Promise for Today - Blessing the Broken

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted, and he saves those whose spirits have been crushed.

Psalm 34:18 (NCV)

You don’t just "get over" a loss. You can’t go under it; you can’t go around it. You’ve got to go through the grief. And if you’re scared to express emotion and refuse to go through it, you just get stuck.

You get unstuck by letting God help you. Here are six ways God blesses a broken heart.

1. God draws you close to himself.
Psalm 34:18 says, “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted, and he saves those whose spirits have been crushed” (NCV). When you grieve, God is not a million miles away, even though it may feel like it. In fact, he’s never been any closer.

2. God grieves with you.
The Bible tells us that Jesus was “a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief” (Isaiah 53:3 NLT). When you come to Jesus with your grief, he knows what you’re talking about, and he understands your pain. God is not apathetic. He is sympathetic, and he grieves with you.

3. God gives you a church family for support.
We’re meant to grieve and heal in community. We’re better together! The Bible says, “In Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. . . . Be devoted to one another in love. . . . Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn” (Romans 12:5, 10, 15 NIV).

4. God uses grief to help you grow.
God uses grief and pain to help you become more like Christ, and he does it in three ways:
God uses pain to get your attention (Romans 5:3-5), he brings good out of bad (Romans 8:28), and he prepares you for eternity (2 Corinthians 4:17-18).

5. God gives you the hope of heaven.
Your life on earth is short, but if you trust Jesus Christ for your salvation, then you have the hope of spending eternity in heaven with God. That hope will sustain you through your time of loss. The Bible says in 1 Thessalonians 4:13, “We don’t want you to be ignorant about those who have died. We don’t want you to grieve like other people who have no hope” (GW).

6. God uses your pain to help others.
This is called redemptive pain, and it is the highest and best use of the pain you go through. God does not want you to waste a hurt. “[God] comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us” (2 Corinthians 1:4 NLT).

Talk It Over

Why do you think God has allowed you to experience grief and loss?

How does God want you to minister to others who grieve without hope?

What is the deepest pain you have experienced? In what ways can you use that pain to help others?

- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father, 

         We ask You for a fresh vision of what breakthrough will look like in our lives. Help us to pursue healing while we wait for Your miracle. Show us how to rest right in the middle of the storm. Help us to enjoy the feast You prepare for us, right in the middle of the battlefield. We want our whole life to testify that there’s a God in heaven who knows our names and who will get us safely home. Fill us afresh with the wonder of Your love and power. We are determined to win this battle by Your Grace. Help us to discern when to rest, when to feast, and how to actively engage our faith as we wait for You to break through. May our lives display Your power and Truth. Do the impossible in and through us, in Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - Dependent Strength

You bless all who depend on you for their strength.
Psalm 84:5 (CEV)

Are you tired? Maybe you’re running on steam, and at the end of each day, you’ve run out of energy. The reason why is really simple: You’re a human being. Your strength is limited. But God’s strength is unlimited. Your strength is finite. But God’s strength is infinite. Your strength is exhaustible—that’s why you get exhausted! But God’s strength is inexhaustible. God never runs out of energy. God never gets tired.

Psalm 84:5 says, “You bless all who depend on you for their strength” (CEV). Do you want God’s blessing on your life? Then you need to depend on God for your strength.

Hudson Taylor was an influential missionary to China in the 19th century. He was a spiritual giant and a brilliant man. In his old age, he lost his health and became quite weak. He wrote a letter to a friend that said, “I am so weak I can no longer work. I am so weak I can no longer study. I am so weak I can no longer read my Bible. I cannot even pray. I can only lie still in the arms of God like a little child in trust.”

At some point in your life, you may be so weak that you can’t even pray, read the Bible, go to a Bible study, work, or really do anything. What do you do in those moments? You rest in the strength of the Lord—in his arms like a little child—and you trust.

Weakness can actually be a good thing in your life if it causes you to depend on God. In 2 Corinthians 12:8-10 NLT, Paul says, “Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, ‘My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.’ So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong”.

