Seven Keys in the Healing Process

Live by these seven truths found in Psalm 107:17-20 according to the Message.

1. Life's habits produce life's harvest.
2. Those in Misery will usually neglect and avoid the very thing that would bring healing.
3. It's our thinking that limits us.
4. Healing comes by God's spoken Word.
5. Thanksgiving and praise are a necessary part of the healing process.
6. Sharing our story is essential to the healing process.
7. It all begins when we reach out to God.
   

Relationships For Success

Healthy, happy, and wholesome relationships have several key components:

1. Trust
2. Forgiveness
3. Acceptance
4. Faithfulness
   

What's A Disciple?

What's a disciple? Well, a simple way to put it is that a disciple is a follower. Who does the follower follow? Well, a true follower of Jesus follows the Holy Spirit. So, we can know if we are truly disciples if we are following the Holy Spirit. Am I following me, my plans, my way? Is it all about what I want, where I am, what I need, what I like?

Seems to me, it should be about what Holy Spirit wants, likes, thinks, plans, and needs. Hmmm. Maybe I have this discipleship thing all backwards. Maybe it's not so much about me studying my Bible, praying, witnessing, tithing, and ministering as I think fit. Maybe it's about getting in behind Jesus (Holy Spirit) and just doing and saying as He leads.

Oh come on, that sounds too easy. Just stay in behind Christ and do nothing unless He says so? Hey, that might work!

Waiting Patiently

Isn't it hard to be patient? It's hard to wait, wondering if things are going to line up the way we want them to. And doesn't God seem to take His sweet time? "When, Lord? Is it getting close, Lord? Are you even workin' on this thing, Lord?" Well, James has a couple of tidbits that serve as good advice about patience and waiting.
James 5:7-11 (Phillips Version)

• The Waiting Farmer

1. God says that the farmer waits quietly. Oh my, now that's not an easy task. The first thing I want to do is tell somebody, talk about it, make an announcement. You mean I have to be quiet? Just keep it between God and me?
2. God says the farmer has to "possess his soul" until the rains come. You mean there's some soul stuff going on? God is working on spiritual things while I'm waiting on Him? So, this patience stuff is about my walk with Him? What's he doin' with my soul? He's building my faith. He's producing fruit in my life. He's using me as an example. He's making me into a winner. Wow!
3. God says that we must follow the example of the farmer and rest our hearts on an ultimate certainty. God will give us a harvest. God will do what He promises. God will not fail us. I can believe in these certainties with all my heart.

• No Complaining While We Wait

Boy, there's another tuffy: no complaing. Is that even possible. What if things don't happen when I want them to? What if God doesn't do it the way I thought He would or should? What if it's painful to wait? What if people pressure me? What if I start doubting? No complaining!

• Those who wait patiently are called "blessed."

You mean if I keep the right attitude, I will be blessed richly? Yep! Man, I'm waiting; that's for sure. Wait patiently and He'll answer your prayers. Wait patiently and He'll reveal His secrets. Wait patiently and He'll give you favor. Wait patiently and He'll lead you. Wait patiently and He'll empower you.

• Look At Job

1. His end was worth the wait. He was blessed with four times as much as he had before his trials. Get ready for multiplied blessing.
2. He endured. Hang in there. Don't give up and don't give in. Get tough. Make up your mind. Never quit, never stop.
3. He showed us God's mercy. God is merciful; He really is. It may seem like God is not there, but He is right near, watching and protecting and working. God is a good God. He does care, and He has not forgotten you.
4. He showed us that God understands what we are going through. God knew exactly what was going on with Job, and He knew exactly what was going to happen. All that was going on was a part of God's greater plan, one that would be recorded in God's book to teach all the world.

If you are in a time of patient waiting, and most of us are, keep Jame's advice: Do what the farmer does; Don't complain; Be blessed; Learn from Job. Wait patiently!

Working Out His Will

There are 10 things Paul says we can do to work out the will of God (Ephesians. 5:13-18).

1. Live together in peace.
2. Reprimand the unruly.
3. Encourage the timid.
4. Help the weak.
5. Be very patient with everyone.
6. Never repay a bad turn with another bad turn.
7. Always make good your objective.
8. Be happy in your faith at all times.
9. Never stop praying.
10. Be thankful, whatever the circumstance may be.
    

How Does God Grow Us?

1. You've got to be planted.
2. You've got to be planted in the right place.
3. You've got to be tended.
4. You've got to be tended in the right way.
5. You've got to be pruned.
6. You've got to be pruned at the right time.
7. You've got to be heated.
8. You've got to be heated for the right reason.

The Plain

Jesus ministered in the PLAIN. What does that mean? Let me point it out by using each of the letters in the word:PLAIN.

• People

Jesus loved people, common, everyday people. His life was about others. He fed people. He healed people. He encouraged people. He taught people. He forgave people. He changed people forever.

• Lasting
  

His touch was a lasting touch. His work and influence has lasted for more than 2000 years.
What he does in your life and my life will be lasting too.

• Accepting

Jesus accepted people just like they were, with all their problems, worries, sins, and messed up lives. He still does the same today. I'm sure glad, or I would be out of the loop.

• Invitational

Jesus never beat anybody up. People wanted to be around Him. They wanted Him at their parties. They wanted to get near Him. Everything about Jesus was inviting, and it still is.

• New

Jesus makes everything new. People become new people when they run into Christ. He gives us a new start. He gives a new way of thinking. He gives us a new heart. New, new, new. Everything is all new since I became a Christian. The neatest thing is that He gave me a new start.

Jesus loves People in a Lasting way because He is Accepting and Invitational, making everything New. That's the PLAIN truth!