God causes medical problems
At times God causes medical problems or opportunities for miracles as Jesus shares, "THIS MAN WAS BORN BLIND SO THAT GOD'S POWER COULD BE SHOWN IN HIM". Another time Jesus had just heard that His friend Lazarus was sick and He responded, "THIS SICKNESS WILL NOT END IN DEATH. IT IS FOR THE GLORY OF GOD. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO BRING GLORY TO THE SON OF GOD". When we encounter someone with a medical problem, we may express sympathy or we may ignore them or we may give them unsolicited medical advice or we may suggest God can heal them, giving them the opportunity to ask for prayer, etc. What if God caused their medical problem so that God's healing power could be shown? How do you respond when you encounter a person who could be healed by God? Some people are bashful or hesitant. Some are concerned that God may not heal the person. Some may feel like if God doesn't heal the person it reflects on them. Many of the reasons for not mentioning the possibility of healing may fit the category where Jesus tells us to "deny" ourselves. As a follower of Jesus, God may guide you to mention that God can heal them; we may mention that Jesus says, "all things are possible with God". Recently I met with a couple for another reason with 3 young sons ages 10, 8 and 5. The 5 year old was born with a disability that includes interference with his speech. The mother was very knowledgeable about the medical details of her son's disability and even teaching him sign language. Sometimes head knowledge can interfere with being open to God. As we were causally talking about their son's disability, I mentioned to his parents that God can heal anything and I felt led by God to share a healing story I had just heard how God healed Nita after 40 years of taking Thyroid medicine. Immediately the father inserted that when he was the age of his two oldest sons, he said, "I had bumps on my neck and some men put their hands on me and I was immediately healed and the bumps left". Since he associated it with the Thyroid healing I asked if they called it a "goiter" and he said "yes". They left without requesting healing prayer for their son and I never heard from them again. Maybe I planted a seed about what God can do. One thing for sure is, God having me share about Nita's Thyroid healing and the father's response about his thyroid related healing was not a coincidence. It can be sad, if people do not respond to God but our job is to obey God and let Him do His thing.
Is it more difficult to pray for someone who has died or someone who has a medical problem from birth? Remember Jesus is very clear that "anyone believing in Me shall do the same miracles I have done". Jesus was correct regarding the sickness mentioned previously about Lazarus, when He stated, "This sickness will not end in death". Although Lazarus did die, in the end four days later, he was miraculously raised from the dead, after Jesus thanked God. It takes faith to obey God if he tells you to pray for someone who has physically died. It may take equally strong faith to pray for someone born blind or some other medical problem from birth. Next time you encounter a person needing healing and personal concerns make you hesitant to say anything, consider that the opportunity for their healing may be present "so that God's power could be shown" or "for the glory of God". Also consider that if you keep quite, the person may miss being healed. You may be that person's only chance at being healed. With that thought in mind, ask yourself what personal concerns are more important than being available to serve God at that moment? 1
1. Jn 9:2-3; 11:4 (IC); Mk 8:34; 11:27 (NI); Jn 14:12 (TL)
note: click here for bible verse and translation abbreviations
A Psalm for reflection "My whole being, praise the Lord. Do not forget all His kindnesses. The Lord forgives me for all my sins. He heals all my diseases." Ps 103:2-3 (IC)
Understanding the Teaching: What I share in the teaching is what I believe God wants me to share. All the direct quotes from God are highlighted in royal purple. Of course the words of Jesus are in red. Rather than follow some made up doctrine, remember that Jesus said that every thing He said (Jn 12:49) and everything He did (Jn 14:31) comes from God. All teachings and all opinions should be supported by what we learn from God or Jesus (see the scripture referred to in the footnote).
MARRIAGE WORKSHOP MOMENT
To refresh what you have learned in our Workshop or entice you to experience our Workshop
"Remember, all marriages can be better, if you use what you learned."
Expectations, we all have them. If they happen, we feel great. If they do not happen, we are very disappointed. Our expectations can affect every part of our marriage. Where do they come from? We can develop expectations from our friends, the media, T V, movies, our relatives, etc. We may want to consider the source of our expectation, if our expectations about marriage come from people who consider themselves experts because they have been married many times, we may want to reconsider those expectations. Yes, some expectations that seem stupid to one couple may be considered great in another marriage. Communicating your expectations with your spouse can help. (a good time to use the Speaker Listener Technique) Anticipating your communication can help. If you have an expectation that might be considered unreasonable, you may anticipate that the expectation will not be well received and refrain from suggesting it and possibility even alter your expectation. Remember that you fell in love with your spouse the way they are and not to try to change them to fit some preconceived expectation. I've known of women dying their hair because their husband always wanted a wife with a different hair color.
The Better Half "When your partner won't support your efforts to make your marriage better" Without your spouse's support to improve your marriage, you can still pray daily for God's will to be done in each of your lives and your marriage ("all things are possible with God", Mk 10:27 NI). Without your spouses help you may still inquire about what your spouse wants or expects and communicate your expectations. People usually like to talk about what they want. Remember that you fell in love with your spouse the way they are and not for some way you hoped they could be.
Email to pastor@jesuscenter.net
Hearing God's Voice - Greek Miracle - We Center on Jesus - Honoring God Physically
Eye Healing Miracle * The Alphabet is from God * Family Prayer Outline * Jesus Knows the Bible and Spoke Hebrew *