That’s the paradox of depending on God: The weaker you are, the more you depend on him. And the more you depend on him, the stronger you get.

Talk It Over

Why is it sometimes difficult to admit or show weakness?

How does your culture perpetuate the idea that you have to be strong all the time?

What does it mean to depend on God’s strength? What would that look like in your life?
- by Pastor Rick
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Prayer:

Father,
          Your Word promises that Your Strength is made perfect in our weakness. Isaiah teaches that when we wait upon You, our strength will be renewed; we will mount up with wings like eagles; we will run and not be weary and walk and not faint. And also that we don't have to fear, for You are with us. You are our God. You promise to strengthen and help us, and hold us up with Your righteous right hand. Fill our bodies with Your healing power and our spirits with unwavering faith. Grant us the peace and comfort found only in Your presence. Teach us to rest in Your timing, to trust Your plans, and to draw from the strength You provide so we can continue living for Your purpose. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Two-fisted Faith Fight

Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; Save me, and I shall be saved, For You are my praise.
Jeremiah 17:14 NKJV

Ten years and two months plus a few days ago, I had a full hip replacement surgery. It did not go well. I got an infection with weeks and weeks of antibiotics, one of which almost killed me. When I was finally able to walk again, I was diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). The pain associated with CRPS is most often at the top of the McGill Pain Scale. When the water from the shower hurts you, clothes - anything - touching your skin, sheets, blankets must be the softest possible to be even close to bearable. Sometimes, the very breeze from a fan could send me over the edge. 

By the grace of God, I have a high tolerance when it comes to pain, but I cannot tell you the number of times I cried myself to sleep, begging God to just let me die rather than go through one more day of it! Nevertheless, Thy will be done...  And faithful friends and family prayer warriors, without whose prayers I would have been undone.

For the first couple of years, I questioned my purpose for being alive. I wallowed in the pain and self-pity. Then, as I stopped navel-gazing and asking why, I finally recognized the truth that nothing comes into my life without going through God. I surrendered it to Him instead of trying to fight it by myself. There were days when I considered it a victory to just get out of bed. I remember one night in particular, crying out to God that there was no way I could do this the rest of my life, and I felt in my heart that He asked, "Can you do it just for today? Today is all I ask of you." So, that's what we did. One day at a time. I didn't know if I would ever catch my healing on this side of Heaven, but I learned that every day I woke up, I had purpose. If only to encourage one person. If only to offer a Promise for Today. If I could be a listening ear. Hold a hand. And God's grace poured out. Grace enough for today. To embrace His Word, such as our text for today. And 2 Corinthians 12:9, that His grace is sufficient, and numerous other verses to stand on the foundation of His Word. 

THEN, I woke up one morning recently and there was NO nerve pain. I thought perhaps I had died, but when I opened my eyes, I was still here. For 3 days, it was like being in shock. I'd forgotten what it felt like to be without violent nerve pain. It's indescribable. And I am beyond grateful to God!

This is the shortened version, but know that I have received the miracle of healing from Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. Ten years and two months plus a few days later. Don't give up, Dear Ones. As long as you are drawing breath, you have purpose. God is faithful.

Prayer:

Father,

          Thank You that everything is a teaching moment with You, to strengthen our faith and trust in You, to bring us closer to You, to open our eyes to see beyond our circumstances, and learn who You are in Your fullness. Thank You that Your power is made perfect in our weaknesses. It is Your breath in our lungs and we praise You with every one. Help us to always keep our focus on You and our hearts receptive to Your leading. And help us to see those around us who have needs. We want to be Your hands and feet and love extended. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today Favorite - Drawing a Crowd

Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them.
Matthew 15:30 NIV

Everywhere Jesus went, He drew a crowd. It didn't matter where He went. By the sea, they crowded Him into a boat. In the Temple, on the mountain, and even when He tried to get away into the countryside by Himself, they flocked to Him and He took pity on them. Jesus healed all their diseases and wound up feeding thousands.

