Healing By Believing In God

Being sick is not the best thing that can happen to you and although you may see doctor after doctor you sometimes tend to find that sometimes doctors cannot heal you. This article will give you some insight into how believing in God can help in the healing process.

We all know miracles happen and when you believe in God those miracles may just come to you. When you are negative about certain things in your life then you will become sick, either physically, emotionally or even mentally. When you become sick from one of these means it is very hard to pick yourself up and heal yourself. This is where believing in God comes in.

If you believe in God then he will take all the negativity away from your life. When you believe in God and allow his love to overflow into you, the negativity will be swept away. And when this happens you will start the healing process.

In the healing process you will no longer fear things that may be going to happen, you may be able to move on from an event in your life with positive thinking, or sort through a problem that you could not find a solution to. Give your worries and fears to God, he will take care of you, and if you release all the negativity from your body then you will then be a new person. You will no longer be ill and you will be able to take on what obstacles life throws at you. Trust in God and he will protect you.

So if you are feeling ill, physically, emotionally or even mentally, then why not let God take on your troubles and allow him to release you from all negativity. You will notice the difference immediately.

Imagine the world if there was no higher power to take care of us? Imagine what life would be like if we could not get on our knees and talk to God? There is no life that is as fruitful and peaceful as the one you live when you take Jesus Christ into your life as your personal savior. In the times you are down, He will lift you. Living life for Him will mean that you will never again be alone.

Finding peace of mind and real security in today's times is hard. The days that are hard seem to only get harder. With Jesus in your life, you will have Him to turn to when those times start getting to you. No crisis will seem as horrible when you know the savior walking by your side. Having the strongest shoulder of all to lean on will make a difference. This what makes men stronger.

Do you feel as though you have let Jesus down through the kind of sin you have committed? This could not be farther from the truth. Going back to Him is essentially going home again. The peace and tranquility that will your whole being when you know Jesus is in it is unmatched by any other feeling in the world.

Being separated from God is a problem that many have and do not even know it. A lot people were raised from childhood without knowing that though Jesus is the life that we are all intended to have with God. If you or someone who you know does know Jesus and the reasons why he gave His life for us, tell them right away.

If life is too hard it seems to live it or if you are experiencing many troubles that have you confused and frightened, ask Jesus to come into your heart. He will take away the fears you have. If you are in pain and feel lonely, ask Jesus to walk by you and loneliness will be a thing of the past.

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Prayerful Paraphrase of Psalm 13

Psalm 13 is a succinct and very dear Lament Psalm of David. It speaks to us in our silence, when God appears distant. We hear the psalmist declare with intense honesty before God: his longsuffering pain and the enemy that consumes him. The psalmist fears most that they will not live through this torment (which we can liken to involve a mix of physical pain, mental disharmony, emotional distress, and dire spiritual unrest). But, typical with nearly all of the biblical laments of the Psalter, the psalmist has call to sing, eventually, having been saved (yet again) by the LORD'S steadfast love.

VERSE 1

My GOD, how long? Have You forgotten me altogether? Will You not reign for me that I would again do Your bidding? Have You forgotten that call - Your call! - in my heart? I know that it was You that placed it there. But You have hidden Yourself from me; when I seek You all is silent. I love it that I can come before You, my GOD, and declare this resonating prayer, but I fail for waiting, and I wonder where You have gone. You seem very distant just now. I cannot remember when I last felt You near me.

VERSE 2

My GOD, how long must I bear this torment; this fractured sense deep in my soul? Each day I awake I am reacquainted with my agony, and uncertainty grips me in the certainty of pain. Each day the whisper of sorrow remains with me. Each day I conclude the same as the last. GOD, I have a dog of a life. You know the cause, O God of my soul. It is my enemy; that enemy that rules over me; the enemy You allow, somehow for my good. It is hard for me to fathom. I wonder, GOD, how much longer?

VERSE 3

I beseech You, my GOD, to consider me and to respond. If You supply no light for my eyes I will vanish into the slumber of my ancestors. My death is certain if You do not come.

VERSE 4

And if You do not come what is to become of me as my enemy hovers? My enemy will have prevailed. They love it because I cannot endure.

VERSE 5

But as I call upon You, as I pray before You, my GOD, You arise in my consciousness; I remember Your steadfast love; I remember trusting in it - long ago.

[Later, possibly much later... ]

Somehow, through the backdrop of my prayer, and within the ensuing months and years, You did answer me, because I trusted You. Again, I rejoiced in Your salvation and my heart was glad.

VERSE 6

Here, I will sing a song of praise to my GOD. I will sing for He has dealt lavishly with me. GOD is my God - Three-in-One - the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I pray to the Father, in the name of the Son, empowered by the Holy Spirit. AMEN.

***

Agony and adoration is our dual lot - those of the Faith. Our identification is by both.

