Stripes

Being home ill is never fun. But we have hope. Isaiah 53:5 tells us that “by his stripes we are healed”. Jesus paid the price for our healing on the cross of Calvary and each of us have a right to claim our healing. Receiving our healing can come in various ways.

Mark 16:18 tells us one of the ways we can get our healing. It says, “You shall lay hands on the sick and they will recover”. This means that any believer can lay hands on a sick person and pray for their healing. Note that recovery is a process and not instantaneous.

If you or any loved one you know if sick, ask a believing friend to pray with you. If you are a single person unable to get to someone then lay your hand on the part of your body that needs healing and pray: Lord I thank you that you died on the cross for my healing, I lay my hand on my (sick part of your body), and pray that you will heal me according to your word!

Then thank God in advance for your healing and believe that he is at work.

Cold or flu

We all know the feeling, when your body starts to show signs of weakening and you can feel a cold or the flu is on the way. We all know that we have to get rest and if necessary make a trip to the doctor to get the necessary antibiotics.

The question is, do we know the symptoms when our emotions or spiritual state require attention? Most of us do, but we pay them little attention. Shortness of temper, depression, anxiety, frustration. All signs that something is not quite right.

We all take medicines for colds or flu, but what medicine should we take for our souls and spirit? Rest is key to all forms of recovery. Meditation on God's goodness. Time spent in quite spaces and in nature, sooth the soul. Time spent in fellowship with God, in every form possible, in the word, in church and fellowship.

(I will discuss the role of faith in our healing process in a separate blog)

The recital

Picture arriving at a recital for a world class orchestra......with one little problem, the conductor is missing. Somehow I just don't think you're going to hear a beautiful performance this knight. Does that mean that the individual musicians don't know their part? No, if asked to do so I'm sure every one of them could deliver a great performance.

The problem is not with the skill of the performers but with the loss of the unifying force the conductor brings. Great music demands great direction. 1 Corinthians 13 paints a similar picture, for it tells us that without love our gift, talent, ministry or vocation is like a clanging cymbal just making a noise.

When the perfecting force of love is not present in what we do, the music of our lives just can't be played with meaning. Will you allow love to direct the music of your life?

Paradise

Why is it in life that we feel that we are undeserving of the love of our family, spouse, friends, and yes even God? Perhaps it is because in life we have all been through situations in relationships where someone has hurt us, or we have been on the giving end of the hurt and our soul seems irreversibly wounded.

We all find it hard to forgive at some time or another. Learning to forgive can be a long and difficult road. One of the most powerful scenes of forgiveness is played out at Gethsemane. Two criminals crucified with Jesus, one blasphemes Jesus saying, save yourself and us. The other, acknowledges his sin and pleads with Jesus to remember him. Jesus does.

If Jesus could show love and forgiveness to this man who was left with no time to change his sinful ways, we must know that our sin and those who sin against us is also forgiven.

You are more loved by God than you could ever imagine.

Tranquility

I am surprised when reading one meaning of the word of tranquility. It states: a disposition free from stress or emotion. I can understand being free of stress, or having peace and quite, but to be void of emotion, just doesn't ring true.

I have found at times my deepest joy is to be at places of tranquility. These are places where my soul finds rest and peace and I am able to recharge my emotional and spiritual batteries and face the challenges of life with a renewed inner strength.

God himself says, “Be still and know that I am God.” It is when we are at places of peace that we are best able to connect spiritually to God and to hear his heart and find direction in life. God desires that we will be deeply connected to him.

Will you take time out occasionally to find places of tranquility where you can connect with God?

Just show up

Most companies in SA allow their staff to dress down on a Friday. The first Friday of Spring is different though, we have a national Casual Day which is aimed at raising funds for people with disabilities. This is usually coupled with some fun activities. Our company decided to have a talent show.

Initially I wasn't planning on actively participating, however on second thought I decided it might be fun to do something different, so I entered a few of my own poems. I ended up being the only one in my category, so in the end I got a prize (nothing worth writing home about though).

The thought struck me that I basically got the prize for just showing up and doing something unique. I realized that in life, whether it is in our relationships with people or with God, we often just don't show up. We just aren't present to enjoy what the other person has to offer.

Will you open yourself up to being present in your relationships today?

Happy Springbok day!

Never before has the excitement of Spring day been bigger in our nation than today. For today we have sent our beloved Springbok Rugby team off in a massive farewell as they head to New Zealand to defend their title as world cup rugby champions.

I imagine the children of Israel had a similar excitement as they stood outside the city of Jericho, ready to take them on in battle. Joshua stood before his people and declared, “Shout for God has given you the city”.

Israel's faith in God mixed with a massive amount of energy, gave them the courage to march on into Jericho and take the city in battle and win. There are challenges that we will face in life, but if we have faith and stand strong in courage, God will give us the victory!