What do you think drew them to Jesus? His love? His compassion? His miracles? Wanting to see the supernatural? Were they looking for answers? Relief from their personal suffering? Probably all of those things. And more than likely, there were those who were just following the crowd.

Not all of them loved Him. Not all of them believed He was the Messiah, the only begotten Son of God. And yet, He ministered to all of them. He loved all of them. He healed them.

What drew us to Christ? Truly TO Him and not just hanging around Him. Do we still have the fervor of our first love with Him? If not, why not? If not, let's ask the Holy Spirit to expose whatever it is that has caused the separation. Let God's Word - His living Word - be established in our lives. Jeremiah 24:7 NIV, "I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart."

If we have Jesus living large in us, do people see His love and His compassion in us? Are we pointing them to the Cross and His saving grace and mercy? We might not draw a crowd, but are we drawing those within our sphere of influence?

Prayer:

Father,
          According to Your Word, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall be converted to You." In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Lent - Day 28 - Healing in Marriage

Lent Devotions from Concordia University 2025
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Now when Jesus had finished these sayings, he went away from Galilee and entered the region of Judea beyond the Jordan. And large crowds followed him, and he healed them there. And Pharisees came up to him and tested him by asking, “Is it lawful to divorce one's wife for any cause?” He answered, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate. They said to him, “Why then did Moses command one to give a certificate of divorce and to send her away?” He said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.” The disciples said to him, “If such is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry.” But he said to them, “Not everyone can receive this saying, but only those to whom it is given. For there are eunuchs who have been so from birth, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let the one who is able to receive this receive it.
Matthew 19:1-12

We cannot get around Jesus’ very pointed comments on the subject of divorce. God hates divorce. It goes against what He established since creation. These are difficult words to hear, especially coming authoritatively from the lips of Christ Himself. Our world often colors divorce as a neat and clean break, trying to separate it from the brokenness in the marriage that led up to it in the first place. However, if you have been divorced, helped others through a divorce, are a “child of divorce,” or have in any other way been impacted by divorce, then you have seen the effects. It fills lives with grief, hurt, anxiety, anger, fear, pain and distress.

When God established marriage He had something much different in mind for us. He desired that a man and woman would have a unique bond when joined together as husband and wife. They would benefit from mutual companionship and be blessed by what comes in this unique relationship where each is singularly committed to the wellbeing of the other. Our world tries to persuade us with different understandings and expectations for marriage; painting it as a mutually beneficial situation that is only worth it as long as we are getting what we want out of it. In marriage God unites husband and wife as one flesh, making divorce the tearing apart of that flesh.

But God brings healing. He can bring healing to any marriage in hardship, even when divorce seems imminent. He can bring healing to individuals who have gone through divorce. He can bring healing to anger, hurt, betrayal, and shame. God has a powerful forgiveness that we can give to those who have wronged us. He has a powerful forgiveness for us if we have wronged others. He can, He has, He does bring healing; for our God is the God of reconciliation.
May we recognize the hurt that is a reality of our marriages not worked at with God’s purpose in mind and in the divorces that dissolve them. May we comfort those who have experienced this. May we be at work for our own marriages (now or if in the future) to guard and protect them as sacred gifts. May we help to guard and encourage the marriages of others. May we give guidance and good counsel to any who might be considering marriage, that they would be joined together according to God’s intentions.


Prayer:

God,
Protect marriages everywhere, and provide healing to those who may still be dealing with hurt from divorce. Amen.

Lent - Day 27 - A Destructive Infection

Lent Devotions from Concordia University 2025

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At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. 

Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes! And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into the hell of fire. See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven. 

What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish. 

If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. 

Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” 

Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times. Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. 

So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.

Matthew 18:1-35

Before modern medicine and technology, it was common for injuries to require the immediate amputation of a limb. This was done in order to prevent an infection from developing and spreading to the rest of the body and potentially causing death. Infection can kill. So can the infection of sin. While Jesus’ words seem over the top, His message is not. If we knew there was a sin that would directly lead to us falling away from faith, wouldn’t we do everything we could to never fall into that sin? If we fully knew the damaging effect our sinful actions or words would have on others, wouldn’t we work to not commit those sins?

