Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Will You Be Made Whole?


I dedicate this post to anyone who needs a healing of any type (physical, mental, emotional, and/or spiritual) due to something traumatic you experienced in your life. The question “will you be made whole?” was a question that Jesus asked a man who had an infirmity for 38 years. It comes from John 5:1-9 which says:

After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda] having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had. Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Will You Be Made Whole?”
The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked. And that day was the Sabbath.

Now he wanted to be in the pool and I’m sure he was disappointed in that others were cutting in front of him and were discounting the fact that he wanted to be whole. In short, they were only thinking about themselves and didn’t bother to stop to consider the man with the infirmity who needed a healing for his condition. Granted, I could do a blog on what I’m thinking (there are many who won’t even stop to consider those who needs a healing – but instead, they’ll chastise and ridicule those who are in pain). Anyway, let me go back to the original intent of this post, so let me ask you (if you are need of a healing), “Will You Be Made Whole?” If it makes you feel any better, I am also in need of a healing so if I were asked that same question, I will shout YES from the rooftop.

So, how does this all work? It’s a great question. First and foremost, it’s a step of faith. In fact, healing is no different than faith. It requires belief, confession and action. It’s interesting that we will believe our healing, confess our healing, but then when it’s time for action, we’ll either quit in the process or not even bother to take that step of faith. Well, many of you know I detest the phrase “fake it till you make it,” and I still do. In this case, you have to “faith it till you make it.” In other words, keep your eyes on the promise and not on the process (believe that you are healed and start walking in it – even though you are on the path to realizing what you’ve been believing for). Now let me make this loud and clear, go through the process. If you’re not going to go through the process, don’t even bother confessing or believing that you’re healed, because it won’t work. Another thing that’s interesting is that we’ll say we’re free from something, but the truth is, we’re really lying to ourselves if we don’t even go through whatever steps God wants you to go through to get to your promise.

For some ungodly reason, we in the faith community hate seeking professional help (a counselor, doctor, etc.). And if I can quote Dr. Betty Price here, I will. She said something very profound when I attended the FaithDome in the summer of 1998. When she shared about how she was healed from cancer, she said that she had the word of God in her heart; however, she did go through chemotherapy. She continued on by saying that so many people think they’re in faith when they know they have cancer, but won’t go to the doctor. That’s not faith at all. Doctors can prescribe, diagnose and cut, but Jesus has to do the healing (but thank God for what the doctors can do). I believe what she said can relate to any type of healing you need. And by the way, this is an action step towards receiving your healing. Remember your faith is in God (and your healing comes from God), not man (but thank God for those doctors, counselors, etc.).

What are some excuses that people will make to justify their reason to stay bound? “Well, I don’t know if I can be healed. I don’t know if God can heal me. I’m too damaged because of what others have done to me, and what I’ve done to myself.”
If this is you, please stop. The devil is rejoicing when you’re making those phrases, knowing that you’re giving your birthright away to someone who doesn’t give two cents about you.
What are some other excuses? “I don’t know what the healing process entails. I’m scared.” Wait!!! God has not given you the spirit of fear.

Now let me make this disclaimer so the devil doesn’t torment anyone reading. I’m not condemning you, but if anything, wanting to stand by your side as you prepare for true healing. The devil doesn’t want you healed (in fact, he wants you to think that bondage is your new normal). Will I say that the process is easy? Absolutely not, and I will use myself as an example. As I started finding out things about me, I learned that for the two steps I take forward, there’s one step that has to go back. The key here is to stay with the process and not quit because I’m not seeing immediate results.

I laugh as I just typed the prior sentence. Let me talk about immediate results for a moment. I don’t know about you, but I’m like this at times: Lord, can I just be done with this healing so I can truly live? Like, can this be done in 24 hours? I was reminded of Jeremiah 29:10-11 that says, For thus says the Lord: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Did any of you pick up the fact that the Lord said after 70 years? Imagine that our healing would take 70 years. I don’t know about you, but that’s too long. I’m all about that tomorrow deliverance. Don’t faint on me, 2 Peter 3:8b says that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

It is true that I should not rush the process that God takes me, the key is to trust God and not quit or hinder the process with my foolish pride, unbelief, sin-conscious, traditions of men, lifeless words or fear. If I hinder the process with what I said, then it’s my fault. Speaking of which, sin-conscious will not get the best of me, just because I made poor choices or allowed people to do things to me that I wasn’t aware of at the time does NOT change what God has promised for me. For I know healing belongs to me and I will be made whole.

And I would encourage you, give God something to work with (your faith in Him) and watch Him do something that won’t make sense to your senses (but it will be worth it and you’ll come out on top).

Can I just make one statement and ask why do people tell others they need to heal, but won’t seek healing for themselves? You have to believe that healing is for you too (and for everyone who needs it).

I believe I can stop here, but before I close this blogpost, I want to say this: In order to receive healing, you have to have faith. So, why does Paul say to fight the good fight of faith?

It’s a good fight because you win – provided you don’t lose heart.
Because you’re technically not fighting the devil, the devil is after your faith.

Now let’s think about it, why is the devil after your faith? If he can steal your faith in
Christ and in what He’s promised you, you will be a casualty and he can wreak havoc in your life. When your believing is off, your speaking will be off and eventually your life will be off. So stay in the fight no matter what. Stand your ground!

And any assignment that the devil has over your life that’s preventing you from walking in total wholeness, I cancel that in Jesus’ name! Healing is for you and me.

So, this is a #MayneMan declaration to you: I will not give up on you even though others will quit on you. I won't condemn you like those legalistic people who say you are beyond hope or you will always be condemned in their eyes. I believe in you, and you are worth fighting for. You can call me a gold-digger (one who digs deep into you to find the true gold that's in your heart and spirit so you can be all that God wants you to be.

I pray that after you read this blogpost, you can shout YES to the question “Will You Be Made Whole?”

Blessings,

The Mayne Man

5 comments:

  1. Wow, im blown away... Your blogs, im glad i always share them in groups (i hope its ok). We all want the purpose without the process,but well like you said... Faith it till you make it... It will be worth it in the end ey! Be bblessed!

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    1. Feel free to share. I have no problems with that at all :)

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  2. I needed this! Coincidentally, I am in the hospital right now. I've been sick a looooong time. Not 70 years... Since October 2014. Thank you for sharing. We all need to be reminded...

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  3. I needed this! Coincidentally, I am in the hospital right now. I've been sick a looooong time. Not 70 years... Since October 2014. Thank you for sharing. We all need to be reminded...

    ReplyDelete