Tag-Archive for » healing «

“Over it”

05
Jan 2010
By Andy

Scripture:

Luke 5:12-13 “In one of the villages, Jesus met a man with an advanced case of leprosy. When the man saw Jesus, he fell to the ground, face down in the dust, begging to be healed. ‘Lord,’ he said, ‘if you want to, you can make me well again.’ Jesus reached out and touched the man. ‘I want to,’ he said. ‘Be healed!’ And instantly the leprosy disappeared.”

Observation:

Scripture is full of miracles and healing. You never find an example when Jesus is asked for a miracle and he says “I could, but I won’t.” Except in “real life.” I do think that every time someone gives their life to Christ, it is the miracle of the cross all over again. There is restoration to God, and often restoration from emotional pain or trauma, freedom from bondage … there are internal miracles that happen all the time, but scant few examples of physical healing.

…I guess even though I’m “over it” about mom losing her fingers, this is still a sensitive topic for me. I wish that there were at least some examples in Scripture of … silence from God. From Christ. We have this personal relationship with the master of the universe, and though it doesn’t take much to figure out that a genie-god is impractical, it’s sometimes hard to see the here-and-now implications of this all-important relationship. I know this emotion isn’t unique. Including only “good endings” doesn’t give a very complete view, and on the flip side, verses that promise God’s action when X circumstances are met (groups of two or three, unwavering faith, etc), have more disproof than proof. Why?

Prayer:

Ahh – Lord … my mom is happy and her fingers are “healed.” Thank you for that. What frustrates me more than the lack of restoration of her fingers is the Scripture doesn’t address that experience except to say you wouldn’t answer my prayer because A) you don’t want to (which I just don’t believe) or B) that you wouldn’t because circumstances weren’t met (which doesn’t jive either). Help me.

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Relevant Ministry

30
Oct 2009
By Andy

Scripture:

Mark 6:56 “Wherever Christ went – in villages and cities and out on the farms – they laid the sick in the market plazas and streets.  The sick begged him to let them at least touch the fringe of his robe, and all who touched it were healed.”

Observation:

Jesus’ ministry … even when I think about the word “minister” as defined by offering care or aid is so different than what we see in churches today; we have “Adult Ministries” and “Youth Ministries” and “Children’s Ministries.”  Jesus healed people.  I wonder if all the accounts we had of Jesus preaching verses Jesus healing what the split would be.  In any case, Jesus didn’t need to “do outreach” as we think of it today – that was his entire mission, and because of that people were drawn to him.  He didn’t have to knock on doors.  He didn’t have to hold “seeker friendly” events.  People knew that if they came, they would receive healing … how much more “relevant” can you get?

Application:

I’m so grateful this is the direction Life Center is headed.  This is the direction I need to head as a “minister” to my world.  What are my resources?  I have no robe with healing powers, but I have lots to offer.

Prayer:

Lord – help me identify what I have to give, how to do so, and where I can minister those gifts.

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Justice is Sure

05
Oct 2009
By Andy

Scripture:

Esther 4:14 [Mordecai to Ester] “If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance for the Jews will arise from some other place.”

Luke 18:1-8 – The parable of the persistent widow – vs. 7 “God will surely give justice to his chosen people who plead with Him day and night”

Observation:

The faith Mordecai shows in this verse is at a bit of a contrast to his deep grief and mourning earlier in this chapter, but he collects himself and takes this stance: “Deliverance for the Jews will arise.”  Who knows what would’ve happened to affect the plot Haman had laid out for the Jews – whatever it was, Mordecai had faith that God would rescue them.  Maybe not even Mordecai himself, but his people.

Application:

As much as I struggle with “the power of prayer,” This teaching is not difficult for me to accept (Lord, help me with the ones that are): the God of the universe is a God of justice.  When faced with injustices, I can be steadfast in my faith, knowing that God will make right every wrong.

Prayer:

Lord, in some ways I guess I think that when “bad things happen to good people,” it’s unjust.  That strikes me as a somewhat small thought when I lay it out in front of me, but it gives me hope none-the-less that those people have a special reward awaiting them in heaven.  Have patience with my faith and continue to teach me.  I love you Lord.

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Promise of Heaven

29
Sep 2009
By Andy

Scripture:

Luke 12:31 “He will give you all you need from day to day if you make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.”