 

All sin is an infection; it leads to other sin, corrupts and destroys other areas of our life, spreads hurt to others, and often does irreparable harm. Is it any wonder Jesus was willing to pay the ultimate price to bring about life and healing to a world infected with sin? Christ calls us to address the sin that exists in our life: Sin which we try to minimize, cover up, ignore, or pretend to have under control. “Cut it out of your bodies,” He says. Turn it over to Him, and let Him mend and heal you. Most importantly, let Him speak His Word which does not excuse it or explain it away but rather forgives it, as ugly as it is.

Prayer:

Lord, 

         Remove the infection. Help us to contend with our sin honestly and make changes in our lives where changes are needed. Help us to rest in the only cure and healing balm—the Cross of Calvary and Your precious blood. Amen.

Lent - Day Nine - Confident Prayer

Lent Devotions from Concordia University 2024

50 Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way. 51 As he was going down, his servants met him and told him that his son was recovering. 52 So he asked them the hour when he began to get better, and they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.” 53 The father knew that was the hour when Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” 

John 4:50-53a

C.S. Lewis once wrote about how the devil plants “the haunting suspicion that the practice (of prayer) is absurd and can have no objective result…. If the thing he prays for doesn’t happen, then that is one more proof that petitionary prayers don’t work; if it does happen, he will, of course, be able to see some of the physical causes which led up to it, and therefore it would have happened anyway, and thus a granted prayer becomes just as good proof as a denied one that prayers are ineffective.” [C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters; Letter 27.]

With John’s account of the official’s son, we are shown something different. A man, whose child desperately needs healing, recognizes that he is powerless and turns to Christ. He has heard reports that Jesus can help and will grant mercy. When Jesus says, “Go; your son will live,” the man believes and goes on his way. 

This is faith: seeing that Christ is kind, the gracious savior of all men, and that He invites us to come to Him confidently. While satan plants all sorts of seeds of doubt, the Holy Spirit summons in us the courage to go to God, call upon Him in prayer, and believe His word.

Prayer: 

Lord Jesus, 

                   Thank You for Your invitation to pray confidently and without fear. Draw near to ___________________ who needs Your healing. If it is Your will [for their life], grant them healing. Amen.

Reading Further - John 4:43-54

43 After the two days he departed for Galilee. 44 (For Jesus himself had testified that a prophet has no honor in his own hometown.) 45 So when he came to Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him, having seen all that he had done in Jerusalem at the feast. For they too had gone to the feast.

46 So he came again to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine. And at Capernaum there was an official whose son was ill. 47 When this man heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. 48 So Jesus said to him, “Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.” 49 The official said to him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” 50 Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way. 51 As he was going down, his servants met him and told him that his son was recovering. 52 So he asked them the hour when he began to get better, and they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.” 53 The father knew that was the hour when Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” And he himself believed, and all his household. 54 This was now the second sign that Jesus did when he had come from Judea to Galilee.

Healing Scriptures

Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits – who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases. 

Psalm 103:2-3

I have several friends who are currently dealing with CoVID and a couple who are battling for their very lives.  I can't fix this, but I can pray and I can proclaim God's TRUTH over the facts and symptoms. And so I offer the same weapons of warfare for your benefit, as well. 

My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart. For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh. (Prov 4:20-22 NKJV)

Not a word failed of any good thing which the LORD had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass. (Josh 21:45 NKJV)

...for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. (Phil 2:13 NKJV)

But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. (Rom 8:11 NKJV)

For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. (2 Cor 1:20 NKJV)

And behold, a leper came and worshipped Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean. Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed. (Mat 8:2-3 NKJV)

“If you diligently heed the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who heals you.” (Exo 15:26 NKJV)

“So you shall serve the LORD your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you. (Exo 23:25 NKJV)

“And the LORD will take away from you all sickness, and will afflict you with none of the terrible diseases of Egypt which you have known, but will lay them on all those who hate you. (Deu 7:15 NKJV)

Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. (Psa 103:1-5 NKJV)

