The pool of Bethesda found in John 5 is a bit of a mystery to us. It was a pool where a multitude of sick people would come to be healed. They would wait beside the water for an angel who went down to the pool at a certain time to stir the water. Then after stirring the water whoever stepped in first was made well of whatever disease he had.
There was a certain man who had an infirmity for thirty eight years. He told Jesus when Jesus asked if he wanted to be made well "I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up." Everyone kept getting into the pool ahead of him and he could not be healed because he couldn't get there first. Jesus said to him "Rise, take up your bed and walk." Immediately the man was made well, took up his bed and walked. Later Jesus told him, "See you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you."
As I pondered the pool of Bethesda I compared it to a medical facility with doctors and nurses as a place we all go to for healing purposes. The man at this pool placed all his hopes of healing in being able to get into the pool. Most of the time I am sure we all have a tendency to think the same way about the medical profession. If we could just get to the doctor or a better doctor we could be healed of this sickness, injury or emotional sickness. Like the man by the pool we place far too much hope in the doctor instead of Jesus. We forget that it is Jesus who heals our sickness and our sins.
I am not saying we shouldn't go to doctors for healing. We know that Jesus uses the medical profession for our healing. He is still the one who heals even if it is at the hand of the doctor. I am saying that we should always look to Him first for healing even as we seek out medical attention. Many times the Lord heals without the medical attention.
This past December my husband and I were in a serious accident and my right hand was severely damaged because of broken glass that was embedded into the back of my hand. I had surgery and many weeks of a cast before starting occupational therapy. Our medical care would only allow for 20 therapy sessions. Both the doctor and the therapist felt I would benefit from more therapy. However, it would not be covered. I was discouraged thinking I would not continue to get well and realized then I was looking to the doctor and therapist for the healing of my hand. I was not looking to Jesus who is the healer. I pray almost daily that the Lord would continue to heal my hand. There has been small improvement, but improvement and I thank Him daily for the use of my hand.
Sin and sickness is a part of life for absolutely every one of us. Christ died to heal our sins and our sicknesses. We live in a fallen world and will never be sinless or have perfect health but for those who believe in Him, He heals us in this life or the next as we go to be with Him in eternity where there is no pain or sickness.
From the common headache to severe illness ask the Lord to heal you.
Psalm 103:3 tells us it is the Lord "who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases."
Friday, July 17, 2009
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Glow in the Dark
My husband and I have lived in Florida about 15 years. It has suited me perfectly since I love the heat and the sunshine. Before moving here we lived in Georgia. The area we lived in seemed to have a lot of rain and overcast. One day I read about SAD or Seasonal Affective Disorder. I realized I was definitely affected by the lack of sunshine. Many days in a row without sunshine made a difference in the way I think. Things became more discouraging and small obstacles would seem so much bigger. Give me a bright sunny day and I felt like I could conquer the world.
My husband likens me to one of those "glow in the dark" objects. You know the ones - you put them to the light for a while and then place them in a closet and they glow.
That truly is the way I am affected by the sunshine. If I am at a meeting inside all day with florescent lighting I will find a moment or two to go outside and just stand in the sun facing it. After a few minutes I am good to go. I am certainly not proud of this disorder but yet it is the way I am.
In the gospel of John chapter 1 he tells us that Jesus is the true Light. When He came into the world He brought that light and that light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not overcome it. Jesus tells us in Matthew 5 that "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden." He says to "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. When we believe in Jesus Christ and His atonement for us we know that He dwells and lives in us. We have the light of Christ and we should let that light shine.
Our lives should be like that "glow in the dark" object. If we spend time in the light of God's word and spend time personally and intimately with Christ our light will shine. It will shine in the darkness and the darkness will not overcome it.
I think of Moses who was on Mt. Sinai for forty days and forty nights and received the second set of the Ten Commandment tablets. When he came down off the mountain his face was shining and he did not realize the skin of face was shining. He had been in the presence of our Holy God. His face shone.
Let's all be "glow in the dark" objects. Glowing because we have spent time in the presence of His word and basking in it, then letting it shine in the darkness all around us.
