February 29 ~ Psalm 107:17
Some of you were sick because you'd lived a bad life, your bodies feeling the effects of your sin; You couldn't stand the sight of food, so miserable you thought you'd be better off dead. Then you called out to God in your desperate condition; he got you out in the nick of time. He spoke the word that healed you, that pulled you back from the brink of death. So thank God for his marvelous love, for his miracle mercy to the children he loves; Offer thanksgiving sacrifices, tell the world what he's done - sing it out!
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
We’ve all seen movies or television shows where someone falls out of a window, off a cliff or from the side of a bridge, and in the nick of time, someone comes along and extends a hand to save them. Through the wonders of technology, it may appear that the person who is being rescued might indeed fall to his/her death – television and film makers are quite adept at making us believe the situation is quite dire. But usually the victim is saved at the last possible moment, and we heave a huge sigh of relief as the rescuer is thanked and lauded as a hero or heroine.
In real life, God often saves us from the edge - sometimes several times a day! But do we recognize His efforts on our behalf? Do we stop to thank Him for this mercy, this grace, this “marvelous love”? Do we show our gratitude by sharing our blessings with others and trying to live better each day than the last? Do we learn from our “near-death experiences” and live a life that shows others we have been healed by God of whatever ails us?
There is not a single one of us who deserves God’s love and healing. None of us deserves His grace and mercy. Not one of us deserves to be rescued from the “window ledge” of sickness or sin. But God continues to lavish His love and healing on us, night and day. The least we can do is to thank Him and do our best to live a life of gratitude. We must share His message with others and tell them how God has blessed, healed and rescued us. In the words of John Wesley, we must “do all the good we can, by all the means we can, in all the ways we can, in all the places we can, at all the times we can, to all the people we can, as long as ever we can!” Go with God and be well.
©2008 Debbie Robus
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February 28 ~ Psalm 103:3
He forgives your sins - every one. He heals your diseases - every one. He redeems you from hell - saves your life! He crowns you with love and mercy - a paradise crown. He wraps you in goodness - beauty eternal. He renews your youth - you're always young in his presence.
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
I don’t know about you, but I think I may work on committing this scripture passage to memory. The next time someone asks me, “why do you believe in God – what has He done for you?” I can answer with these sentences. This is POWERFUL! In fact, we would all do well to read ALL of Psalm 103 and commit much of it to memory. This is the passage that tells us that God is slow to anger and full of love… that He scatters our sins as far as east is from west (or as The Message translates “as far as sunrise is from sunset, He has scattered our sins.”
Sometimes, healing of whatever ails us starts with praising God. We rush to the medicine cabinet for an aspirin or cough syrup or whatever we need for our illness. We call a friend, a pastor, or a counselor to help us with issues of the heart or the mind - or questions about our Spiritual life. While these are all helpful remedies – and may be God-sent, there is another component to the equation we must consider. Sometimes, before we can heal, we have to stop and remind ourselves of Who God is and what He has done for us… how powerful He is and how much He loves us.
So please pick up your Bible or go to www.biblegateway.com and read Psalm 103 in whatever translation you choose – or maybe two or three! Commit at least a part of it to memory and call on these verses as needed.
©2008 Debbie Robus
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February 27 ~ Psalm 77:2
I found myself in trouble and went looking for my Lord; my life was an open wound that wouldn't heal. When friends said, "Everything will turn out all right," I didn't believe a word they said. I remember God - and shake my head. I bow my head - then wring my hands. I'm awake all night - not a wink of sleep; I can't even say what's bothering me. I go over the days one by one, I ponder the years gone by. I strum my lute all through the night, wondering how to get my life together.
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
Have you ever had a night like this? I don’t know why our problems loom larger at night, but somehow they seem to do just that, don’t they?! And if you have ever had a cut or open wound that seemed to take forever to heal, you know how annoying and frustrating that can be, as well.
I think we need to review the first line of this scripture passage. “I found myself in trouble and went looking for my Lord…” When we have a problem… a “wound that won’t heal” – we would do well to go looking for the Lord. Throughout the Psalms we read that God is our “hiding place” – “a very present help in trouble” – our “refuge.” So why wring our hands and worry all night about how to get our life together? Look for the Lord. The friends of the psalmist are right – “everything WILL turn out all right” if only we will rest in God and ask Him to heal us.
©2008 Debbie Robus
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February 26 ~ Psalm 69:29
I'm hurt and in pain; Give me space for healing, and mountain air.
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
Sometimes we just need a good dose of fresh air, don’t we? Sometimes, when we feel really bad, we wish we could whisk away to the mountains and play in the snow and forget all our troubles. I am reminded of my brother, Tim, and a time when he was very ill and in the later stages of his life. It was probably late August or early September before he died, and Tim had good days and bad days. This was a particularly bad one. I was sitting with him and trying to soothe him as he lay in his bed, covered with quilts even though it was a hot summer day.
