix what’s broken—let Him make us whole.

1. Take the Step of Obedience. The lepers were healed as they went. They acted in faith before they saw results. Maybe God is inviting you to obey before the healing appears. Don’t wait to feel better to start trusting—walk toward Him now.

2. Return to the Healer. Too often, we run to God when we’re desperate… but forget Him when we’re delivered. Let worship and gratitude lead you back to the feet of Jesus today. Healing begins when we remember who the Healer is.

3. Receive Wholeness, Not Just Relief. What’s deeper than your symptom? Is there fear beneath your pain? Bitterness beneath your fatigue? Sin beneath your shame? Jesus wants to heal all of it. Your faith in Him opens the door—not just to feeling better—but to becoming whole.

Today, and this week, try this breath prayer: “I have the faith to heal, thank you Jesus.” Let this be your breath throughout the day. Let your heart echo what the healed Samaritan did—return, worship, and give thanks.

Faith that heals isn’t about conjuring up some spiritual strength. It’s about trusting the One who already has the power. The leper’s faith didn’t heal him because he believed hard enough—it healed him because he believed in Jesus. That’s what faith is: trust in action.

Jesus is still healing today. He may not always take away the pain instantly. But He will never waste your pain. And He will restore what’s been broken—body, mind, and soul. Will you trust Him with your healing today? Will you walk in faith… return in gratitude… and open your whole life to the wholeness only Jesus gives? Let your mustard seed-sized faith grow into a testimony of healing that changes your life—and touches everyone around you.

Faith heals. And it starts with Jesus.

Blessings,
Steve

Mr. Arthur Kendall

Chief Financial Officer

Art Kendall Bio

David Watson

David F. Watson is Academic Dean and Professor of New Testament at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. He has authored or edited a number of publications, including Key United Methodist Beliefs (with William J. Abraham), Wesley, Wesleyans, and Reading Bible as Scripture (edited with Joel B. Green) and has written a variety of articles and book chapters. His most recent book is Scripture and the Life of God: Why the Bible Matters Today More than Ever (Seedbed, 2017).  At present he is working on a book on Methodism and the Bible. He serves as Lead Editor of Firebrand and is one of the hosts of the Firebrand Podcast. 

David is an elder in the Global Methodist Church and serves on its Transitional Leadership Council. He and his family attend Stillwater Church in Dayton, Ohio.

Ms. Emily Allen

Emily Allen is the Coordinator of Worship at Asbury Theological Seminary where she is a current MDiv student, planning to graduate in 2025. She is a 2020 graduate of Houghton University with her Bachelor of Arts in Theology and a minor in Biblical Studies.

Emily is passionate about worshiping Jesus and raising up leaders in the church to do the same. Her favorite part of her job is working collaboratively with the 15 person Chapel Intern Team, as together they learn the theology of worship and plan Chapel services. She also has interest in the fields of spiritual formation and discipleship, church music, outdoor leadership, and all things British!

Emily currently resides in Wilmore, KY but calls Penn Yan, New York home. She is “To Be Ordained”Deacon in the Northeast Provisional Annual Conference of the Global Methodist Church.

Rev. Steven Taylor

Rev. Steven Taylor serves as the President Pro Tem of the Northeast Provisional Annual Conference. Steve has been a follower of Jesus his whole life, but felt Gods call on his life when he was 12 and again at age 28. He’s been a Methodist pastor for over 20 years, ordained as an elder in 2011. In March 2020, Steve became a founding member of the GMC’s Transitional Leadership Council, helping to shape and steer the new world-wide Methodist denomination.

Steve grew up in Lancaster, NY and was baptized, confirmed, and heard his call to ministry through the Methodist Church and Christian camping. Steve holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering from SUNY ESF and a Master of Divinity degree from Asbury Theological Seminary. Prior to answering the call to pastoral ministry, Steve worked for 10 years at an international consulting firm as a professional environmental engineer. He has served on The Confessing Movement Board of Directors, the regional Wesleyan Covenant Association board, and multiple leadership teams. Steve and his wife, Stacy, have two grown and married children, two grandchildren and one due in May 2024, and now reside in Syracuse, New York. Steve enjoys flying his drone, disc golfing, hiking, archery hunting, motorcycle riding, and spending lots of time with family.

Dr. Leah Hidde-Gregory

Dr. Leah Hidde-Gregory currently serves as the President Pro Tempore for the Global Methodist Church’s Mid Texas Annual Conference. After 30 years in the United Methodist Church, she became an Elder with the Global Methodist Church in June of 2022. During her ministry she has served as a laywoman in the Oklahoma Conference, as a pastor in the North Texas Conference and the Central Texas Conference.  Before leaving the UMC, she sat on the Central Texas Cabinet of the UMC as a District Superintendent for six years, including serving as Dean of the Cabinet for five years.