Observation:

I have such a hard time reading these promises.  Same feeling I had yesterday when Christ tells us to just ask boldly and it will be given.  I know my understanding and perspective are small, but I can’t see Jesus saying something like this with cryptic intent – ie “all you need” isn’t really food and water, but salvation.  He was talking about food.  I can’t see Jesus chuckling to himself afterward while he thought “no one can ever truly make the Kingdom of God their primary concern.”  This isn’t love.  Yet true worshipers of God, with basically nothing to be concerned about except the Kingdom of God, die every day from lack of food.

I can accept that such is the state of a broken world.  I can accept that this is not the intent of God.  I can accept that it is my very selfishness that contributes to others going hungry.  That this occurs – I understand.  It is the unfulfilled promises scripture makes, that Christ makes, that make me question.  And that frustrate me.  In many ways, Solomon’s teaching in Ecclesiastes lines up more consistently with my life experience – There are no guarantees for anything in this life – the good and the bad, righteous and evil, are all subject to the same circumstances on earth with no rhyme or reason to wealth, health, or happiness.  Regardless of this, his final conclusion is to “Fear God and obey His commands.”  This I can grasp.

Application:

Whether or not I sense these promises of Christ fulfilled in my life, or in the lives of people across the globe, the Kingdom of God will be my primary concern – if nothing else because I know that at that time, in that place, there will be no want for food, no need for healing, no cause for sorrow.  Until then, I will fear God and obey His commands.

Prayer:

Lord thank you for promise of heaven that is fulfilled through Christ.  Thank you for every measure of faith you give me – help me when I struggle.  When you call me to be part of your plan of salvation, let me be attentive and obedient.  Amen.

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Mom’s Fingers

11
Sep 2009
By Andy

Yesterday morning was a rough spiritual moment for me.  I don’t think I’ve ever been so upset and angry at God.  Mom’s accident with the lawnmower, and the resulting physical  and emotional pain, somehow didn’t upset me.  I understand we live in a broken world where things don’t go the way we, or God, intend.  However, I really felt compelled to pray for complete restoration of her fingers – more so than I’ve ever felt about something.  So I prayed that prayer, and I asked others to pray it with me.  I asked that when the gauze was removed, her fingers would be whole.  It didn’t happen.

I was so frustrated and confused by God’s power and love.  I know that I’ll never be able to protect my daughters from every pain – I’ll try, but I know I’ll fail.  I also know that if it is within my power, I will do anything I can to bring healing to the wound.  God loves us infinitely more, and has infinite power.  He could heal mom’s fingers.  If I know how to give good gifts to my daughters, God surely does.  Yet more often than not I see prayers for healing declined.  In my frustration I asked “What’s the point of having a big God if He won’t do big things” and realized how wrong the basis of my question was – I don’t have a big God, but a big God has me (and my mom).  Still, it wasn’t a second or two before I rephrased – “What’s the point of being a big God if you won’t do big things.”

Though I didn’t have the energy to journal about it, yesterday’s reading (Lamentations 3:22-33) left me feeling better, but still frustrated.  Honestly, I’m still frustrated.  Oddly, there is still a glimmer of hope in me that her fingers will be restored when they take off the bandages from the surgery.  And I hate that hope.  I can almost already feel the second round of crushing disappointment and resulting renewed frustration.

In the midst of this, yesterday afternoon God fulfilled a prayer and hope that I’ve had for maybe a couple months now – a gorgeous decked out minivan.  We’re getting more than I hoped for at an incredible price.  Amy told me she’s never seen me so excited about anything – and she’s probably right – I really am excited about this car.  And thankful.  We waited patiently (ok, I may have tried to find a van on my own), and God did something great.

As I’ve continued to talk with God and express my frustration and disappointment about mom’s fingers, there are a couple things he’s reminded me.  This is a broken world, broken things happen. Mom’s body will soon die and then she’ll be whole in a way I can’t even begin to fathom.  Lamentations really was an encouragement.  God DOES love my mom – more than I do.  And this morning, I really felt him say “I will care for your mom.”

Ultimately, our bodies are broken no matter what – what mom needs, what I need, and what everyone needs, is a god who will restore our soul and the chasm established in our sin.  Only the Lord, the God to whom I belong is capable of making that restoration, and it is more important, more loving, and more miraculous than any other healing which may or may not take place in our lives.

Thank you Lord for bearing my anger and frustration – for being big.  I still pray for the restoration of my Mom’s fingers, but am grateful for our current relationship with Christ, and for our ultimate salvation.

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