He sent His word and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions. (Psa 107:20 NKJV)

I shall not die, but live, And declare the works of the LORD. (Psa 118:17 NKJV)

“I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; (Deu 30:19 NKJV)

With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation.” (Psa 91:16 NKJV)

But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. (Isa 53:5 NKJV)

For I will restore health to you And heal you of your wounds,’ says the LORD,  (Jer 30:17 NKJV)

“Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. (Mat 18:18 NKJV)

“Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. (Mat 18:19 NKJV)

So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. “For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. (Mark 11:22-23 NKJV)

“Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. (Mark 11:24 NKJV)

...even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; And I will not remember your sins. Put Me in remembrance; Let us contend together; State your case, that you may be acquitted. (Isa 43:25-26 NKJV)

“And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; “they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” (Mark 16:17-18 NKJV)

“Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him. (John 9:31 NKJV)

“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. (John 10:10 NKJV)

Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. (Gal 3:13-14 NKJV)

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. (Heb 10:23 NKJV)

Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. (Heb 10:35 NKJV)

“... Let the weak say, ‘I am strong.’” (Joel 3:10 NKJV)

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Heb 13:8 NKJV)

Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. (3 John 1:2 KJV)

Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. (James 5:14-15 NKJV)

...who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed. (1 Pet 2:24 NKJV)

Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. (1 John 5:14-15 NKJV)

Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. (1 John 3:21-22 NKJV)

...God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (2 Tim 1:7 NKJV)

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, (2 Cor 10:4-5 NKJV)

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; (Eph 6:10-17 NKJV)

“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. (Rev 12:11 NKJV)

What do you conspire against the LORD? He will make an utter end of it. Affliction will not rise up a second time. (Nahum 1:9 NKJV)

Prayer:

Father,

          We choose the Truth of Your Word over facts. We are gathered here in Your Name asking for miracles. We pray BELIEVING and proclaiming it for those in need of Your healing touch right now. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

What's Your Answer?

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

2nd Timothy 1:7 NKJV

Everywhere you look, everything you listen to, chances are most people you speak with are talking about CoVid-19. First, let me say I pray for the comfort and peace for the families of those who have passed away from this disease. I pray for wisdom and guidance for all healthcare providers and the leaders making decisions. I pray for all the countries that are affected by it, but most of all - I come against it in the Name of Jesus Christ who is our Jehovah Raphe, our Healer. By whose stripes we are healed according to God's Word. Whose Name is above everything that is named, including Covid-19. 

There's a lot of misinformation and an overwhelming, disproportionate amount of fear-mongering. As Christians, I believe we are to stand against anything that raises its ugly head in fear because fear is the opposite of faith and without faith, it is impossible to please God. The Bible talks about times like this, in Luke 21, "...people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world", but it goes on to say, Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. That is cause for peace in the midst of the storm. So I would say, "Heads-up, people! Don't be in fear about what is going on around you." The answer to every crisis - no matter what, no matter how, no matter when - is always Jesus.

Search His Word. In it is where you will find your answers. 1st Peter 3:15b NIV tells us, Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. What's your hope? What's your answer?

Prayer:

Father,

          We come against the spirit of fear that is not of You, and we come against it the Name of Jesus Christ. We pray healing for all those who are ill, by the power of the stripes that Jesus took on His back to purchase our healing. We pray, Father, for a fresh anointing of Your peace, the kind of peace that only You can bring. We pray for the restoration of common sense and calm. We know that Your Word says when the enemy comes in like a flood that You will lift up a standard against him. Lift up the standard, Father. Stop the onslaught of the enemy and his diseases, in Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Paralyzed by Sin

Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a sleeping mat. They tried to take him inside to Jesus, but they couldn’t reach him because of the crowd. So they went up to the roof and took off some tiles. Then they lowered the sick man on his mat down into the crowd, right in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the man, “Young man, your sins are forgiven.”

