Word for Today, Tue, 24 Feb 2004: Healing Comfort
Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>
Dear friends,
This week, we introduced the topic of renewing our minds.
Yesterday, we looked at Neil Anderson's discussion of renewing
your mind, the Weekly Verses collection from Phil Ware, and a few
of my own comments. Today, Larry Davies writes the next in his
series of messages about healing comfort.
Personally, I see a direct connection between healing comfort and
renewing our minds. Perhaps it's because I've seen in my own
life that lasting healing and a lasting sense of purpose and
value come from God Himself, and that Jesus Christ is the One who
personally secures what lasts. Each of us sees things, at least
to a certain degree, through our own experiences, but we can
(and should) learn, both from the experiences of others and also
directly from God's Word. It is my prayer that these messages
will stir your thinking and encourage each of you to earnestly
seek the Lord constantly yourself.
Dear Lord, each day and throughout the day, our minds need
regular cleansing and renewal. Please fill us with Your Spirit,
cleanse us from all that is unclean within us, and draw us ever
closer to You. I ask these things in Jesus' Name. Amen.
Yours in Christ,
Brian
____________________________
SOWING SEEDS OF FAITH...
"Healing Comfort and Joni"
by Larry Davies
Last week, a wonderful lady named Rosa taught me the hard way
that God does not promise to physically heal just because you
ask. Healing is an extraordinary miracle which cannot be reduced
to an everyday occurrence. However, God does promise and is
always ready to offer... healing comfort. Paul wrote: "God is
the source of every mercy and the God who comforts us." (2
Co. 1:3)
God may not always provide healing which is why they are called
miracles. But God will always provide healing comfort. I vowed to
never again forget the real "healing touch" belonged to God.
But wait, Paul has more: "He comforts us in all our troubles so
that we can comfort others. When others are troubled, we will be
able to give them the same comfort God has given us." (4) Not
only are we promised comfort but somehow we are meant to share
the comfort we receive with others.
A diving accident as a teenager left Joni Eareckson Tada totally
paralyzed from the neck down. During the early years following
the accident, Joni was griped with the dull lonely ache of total
despair. She writes in her book, Joni: "Here I was, trapped in
this canvas cocoon. I couldn't move anything except my head.
Physically, I was little more than a corpse. I had no hope of
ever walking again. I could never lead a normal life... I had
absolutely no idea of how I could find purpose or meaning in just
existing day after day - waking, eating, watching TV, sleeping."
Joni begged God for healing... but didn't get it.
Then she begged God to let her die... no way.
Instead, God provided healing comfort. Joni wrote: "I'm alive. I
can at least still feel in my neck and tops of my shoulders. I
can see the moon through the hospital window. My friends are
coming to see me and the doughnuts they bring taste good. And
like holding on to a thin kite string, I have hope that it might
get better. I see it in the eyes and smiles of my family, my
friends and a few of the nurses. Oh, and one more positive thing
- they might find a cure for spinal cord injury!"
"You can be sure that the more we suffer for Christ, the more God
will shower us with his comfort through Christ." (5) God provided
comfort for Joni Eareckson Tada and then provided a ministry...
Through God's help she began the process of learning to live with
her disability. As a part of her therapy she took up painting by
holding a brush in her mouth. She discovered her artwork was
quite good and provided a unique opportunity to appear before
groups and share how God helped her successfully cope with her
disability. Speaking soon led to writing devotions. After writing
her autobiography, Joni received thousands of letters. To better
respond to the needs and questions, Joni formed a Christian
organization "Joni and Friends" dedicated to extending the love
of Christ to people who are affected by disability. Now, Joni has
literally touched lives all over the world.
"So when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your
benefit and salvation! For when God comforts us, it is so that
we, in turn, can be an encouragement to you. Then you can
patiently endure the same things we suffer." (6) Few have
suffered more than Joni Eareckson Tada yet even fewer have
achieved the world wide impact of helping so many through her
inspiring life.
In her latest book: "Ordinary People, Extraordinary Faith," Joni
writes: "When a person is suddenly disadvantaged - whether
through disability, death or deep disappointment - a new element
is introduced. The hero has become hobbled, so he or she has much
less chance of winning. No one would blame the story's hero if he
gave up. But if he overcomes in spite of the odds and by the
grace God, well... that's what makes the story powerful,
important and truly worth reading."
"We are confident that as you share in suffering, you will also
share God's comfort." (7) Joni has certainly suffered but she has
also received and shared God's blessed and healing comfort.
Next week: In part 3, I share my own experience with God's
healing comfort in the midst of a painful divorce and how God's
comfort changed me as a person and a pastor forever.
-----Original Message-----
From: Sharon Lea [mailto:leasharon@hotmail.com]
Dear Larry, Thank you so much for writing to me I cried when I
read 2 Corinthians 1:3-7. I knew then I wasn't feeling this way
for nothing. God bless you for your prayers and support; your
ministry is like God speaking to me through earthly angels. Thank
you again! Love, Sharon
Thank you for the outpouring of love and support received last
week as our ministry faced a financial crisis. A few sent
monetary donations which will help us get through the next few
months and several more agreed to become monthly financial
partners. Please accept my thanks for your support. Thanks to
you, our ministry will continue to be aggressive on the internet
welcoming thousands of hurting people to our website and
hopefully receiving God's healing comfort.
You can find more information on becoming a regular Sowing Seeds
Ministry financial partner by clicking here:
http://www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/ministry_partner.htm
You can learn how to become one of our over 8,000 prayer partners
by clicking here: http://www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/sign-up.htm
Read Sowing Seeds of Faith... everyday! Click here:
http://www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/Devotions.htm
Are you receiving prayer concerns from around the world? Join our
prayer team today. Check it out by clicking here:
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How can I regularly support your ministry? Become a Sowing Seeds
Ministry partner. Click here:
http://www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/ministry_partner.htm
Jesus said: "You are the light of the world--like a city on a
mountain, glowing in the night for all to see. Don't hide your
light under a basket! Instead, put it on a stand and let it shine
for all." (Matthew 5:14-15)
"Breaking the Peanut Butter Habit: Following God's Recipe for a
Better Life" now on sale only through our website.
http://www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/peanbutt.htm
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Brian Masinick, mailto:masinick@yahoo.com
Home page: http://www.geocities.com/masinick/
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