jesus healing

DEAR GOD: Your Redeeming Love Touched & Saved Me~

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In Christ – Pt. 1 | More Than A Sunday Faith

“But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds, we are healed.” -Isaiah 53:5 (KJV)

 Isaiah 53 is a powerful chapter that prophetically describes the suffering and sacrificial death of the Messiah. It paints a vivid picture of Jesus as the suffering Servant who willingly bore our sins, bringing redemption and healing to humanity.

Redemption for Our Souls:

Jesus willingly took upon Himself the weight of our sins. His sacrifice on the cross provided redemption—a way for us to be reconciled with God. Through His blood, we find forgiveness and restoration. Our souls, once burdened by guilt, are set free.

Pierced for Our Transgressions:

Jesus was pierced—crucified—on the cross, not for His own sins (for He was sinless) but for ours. His wounds represent the depth of His love and the extent to which He was willing to go to save us. Jesus’ wounds represent our brokenness—our sin-scarred hearts. His sacrifice brings healing, wholeness, and renewal. In Jesus, we see the perfect blend of Divinity and humanity. His incarnation bridges the gap between God and us. His sacrifice restores our true identity as God’s beloved children. We are no longer slaves to sin but heirs of grace.

How does the image of Jesus’ body hanging nailed on the cross impact your understanding of His sacrifice?

Crushed for Our Iniquities:

The crushing weight of our sins fell upon Jesus. His suffering was intense, both physically and spiritually. Our sins have consequences, but Jesus bore them willingly, demonstrating God’s immense love for humanity.

 Imagine the weight of every sin—past, present, and future—pressing down on Jesus. How does this impact your gratitude?

The Punishment for Our Peace:

Jesus endured the punishment that should have been ours. His sacrifice reconciled us to God, bringing peace between sinful humanity and a holy God.

 How does Jesus’ sacrifice bring you peace with God?

Healed by His Wounds:

Physical healing is one aspect, but the deeper healing is spiritual. Through Jesus’ wounds, we find forgiveness, restoration, and eternal life.

Eternal Life and Abundant Living:

Jesus conquered death through His resurrection. His sacrifice offers us eternal life—a hope beyond this earthly existence. Abundant living means more than mere survival; it’s thriving in purpose, joy, and love.

Consider the promise of eternal life. How does it shape your perspective on today?

Consider the wounds—the stripes—on Jesus’ back. How do they symbolize healing for your soul?

Unity Prayer 

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus Christ, to bear our sins and bring us healing. May His wounds remind us of Your boundless love and the price He paid for our redemption. Help us live in gratitude, sharing this message of hope with others. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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 Meditative Takeaway

As we contemplate and meditate of the Holy Word of the LORD in Isaiah 53:5, let us embrace the truth that Jesus’ wounds are our healing. May His sacrifice draw us closer to Him, inspire compassion for others, and ignite a desire to share the Good News. 

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

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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.”