god’s healing

DEAR GOD: Forgive Us- Heal Us~

by // // No Comments

Heal our land

 

 2 Chronicles 7:14 (ESV)

“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

This beautiful verse is a divine promise of restoration and forgiveness. It captures the essence of God’s mercy and love, calling His people to a path of humility, prayer, and repentance.

A Call to Humility

Humility is the foundation of this verse. It begins with an acknowledgment of our need for God, a recognition that we are His people and that without Him, we are nothing. In biblical times, humility was often demonstrated through fasting, wearing sackcloth, and ashes. Today, it can be seen in our willingness to admit our faults and seek God’s guidance in all aspects of our lives.

The Power of Prayer

Prayer is our direct line to God. It’s a powerful tool that brings us closer to Him, allowing us to seek His presence and guidance. This verse emphasizes the importance of earnest prayer, not just casual or routine prayers, but a heartfelt seeking of God’s face.

Repentance and Turning Away from Wickedness

Repentance involves more than just feeling sorry for our sins. It requires a conscious decision to turn away from wrongdoing and strive to live a life that pleases God. In ancient times, turning from wicked ways often meant abandoning idolatry and returning to the worship of the one true God. For us today, it means forsaking any behavior that distances us from God and seeking to align our lives with His will.

God’s Response

God’s promise is clear: He will hear, forgive, and heal. This assurance of divine forgiveness and healing is as relevant today as it was in the days of King Solomon. Our land may represent our communities, our nations, or our personal lives that need healing and restoration. God’s promise to heal reflects His desire to bring wholeness and peace to every aspect of our existence.

Reflective Questions

  • How can I humble myself before God in my daily life?
  • What areas of my life do I need to bring before God in prayer?
  • Are there any behaviors or attitudes that I need to turn away from to draw closer to God?
  • How can I actively seek God’s face and presence in my life?
  • In what ways can I contribute to the healing and restoration of my community?

Moral Takeaways

Humility: True humility involves recognizing our need for God’s guidance and being open to His correction.

Sincere Prayer: Effective prayer is heartfelt and genuine, seeking a deep connection with God.

Repentance: Turning away from sin and striving to live a life that honors God is essential for spiritual growth.

Faith in God’s Promises: Trusting in God’s promise of forgiveness and healing can bring peace and restoration to our lives.

Supportive Scriptures
James 4:10 (ESV): “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.”

Jeremiah 29:12-13 (ESV): “Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

Acts 3:19 (ESV): “Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out.”

Prayer

“LORD-Heavenly Father, we need Your guidance and forgiveness. Help us to seek Your face earnestly and to turn away from any wickedness that separates us from You. We trust in Your promise to hear us from heaven, to forgive our sins, and to heal our land. Lord, grant us the strength to humble ourselves, the discipline to pray fervently, and the courage to repent and change our ways. May Your healing touch bring restoration and peace to our lives, our communities, and our nations. In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.”

Scripture to Ponder
Psalm 34:17 (ESV): “When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.”

God Bless You All~

 

DEAR GOD: How Can We Help People Who Are Bitter?~

by // // No Comments

Breaking the Root of Bitterness - Part 1 — Grace Church

A bitter spirit is something that might happen to any Christian if we aren’t careful. Let’s face it, a bitter root can grow very slowly and surreptitiously in our hearts long before the “fruit of bitterness” comes to the surface and exposes it’s “ugliness.”

Unresolved matters, such as anger, resentment, jealously, pain, grief, and continuous disappointment are just a few ways the bitterness can grow into a cancerous growth on your very soul.

What is the remedy for a bitter spirit? Well – it would be the very Word of the LORD. It’s a life affirming panacea to one’s soul. It’s a balm and a refreshing prescription for the spirit.  The Holy Spirit can be a constant source of fuel to counter the arsenic that is poisoning your soul.

 “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” – Psalm 51:10

Bitterness is not a good thing for anyone at any time. It’s especially the polar opposite of a clean Christian heart. The LORD invariably by the Holy Spirit will reveal the “sin” of bitterness in our hearts-and give us the unction-or a discerning spirit to expose it and bringing us to His throne for healing and forgiveness.  We can sin and harbor bitterness in our souls, but we don’t have to stay there. Through the grace and open invitation of the LORD, we can go to Him in a humble spirit asking for help, healing and forgiveness. When we recognize it, and humble ourselves while we repent – we will get a “new heart and cleansed” by the LORD.

 “Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.” Proverbs 28:13

When we understand and recognize we are consumed by bitterness, we immediately must confess and ask for help. As a Christian we go to the One and only who can help cleanse us, and wipe it clean. But we must be sincere in our efforts and approach – God knows our intentions and heart, so we cannot fool Him. And who would want to?

The story of Ruth is a fine example of bitterness. Remember Naomi when she returned to her birthplace – Bethlehem? She was filled with bitterness after the loss of her husband and sons. She went so far as to ask friends and family to call her “Mara” and no longer call her Ruth. Because “Mara meant bitter.” Her circumstances, although bitter, were turned about in the end. She prayed and was blessed by the LORD with a grandson, who would be the direct king line to David and Jesus!

The compulsion to harbor ill feelings or slide downward spiraling into a self-loathing bitter miserable being – is one’s own choice. Circumstances and situations in life sometimes are not of our own doing, naturally that is a different scenario of course. However, staying in a constant state of “bitterness” and refusing to ask the LORD for help is a choice, and an ill choice because it can affect the rest of your life and make a difference to your health, heart, body, mind – and soul!

God is the answer to all of your issues, no matter how horrific! He is there. Go to Him. Reach out. Read His Book, ask for help, clarification of His messages, and pray, pray, pray – and repent! Eventually, in God’s timing based on your “sincerity” within your heart-He will answer your prayers and wipe the bitterness out of your heart.

“Father, may I recognize if bitterness ever shows up trying to enter my heart, may I seek You, ask for Your help and assemble myself in alignment of Your Word, and press on and continue to be a servant to You my LORD, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”