Wednesday, July 8, 2009

A Healing God

So you just must go to the Family Christian Store and pick up the DVD documenting the life of a man by the name of Angus Buchan. It is only $5 and the proceeds go to benefit orphans through the James Fund and Shalom Ministries. Go. Right now. While it is fresh on your mind. Go ahead. I will wait.

If you cannot pick up and leave right this minute--well, OK--then make yourself a note. It will be worth your time. I promise.

Talk about a man who will challenge and encourage your faith. He is a simple man in worldly terms--a farmer from South Africa--but in heavenly terms a giant. He is not running after material gain, rather he is sold out to the Lord Jesus Christ, fulfilling a ministry where thousands upon thousands are coming to the Lord. Not only that, he is seeing people healed from all sorts of diseases. His faith even brought a young woman back to life! And some say the healing power of God is no longer at work! Our God is able, friend!!!

He craves more of our Lord, with a moving passion for His truth to be spread and His power to be experienced by all. He hears when the Lord speaks to his spirit, and goes where He says to go. He is not claiming divinity or perfection, he is simply walking by faith and not by sight--and God's name is being lifted HIGH! That is the kind of faith that blesses our living Lord--where we "seek ye first His kingdom."

The healing aspect of his ministry is what has me all stirred up inside. What is my opinion on healing? Our God is able. I personally believe that we do not see it as much in our culture because of a lack of faith. We have become a people dependent upon modern medicine--not that it is bad or wrong to go there. I go there. But there is an overall desensitization to the healing power of God. It reminds me of the tower of Babel in Genesis 11--that our cultural mindset reflects our (false) belief that we are in control, "let us make a name for ourselves."

Are you saying I am not healed because of my lack of faith? I don't know. Is it possible? Yes. Is it definite? No. Typically the pattern through the New Testament seems to be that physical healing was done to bring a greater awakening to this God whom we serve. But there are going to be trials in this life. There are going to be things we must go through to get us to "the other side."

I am thinking of the example of Paul who was a prisoner on a ship headed to Rome. It appeared the ship and the lives of the passengers would possibly be destroyed by the weather. But an angel of God appeared to Paul and said, "Do not be afraid, Paul (I just love how angels always say this--it must be a completely freaky thing to experience); you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you." The weather did not take God off guard. Are you kidding?! God could have stopped the winds and the waves. But He didn't. Yet Paul had to be brought to Rome. It was part of God's plan. So God allowed the crashing for a purpose--His glory to be seen.

God does heal; and a prayer of faith can heal. Yet in His infinite wisdom He also allows trials. Either way He has purpose and grace. Be encouraged! How do we know if He is leading us to the prayer of faith--a prayer expecting the outcome to be a healing, a deliverance? It seems that those who truly heal in the power of God know Him intimately, deeply. As we personally deepen in our walk with Him, we will know His promptings and know His will, so that if He instructs you or I to pray for that person to be healed, we can believe He will heal--as I was a few years back, thank you Kameren!

Is our God not awesome? Friend, if you call yourself a believer then this very God lives within you. How amazing and powerful!

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Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Controlling this Tent

Oh, my precious second born has zero self-control. Zero. I can almost see the internal battle waging when I tell him not to touch--a.k.a break--something. For example, yesterday he was roughly examining the bloom of our peace lily plant. It's demise was sure so I said, "Please stop touching it like that. The leaf may break or the bloom may come off. Just use one finger."

With every ounce of control he could muster, he stopped for a brief few seconds then went right back to near tearing the plant. All the while he was trying to tell me something--sharing his almost 3-year-old heart on an issue--so I swayed from disciplining his actions though I "reminded" him four times before leading him to another area of the room.

Zero self-control. He has a hand problem. It is very difficult for him to control his hands. If he thinks it then he does it. He needs Jesus! We all do, though, don't we?! We all have areas that have the potential of being out-of-control if left to ourselves.

We read in Galatians that self-control is an aspect of the Spirit of God. He enables us to live self-controlled lives. He enables us to control our spending, our outbursts, our eating, our thoughts, and, oh yes, our mouths. Ultimately He gives us wisdom to see our hearts as they are bare before a Holy God.

Do you have any area of your life that is seemingly out-of-control? Have you tried to keep it neatly in a little box only to find it spilling out the sides? We all have our weaknesses. We are all in desperate need of the power of God in our lives. He is faithful to both gently reveal and powerfully deliver. Let's get before Him, admit our depravity, and ask Him to work in and through us. How He loves you and me with a perfect love and delights in our seeking after Him.

For further nourishment: 2 Corinthians 5:1-5, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

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Saturday, July 4, 2009

Drink Deeply

Today we as Americans celebrate our freedom. But I would be remiss not to mention the true freedom found in Christ Jesus. Have you experienced it?

Freedom from the power of sin. Freedom to live in peace rather than fear. Freedom to love and forgive. This is the freedom that brings eternal blessing.

Last night I listened to a sermon from John Piper on the Samaritan woman found in John 4. It was the first of a three part series. If you have never listened to his messages be prepared to go deep into the amazing grace of God. Piper has a way of passionately delivering the word, under the leading of the Spirit, so that the listener is drawn to their knees in gratitude.

There are a number of lessons to be learned from this passage, but I was reminded of one that I found myself meditating upon in the night watches. Piper clarifies, and I paraphrase, "Many preach evangelistic messages based upon Jesus' meeting with the Samaritan woman, saying that we can learn from him how to share the love of God. But what we need to realize is that we are that Samaritan woman. And if we can grasp that truth then we wouldn't need messages on evangelism techniques."

What Piper was saying is that evangelism is an overflow. An active, intimate relationship with the Father--abiding in Him--necessitates its spilling forth. His love, ways, mercy, and forgiveness cannot be contained. When we set our eyes upon this Jesus who quenches our every thirst, then the natural response will be to proclaim His goodness to others.

So let's get serious about this thing. Let us each take hold of the cup, filled to the brim with living water, put it to our dry, cracked lips, and drink deeply His offered gift of life. Oh, friend, nothing else will satisfy your or my thirst. True freedom is found in Him. Let's celebrate!

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You can listen to and download hundreds of John Piper's sermons for free at http://www.desiringgod.org


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