Make Us Whole!

Matthew 15:21-28; Luke 11:9-10 KJV; Jesus made the Canaanite woman's daughter whole. He can do he same for you.

We Have Been Made Whole In Christ!

Luke 17:11-19; 10 were healed; yet, only one gave thanks. How often do we truly give thanks to God?

The One Sacrifice Of Love

Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:

In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.

Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.

Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law;

Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.

By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 

                                                                  (Heb 10:5-10 KJV)

Yes, of course, we strive to do God's will. We strive not because it will save us but because we love him who was willing to sacrifice his only begotten Son to save us from the consequences of our sins. That is the only sacrifice that is needed for the cleansing of our sins.

In Christ we have been made whole. In Christ we have been forgiven.  

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Thank God For The GIfts

And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.

And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:

And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.

And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.

And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,

And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.

And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?

There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.

And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole

                                                                (Luke 17:11-19 KJV)

How many times in our lives have we been reminded to count our blessings?  In this very materialistic world we seem to always want more of something. Yet, the more we have the more we want and what we have already received often gets ignored and neglected. That would include friends and family. Do we take them for granted?

When our sons were little we always had them open their gifts from family and friends on Christmas Eve. Santa's gifts were reserved for Christmas morning. We hoped that by doing this they would not be in a big rush to tear open the presents and be at least little more appreciative and thankful for both the gift and the giver.

Christmas is supposed to be a celebration of the great gift of Jesus being born into this world and for this world. However, that gift is often neglected not just on holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas but on every day of the year. How much do we really appreciate and give thanks for the gift of his life for us? 

The ten lepers were all given a gift of healing. Nine of them ran off without even giving one word of thanks to Jesus for that gift. Only one of the was so grateful that he turned to thank Jesus. This one received even more than the gift of healing for his physical disease. He was made completely whole because of his faith in Jesus. 

Let us not just consider the gifts of God on Thanksgiving and on Christmas; but, every day of our lives for by faith in his death and resurrection we have been made whole.  Thanks be to God!

Let us give thanks for all of the gifts that God has given us!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Eyes to See

The beggar followed in the way of Jesus

And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging.

And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me.

And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy on me.

And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee.

And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.

And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight.

And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.

                                                                                     (Mark 10:46-52 KJV)

The story of the blind man begging Jesus to have mercy on him is a reminder that Jesus does indeed hear our prayers and answers.  The beggars eyes are healed. They are opened so that he might see the world around him. Jesus declares that he has been made whole. Being made whole the once blind man can now see to follow in the way of Jesus. When one is touched by the love and mercy of Jesus they are made whole.

We can never make ourselves whole. It is God in Christ Jesus who makes us whole. It is he who gives us new life; a life of wholeness in the Body of Christ; in the Kingdom of God. 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

He Answers Prayers

Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.

Is any sick among you? 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 shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.

And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.

Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;

Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins. 

                                                                              (James 5:13-20 KJV)

Pray and praise the Lord for in His he hears or prayers and answers.

What ails you? Pray to the Lord for healing and wholeness. Then thank him with songs of praise for answering your prayers.

It is difficult for one who refuses to acknowledge their own sins; yet, complains about the sins of others to have a deep faith. How can we say that we have faith in God when our faith lies in our own actions or inactions? How can we say that we have faith in God when we insist that we are not guilty of any wrong-doing?

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." (1 John 1:8)

If we have no part in the injustice and ills of the world; if we are not guilty of committing sins against God and our neighbors then why did Christ die for us?

"I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain." (Gal 2:21)

Let us not frustrate the grace of God! Christ did not die in vain. He died so that we might be forgiven our sins and reconciled to God our Father in heaven. Confess your sins; pray for healing and God in Christ Jesus will make you whole.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Wherever He Goes; We Go

And when they had passed over, they came into the land of Gennesaret, and drew to the shore.

And when they were come out of the ship, straightway they knew him,

And ran through that whole region round about, and began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard he was.

And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole.

                                                                                                                   (Mark 6:53-56)

They ran out into the desert to hear him. They ran to the other side of the lake. The people know a good thing when they hear it. They know that there is something super special about Jesus. They believe; they know that Jesus can heal them. Jesus can make them whole again. And, so they follow him. Wherever he goes they are right behind him; seeking him so that they may be made whole physically or spiritually. 

As soon as Jesus got out of the boat the people recognized him and went to him. How about you? Do you follow him? Do you recognize him? Maybe it's time to get to know Jesus a lot better and then follow wherever he will lead you.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Made Whole By Faith Alone

And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years,

And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,

When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.

For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.

And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.

And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?

And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?

And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing.

But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.

And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.

                                                                                                            (Mark 5:25-34 KJV)

Every now and then I receive an offer from (using the term very loosely) some evangelist letting me know that for a price his ministry will send me a piece of cloth for a price. If I send in the offering all I have to do is touch the cloth and I will be healed!

