Tag: God knows

What’s your Issue(s)?

There’s a story in the Gospel writings in Luke 8:43-48 about a woman who had an issue of blood. She was bleeding profusely for twelve long years with this disease and spent all her money going to see different doctors, but she never improved. She was suffering. In fact, the Bible says, her condition got worse until she encountered Jesus. Interesting?

I can relate to this woman seeing many doctors. I have multiple sclerosis. Diagnosed in 2010, and it’s been one trip after another to see doctors. There are bi-yearly wellness visits, MRIs, physical therapy, medication management, infusions, and sometimes hospital stays for steroids when I have an MS relapse. Unlike this woman during her time, I’m not ostracized by the community because of my health condition. In fact, I once said jokingly to one of the hospital’s welcoming team members, “You guys need to get me a cot and a room to stay over as much as I’m here.” She laughed. Having a medical issue that there is no cure and doctors can’t fix is difficult and daunting.

But medical issues are not the only issues from which we suffer. There are various types and degrees of issues. I like how this verse begins, “There was a woman who had an issue of blood.” The text is specific to her gender and problem. We’ve learned how Jesus came to save the world, so we can draw a universal principle here. Let’s read it again, placing ourselves in the text. “There was a woman [or man] who had an issue of… Stop right there. The Bible teaches us in Isaiah how the Spirit of the Lord was upon Jesus to save, heal, deliver, or set people free, not only from sin but from other problems or issues they may have. Jesus still does this because He is alive. He is still handling people’s issues who believe and come to (or touch) Him in faith. This is the gist or theological principle in this story. He said in Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Isn’t this what this woman, and Jesus, did?

You too may have been suffering from an issue for a long time. You’ve tried to solve it yourself or sought help to alleviate the pain, as the woman did. But you found no relief; your issue lingers. What may your issue be? Maybe you’re suffering from a bad attitude, insecurity, lying, racial or biased views, hatred, drinking, mental illness, cancer,  rejection or foolish attempts to fit in, be “cool” with peers, a need to please, overworking, autism, bipolar, body image issues, striving for perfection/success, anxiety, inability to communicate, illiteracy, infatuation with committing criminal acts, drug dealing or dependency, pride, an awful mouth, continually hooking up with wrong romantic partners, intimacy issues, introversion… and on and on and on the list could go.

Jesus commended this woman, who was afraid to be noticed in the crowd because of her issue. He calls her “daughter” and tells her it was her faith that healed her. She could now go on with her life in peace. You too can receive God’s commendation. Believe that Jesus came to heal your broken heart too. Know that He’s alive and wants you to come to Him. To touch Him and be made whole. No issue is so bad, or too complex or complicated for Him. He has the remedy! Only believe!

He has surely helped and continues to help me with mine. 🙂

Be blessed until next time…!

“Not of the World” repost by Sheri Rose Shepherd (2015), His Princess Every Day Devotional, Bible Gateway

Another sister in the faith agrees how we’re not of this world. (Retrieved 9/4/2023 from https://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/his-princess-every-day/today. Sign up to receive Sheri’s His Princess Letters in your email inbox. Be blessed until next time…. 🙂

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My Princess Warrior,

I am the master builder of your home in heaven, and I am the Creator of everything on earth. This is not your home, my beloved warrior; your true citizenship is in heaven. While you’re on the battlefield fighting for souls to be saved, I am preparing a paradise for you. The Place I am preparing for you will have no more death, heartache, pain, or war. But for now, my chosen one, I need you to fight the good fight of your faith with your whole heart, soul, and mind, knowing that this spiritual war will soon be over and eternal rewards await you.

Love,
Your King who reigns in heaven and earth

Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world.” – John 18:36 (NLT)

A Prayer for Kingdom

I pray for you, my sister princess, to receive a touch from heaven today… that our Father in heaven will remove the blinders from your eyes and you will experience an eternal view of the amazing things to come. May you find peace in knowing that the troubles of this world will soon be over, and the joys to come will be everlasting. I pray that thoughts of eternity inspire you to share God’s love everywhere you go and increase the citizenship of heaven. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. – 1 Peter 2:11 (NLT)

Find Shelter

Overwhelmed by events in your city? Around the world? It can be this way sometimes, especially listening to the daily rhetoric that is rarely good news. Find safety in God. Read about it.

I’m reposting my March Blog because we need a sure place, a sure word about safety right now. It’s found only with God!

