On Holistic Healing: The Great Physician Is In!
Welcome marathoners in and for Christ. (1 Corinthians 9:24; Hebrews 12:1; 2 Timothy 4:7) Exhausted, depleted from running the Godly, good, and being-a-blessing-to-others race? Welcome. Sit. Relax. Let’s feast.
Feast of the Heart exists to help bring about Christ-centered “reformation, revival, and constructive revolution” (Francis Schaeffer, Death in the City) so that God will be glorified and people blessed.
Reformation… we seek to abide by and serve up the true truth, pure doctrine of the Bible
Revival… we seek to model biblical Christians living in word and deed
Constructive Revolution… we seek to spread the true gospel right where God has planted us with urgency, compassion, and radical self-abandonment
A Feast of the Heart: On Holistic Healing
“Today, if you hear God’s voice, no not harden your heart…” (Psalm 95:7-8)
Following is a letter from a young man by the name of Shane who had contracted AIDS. Shane was writing a letter to a dear friend (Bishop Michael Marshall) whom had brought Shane the Good News of Jesus Christ while he served in Shane’s church and while Shane lay terminally ill… and trying desperately to be healed by way of various physicians and medicines.
Shane writes about a medicine and cure offered uniquely from The Great Physician that he was blessed with and that healed him… at last! Not for time, just in time, and for eternity.
Shane wrote, “I will probably be in the hospital for at least another week. I am confident I will recover from this illness. I am blessed with many good friends. Their love and support sustained me. I have had from four to 10 visitors each day as well as phone calls and I know I am in their prayers. Father Carlos came today and served communion. God has many hands.
As you are keeping me in your prayers, each day you are in mine as well. The mission you lead at my church was the most significant event in my life. I thank God for the work you are doing.
I never thought of AIDS as a blessing, but now I have chosen to respond in that way because my faith is growing and deepening most certainly every day. I believe my faith is the most important thing now.
My doctor can cure my infection possibly, but my faith and the love of Christ alone can heal me. Even if my AIDS is not healed in this life I know that my transform spiritual body will be whole and healthy forever. I look forward to our continued correspondence. God bless you, Michael.
My love to you, in Christ, Shane.”
Shane died the following day…
I love, love, love this story! But do we have to wait until we’re near death to see we’re already dead devoid of a repentant, living relationship with Jesus Christ? No… “Today, if you hear God’s voice, no not harden your heart…” (Psalm 95:7-8) Please allow me to respectfully ask you something:
What do you believe is the greatest, most dire infection, disease, terminal illness any person can have? “Sickle-cell or no salvation?”
In what ways have you experienced your greatest dis-eases, sufferings to be your greatest blessings?
Have you been “holistically healed” by the Good News of the Gospel? In light of the fact that so many people we see everyday look so nicely dressed and outwardly fit… how do you maintain a sense of urgency about talking to others about our shared infection of Original Sin, alienation from God, and desperate need of a Savior from hell, and a Lord, to model our life after?
How do you, if you do, act as a witness of and for The Great Physician that offers hope and complete healing for anyone who will admit they need to be healed of their alienation from God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?
Not one of us have any guarantee for a tomorrow. TODAY… is the only day we’re given to offer another a word of timely and timeless healing and hope.
If you’re withholding a word when your heart is pricked to do so… please consider asking the Holy Spirit, yourself, and a trusted, faithful friend, why.
And please take care to avoid getting “A.I.D.S.”, my friends in Christ… and those who haven’t been born again as yet.
Apathy – Isolation – Delay – Silence
See you next week at The Training Table, beloved race runners in and for Christ,
JohnDoz
Born Again, by Burk Parsons
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