My husband likens me to one of those "glow in the dark" objects. You know the ones - you put them to the light for a while and then place them in a closet and they glow.
That truly is the way I am affected by the sunshine. If I am at a meeting inside all day with florescent lighting I will find a moment or two to go outside and just stand in the sun facing it. After a few minutes I am good to go. I am certainly not proud of this disorder but yet it is the way I am.
In the gospel of John chapter 1 he tells us that Jesus is the true Light. When He came into the world He brought that light and that light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not overcome it. Jesus tells us in Matthew 5 that "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden." He says to "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. When we believe in Jesus Christ and His atonement for us we know that He dwells and lives in us. We have the light of Christ and we should let that light shine.
Our lives should be like that "glow in the dark" object. If we spend time in the light of God's word and spend time personally and intimately with Christ our light will shine. It will shine in the darkness and the darkness will not overcome it.
I think of Moses who was on Mt. Sinai for forty days and forty nights and received the second set of the Ten Commandment tablets. When he came down off the mountain his face was shining and he did not realize the skin of face was shining. He had been in the presence of our Holy God. His face shone.
Let's all be "glow in the dark" objects. Glowing because we have spent time in the presence of His word and basking in it, then letting it shine in the darkness all around us.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Weary from the Journey
In John 4 Jesus has a meeting with a Samaritan woman near the plot of ground Jacob gave to his son Joseph. The scripture tells us He was weary from His journey. So he sat down by the well and that is where he met the Samaritan woman.
Jesus being weary from His journey is the first thing that arrested my attention. Jesus was fully God and yet fully man. We know that to be true from the scriptures, yet it is something we find very difficult to fully understand. I am thankful for those times in the scripture that the Lord shows us glimpses of Jesus' being like us yet without sin. Because He is fully man and can identify with me, it gives me such a sense of "awe" that our God emptied Himself to do so. Philippians 2:7
We know that He wept at the tomb of Lazarus because He loved him so. In Luke 19 He wept over the city of Jerusalem because of its unbelief. Then of course the most difficult time for Jesus was when He was facing the agony of the cross. Luke 22 gives us that account. Peter, James and John went up on the Mount of Olives with Him. He withdrew from them about "a stone's throw" away to pray. He asked the Lord to take that cup from Him and wanted not His will but the Father's will to be done. He was in agony and sweat great drops of blood.
Hebrews 4 tells us He can sympathize with our weaknesses because in all points He was tempted as we are, yet without sin. Notice it says in "all" points.
Scripture does not contain all the activities and struggles Jesus went through but we know that we have not struggled with anything that He has not struggled with, yet without sin.
This morning I was running errands and feeling discouraged about some issues. As I did my errands this morning I found such comfort to know that I was not alone. I was not going through anything that He Himself had not been tempted with at some point in His time on earth. I was comforted by that because I know the resurrected Christ lives in me. He continues to forgive us for our sins and weaknesses as we confess those to Him and to know that He truly sympathizes with my struggles brings a sense of peace that I am not alone in these struggles.
How about you? Take some time to think about the man, Jesus - fully God, yet fully man. Find joy and comfort in these words. "For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin." Hebrews 4:15,16
He was weary from His journey.
Jesus being weary from His journey is the first thing that arrested my attention. Jesus was fully God and yet fully man. We know that to be true from the scriptures, yet it is something we find very difficult to fully understand. I am thankful for those times in the scripture that the Lord shows us glimpses of Jesus' being like us yet without sin. Because He is fully man and can identify with me, it gives me such a sense of "awe" that our God emptied Himself to do so. Philippians 2:7
We know that He wept at the tomb of Lazarus because He loved him so. In Luke 19 He wept over the city of Jerusalem because of its unbelief. Then of course the most difficult time for Jesus was when He was facing the agony of the cross. Luke 22 gives us that account. Peter, James and John went up on the Mount of Olives with Him. He withdrew from them about "a stone's throw" away to pray. He asked the Lord to take that cup from Him and wanted not His will but the Father's will to be done. He was in agony and sweat great drops of blood.
Hebrews 4 tells us He can sympathize with our weaknesses because in all points He was tempted as we are, yet without sin. Notice it says in "all" points.
