Thoughts on Life
Living Life God’s Way and Enjoying it Too
from the desk of John Grant
THE LORD WHO HEALS
He said, “If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.” – Exodus 15:6
Throughout the Bible, God describes many names of His character. Through Jesus, God has many gifts for us. One of my favorites is YAHWEH-RAPHA: “The Lord Who Heals” He heals both in body and soul; In body, by preserving from and curing diseases, and in soul, by pardoning iniquities.
God heals in different ways. I remember an elderly pastor telling me about visiting a very ill person who asked the pastor to pray for his healing. The pastor asked what kind of healing did he want. Quite surprised the patient thought there was only one kind of healing. The pastor explained that no, there were five.
Sometimes God heals instantaneously, right now, right there. Usually that’s what most of us think about when we think about healing.
But there are other ways. God has his timetable and most of the time it is not ours. Sometimes God heals over time, often to provide both physical healing and a time for spiritual healing and regeneration.
Often, especially in this age of modern medicine, God leads us to a remedy, some medical procedure or medical provider who has the key to our healing.
The ability to cope with our affliction is a form of healing. It doesn’t go away, but God equips us to live with it.
Lastly, God’s ultimate form of healing is to prepare us for the eternal crossing to be ready to be accepted in His arms and hear the words “Well done my good and faithful servant.”
Reflection: How have you asked God to heal your afflictions and have you considered the different way He heals?
Prayer: Oh God, you are the great healer and I ask you to heal all of my diseases in the manner and in the time you have pre-ordained for my life here on earth. You know what is your plan for my life and I pray for strength to follow it obediently.
SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES
Good morning:
As you got up I watched and hoped you would talk to me. Just a few words, such as thanking me for something good in your life yesterday or last week, would do.
But I noticed you were busy selecting the right clothes for work. I waited again to hear from you. When you ran around the house collecting papers, I knew there would be a few minutes to stop and say hello, but you never slowed down.
I wanted to tell you that I could help you accomplish more than you ever dreamed possible if you would just spend some of each day with me. At one point you waited fifteen minutes in a chair with nothing to do. I waited to hear from you.
Then I saw you spring to your feet; I thought you wanted to talk to me, but you ran to the phone and called a friend. I watched as off to work you went and waited patiently all day long to hear from you. With all your activities you were too busy to talk with me.
I noticed at lunch you looked around; maybe you just felt embarrassed to talk to me. You glanced three tables over and noticed some of your friends talking to me before they ate, but you wouldn’t.
There was still more time left, and I hoped that we would talk. You went home and had many things to do. After they were done, you turned on the TV; just about anything goes there and you spend many hours watching. I waited as you continued watching TV and ate your meal but again you wouldn’t talk to me.
At bedtime you were totally tired. After you said good night to your family you plopped into bed and fell asleep. I had so much wanted to be part of your day. We could have had so much fun and accomplished so much together.
I love you so much that I wait everyday for a thought, prayer or thanks. Well, maybe tomorrow! I’ll be waiting.
Your Friend,
God
QUOTES YOU CAN USE
The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.
He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.
He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.
Psalm 23: 1-3 NLT
Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.
Deuteronomy 31:6 New King James Version (NKJV)
Hope is brightest when it dawns from fears overcome by Faith!
2 Corinthians 1:10
A man wrapped up in himself makes a very small package!
Proverbs 18:2
Selected portions of Thoughts on Life can also be read atwww.thoughtsaboutgod.com/blog.
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