When I arrived at my parents’ house, my mother was working in the yard – mowing, trimming, and no doubt, taking her frustrations out on the grass and shrubbery. It wasn’t mountain air, but it was healing therapy nonetheless. Inside, my brother begged me to “go and get Momma. I need Momma.” So I did, and my mom peeled off her work gloves, dusted the grass clippings from her clothing, and came inside. She went to my brother’s bedside and he began to cry and beg her to take him on a trip.
My parents and my brother had spent the summer in the Dakotas, out West in Montana, Idaho, Yellowstone National Park, and Colorado. This was heaven on earth for Tim, who absolutely loved snow, and he had seen quite a bit that summer. But in his declining health, he wanted more. He begged my mother to take him for “one more time in the snow.” Mother promised that IF Tim was able and felt up to it, they would take a fall trip – possibly to one of the local camping areas or even to Branson, but that she doubted there would be any snow. This seemed to satisfy Tim, and soon he was dozing and I continued to sit with him so that Mother could return to the yard and her own momentary “healing air.”
I am sure that there is snow in heaven, and Tim revels in it daily. I am sure he breathes deeply of mountain air, and I know he is healed – whole now. But I also know that God offers us times of healing and “mountain air” in our own lives. It may be as simple as sitting on your back porch and watching birds at a feeder. It may be as complicated as a doctor’s plan and prescription for management of your chronic pain. It may be the prayers of others on your behalf that you would find peace and comfort in whatever your situation may be. Whatever you are going through – wherever you are today, I pray that you will call on God and give Him your “hurts and pains,” and experience His healing and some Godly “mountain air.”
©2008 Debbie Robus
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February 25 ~ 3 John 1:1
The Pastor, to my good friend Gaius: How truly I love you! We're the best of friends, and I pray for good fortune in everything you do, and for your good health—that your everyday affairs prosper, as well as your soul! I was most happy when some friends arrived and brought the news that you persist in following the way of Truth. Nothing could make me happier than getting reports that my children continue diligently in the way of Truth!
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
There is a wonderful website available to people who are experiencing health difficulties. It is called CaringBridge.org, and anyone with an ongoing illness or injury can get a “page” on this website to chronicle their journey. I am presently watching four such “pages” – for Job McCully, a teacher friend’s daughter who was seriously injured in a car wreck, the teaching pal of one of my dearest friends, and a 5-year-old girl who has been diagnosed with a form of lymphoma. The families of these persons can post updates on their CaringBridge page to report on their latest treatments, progresses, setbacks, and more. It saves having to tell the story over and over to those who are concerned. There are also places for those who care to leave comments and words of encouragement – a “guestbook” to sign.
CaringBridge is supported by donations, and the work they do for those in need is truly God-sent. I am notified by e-mail when there is an update to these pages, and it often makes my day to go to the person’s “page” and learn that they had a good day, or their treatment was successful, or in Job’s case, that he got new lungs! Of course, some days, the news isn’t so bright, and that’s when I know extra prayer is needed. But these updates always remind me to pray for the persons involved – and for their families and caregivers.
Do you pray for the health of your family and friends? Do you know those who have health concerns and need extra prayer? Do you know those who have “Spiritual health” concerns and need your prayers, also? Look around at your “circle” and see where you can offer the medicine of prayer for the health of others – both physical and otherwise.
©2008 Debbie Robus
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February 24 ~ 1 Peter 2:21
This is the kind of life you've been invited into, the kind of life Christ lived. He suffered everything that came his way so you would know that it could be done, and also know how to do it, step-by-step. He never did one thing wrong, Not once said anything amiss. They called him every name in the book and he said nothing back. He suffered in silence, content to let God set things right. He used his servant body to carry our sins to the Cross so we could be rid of sin, free to live the right way. His wounds became your healing. You were lost sheep with no idea who you were or where you were going. Now you're named and kept for good by the Shepherd of your souls.
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
The Overflow group for young adults did a study of Psalm 23 one Sunday, and we learned that sheep are really pretty dumb animals. And yet, WE are compared to sheep throughout the Bible! In our study, we also learned that sometimes there is a sheep that will continually wander away from the flock, and finally, the shepherd has to pick it up and actually break its leg, and then carry it until the leg heals, so that it will learn to stop wandering away.
In a way, Jesus breaks our leg and brings us back, but instead of US feeling the pain and suffering, HE takes that for us. We wander away (sin) – He brings us back and pays our debt with His blood on the cross. He doesn’t whine or complain or make us feel badly… He just loves us and does this for us and allows us to heal and enjoy His blessings.