Leah has a heart and a passion for sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.  She has spent much of her ministry in church revitalization, revival and church growth.  She is excited about the Global Methodist Church and the orthodox witness which is being awakened within our congregations as they discern their next faithful step.

She holds a Doctorate in Ministry in Church Leadership Excellence from Wesley Theological in Washington, D.C.; a Master of Divinity from Perkins School of Theology; and a bachelor’s in psychology and sociology from Texas A&M Commerce.   She is married to partner in ministry, Stan.  They have two daughters and sons-in-law and a son Will who is still at home.

Rev. Dr. Steve Cordle

Rev. Dr. Steve Cordle is the founding and lead pastor of Crossroads Church, a cell-based congregation with four locations in the Pittsburgh metro area.

He is also the Executive Director of The River Network International, a non-profit dedicated to starting and strengthening churches around the world. He also coaches pastors and church planters.

He is the author of three books: The Church in Many Houses; Hear It, See It, Risk It; and A Jesus-Shaped Life.

Steve was named Outstanding Doctoral Alumnus at United Theological Seminary and is a winner of the Denman Award for evangelism. He chaired the Church Multiplication Task Force for the Wesleyan Covenant Association.

Cordle is originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and attended high school in Brussels, Belgium. It was there that he came to faith in Christ and sensed a call to ministry.

In his spare time, Steve likes to play softball, run, play classical piano, and cheer on any Pittsburgh sports team.

Cordle is a graduate of Wittenberg University (BME), Asbury Theological Seminary (MDiv), and United Theological Seminary (DMin).

Steve and his wife Linda have three grown sons, three daughters-in-love, and five grandchildren.

Bishop Mark Webb

Mark J. Webb currently serves as a bishop in The Global Methodist Church.

He was elected a bishop in The United Methodist Church and consecrated on July 20, 2012, at the Northeast Jurisdictional Conference. Mark served as the episcopal leader of the Upper New York Area of the United Methodist Church from September 1, 2012, until December 31, 2022. On January 2, 2023, he was received as an elder and bishop in The Global Methodist Church.

Mark holds a M. Div. from Asbury Theological Seminary and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Shippensburg University. He also holds a graduate certificate in nonprofit management from the University of Connecticut.

He served pastorates at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, Mechanicsburg, Pa. from 1994-2007, St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, Wormleysburg, Pa. from 1991-1994, and Linglestown United Methodist Church from 1989-1991. He served as District Superintendent of the York District of the Susquehanna Conference of the United Methodist Church from 2007-2012.

Mark currently serves as a Trustee of United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio.

He received the Harry Denman Evangelism Award in 2002 and in 2018, was named as one of the top 100 leaders by the John C. Maxwell Transformational Leadership Award.

Mark encourages clergy and laity to work together in the development of discipleship pathways that will point people to Jesus Christ and bear fruit for the kingdom of God. He has a passion for Christ-following leadership development, new faith communities and ensuring existing congregations grow in vitality and fulfill the mission of “making disciples of Jesus Christ who worship passionately, love extravagantly and witness boldly”.

He is a native of Williamsport, Pa., and is married to Jodi. Mark and Jodi live in Lititz, PA and have two sons, Tyler, who is married to Lyndsay and Benjamin, who is married to Mary.

Bishop Emeritus Young Jin Cho

Young Jin Cho (Bishop Emeritus) graduated from the Methodist Theological Seminary in Seoul, Korea (Th. B. and Th. M.) and came to the United States in 1979 and continued to study at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. (M. Div. and D. Min.). He was transferred to the Virginia Annual Conference in 1983 and served the Korean UMC of Greater Washington in N. Virginia for 22 years.

During his tenure the church grew into the largest United Methodist congregation in the Virginia Conference measured by worship attendance. In 2005 he was appointed to District Superintendent of the Arlington District, serving in that capacity for 7 years and overseeing the planting of several new faith communities. He was elected and consecrated as Bishop in the Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference in 2012. He served the Virginia Annual Conference for four years and retired in 2016. His consistent message had been “No Spiritual Vitality, No vital Congregation.”

In retirement Bishop Emeritus Cho remains engaged in ministry and mission. From 2019 to 2022 he helped three Korean congregations as an interim pastor and has been serving as a co-mentor of the Bishop Cho Scholars (D. Min. Program) at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. He is also involved with Durihana Mission, which works with North Korean refugees in the United States.

Bishop Emeritus Cho has been married to Kiok Cho (Retired Deacon) for 48 years, and they have three adult children, Grace, Sophia and Chris and two grandchildren, Luke and Lily.