Scripture does not contain all the activities and struggles Jesus went through but we know that we have not struggled with anything that He has not struggled with, yet without sin.
This morning I was running errands and feeling discouraged about some issues. As I did my errands this morning I found such comfort to know that I was not alone. I was not going through anything that He Himself had not been tempted with at some point in His time on earth. I was comforted by that because I know the resurrected Christ lives in me. He continues to forgive us for our sins and weaknesses as we confess those to Him and to know that He truly sympathizes with my struggles brings a sense of peace that I am not alone in these struggles.
How about you? Take some time to think about the man, Jesus - fully God, yet fully man. Find joy and comfort in these words. "For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin." Hebrews 4:15,16
He was weary from His journey.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Temptation or Victory
Very early in my new life of walking with Christ I began memorizing scripture. (Thanks to Wes and Janet Sperl wherever you are!)
One of the first scriptures I memorized was I Corinthians 10:13. "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it."
I used this scripture verse years ago when I had the habit of smoking cigarettes. I don't want to get into judgment as to whether smoking is biblical or unbiblical but I knew for me it was sin. I knew fellowship and worship with God's people was His will for me but my smoking habit kept me from wanting to be anywhere for two hours where I couldn't smoke. When I was tempted to give in to the old habit I quoted this verse to myself and prayed it to the Lord telling Him of my struggle and He miraculously took away any desire I had to smoke. I never touched it again.
This verse is still my favorite because I still wrestle with temptation in many different areas of my life and still depend on His word to give me the victory over it. Temptations come in all forms. I certainly don't need to list the various ways we face temptation. If you are a believer in Christ you know exactly what I mean. Satan, the devil, the evil one or whatever name he has is all summed up in this...he is the "deceiver." He will try to convince us any way he can that the temptation he is placing before us is not that big of a deal making it easier to give in to it or to be tempted to say "I just can't fight this."
John 10:28 tells us that no one will ever snatch us out of the Father's hand and that is good news. However, that does not mean that the "deceiver" will not continue to tempt us hoping we will fall bringing havoc and misery to us and keeping us from winning the victory in our battle with temptation.
Hiding God's word in our heart is the best way to fight off the "deceivers" attacks.
Christ himself used the word of God when He was tempted in the wilderness by the devil. Memorizing scripture is not a magic formula but it is the word of God. It is called the sword of the Spirit in Ephesians 6:17. We are to use it to fight the "deceiver".
I Corinthians 10:13 says there is no new temptation and it is common to all of us. We can never think ours is worse or different. Others have experienced the same temptations.
Whatever your battle is, use the word of God to fight the fight. Memorize particular scriptures that pertain to your struggle.
We may give in to the temptation and now it is sin but remember Christ died to give us new life and take away our sin now and forever. Confess your sin to Him. Then remember "As far as the east is from the west so far has he removed our transgressions from us." Psalm 103:12.
Depend on Him and He will do it!
One of the first scriptures I memorized was I Corinthians 10:13. "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it."
I used this scripture verse years ago when I had the habit of smoking cigarettes. I don't want to get into judgment as to whether smoking is biblical or unbiblical but I knew for me it was sin. I knew fellowship and worship with God's people was His will for me but my smoking habit kept me from wanting to be anywhere for two hours where I couldn't smoke. When I was tempted to give in to the old habit I quoted this verse to myself and prayed it to the Lord telling Him of my struggle and He miraculously took away any desire I had to smoke. I never touched it again.
This verse is still my favorite because I still wrestle with temptation in many different areas of my life and still depend on His word to give me the victory over it. Temptations come in all forms. I certainly don't need to list the various ways we face temptation. If you are a believer in Christ you know exactly what I mean. Satan, the devil, the evil one or whatever name he has is all summed up in this...he is the "deceiver." He will try to convince us any way he can that the temptation he is placing before us is not that big of a deal making it easier to give in to it or to be tempted to say "I just can't fight this."
John 10:28 tells us that no one will ever snatch us out of the Father's hand and that is good news. However, that does not mean that the "deceiver" will not continue to tempt us hoping we will fall bringing havoc and misery to us and keeping us from winning the victory in our battle with temptation.
