He goes. Our friend. To a service. Where Acts is not just another book. Sitting dormant in the Big Black Book. Taking space. Upon the shelf.
Not a history lesson. Or pages in the New Testament. Great for, religious sounding theological discussions.
But, a blueprint. For the church. In action. Instruction. For those Redeemed, needing a Savior.
And I gather. To be in the presence. Of faith-filled believers. Who don’t stumble over idiosyncrasies. Loosing faith because the Sunday morning play list….doesn’t go the way they planned.
And as pastor prays. He says, “Someone has a pain in their side. God wants to heal you from this.”
Friend goes up front. So uninhibited. Non-nonchalant. Getting prayer. Without any lightening bold or demonstration that God even saw….let alone heard…..his prayer.
Pastor continues, “When you go to the doctor, they will wonder why you are coming. He will find nothing.” Friend sits back down. Wondering if anything happened.
Next a.m. Dr. appointment. Earlier scheduled. (Pastor didn’t know it) And it’s as it was said. Healed. Though two surgeries earlier. Required. As he struggled from the same condition.
Yet, this time. Prayers. Not vapors of empty hope. Thrown out for the sake of dutiful religion.
But powerful. Active. Like a double edge sword. Cutting away the growth. And pain, of a prior diagnosis of a hernia.
Husband calls this morning. We talk….
Why are some healed? And some not? And though Job in the Bible suffered a lot. And Paul walked around with a thorn in his flesh. And prayed for it to be removed. God left it there. Keeping him humble. Telling him….
“My grace is sufficient for you.”
I open the word and find….
And I think of the adulterous woman. Naked. Abused. Speechless.
We learn to wear our infirmities. Like old wine skin. Bursting at the weight of some personal trials. Or condemnation. Carrying the pain of the shadows of our shame….
Even if the Bible says, Jesus bore our stripped. We are healed. Not because of our goodness….but as we come to Him vulnerable.Cannot a doctor heal….but only a Savior Redeem?
And I think….it is less about our healing and more about where we are looking.
Isn’t He enough?
- Stir up faith.
- Believe in a good God.
- Trust He is for us…not against us.
- Know….He works all things only for our benefit.
- And He looks down….not because of our self striving, duty bound, built up religion….or because we are martyrdom victims trying to trudge our way to eternity.
Freedom. Paid for by the blood of our precious Jesus. Given only by the grace of His generous Spirit….
Update: After over a month since this happened, our friend is still healed. Fully. Completely. No more pain. No more discomfort. Not the slightest sign of his years of issues.
Yes….if I had not witnessed it myself, I might not have believed it too. But it is true…..
Jesus does still heal.
Are you vulnerable to healing?
Linking with Emily, Jen @ Finding Heaven, Shanda, Women Living Well)
12 Comments
Hi stopping by from Shandra’s link up! this is a beautiful post! Yes Jesus still heals… you are so right HE heals not of our works… willing and vulnerable to receive it 🙂 blessings to you
Wow, very powerful, such a blessing.
Praises for you friend…glorious…and I love the encouragement here to open ourselves fully to God’s love…holding nothing back…oh what God can do with a life fully yielded to His love…my hearts desire~ blessings to you~
http://tuningmyhearttopraise.blogspot.com/2012/11/two-fathers-call-me-friend.html
Danise – First, I LOVE how you spell your name! So glad you we are both on the same page! Thanks for coming for a visit. Hope to see more of you!
Denise – Always love the bowing knees I see when I read your comment. Keeps me grounded & am reminded that when we are low…He is most high & exalted!
Ro – Oh yes….fully yielded to His love…
Wow…this is a beautiful post! His love is unmoving…he never gives up on us, even when we give up on ourselves. Visiting from On Your Heart Tuesdays.
Mitzi – Thanks for the visit~! Yes, He is faithful…even when we are faithless! Amen & ever so thankful for that, my new friend! 🙂
Asking for healing truly is a vulnerable act. Thanks for sharing this story of hope and healing, Jen. You make many interesting points and always encourage!
Beth – It is….isn’t it!? What if we ask & aren’t healed? What if we come before God & others & show our scars. What then? Such a great point Beth! Thanks for your insight!
yes. our God is enough. yes.
So much thought went into this post; I can tell. Healing (and the lack of) is a subject in which I have a lot of interest; I have a loved one (and fellow believer) who has suffered for many years w/o relief. Please pray for him; his name is Carl.
Di- God has used you powerfully with this message of SOZO.
Today I was teaching a work colleague from a traditional church about spiritual warfare as the boy he works with, son of wonderful Christian parents- is possessed- even our non- believing boss says so. And here you are giving me the exact scriptures I need to give Jack. Thanks!
When we render this spirit in this boy inoperative in our presence- he behaves beautifully.
Praying for you Di- any news following from our last conversation?
Many blessings and love, Mary.
Emily – Oh that we might grasp the length & the width & the depth of our Father’s love!
Brandee – Praying for Carl. That the blood of our glorious King might cover Him & make Him whole.
Mary – Praise God that His timing is perfect! Yes, we do not war against flesh and blood, but powers, principalities, & rulers of this dark world. I will have to check my face book & get back to you about where we left off. Thanks for caring. Thanks for praying. Thanks for asking, friend.