It really isn’t fair, is it? Nowhere in earthly existence would we think that silent suffering of a perfect person (if one existed) for those who are imperfect was fair. And yet that is exactly what happened. Christ came to earth as THE ONE PERFECT PERSON and suffered, bled and died for OUR sins, so that we could be healed and whole – named and kept for good by the Shepherd of our souls. How awesome is that?! Do you see what a gift this is? Has He “broken your leg” and carried you in His arms, or are you still wandering aimlessly? Think about it! Don’t you want to be in the arms of the Shepherd?
©2008 Debbie Robus
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February 23 ~ 1 Peter 1:3
What a God we have! And how fortunate we are to have him, this Father of our Master Jesus! Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we've been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven - and the future starts now! God is keeping careful watch over us and the future. The Day is coming when you'll have it all - life healed and whole.
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
You may know about the actor, Stephen Baldwin. He is a brother to Alec and Billy Baldwin, both actors themselves. Stephen has appeared in over 60 films, including The Usual Suspects, The Flinstones in Viva Rock Vegas, television series Celebrity Mole Yucatan, Celebrity Mole Hawaii, and most recently Celebrity Apprentice. Shortly after 9-11, Stephen Baldwin became a Christian. Recently I saw him and his wife Kennya on a Christian television program. They talked about their life without Christ and how they really didn’t have a personal relationship with Jesus for many, many years.
The Baldwins hired a housekeeper from Brazil, and Kennya Baldwin said this woman was continually singing little songs about Jesus, and she was always happy. Eventually, the housekeeper moved to another state, but the Baldwins never forgot her… or her witness. Kennya began to feel that her life, while filled with “things” was rather dead spiritually. She became a Christian – one year before Stephen gave his life to Christ. Kennya said that God clearly revealed to her that, in time, Stephen would become a Christian, too. She told Stephen that she was going to serve God, no matter what, but at the same time, she faithfully believed that some day Stephen would serve God with her. Stephen said that when he saw the changes in his wife, he wanted them for himself.
Today, the Baldwins are involved in The Breakthrough Ministry, which utilizes skateboarding and extreme sports to reach people – especially youth - for Christ. They stated that their housekeeper told them that while she was still living in Brazil, she felt God telling her that she would be coming to the United States and placed with a family who needed to hear about Christ!
The Baldwins have a brand-new life – and a future in heaven because God orchestrated all of this. They have a healed and whole life in Christ. What God has done for them, He can do for anyone, including you! The future truly does start now… are you ready to have it all?
©2008 Debbie Robus
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February 22 ~ James 5:13
Are you hurting? Pray. Do you feel great? Sing. Are you sick? Call the church leaders together to pray and anoint you with oil in the name of the Master. Believing-prayer will heal you, and Jesus will put you on your feet. And if you've sinned, you'll be forgiven - healed inside and out.
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
My friend Boyd developed some sort of health problem a few years ago that caused his body to break out in itchy red blotches of hives that drove him crazy. If you have ever had hives, you know they itch, burn, hurt, and almost feel blistery at times, and they make you miserable! Different doctors suggested different causes and treatments…from eczema to allergies to stress. Boyd tried creams, special diets, antihistamines and more. His Sunday School leader and class members anointed him with oil and prayed for him.
Eventually, Boyd discovered a diet that worked for him… pretty much a “Biblical diet” of fresh fruits and vegetables, no pork and no sugar, for starters. As he adhered to this diet, his symptoms greatly diminished. BUT… they did not completely disappear.
One day a Christian friend of Boyd’s told him that He had been praying for Boyd’s condition, and James 5:13 had come to him, and it had been impressed upon him clearly that Boyd should be anointed with oil by senior leadership in his church. Boyd related this story to his pastor and associate pastor, and the pastor said, “Let’s do it now!” They went into the pastor’s office, and he anointed Boyd with oil, and both he and the associate pastor prayed over Boyd. And I am here to tell you, Boyd is feeling so much better today. His obedience and “believing-prayer” have helped to heal him. His friend’s obedience to the scripture and the message he received on Boyd’s behalf led to this improvement. The pastor’s obedience and faith led him and the associate pastor to stop what they were doing and anoint my friend with oil and prayer. And as a result of all of this, Jesus put Boyd back on his feet! He still has occasional flare-ups, but he knows that it is God’s intention for him to be well, and he remains faithful that God will keep him on his feet and guide his steps.
You can experience healing today for whatever ails you. It may not require anointing with oil by senior leadership. It may simply require believing-prayer. Are you hurting? Pray. Do you feel great? Sing. Are you sick? Call on church leaders or Christian friends to pray for you. Ask for healing and/or forgiveness and be healed inside and out. Let Jesus put YOU on YOUR feet!
©2008 Debbie Robus
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