God's Love Demonstrated

 

God of the Living

 “But in the account of the burning bush, even Moses showed that the dead rise, for he calls the Lord ‘the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive” (Luke 20:37-38).

Jesus was talking to Sadducees and they did not believe in the reality of a resurrection. They were the secularists of Jesus’ day, more concerned with political power in the present than eternity in the future. Jesus was correcting their false view of life after death. God is not the God of the dead, but of the living, “for to him all are alive.”

It is easy to think of life as our time on earth. Jesus taught that our lives extend far beyond our natural lifetimes. When we die physically we go on living. Paul said of believers that when we are absent from the body we are present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8). Moses at the burning bush called God the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. They are still alive.

The woman who nursed the agnostic, Professor J. H. Huxley, through his last illness said that as he lay dying he suddenly looked up, stared and whispered his last words, “So it is true.” It is true! There is life after we die physically and for those who believe in Jesus it is life in the presence of God forever.

He Doesn't Give Up on Us!

 “Peter replied, ‘Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: ‘Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times’ ” (Luke 22:60-61).

No one who follows Jesus wants to fail. This was one of the most noted failures in history. Peter, who had followed Jesus for three years, denied knowing Him. If any event would look on the surface like a disqualifying decision it would be Peter’s denying Christ. Peter himself was so broken by his failure that he wept bitterly.

Peter had thought he wasn’t capable of failing this miserably. He had said that if all others forsook Jesus he would not. He’s like many of us who look ahead and overestimate what we would do under pressure. His pride and self-confidence were shattered.

That, however, isn’t the end of Peter’s story. When Jesus rose from the dead He sent word to His disciples “and Peter.” When we give up on ourselves He doesn’t give up on us. On the day of Pentecost Peter stood and openly proclaimed his allegiance to Jesus. He did that at the risk of his own safety. Don’t let a moment of failure ruin the rest of your life. Jesus forgives us our weaknesses and empowers us to go on to a life of purpose. Failure doesn’t disqualify us because we serve a God who knows how to restore us so we can fulfill our destinies.

Why Haven't You Healed Me? (Do Read the Interpretation of the Video)

 

Jesus had just told his disciples he was sending them out two by two to preach the gospel, heal the sick, cast out demons etc, when James (little James (yes there were two James’s)) approached Jesus asking a difficult question … ”you want me to go and heal others, and I’ve seen you heal others also, but why haven’t you healed me, one of your own?”  … a great question!

James is depicted here as a quiet, perhaps even hesitant / shy man, and also he had a significant debilitating limp when walking …

 “But Lord, why haven’t you healed me?”

Jesus looks at James and answers him …

-         My Father and I trust you.

-         I heard your cry in my Fathers will, but He and I had another plan for you.

-         Remember, I love you.

-         Remember, you are so very precious to me.

-         You, James, have the power to heal others – it’s My power yes, but you have the mandate and authority to administer it.

-         Many, thousands, even tens of thousands, will testify of me because I have healed them, but how precious to my Father and I is the testimony of one who believes in me and praises God even when he isn’t healed. Your reward will be great.

-         Suffering develops patience on earth knowing that in eternity, there will be no suffering.

-         Not everyone can bear this – my Father and I trust you with this calling.

-         It’s easy to say “I am fearfully and wonderfully made” but acknowledging it doesn’t make the here and now any easier knowing that, and that’s fine to feel that way, don’t condemn yourself. 

-         Don’t compare yourself to others – your journey is tailor made for you to bring glory to God.

-         The Father doesn’t care what you may look like, a limp, a stutter, a strange way of having to do things, He looks at the heart.

-         It’s easy for me (Jesus) to heal the body, but the heart of man is much harder to heal.

-         James, you will be a healer of hurt and hardened hearts. God is far more interested in the healing of the human heart, more than just the body alone.  

-         The Fathers plan for people may be a mystery to you, and that’s okay.

-         The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away – Blessed be the name of the Lord.

-         Hold on, and keep holding on and you will discover your true strength because of your weakness.

-         The impact of what you hold onto despite of your imperfection will last for generations.

-         The infirm going about healing others i.e. “the wounded healer” – wow! what a precious thing in the eyes of the Lord!

-         Finally, remember … Yes, you will be completely healed; one day when you pass from this scene, and in the presence of your Father in heaven, you will leap like a young deer in a spring meadow, it’s just a matter of time.

Prayer of Protection

 

Prayer for Healing

 

Courage in God (Daily Readings)