Tag: healing

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God's plan

Am I Too Far Gone?

But I’m so messed up…

I have a shirt that’s comfy, and cute, and it says, “Dillon Panthers Football,” on it. When it was new, I wore it all the time. Then I got some stains on it that wouldn’t come out. I wore it anyway, but the stains bothered me. Later, I noticed it was getting little holes in the fabric. It’s still hanging in my closet, but every time I put it on, I wonder if it’s too far gone to keep wearing.

Sometimes our lives get so wrecked and so jacked up we wonder if we’re too far gone for God to use us. We look at the stains and the holes and wonder how God could ever make anything good out of the mess we’ve made.

Let me introduce you to the poster boy for being too far gone. I wish we knew his real name, but the only name we know for him was Mob, a name given by the thousands of demons living in him. He was a madman who lived in the cemetery, sleeping in the graves. He roamed around naked, shrieking loudly and mangling his body by cutting it with rocks.

The locals tried to subdue him, but he broke free every time, even when they bound him with chains. (See Mark 5:1-5.)

Too far gone, right? His neighbors would have said he so. Maybe even his own family would have said he was too far gone.

But Jesus knew better. Mob wasn’t so far gone that Jesus couldn’t help him. He wasn’t so far gone that Jesus couldn’t use him.

Jesus crossed a lake and calmed a storm to reach this madman who appeared to be unreachable. Jesus rebuked the demons and brought peace and clarity to the man’s mind. (See Mark 5:6-13.)

The next time we see Mob, he is wearing clothes and in his right mind. Jesus healed him. Jesus clothed him. And Jesus called him: “…Go back to your home and to your family and tell them what the Lord has done for you. Tell them how he had mercy on you” (Mark 5:19).

The Bible tells us that this naked, raving, body-mangling, cemetery-inhabiting demon-possessed madman became a missionary, spreading the good news of salvation to Jordan and Syria, winning many people to Jesus.

You see, God doesn’t ever look at us like I look at my old shirt. He never wonders if we are too far gone. He never, ever looks at one of his children and sees a hopeless case. He refuses to give up on us. He pursues us. He extends his love and grace to us. He invites us to fellowship with him. He whispers to us, “Your life can be better. Follow me.”

Friend, if you feel your life is so messed up that you can’t see any way to ever make it OK again, that’s awesome, because God’s power finds its fullest expression in our weakness.

God doesn’t just forgive us, he makes us new. He moves us step by step into the life he planned for us. He heals our wounds, even self-inflicted injuries. He clothes us in righteousness. God graciously moves us out of the stench and stagnation of the cemetery into the glory of an abundant life and purposeful calling.

He did it for Mob. And he’ll do it for us, too.

Dear God, I’ve spent enough time focusing on the mistakes in my past and the challenges of my future. I surrender my past, my present, and my future to you. Shape it according to your will. Bring healing, direction, and hope into my life. Thank you for your love. In Jesus’s name, amen.

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Kingdom of God

Royalty

“So, do not be afraid, little flock, for it gives the Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.” (Luke 12:32)

What do we think of when we hear the word, “kingdom?”

Some of us will immediately think of Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. It enthralls millions of visitors each year with parades, fantasy, music, fireworks, and imaginative attractions like Space Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, and the Jungle Cruise. They call it, “the happiest place on earth,” but it’s only good for as long as your ticket lasts.

Some of us might think of a country, such as the United Kingdom, home of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip, and Prince William and Princess Kate. They have crowns and castles, tiaras and titles. Royalty undoubtedly has some pretty sweet perks, but to be royal in the UK, one must marry a royal or be born to royal parents.

Maybe, just maybe, we think of the Kingdom more amazing than any other—God’s Kingdom. Righteousness, peace, and joy overflow in God’s Kingdom (Romans 14:17). The Kingdom brings healing (Luke 10:9) and breaks demonic strongholds (Luke 11:20). Those who focus on the Kingdom find all their needs are supplied (Matthew 6:33).

