Something to think about...

I thought I'd share this devotional that came to my inbox today.  The email actually comes to my husband, which he forwards, and it's only signed "Pastor" so we really don't know who this "pastor" is but his devotionals are often inspirational and give me something to think about.  Most have heard the story of the woman with the issue of blood from the Bible.  Today I was struck by an important fact that I'd never seen before.  It's the fact that in her day she was considered unclean and shouldn't have been anywhere near the crowd surrounding Jesus.  Read on and perhaps you'll see her in a different light...

[Take A Stand…” "And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years….came in the press behind, and touched His garment”. (Mark 5:25,27). The more you consider this woman with the issue of blood, the more you understand that she had to be stubborn. Under the Jewish law, she was considered unclean. When a woman with an issue of blood came out in public, she risked being stoned. As if that weren’t bad enough, notice whom Jesus was walking with at the time: “And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name” (v.22). Jesus was on His way to Jairus house to heal his daughter when He perceived that power had flowed out of Him and stopped to find out who had touched Him. As a ruler of the synagogue, Jairus had authority to have this woman stoned. The woman had to be tenacious, stubborn, resistant to flow. She had to overcome her fear and go against religious leaders. You know, some ministers say, “Well, you just can’t be healed. God doesn’t do that anymore.” When that happens, people have to override what those ministers are saying about healing in order to receive their healing. This woman had to overcome unbelief, fear and weakness. She had to decide that no matter what came against her, she was going to receive her healing. We have to get to that same point and make the same decision: “I don’t care what anyone says. I don’t care what it looks like, seems like or feels like. I’m taking a stand on God’s Word, and that’s all there is to it.  I pray for you to have a great weekend. God bless you today and this weekend in Jesus name.     Pastor]



Now for my take on it and more...
When we read the Bible, we find that God really wants us to be well.  Jesus always showed God's mercy and compassion by healing those who came to Him with even a little faith.  Jesus showed us the way.  The apostles and early church followed.  We are to continue today.  No excuses.... 

God wants people well and scriptures reveal this to us all through the text of the Bible.  There are many websites that have healing scriptures, songs, poems, etc. I've visited many and have drawn personal strength and used them to pray. Here is just one you may want to check out...  Joyce Meyer Ministries Healing Scriptures

But why...
I truly cannot say why some people are healed and some are not, but I will continue to read His Word, listen for His voice, give Him praise and prayer as well as speak blessing over the sick. The Bible reveals this is the duty of every person who claims the name of Jesus as Lord and Savior.  We are to be His disciples and walk His way and even greater works than He did will be done! 

Jesus speaks in John 14:12 “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. 13 You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. 14 Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!"





But, what about these thoughts and ideas... 


"It's not always God's will to heal."   (This reveals ignorance of the healing power of the Gospel. Read the Word and find the scriptures that tell us God wants us well.)

"Our church doesn't believe in outward traditions like laying hands on the sick and having the elders pray.  We all just pray."  (This reveals that this church only believes what they want to believe of the scriptures and is neglecting the covenant blessing of God. Churches, this means everyone and not just the pastors, need to preach the truth so that faith for healing will be restored.)


"Well, we don't believe in all this Holy Spirit stuff at our church."  (This reveals that the teaching of the Holy Spirit is being neglected in this church. The Holy Spirit cannot possibly work where there is no belief.  The Holy Spirit must be honored, after all Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to us to help us until His return.)

"I don't believe in church so I don't go.  They are a bunch of hypocrites!  I can believe on my own."  (This reveals that reliance is build upon self and not upon God.  Scriptures reveal that we are not to forsake assembling together.  We cannot function spiritually on our own, but we are to come together to be assembled.  We are just a small but significant part of the greater machinery that is the Lord's Church.  When we are assembled by Him then we can be fully used and bring honor to His Name.)

"I'll be sure to go to hear _____.  I don't want to miss what he/she has for me."  or  "I'm going to this doctor because he/she can heal me with different techniques and medicines." (This reveals that faith is trusting and looking to someone or something else.  Now, it is not my intent to say that we should not go to a special speaker or visit a doctor when we are sick, but the Great Physician is God, through the Lord Jesus!  Individuals may be greatly used of God as ministers and physicians, but they are not the healer, God is!)

"I'll do what ever I want to.  It's my body!" (This reveals that we do not respect that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit.  We are to take care of these temples by eating right, excercising and staying away from substance abuse.  We are to take care or we will reap what we sow in our bodies.)

I'm sure there are many other points that I have left out today, but the truth to be revealed is  Anything is possible if a person believes.  Mark 9:23



Our Father,
You know my friends and family members who are sick better than I do. You know their burdens are heavy. You know their hearts. Lord, I ask You to be with each of them now, working in their lives. Let Your will be done.  If there is sin that needs to be confessed and forgiven, Lord, please help them in Your wisdom to see the need and confess. Lord, Your Word says I should pray for their healing. I believe You hear my earnest prayer. I have faith in You to heal, and I trust the plan you have for our lives. Lord, I don't always understand Your ways. I don't always understand the why of suffering, but I trust You. I ask that you look with mercy and grace toward my friends and family members. Nourish their spirits and souls in this time of suffering and comfort them. May they know Your Presence.  Let them know You are there through each step of difficulty. May Your Holy Light shine in the darkness around my friends and family members who are going through sickness and disease right now and may You be glorified in all of it!
In Jesus' name, Amen.



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