Healing What Ails You

Healing What Ails You

Earlier, I caught a nasty virus, the kind that plays havoc with your digestive system.

Of course, we were out of town when it hit. During our granddaughter’s dance competition, we sat in the balcony watching so many beautiful dancers. While waiting for her solos, it hit hard.

The closest bathroom was upstairs. I had to run up two flights of stairs to get there. Unfortunately, it hit every ten minutes for a couple of hours. I made many hurried flights up those stairs. Luckily, no one else was around, so I had some privacy.

Clearly, my body was trying to get rid of whatever was causing all these problems. Later, at the doctor’s office, I learned that norovirus was the culprit. After some pain pills, bowls of steaming hot soup, and a week of rest, I felt 100% again.

If only it were that simple with the soul. If only we could vomit out all the nasty thoughts and evil desires. If only that would happen without us even having to think about it.

Impure thoughts in? What if the soul would just automatically spit them out?

That would be easy, wouldn’t it?

Unfortunately, we can carry impure thoughts and evil intentions within us that poison our souls and harm those around us.

Unlike a virus, they don’t automatically purge themselves from our souls. But God, in His infinite wisdom, shows us how to purify our souls.

Prayer and self-reflection begin the process.

Asking God to forgive us cleanses our soul.

Opening the bible and reading God’s word continues the healing.

Just as our bodies get rid of the viruses and germs that cause illness, so our souls have ways of cleansing our sin and spiritual disease. God, our great physician, provides ways for us to draw closer to Him.

What are you doing to cleanse your soul of spiritual illness?

Thank you, healing God, for revealing our sin and spiritual disease. Thank You for providing healing for what ails our souls.

The God of Peace

It’s easy to read and agree. It’s much more difficult to read and then live what you read.

Lord, keep me focused on Your word. Help me to read what you say and then make Your words part of my life.

A Box of Chocolates

A Box of Chocolates

Imagine that someone has given you a big box of chocolates!  What is the first thing you do?  Most would probably say Thank you, open the box, and graciously offer the first piece to the giver of this scrumptious gift.  Would you begrudge giving that first piece of chocolate to the person who gave you the whole box?  No, of course not, for the rest of the candy would be yours to enjoy—to eat, to save for another day, or to share with others.  I think this is the attitude God had in mind when he commanded us to tithe.  He has created the world and all that is in it; everything is a gift from Him.  He has given us a gigantic box of chocolates.  He would be pleased if we would, with cheerful hearts, say Thank you, and offer Him the first piece.

Shouldn’t this also be the attitude we exhibit when we serve God and others?  All our gifts are God given:  intelligence, work, compassion.   Our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual box is filled with delicious chocolates.  Let’s remember to graciously and humbly thank God for them and offer Him the first piece.

II Corinthians 9:6-11 “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” Oh God, we thank you for giving us many good gifts.  May we cheerfully offer a portion back to you.

Happy Valentine’s Day, friends! May you graciously receive God’s spiritual blessings and be willing to share with others.

Expand the Vision

Expand the Vision

In Mark 11:22-24, Jesus speaks about faith to his disciples.  “Have faith in God….I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him.  Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” 

Does this mean I can ask for a million dollars and a trip around the world?  Of course not.  John 14:13-14 clarifies this issue.  “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father.  You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.”  The key here is “so that the Son may bring glory to the Father.”  If I ask for somethingin order to glorifyGod, my prayer will be answered.  So, if I ask for a revival in my church, will that request be honored?  Sounds like it to me.  Does it mean that I will need to have a personal revival first?  Probably.  Does it mean that I will need to do some work to help create the revival?  Most likely.  A revival in the church would definitely bring glory to God; therefore, God will give revival in our church if, in faith, we ask for it.

“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever youwish, and it will be given you.  This is to my father’s glory, that you bear muchfruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples” (John 15:7-8).  If I remain In Christ and let the words of scripture abide in me, am I more likely to ask for gifts that will glorify God?  I think so.  God desires each of us to bear “much fruit” for His kingdom, illustrating that we are His disciples. 

If he promises those who abide in Him and in His words will be given whatever they ask, shouldn’t we be asking?  The promise is for whatever we ask, so we should ask BIG.  We need to expand our vision!  Too often we limit what God does for us because we don’t ask for enough.  His promise is to give us whatever we ask.  Why aren’t we asking for many new converts?  Why aren’t we asking for wisdom to speak with our unsaved friends?  Why aren’t we asking how we may use our gifts and talents to further His kingdom?  Maybe our churches and our spirits don’t grow because our vision is too small.  He promises that whatever we ask, He will give, in order to bring gloryto God.  But first, we must ask, and we must ask big.  Expand the vision!

Oh God, there are so many needs in this world.  There are so many people who do not know your saving grace.  There are so many people struggling.  Show us how to boldly pray for those things that will truly glorify you.

James 5:16 “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.  The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”