All sad and painful journeys come to peace for those who patiently trust God by prayer. That we have a God who cares, who does hear us, is enough now and always. God vindicates those who wait on Him.

© 2012 S. J. Wickham.

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After God's Own Heart

"When it came to presenting the Message to the people who had no background in God's way, I was the least qualified of any of the available Christians. God saw to it that I was equipped, but you can be sure that it had nothing to do with my natural abilities." ~Ephesians 3:8 (Msg)

How often does God use people who seem to be ill-positioned for the tasks ahead, yet, because they have made themselves wholly available, they are given licence to move?

God not only loves using ordinary people to do extraordinary things, he insists upon it - to shame the proud. And the difference is love. The desire to make ourselves available in the realm of serving others comes from love; not from ambitious gain.

The characteristics of the available - those that have the ability to avail themselves for service in God's Kingdom - are faithfulness, openness, a teachable nature, and a servant heart.

THOSE AFTER GOD'S HEART

Those who are available willingly seek God's heart. They discern God's will and do what they need to do to obey the Spirit's leading.

They have a faithfulness about them that sets them apart to God. They are able to disappoint others if need be in order to satisfy God. This requires a high degree of differentiating discernment. But the faithful ensure they are open enough to be available.

The available have a teachable nature. They understand they have a mortgage on much knowledge, but, as everyone knows, mortgages must be paid off - they work hard to secure their knowledge. And such knowledge can only be secured through the prevailing revelation of God. Those after God's heart are able to discern and are thirsty to learn.

To the ends of faithfulness, openness, and a teachable nature there is the servant heart which throbs beneath this Christian's service. They serve because they love to serve; they are passionately available to serve.

GOD EQUIPS THE AVAILABLE

As the apostle Paul has indicated in his letter to the Ephesians, there were other people who could have been more obvious choices to evangelise to the Gentiles.

But God called him, Paul. And God equipped him, because he was available, having been blinded on Damascus Road. Yes, God does tend to convince people to be available.

But once someone proves their ability to avail themselves for God's service our Lord equips them. Added to their passion, their spiritual gifting, and whatever natural ability they have, is God's anointing to do what God decrees must be done.

***

God blesses people in proportion with their ability to avail themselves to serve in his Kingdom. A willing heart is a heart after God's heart.

© 2012 S. J. Wickham.

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Why Forgiveness Is So Important

How to obtain forgiveness for one's sins is a topic that interests many people. No one is perfect, and there are going to come times when a person needs to realize that he or she did something wrong and thus needs to seek forgiveness from God and/or other people. There are different ways to obtain forgiveness, and they include praying, doing good works, and realizing what one did that was wrong and not repeating it in the future.

To begin, a person can be forgiven for his or her wrongdoings by praying to God. For instance, a person may pray to God to see if He will forgive him or her for lying to a friend. Praying provides peace of mind and assures God that the person who did something wrong understands the extent of what he or she did.

Doing good works can also help a person to achieve being forgiven. A person who does wrong can compensate for his or her actions by striving to lead a good life filled with good works. To illustrate this, a person may be looking to be forgiven for treating people in an indifferent manner over the years. He or she may look to turn a new leaf and volunteer to be a big brother or sister to a youth or more in need. Acting as a good role model for a youngster in need will ultimately overshadow a person's past as long as he or she does not go back to his or her old ways.

Last but not least, a person can look to not repeat the same mistake in the future when he or she is seeking forgiveness. For example, a man may have hurt his friend by making fun of her weight. He could feel terrible about this and strive to never hurt this or any friend again. He then may think about offering people compliments instead of insults in the future.

Everyone has heard the old adage that says forgive and forget. A lot of people have trouble doing this sort of thing, especially when they have been deeply hurt or negatively affected by another person. However, forgiveness is something that we all must learn to have in our hearts. Jesus said while nailed to the cross: Forgive them Father for they know not what they do. That is a powerful example that we all must follow.

Have you been hurt by someone who you care deeply for? Do you harbor negative feelings about it? Did you know that these kinds of feeling will bring you down and eat at you until those simple feelings of hurt turn into another more powerful emotion like hatred and anger? Being able to forgive someone for something they did to you is by far the strongest power you could have. This makes you stronger and a much better person.

God thinks about the way you forgive others when you ask to be forgiven for the sins you are guilty of. Do not hold in feelings against another person, no matter what they have done to you or someone who you care about. If God can forgive these same people, so can you.

If you do not forgive those that have sinned against you, then you are also committing a sin. God says to forgive those that have sinned against you so that you will be forgiven. This is a quite simple scripture, but it can be really hard for those that have been really bad.

If you are having trouble with the feelings you have that someone else had caused, then pray to God about it. Ask him for the help you need in being able to forgive another person for the things they night have done to hurt you.

In conclusion, there are different ways for a person to obtain forgiveness for his or her sins. These include praying, doing good works, and realizing what he or she did wrong and not repeating it in the future.

