Another beautiful day! Leviticus chapter 13. Skin disease and molds are 2 serious issues. God was concerned about it then, and we should be concerned about it today. What's nice is technology has come a long ways since the days of Moses. We have many antibiotics to help with sickness of the body or from mold. Today there are molds which have little concern but some molds are very deadly. Pastor Dave, my friend, had black mold in his house and in the room he worked out of. It was in the walls and under the floor and he never knew it. He became very sick, his body was swollen and he nearly died. His body was filled with toxics. God has made provisions to help those who are very sick. His intervention comes in different forms:
- Jesus died for our spiritual body and physical body. Sometimes miracles are a miraculous touch from God. I have personally experienced healing in my body which could not be explained other than God.
- Sometimes miracles come through the use of doctors and medicine. Is that still not yet a miracle? Is that not the mighty power of God working through a mere human being or through a type of medicine. Or even more exciting, a doctor hearing the testimony of sick people for the Lord. Or the doctor who gives their lives to the Lord because of the testimony of God's people. Sick people around other sick people can be a great opportunity to help those who are sick to find hope in Jesus. A Cancer victim, while in a hospital, can give a great message of Hope to those who are dying of cancer. The hope of eternal life.
- Sometimes miracles go beyond life. I prayed for my father who eventually died of his cancer. His cancer was a factor in my dad surrendering his life to Christ. His death resulted in many people hearing a salvation message where people raised their hands to accept the Lord at his funeral. Is that not an enormous miracle?
Miracles go beyond our definition of miracles. Often people tend to define a miracle from God as 1 form… Physical healing by prayer! My personal belief is miracles go beyond the Physical realm. Yes, there are physical miracles and we need to continue to pray for them. But there are spiritual miracles. There are miracles that occur as a result of death. God is not bound by our thinking or expectations. This Earth is not our home. It is a temporary home. The place of eternity is the place we go to when we leave this earth. May our time on this Earth be a tool God uses the point people to the greatest miracle of all… A relationship with Jesus Christ. God wants to use our life, our sickness and even our death as a means to point people to Christ. God is a God of miracles!!!
My apologies to everyone for not having yesterday’s devotional challenge posted. I thought it did post, but I realize this morning it didn’t. Very sorry! Happy Memorial Day!!!
Pastor Dave is my wife’s cousin and I remember when he and his family had to deal with the mold issues in their home and what a nightmare that was for them. I am thankful today for the good health that God has given me for so many years. I’m also thankful for Jesus being our Healer. I’m reminded of Matthew 8:17. This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.” I’m also thinking today about John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” While God has blessed me in so many ways, I would hope that I would point people to Jesus even if it was His will for me to do so in sickness and/or death.
This makes me think of a very close friend of mine. 2 years ago, her son, a 13 month old toddler, was very ill and had sores on his body. He was diagnosed with herpangina (also know as hand foot and mouth disease). Well, it was not herpangina at all, it was bacterial meningitis and by the time this was realized it was already too late. This sweet baby’s brain showed no sign of activity or life. At that time I was 39 weeks pregnant, about to have my son. I remember being in prayer circles and huge prayer groups, pleading, begging God, our great physician to heal Rylen, to show signs of life in him and to bring him back to his normal self. I remember adding to my prayer, “your will be done” but I remember wanting so desperately my own will, that Rylen survive the infection. He did not. He passed away, but before he did, his parents made the brave and honorable choice to make Rylen an organ donor. At just 13 months old, God had a plan for Rylen to save 5 other people’s lives. Rylens heart went to a 2 year old dying on the heart transplant list. His liver went to a little girl. His kidneys went to 2 grown men in their forties. His intestines helped a teenage girl.
It did not stop at his organ donation though. Led by his mother, my close friend, and his family, an organization was created to honor him. They encourage others to become organ donors and support local organizations that help families in time of grief and tragedy. Her faith is also her testimony. She shares her faith in God’s plan and her love for Him and praises and honors Him through this tragedy she is living. It inspires so many each and every day.
God had a plan for us all. Sometimes it is not the plan we had for ourselves and our lives. I pray I can listen to His plan for my life and truly surrender and allow all things to work for our good.