Luke 5: 18-20 NLT

Healing was flowing (vs 17c), and their faith was high. They knew was this was the right time. This was the right place. All they had to do was get him to Jesus. Yes, there were obstacles in their way. First the crowd, then the roof. Still, they pressed on and after all that, managed to lower him right in front of Jesus. So, what do you think the friends thought when He said, ...your sins are forgiven?  Jesus saw their faith; that was not why they brought him. The plan was to get him there so Jesus would heal him.

Then to top it off, the church leaders start arguing with Jesus over whether or not his sins are forgiven, while he, the paralytic, is now the cynosure of all eyes - lots of eyes because remember, the place was packed. In all reality, probably just a few minutes, but if it were you lying there, how long would it seem to be?  

Let's freeze it for a moment and think about it. Okay, my sins are forgiven, now what? I'm not going anywhere. Chaos has broken out around me. People are staring at me. I feel vulnerable and exposed. What do I do?!? 

Wait for it? Wait for the Word - Jesus' Word - even when it might seem that He's not paying attention to you. Wait for it - search for the answer. It's in His Word. He gives us what we need most. We want physical healing; He wants to give us complete healing. He wants to make us whole. Even when everyone's watching and it seems like nothing is happening... Jesus will turn to us with a Word, just like He turned to the paralyzed man in verse 24 and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” 

Life lesson - press in, press on, praise God! Don't be paralyzed by sin anymore, but don't move until He tells you to. 

Prayer:

Father,

           Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for sending Christ to die for the forgiveness of our sins so that we can be made whole. Help us to hear and obey when You speak to us. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

In the Same Breath

But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.
Isaiah 53:5 NLT

He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed.
1st Peter 2:24NLT

But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, He answered and said to them, “Why are you reasoning in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise up and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the man who was paralyzed, “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” Immediately he rose up before them, took up what he had been lying on, and departed to his own house, glorifying God.
Luke 5:22-25 NKJV

As Christians, we believe the Bible is the divinely-inspired Word of God and as such, we believe it is true. We also believe the purpose of Jesus dying on the Cross was to pay the price for our sins so we can be forgiven. We can believe that we are forgiven because Christ's death on the Cross set us free from sin. So... then I have a question.

As witnessed in our Scripture references above, the Lord talks about both forgiveness and healing in the same breath. If we have no problem believing Jesus forgives our sins, then why don't we believe in healing? 

Prayer:

Father, 

           We pray as the father prayed in Mark 9:24, We believe! Help our unbelief! Shine the light of Your Truth on Your Word as we study it. Reveal to us all that You would have us to know. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Think It Not Strange

Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.
1st Peter 4:12 NLT

It feels like forever since I've been able to be on here. Somehow last month, I pulled something in the middle of my back which also affected my right arm, making it extremely painful to use the mouse and keyboard. It's still painful, but it is healing; just taking much longer than I thought it would. 

I will say, though, that this truly has been a spiritual refining process with lots of time to think and time to listen without a lot of distraction. My prayer has been that I would learn whatever it is I should learn in the process, but of course, I wanted to learn it much more quickly! 

I am not saying that God did this to me; I am just emphatically stating that the Word declares ALL things work together for good - good AND bad. It does NOT say only good things work together for our good...That has been a major part of the learning. The Word says they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength (KJV); not "they who try to rush God so He'll do all things within their desired timeframe and schedule".

Teach me, Lord, to wait.

Prayer:

Father,
         Thank You for being our Healer. Thank You that ALL things work together for our good. Thank You for Your Word that declares You give power to the weak and strength to the powerless. And that those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. Father, we choose to trust You and wait with patience for Your promises to manifest strength and complete healing. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

31 

No Known Cure

A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding. She had suffered a great deal from many doctors, and over the years she had spent everything she had to pay them, but she had gotten no better. In fact, she had gotten worse.
Mark 5:25-26 NLT

Maybe you were diagnosed. Maybe someone you love. You see the doctor's mouth moving, you know she's speaking but you haven't heard a single word after "...no known cure..." It may not be terminal, but the condition for which you sought help is not curable. There's no known treatment that will alleviate the pain, the symptoms, remove the cause. What do you do?