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Loners, Small Talk And Eternity

I read an article some time back about loners. Perhaps the biggest issue with loners is that they are not comfortable with small talk and desire going straight to the point. The article went on to describe a loner as helpful, trusting and dedicated. Nevertheless, he or she would rather read a book during lunch period than sit around chatting. As I reflected on my own life, I also have a tendency to dislike small talk. In most instances, small talk generally looks backwards to some event or memory of the past. Don't get me wrong, sometimes it is good to look back to see where we have been or perhaps reflect upon loved ones gone on. However, to keep looking back accomplishes nothing. The past is the past--we cannot change it, but we can learn from our mistakes. Jesus warned that no man having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the Kingdom of God.

Mostly we look back because the past contains memories and events we can envision. Looking ahead anticipates something not yet experienced. Therefore, it is easier to small talk about what we have already experienced than what we have yet to experience. To look ahead at something not experienced or the unknown lurking on the horizon sends us into a mode of uncertainty, or fear of the possibilities--"What if I should encounter thus and thus"? The inevitable does not have to be the inevitable unless you desire such. Without a vision, the people perish. The inevitable is whatever you set your mind as inevitable. The Bible states, there is a way that seems right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. God made man to understand right from wrong. By exercising that understanding and choosing the wrong way because it seems right or because it sounds good, leads to death. In other words, we choose death's way, because we refuse to choose the way that leads to life. It is not God's fault; everyone is responsible for his or her actions.

In our minds we know that somewhere in the future looms a fate each of us will experience--death. Anticipating the unknown scares some because they have never experienced death. We feel secure with life in the now or in the past, but what awaits us after death is another matter. By choosing a way that seems right, but results in death, signifies no more chance to choose the right way. The Bible expressed the outcome of this event by declaring that they chose to worship the creature, rather than the Creator.

There comes a day for each of us whereby the past will fade into the limelight and our future will confront us. Our memories will no longer matter, but the choice we make today will seal our fate for eternity. The Bible makes it clear that death is the result of transgression to the law and transgression against the law is called sin and sin cannot enter into heaven's gates

So what is the answer? There is good news; there is a way that leads to eternal life. Jesus paid the price for every sin ever committed, but God will not force anyone to have their sins paid for if they desire to retain them. That would take away their free will. An individual must first desire to have their sins paid for through repentance. Then invite Jesus to become Lord and Savior by accepting the payment He provided to take away those sins. Is that all there is?--yes; however, by making Jesus Lord means serving Him for the rest of your life. Is there proof? Again yes, God will send His Holy Spirit to dwell within your heart. This occurrence is more than enough proof and more than any other way provides.

Okay, so now maybe you understand why I dislike small talk. I kind of like my hand on the plow looking ahead so I can see that what I am plowing remains in a straight line. If I look back, I might veer to the right or to the left and get off course. After all, I must press forward toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus, which resides up ahead. My advice is not to look back, for life is as a vapor, but forge ahead to the future of a life with an eternity that will never end.

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The Faith In Forgiveness

I'm not sure if any of us doubt that sometimes it takes a great deal of emotional strength to forgive, besides times when God miraculously graces us with that power.

I would suggest that that strength is faith.

Faith, as an action-oriented word, requires us to go forward on our vision, on a hope which remains invisible, in this case to forgive someone for something they have done against us or someone or something we love. Such a task as faith, in the gracious realm of forgiveness, seems a big risk.

But if we don't take that risk we can't please God, for God is pleased when the act in faith (Hebrews 11:6). When we make the leap toward reconciliation, even if that doesn't transpire, we know we have done our bit. We have extended our grace. And reconciliation is not cut off because of us.

This is the faith in forgiveness - to go ahead in seeking a settlement without needing the other person to make a move. This takes the magnificence of sacrificial courage.

THE BASIS OF OUR FAITH

Faith seems hard at this point. It seems action-oriented against the backdrop of an invisible hope. It's not an attractive option given that most of the faithless seem to get their own way.

But we forget the basis of our faith is the Lord Jesus Christ. We don't envisage our action being done for anyone but Jesus. When we obey God, by acting for the audience of One in this way, we find that the faith to forgive is much easier.

It's no good that we make life harder for ourselves than it needs to be.

We too easily forget to run our forgiveness through the filter of grace, so the bitter dregs will be left long behind. We can only do this through a conscious submission before God.

Faith and God go hand in hand. We cannot show true faith - that which is 'good' and etched in truth - unless we draw upon God's power and that requires us to surrender our power.

When we remember the basis of our faith, our faith is easier to practice. It is impossible otherwise. Faith cannot work without God.

***

The secret to a good life is faith. Faith and God go hand in hand. Therefore, if we wish to have the good life, a forgiving life, we need faith and we need God.

© 2012 S. J. Wickham.

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