Hiding God's word in our heart is the best way to fight off the "deceivers" attacks.
Christ himself used the word of God when He was tempted in the wilderness by the devil. Memorizing scripture is not a magic formula but it is the word of God. It is called the sword of the Spirit in Ephesians 6:17. We are to use it to fight the "deceiver".
I Corinthians 10:13 says there is no new temptation and it is common to all of us. We can never think ours is worse or different. Others have experienced the same temptations.
Whatever your battle is, use the word of God to fight the fight. Memorize particular scriptures that pertain to your struggle.
We may give in to the temptation and now it is sin but remember Christ died to give us new life and take away our sin now and forever. Confess your sin to Him. Then remember "As far as the east is from the west so far has he removed our transgressions from us." Psalm 103:12.
Depend on Him and He will do it!
Monday, July 6, 2009
Respectable Sins
The latest book I read was "Respectable Sins" by Jerry Bridges. In my writing today I will use some particular thoughts from his book.
First, let me explain that the theme of his book is that there are sins we tolerate because they don't fall into the category of the biggies - murder, adultery or what we would call heinous sins. The ones he speaks of are ungodliness, anxiety, frustration, discontentment, unthankfulness, pride, selfishness and he lists many others. He contends that these are the sins we tolerate or pay little attention to.
One chapter which clearly arrested my attention was his chapter on "Ungodliness". We refer to those who do not know the Lord as "ungodly" but we as believers are guilty of "ungodliness" to some degree. He says "Ungodliness may be defined as living one's everyday life with little or no thought of God, or of God's will, or of God's glory, or of one's dependence on God".
This was a very convicting statement. I won't deny that I could think of some Christian people I know who would claim the name of Christ yet do not have a lot of room in their lives for Christ. Having said that I was more convicted by my own lack of thoughts of God so well written in Bridges' definition. He says that the sins we except in our lives can ultimately be traced to this root of ungodliness. I Timothy 4:7 is written to believers yet Paul says we are to exercise ourselves unto godliness.
Take some time to meditate on Bridges definition of "ungodliness". The good news is if you are convicted as I was, remember the Lord's assurance of forgiveness in I John 1:9. Then read Psalm 63:1,2 and ponder and pray over it to help you.
This book is one I would recommend reading. I fully understand that not everyone is affected by the same books but certainly I would hope that Bridges book would be an encouragement to you as you seek to grow in godliness.
First, let me explain that the theme of his book is that there are sins we tolerate because they don't fall into the category of the biggies - murder, adultery or what we would call heinous sins. The ones he speaks of are ungodliness, anxiety, frustration, discontentment, unthankfulness, pride, selfishness and he lists many others. He contends that these are the sins we tolerate or pay little attention to.
One chapter which clearly arrested my attention was his chapter on "Ungodliness". We refer to those who do not know the Lord as "ungodly" but we as believers are guilty of "ungodliness" to some degree. He says "Ungodliness may be defined as living one's everyday life with little or no thought of God, or of God's will, or of God's glory, or of one's dependence on God".
This was a very convicting statement. I won't deny that I could think of some Christian people I know who would claim the name of Christ yet do not have a lot of room in their lives for Christ. Having said that I was more convicted by my own lack of thoughts of God so well written in Bridges' definition. He says that the sins we except in our lives can ultimately be traced to this root of ungodliness. I Timothy 4:7 is written to believers yet Paul says we are to exercise ourselves unto godliness.
Take some time to meditate on Bridges definition of "ungodliness". The good news is if you are convicted as I was, remember the Lord's assurance of forgiveness in I John 1:9. Then read Psalm 63:1,2 and ponder and pray over it to help you.
This book is one I would recommend reading. I fully understand that not everyone is affected by the same books but certainly I would hope that Bridges book would be an encouragement to you as you seek to grow in godliness.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Character of the New Man or Woman
I exercise by running/walking at least six days a week. When I get done exercising my clothes are usually quite filled with "sweat". It is always enjoyable to "put off" the sweaty clothes and "put on" the clean, fresh ones.