I’m lost for words this month. I’ve been distraught by my personal circumstances; events taking place in my country and world; the younger generation being slaughtered or committing slaughter; the ease by which whole communities are shattered and people are instantly homeless in natural disasters; the various financial collapses and scandals; and the public rhetoric. At times, it’s surprising, other times perplexing, and other times daunting. There’s nothing I can do, I think. In fact, I’ve had to work through a few panic attacks this past month, until I recalled this verse of scripture. It’s one I recite to myself when I get overwhelmed by what I see and hear. This verse brings me back to the realization of how, in the land, there is no place where we can really feel secure; there are no guarantees. Wickedness still abounds, our material possessions are expensive yet tawdry, and love for our neighbors is waxing cold. The younger generation is dying in droves. Are you “watching” and “praying” as Jesus told us to do on several occasions while He walked the earth? There’s no age disparity or protected group from all that’s occurring in our world. But there is a Place where we can hide.

Gladly, Old Testament scribes recorded this, as they witnessed and lived through the troubling life events of their time. They too finally concluded that there’s only one sure Person and Place. More than ever, children, young millennials, and older persons of any ethnicity should find, enter into, and live under God’s safe shelter.

Be blessed until next time…

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Find Shelter

Overwhelmed by events in your city? Around the world? It can be this way sometimes, especially listening to the daily rhetoric that is rarely good news. Find safety in God. Read about it.

I’m lost for words this month. I’ve been distraught by my personal circumstances; events taking place in my country and world; the younger generation being slaughtered or committing slaughter; the ease by which whole communities are shattered and people are instantly homeless in natural disasters; the various financial collapses and scandals; and the public rhetoric. At times, it’s surprising, other times perplexing, and other times daunting. There’s nothing I can do, I think. In fact, I’ve had to work through a few panic attacks this past month, until I recalled this verse of scripture. It’s one I recite to myself when I get overwhelmed by what I see and hear. This verse brings me back to a realization that in the land, there is no place where we can really feel secure; there are no guarantees. Wickedness still abounds, our material possessions are expensive yet tawdry, and love for our neighbors is waxing cold. Are you “watching” and “praying” as Jesus told us to do on several occasions while He walked the earth? There’s no age disparity or protected group in all that’s occurring in our world. But, there is a Place we can hide.

Gladly, Old Testament scribes recorded this, as they witnessed and lived through the troubling life events of their time. They too finally concluded that there’s only one sure Person and Place. More than ever, children, young millennials, and older persons of any ethnicity should find, enter into, and live under God’s safe shelter.

Be blessed until next time…

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A Mother’s Treasured Heart

Luke 2:19 (NIV) tells the story of how Jesus’ mother, Mary, treasured up and pondered in her heart words the Shepherds spoke about Jesus Christ. After the angel revealed to them who Christ was, they went to find this child. They found Mary and Joseph with the child and proclaimed to them and those nearby everything the angels had said about Jesus.  Verse 17 says, “When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child…and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ” The scripture goes on to say about his mother, “But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” Surely, Mary was just as amazed as the others by what the shepherds said. She did not fully understand what these words meant about the child she had just given birth to.

However, she “treasured” and “pondered” on them, the text says. These words reflect more than just simply thinking about something. These words are used as verbs here, which denote an action Mary took. Meriam Webster defines treasure as, “to hold or keep as precious; or “to collect and store up (something of value) for future use.” Ponder means, “to think or consider especially quietly, soberly, and deeply.” Mary heard the shepherds’ words, wondered what they meant and thought deeply about them, considered them of excellent value, and quietly stored them deep inside her heart. The scripture does not tell us another angel appeared to explain all this to her. Nor does it say how Mary discussed it with her husband, Joseph, or ran to tell her friends. She didn’t even dance around the room in glee at this announcement.

On the contrary, Mary was struck by the idea she was responsible for raising an incredibly special child. The announcement was extraordinary. In her bewilderment, she made a mature decision. Quietly and wisely, Mary stored the words from the shepherds deep within her heart. Somehow, I belive Mary understood–at that moment–those words would be the arsenal she would need to draw from as Jesus, the Christ, would grow “… in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:52). Now, things are becoming clearer for Mary.

May we follow Mary’s example with the children we’ve been gifted to love, care for, and guide. Surely, being a mother has its quirks and foibles. From our first look at our children, we don’t immediately know what will follow. Sometimes we want to know everything about our kids, or we try to craft them into what we want them to be. Instead, let’s do as Mary did and treasure the special moments we share with them and ponder in our hearts those special conversations when they are revealing themselves to us. As God did for Mary, in time, He will reveal to us our kids’ unique characteristics or abilities. Because, like Jesus, every child has a purpose when they are conceived.

Be blessed until next time…!

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