Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Christmas mini-miracle sends me to church on an icy morning

One of my favorite Christmas movies and soundtracks is The Preacher's Wife with Whitney Houston, Courtney Vance as her preacher-husband, and Denzel Washington as the angel. It's a remake of The Bishop's Wife. With music, as you might guess.

Whitney Houston directs her husband's church choir and of course, also sings. My favorite is her  beautiful--I Love the Lord, sung in her inimitable style.

I finally had to buy the soundtrack.

But one cold and rainy Saturday night, before I owned the soundtrack, the weather was so awful, I wasn't sure I'd go to church next morning. I set my clock on my Christian station in case the weather improved, spiritual person that I am, don't you know, haha.

In the morning, I woke up hearing, "I--love--the Lord--for He heard my cry--and lifts me up...." It was Whitney Houston. It was that song. On the radio.

And it wasn't the Christian radio station.

And the weather was awful.

But I went to church.

I must have bumped the dial when I was setting it, maybe. Or maybe not.

"I--love--the Lord--for He heard my cry--and lifts me up...."

Right out of that bed and into church.

May He lift you up and bless you this Christmas and always!

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Healing in the Gospels--is it for today?

Woke up thinking about some sick people I know and love.

Granted, God in His wisdom does not heal some until they go to Heaven. I don't know why, but it's so.

But if we were in the sunset on the beach at Galilee, they would have been among the "all" below.

Matthew 8:16 When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: "He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases." Isaiah 53

So, why not now? Is healing for today? What do the Scriptures say?


Acts 10:38-- How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed of the devil, for God was with Him.

1 John 3:8b --The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work.


Is the devil at work today? Do we not receive today this same Holy Spirit that worked through Jesus Christ, the same, yesterday, today, and forever?

Matthew 28, the Great Commission: 18Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore (YOU) go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Matthew 10: 7As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.' 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.

1 Corinthians 1:7,8 Therefore you ***do not lack any spiritual gift*** as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed (or return). 8He will keep you strong to the end...

John 14:12 I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

Yay, Jesus! 2 Cor. 9:15 Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift!

Lord, please show us our sins and forgive us, cleanse us, give us a fresh anointing of your Holy Spirit and His gifts, and use us to do these things Jesus said to do! In the mighty authority of the name of Jesus! Amen! Thank You. We are worthy only because of what you've done in us. Please use us to glorify Yourself and restore our loved ones to health--in this world. Your highest will be done. But you said we have not because we ask not, so we ask this of you. And we say to these sicknesses be gone in the mighty name of Jesus.

Please see the story of my friend who was healed of CP in a living room full of believers.