As I was reading Colossians 3 regarding the "putting off" of the old carnal habits - anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy... of the old man and the "putting on" of the new habits of the new man I thought "I wish it was just as easy to change our natures as it is to change our clothes. Then I realized afresh that I don't have to change those carnal habits because God in Christ did it for me. "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering..." This is the character of the new man. The key is that we have been elected by God to walk in newness of life. It was nothing we did or could even choose to do.
In this life, we will still struggle at times and there will be a battle between the new man and the old man. The good news is that God has given us the character of the new man and we can choose to "put off" those carnal habits when we see them raising their ugly heads at us.
The Lord has already dressed us in clothes of righteousness. He has cleansed us through the blood of Christ. Therefore, let us walk in the newness of that life and rejoice in the character that God has placed in us through Jesus Christ.
As I was reading Colossians 3 regarding the "putting off" of the old carnal habits - anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy... of the old man and the "putting on" of the new habits of the new man I thought "I wish it was just as easy to change our natures as it is to change our clothes. Then I realized afresh that I don't have to change those carnal habits because God in Christ did it for me. "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering..." This is the character of the new man. The key is that we have been elected by God to walk in newness of life. It was nothing we did or could even choose to do.
In this life, we will still struggle at times and there will be a battle between the new man and the old man. The good news is that God has given us the character of the new man and we can choose to "put off" those carnal habits when we see them raising their ugly heads at us.
The Lord has already dressed us in clothes of righteousness. He has cleansed us through the blood of Christ. Therefore, let us walk in the newness of that life and rejoice in the character that God has placed in us through Jesus Christ.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Heartily, as unto the Lord!
The other day a friend called and asked me to do a favor that would take up a couple hours of my time. I readily agreed outwardly but inside what I was saying was "I really don't want to do this - it's a dreary rainy day and it's late and I'm tired".
In spite of my feelings I did what she asked me to do.
This morning I was reading Colossians 3 and when I read vs. 17 I was reminded of the attitude I had regarding the help I gave my friend. "And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."
As I began to think about this I realized the many areas of our lives this speaks to - young wives and mothers who are at home doing routine tasks, people in the work place unsatisfied and hating their jobs, people in Christian service who are burned out and not at all joyous about their service, children or teens who hate school and dread every class, and those times we are asked to help a friend or neighbor. The list goes on and we could all fit into any one of those categories. I would venture to say that most of the time as we perform various tasks we do not give a lot of thought to the fact that it is to be done in the name of the Lord Jesus - even our very words. Then in vs. 23 it is said a little differently. "And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men..."
Another side of this is that many times we do things to "please men". There is nothing wrong with wanting to please our family, friends and neighbors but when we do something only to get a "praise" or "thank you" from people, we will never find the joy the Lord intends us to have. Many times you will serve and not receive a "praise" or "thank you". Then we find ourselves saying "Well, I am not going to do that again or did they not realize what I sacrificed to do this?" When something is done in the name of the Lord Jesus he says "you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ."
In spite of my feelings I did what she asked me to do.
This morning I was reading Colossians 3 and when I read vs. 17 I was reminded of the attitude I had regarding the help I gave my friend. "And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."
As I began to think about this I realized the many areas of our lives this speaks to - young wives and mothers who are at home doing routine tasks, people in the work place unsatisfied and hating their jobs, people in Christian service who are burned out and not at all joyous about their service, children or teens who hate school and dread every class, and those times we are asked to help a friend or neighbor. The list goes on and we could all fit into any one of those categories. I would venture to say that most of the time as we perform various tasks we do not give a lot of thought to the fact that it is to be done in the name of the Lord Jesus - even our very words. Then in vs. 23 it is said a little differently. "And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men..."
Another side of this is that many times we do things to "please men". There is nothing wrong with wanting to please our family, friends and neighbors but when we do something only to get a "praise" or "thank you" from people, we will never find the joy the Lord intends us to have. Many times you will serve and not receive a "praise" or "thank you". Then we find ourselves saying "Well, I am not going to do that again or did they not realize what I sacrificed to do this?" When something is done in the name of the Lord Jesus he says "you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ."
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