For sure the woman with the issue of blood touched the hem of his garment and was healed. But, it was not the cloth that made her whole. According to Jesus it was her faith that made her whole. We do not need ritual performances to make us whole. We need Jesus. There is no piece of cloth or any sort of icon or idol that we might touch that will make us whole. We are saved; we are made whole, by faith alone in the healing power of Christ alone. 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Healed By Jesus

Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.

And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.

                         (Acts 3:6-7 KJV)

And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,

If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;

Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. 

                                                                              (Acts 4:7-10 KJV)

    

Peter and John were interrogated by the cohorts of the high priest as to how they healed the lame man. They took no credit for the healing. It was simple. The lame man was healed by him whom they had crucified, Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

This man who begged for a living because he could not work was not given silver or gold. He was given life with the opportunity to earn his own keep. He was given the opportunity to walk and to live life more abundantly. He was certainly most grateful for this gift as evidenced by entering the temple walking and leaping and praising God.

In Christ Jesus, we too are made whole. Let us rejoice and be glad for the precious gift of life in him.

God's Peace - Pr. J.  

He Bore Our Sins

"For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed." 

                                                                                    (1 Pet 2:21-24 KJV)

It is causes us much grief to witness someone suffering. How much more grief we bear when we understand that the suffering and death that Jesus went through was solely for our sakes. On that cross he bore our sins in his body. He bore our sins that we might be healed; be made whole in the eyes of God.

Because of his suffering you are forgiven all of your sins! God forgives you. Don't neglect to receive that forgiveness and live life in Christ!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Rejoice In Your Salvation!

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.                                                                                                     (Psalm 51:10-12 KJV)

Each and every morning we have the opportunity to start all over again. We do not have to keep living in the same old mess. We can take a look at yesterday and know what we might need to be changed so some things don't happen again today. That is called repentance. We don't have to keep doing the same old stuff that keeps dragging us down day after day. 

In repentance we turn to God and He will lift us up with His Spirit. We have a mighty God who can take hold of our hearts and make them clean. God is with us.  He will not abandon us. Trust not in yourself; but, in the one who by his blood has gifted us reconciliation with the one who has created us and makes us whole.  He has saved us! Therefore; rejoice in your salvation!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

He's Got You In His Hands

Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. (Rom 8:35,37 NRSV)

The world is full of people who are facing challenges of every kind. It is often felt that the challenges are being faced alone. Sometimes, it is not a mere feeling of being devoid of any support of any human kind in facing these hardships. Sometimes, people do, in fact, have to face persecutions and hardships totally alone.

Whether the world has deserted us; whether the people around us have in reality or in our imaginations deserted us, we can be confident that we are never truly alone in this world. As children of the Most High God, we are never alone. God is with us always.

Every now and then when I get very weary of this world, I remember what I did when I was a child and felt so alone and weary, even depressed. When I became afraid at night when it seemed trouble most often stirred it's ugly head; that old song "He's Got The Whole World In His Hands" would run through my head. I would imagine myself curled up resting in these magnificent, protecting, comforting, huge hands and I would fall asleep.

When I find myself stressing out today, I remember those comforting moments with the Lord and I know that the Lord has still got me in His hands. There is nothing that can separate me from the love of God in Christ Jesus. He is with me always. He is with you always.

God's Peace be with you today, tomorrow, and for all eternity!  Pr. J

Humbly Pray For The Healing Of The Land

"...if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." (2 Chron 7:14 NIV)

Yesterday was the National Day of Prayer; but, we need to pray everyday for this country, for our communities, for our congregations, and for our family, friends, and neighbors.

The Lord promised Solomon that if we figured out that we were not God and turned to Him in prayer rather than pursuing our wicked ways, he would heal the land. He will make us whole. 

God sent His Son to die for us that we might be forgiven and be made whole. Yet, the land; the people, are a mess! The forgiveness of our sins; the healing of the land and ourselves are precious gifts from God. But, unless we accept these gifts they are of no use to us. It is like receiving an awesome birthday gift and then putting it on a shelf in the closet to enjoy at a later day. But, that later day never comes. We get distracted and forget to turn to that gift, take it out of the closet, use it, and enjoy the gift.

If we would have God heal us, then in humble prayer we ought to confess our sins. We ought to turn to Him and receive the precious gift of forgiveness; the precious gift of life; a life of wholeness in His sight. 

May we never forget to pray daily for the healing of our land; our country, our communities, congregations, and for our family, friends, and neighbors.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Confession And Forgiveness

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  (1 John 1:8-9 NIV)

Pretending that we have not sinned when we clearly have is a sin in itself. The inability to admit that we have sinned separates us from God and from one another. Reconciliation happens when we confess our sins and desire to be forgiven.

Willingly communicating that we are sorry for harming others opens the doors to the reconciliation that God desires for His children. It can be hard to acknowledge our part in bringing hurt to others. But, that is a first healing step for the ones we have harmed and for ourselves.

May God move us toward confession so that we might receive the forgiveness of sins and be made whole in the sight of God.

God's Peace - Pr. J