In God’s Kingdom, we don’t have to be afraid in times of trouble because our Father offers us his presence, provision, and protection. We don’t have to fear sickness because healing flows in the Kingdom. We don’t have to fear death because citizens of the Kingdom have eternal life.

Unlike the Magic Kingdom, the Kingdom of God doesn’t require a ticket. And unlike the UK, we don’t have to be born a royal to be a citizen of God’s Kingdom. When we repented of our sins and accepted Jesus, God adopted us as his own. “God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure” (Ephesians 1:5). Out of his love for us, God adopted us. We became children of the King and a citizen of the Kingdom, with all the privileges that come along with citizenship.

So, where’s our focus today? Are we troubled by our problems? Are we worried, stressed, or afraid of what we see happening in our world? Have we forgotten who we are…and whose we are?

“The Lord has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all” (Psalm 103:19).

It’s time to lift up our heads and look beyond our circumstances. We’re the chosen and cherished children of the King, and he rules over all. We’re dearly loved. Our heavenly Father rejoices to give us the Kingdom.

Dear God, it is a privilege to be able to call you, “Father.” I am thankful to be your child, and to be a citizen of your Kingdom. In every situation, every circumstance, and every part of my journey, I will remember who I am. Let the righteousness, peace, joy, and power of the Kingdom live in my heart. In Jesus’s name, amen.

What is different in your life because you are a child of God? Leave a comment in the “Reply” section below.

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One Thing Lacking

“Jesus fixed his gaze upon the man, with tender love, and said to him ‘Yet there is still one thing in you lacking…’” (Mark 10:21)

In Mark, chapter 10, we read about a man who had a problem—one he probably didn’t realize he had. This man was young and wealthy. One day, he came running to Jesus, knelt in front of him, and asked what he must do to have eternal life.

Jesus said, “You already know the commandments.” The man knew the Jewish law well and carefully obeyed them. To look at him, one would think he had it made. He was successful. He didn’t steal, commit adultery, lie, or cheat. And he was in the right place, kneeling at the feet of Jesus.

He probably expected a pat on the back and kind words. What he actually received must have shocked him to his core.

Jesus gazed at the young man with genuine love and with deep understanding of his heart. Jesus told him he lacked one thing. Jesus didn’t say what the one thing was, but gave him instructions: “Go and sell everything, give the money to the poor, and return and follow me.”

The young man loved his possessions too much. He knew the next step he needed to take. But he couldn’t do it.

He hung his head, turned, and walked away. It’s like being diagnosed with a disease and prescribed a pill that will restore us to full health but choosing to walk away, choosing disease instead of healing. This young man chose his to keep his problem.

We know nothing else about the young man’s life, but we know he chose his stuff instead of his next step. He chose his stuff instead of restoration.

Friend, no one knows how to make us whole except Jesus. We can’t fix ourselves. Honestly, most of the time we don’t even know for sure what needs fixing. We struggle with unforgiveness, depression, anger, and so much more. We desperately need Jesus. We need to run to him, kneel at his feet, ask what we’re lacking, where we’re coming up short, and how we can move from where we are toward where we could be.

When we do, he’ll look at us with genuine love. And he’ll give us a next step. While change sometimes happens instantly, more often it is a process. Jesus’s part in the process is to direct us to our next step. Our part is to obey, to actually do what we know he wants us to do. Even when it’s hard. Even when it’s not what we expected. And even when it costs us something.

It’s by taking one step, and then another, that we transform into the person God created us to be. Be wise. Be brave. Take that next step.

Dear God, examine my heart. Look at my life. Where do I need to change? What issues do I need to deal with? And, Lord, what is my next step? I believe you have a purpose for my life, and I know I can’t fix myself or get there by myself. I need your direction. Give me faith, courage, and an obedient heart to change my life step by step. In Jesus’s name, amen.

Your turn: What advice do you have for someone struggling with their next step? Let us know in the Leave a Reply section below.