Generally, they will offer you options that "might help" to manage the pain, if you can financially afford a Tier 4 or Tier 5 pharmaceutical. Of course, that's if you can manage the side effects. Side effects that include the words, "In rare cases, less than 1%... may cause death." What if your medical history identifies you as one of the less than 1%? The kind of words the enemy of your soul loves. No known cure. Destined to be in pain for the rest of your natural life (or what's left of it).

Then it hit me - no known cure - what a lie!! Maybe not known in the field of medicine. Maybe not known in the scientific realm. But definitely and unequivocally KNOWN in the spirit realm. Isaiah 53:5 NLT prophesied about it before Christ was ever born on this earth. ...He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. Peter tells us again in his New Testament letter, who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. 1st Peter 2:24 NLT

If we continue on a little further in today's text, we find verses 27-29, She had heard about Jesus, so she came up behind him through the crowd and touched his robe. For she thought to herself, “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.” Immediately the bleeding stopped, and she could feel in her body that she had been healed of her terrible condition.

There IS a Known Cure! Have you heard about it? His Name is Jesus. Jehovah Rapha - Our God who heals! The side effects are incredible - Life and it more abundantly - and eternally. And it's already been paid for...

Prayer:

Father,

           Thank You for all that You are, all that You've done, and all that You're going to do. Thank You for revealing Your Truth and dispelling the darkness of the facts of this world. Thank You for the provision You made for our healing. Open our hearts to embrace Your Truth. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Friends' Favorites - Never Give Up

One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up.
Luke 18:1 NLT

Do you remember the song This is the Stuff, sung by Francesca Battistelli? It starts with these words - I lost my keys in the great unknown, and call me please, 'cause I can't find my phone. This is the stuff that drives me crazy. This is the stuff that's getting to me lately. Who knew all these years that the story of my life was a hit record waiting to happen?

As I’ve gotten older, it’s only gotten worse. I can lose something I had in my hand 10 seconds ago when I never left the room! I haven’t figured out that one yet… It seems I definitely lose more things than I can find. One of my favorite quotes of all time is this; Those who are organized and keep a clean desk will never know the joy of finding something they thought they’d lost forever.

That being said, I have to tell you - All kidding aside - I have searched and searched – in multiple versions, translations and volumes and I have NEVER found one – NOT ONE Scripture that tells me to give up when I’m praying and believing according to God’s Word. Not one. Nor will you…

And I want to tell you – it is ABSOLUTELY God’s will to heal. If it wasn’t, Jesus wouldn’t have taken the stripes on His back for our healing. So it’s very simple. Pray BELIEVING - as Jesus instructs us, as recorded in Matthew 21. And keep believing!

Never give up. Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NKJV

Prayer:

Father,
          According to Your Word in Psalm 119, verse 114, You are my refuge and my shield; Your Word is my source of hope. In You, I put my trust. I choose to believe Your Truth over anything and anybody. Let Your light of Truth shine, Father. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen

Healing by the Word *

He carried in his own body on the cross the sins we committed. He did this so that we might live in righteousness, having nothing to do with sin. By his wounds you were healed. 
1st Peter 2:24 CEB

Tonight was the first night of a 5-day conference at my church. Guest evangelist, Dale Everett taught on healing in a way that totally grabbed my attention of all God has been speaking to my spirit this week - that it's not about what I've done or haven't done. It's about WHO GOD IS. God, our Healer, is not just a name - it's His Nature. It's about Him.

During the teaching, I didn't feel goose bumps or heat or anything. It was more like feeling an expectation, but not actually feeling anything. Literally. About a quarter of the way through the service, I thought, "My ankle isn't hurting." About 15 minutes later, I realized my knees were not hurting. By midway through the service, I wanted to get up and walk! In my mind, I said, "God, I don't want to disrupt the service. This is in no way an act of unbelief. I am so grateful." It wasn't a healing line, nobody laid hands on me. I listened to the Word being taught. Isaiah 55:11 tells us, It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.

At the end of the service, Dale said if we felt like God had done something for us to come to the front. I stood up and WALKED TO THE FRONT! Then when he found out I had not walked without a cane or walker for a year, he took my hand and said, "Let's go for a walk!" And we walked back and forth across the front of the church.

I LEFT THE WALKER AND THE CANE AT THE ALTAR!!!!

BY THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB AND THE WORD OF MY TESTIMONY!! ALL GLORY TO GOD!!

Prayer:

Father, 

           I can never praise You enough or thank You enough for saving me and the provision You have made for me throughout my life. This healing that You've done tonight is miraculous and I give You all glory! Let it be a witness to someone in need tonight. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Where Two or Three Agree *

“I can guarantee again that if two of you agree on anything here on earth, my Father in heaven will accept it. Where two or three have come together in my name, I am there among them.”

Matthew 18:19-20 God's Word Translation

     This is one of the many promises in God's Word and I ask you to come into agreement with those who are already praying. Tonight, I'm asking everyone who reads this post to please pray for a baby boy named Asa. In case this is the first time you have heard about this, Asa is the 8-month-old son of a man who works for the same company as me. On February 11th, Asa was diagnosed with a hepatoblastoma (liver cancer tumor) in the left lobe of his liver. 
     The tumor is approximately 6in x 5in x 4in. They started chemo on Feb 19.  Asa started running fever on Feb 23.  He tested positive for adenovirus the week of Feb 25.  He has had hemoglobin count issues and has had to have 4 blood transfusions.  He needed plasma (platelets) after throwing up mucous that had blood in it.

Asa is a special little guy. His name means 'physician/healer' and Josiah (his middle name) means 'Yahweh heals.'  His Dad writes, "I know that God will use this for His glory."

Sunday, March 9th update from his Dad:
     Asa is still in ICU.  His blood work is looking better.  His immune system is starting to recover after his first round off chemotherapy.  
     His adenovirus symptoms are getting worse.  His breathing and heart rate are too fast.  He continues to have fever every 4 to 6 hrs.
     Please pray for an improvement before his 2nd round of chemo which is scheduled this week.
     Every day something new happens.  It is hard to understand what God is doing in all this.  We are trying hard to not be afraid and just believe.

Monday, March 10th - afternoon update:
     Thank you for your prayers.  They are a sweet fragrance to our Creator. God has given me a peace that passes understanding.  I almost feel bad that I am not an emotional wreck right now.
     God has chosen a path for Asa and that involves a ventilator and sedation, because he is a fighter-they even have his little arms strapped down, it will be a fun story to share with him when he is older.
     All this can be scary but right now he is not struggling to breathe and his body can focus on fighting the virus.  He has gone 10 hrs without fever, praise the Lord!   His white blood cell count and ANC numbers have returned and his body is now doing what it is supposed to...all answers to prayers.
     Bless all of you for your prayers and kind, encouraging emails.

Wednesday, March 12th update from his dad:

Each day has its challenges.
     Please continue to pray for Asa.  He is critically ill.  Fluid retention is big problem right now. He needs to get fluid out of tissues into his blood vessels and let his kidneys do the rest.
     The adenovirus is the primary cause for his current problems.  Please pray that God will remove the virus and restore his vessels’ ability to retain fluid.

Today's update:

This picture and prayer were done by Asa's 8-year old sister. (Asa has to be free of fever for 48 hours before being released from ICU)  

Prayer Copyright © 2012 Beth McLendon of Inspirational-Prayers.com

(sent by Coppelia Rivera, KSBJ Morning Show host for Dad)

Lord God,

I praise You for Your compassion and Your goodness. Marvelous are Your healing mercies. Lord, as sickness has invaded my little one's world, I stand by watching and feeling helpless. But Lord, I am reminded that I am not helpless, but powerful in prayer.

I lift up to You my precious child, and I ask for Your healing power to fully permeate every part of my child's body. Lord, I ask that my child's body be quickly transformed into radiant health as You respond to prayer and Your healing promises in Your Word.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

Proclamation:

"I will not stop praying. 

I will not stop standing in faith until my child is healed!"