Our Great Physician

When Jesus heard it, He said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance."
—Mark 2:17


It's worth noting that every person Jesus had conversations or contact with was in a different situation, and He dealt with each one differently. This is because He recognized that even though we all share many of the same problems and basic needs, every man, woman, and child is a unique individual, with unique needs.

In His encounters with people, Jesus was like a physician. He basically said, "I want to let you know that I didn't come to bring the righteous to repentance, but I came to bring sinners because those who are whole don't need a physician."

I think the hard thing about being a doctor must be seeing people, for the most part, only when they are sick! They usually don't have their patients stop by and say, "Hey, Doc, I'm feeling good, and I just wanted to tell you that. Want to go to lunch?" You don't usually call your doctor when you're feeling at the top of your game. You call when you are feeling sick, and your doctor will have you come in to his or her office, examine you, and apply the specific remedy to the area of need.

Jesus is the Great Physician. He came to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, give sight to the blind, and freedom to the oppressed. He already has determined your precise areas of need, whatever they may be, and He will minister to you as an individual.

Free from Fear

DEVOTION

Free from Fear




You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.

—Psalm 91:5–6

History tells of a courageous Christian who was standing before one of the Roman emperors who was persecuting the church. The emperor was demanding that Christians abandon their faith, deny the Lord, and declare Caesar as Lord. But this Christian refused. So the emperor threatened, "Give up Christ, or I will banish you."




The Christian said, "You can't banish me from Christ, for He has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.' "




The emperor said, "I will confiscate all your property."




The believer replied, "My treasures are laid up in heaven. You can't touch them." The emperor said, "I will kill you."




The Christian said, "I have been dead to the world in Christ for forty years. My life is hid with Christ in God. You can't touch it."




The emperor then turned to the rest of his court and said, "What can you do with such a fanatic?"




That so-called fanatic knew something about God's protection. And that is something we all should know about in these frightening times in which we are living. There are so many things we can be afraid of, from getting on a plane to becoming a victim of violent crime to being diagnosed with a life-threatening disease.




It is great to know that God promises, "A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you" (Psalm 91:7). It isn't over until it's over. Until that time, we can go out with boldness, knowing that God is in control of our lives.

Path to Miracle: Goes Through Uncomfortable Territory by Rick Warren

“Then the LORD spoke his word to Elijah, ‘Go to Zarephath in Sidon and live there. I have commanded a widow there to take care of you.’ So Elijah went to Zarephath.” (1 Kings 17:8-10a NCV)

When you’re scared to death and vulnerable, you don’t know where you’re going, you don’t know how long it’s going to take, and you don’t know what’s going to happen when you get there, what do you do?

You remember that the path to a miracle is always through uncomfortable territory.

The Bible gives an illustration in 1 Kings 17:8-10: “Then the LORD spoke his word to Elijah, ‘Go to Zarephath in Sidon and live there. I have commanded a widow there to take care of you.’ So Elijah went to Zarephath” (NCV).

God told Elijah to walk more than 100 miles during a drought through dangerous territory, where everyone knew who he was, and everyone knew King Ahab had a price on Elijah’s head. When Elijah finally made it to Zarephath, he met a poor widow who was going to feed him, but how could she help defend or protect him from a pagan town full of people who wouldn’t hesitate to kill him?

Miracles don’t happen when things are comfortable. Miracles happen when things are uncomfortable. Elijah didn’t say, “God, there are three things wrong with this plan. One, you’re sending me in the wrong direction. Two, you’re sending me to the wrong location. And three, you’re sending me to the wrong protection.”

Elijah just obeyed.

The path to a miracle is always through uncomfortable territory.

For instance —
When Moses led the Israelites out of slavery to the Promised Land, they had to go through the Red Sea first.
Before David could slay Goliath, he had to walk onto the battlefield.
God told Jehoshaphat to put the choir before the army, and he’d win the victory. How much faith do you think that took?

Miracles never happen in your comfort zone, when everything’s great and convenient. You don’t need a miracle when everything is settled in your life. You only need a miracle when you’re on the edge, when you’re scared to death, when you’re insecure, when you can get hit at any angle.

Are you at a place right now in your life where things are a little uncomfortable — financially, emotionally, relationally, or physically? You’re a little nervous, a little on the edge, a little insecure. Congratulations. You’re on the path to a miracle!

Just like Elijah, God wants you to obey, so you can see his miracle at the end of the road.

Talk It Over
What is God asking you to do that makes you uncomfortable?
What do you want God to do in your life? How have you expressed your anticipation of his miracle in your life?
Who are the people who can encourage you on the uncomfortable road you may be walking right now?

LOOK UNTO JESUS

HEBREWS 12:2
looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith…

What does it mean to look unto Jesus? Well, we can think of it like this: If you are drowning and somebody walks past you, you do not look at him. You look unto him. When you look unto him, you are turning to him and expecting him to rescue you.


In the same manner, you look unto Jesus expecting Him to save, heal and protect you because you know His mighty power and sacrificial love for you. God’s Word says that we are to keep “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith”. That is how God wants us to live.


So if you have a recurring migraine, keep looking unto Jesus. See Him taking that migraine upon His body on the cross and say, “Lord, I thank You that by Your stripes I am healed.” (Isaiah 53:5) As you keep looking unto Jesus, your healer, that migraine will have to bow to His finished work!


If you have a financial lack in your life, just keep looking unto Jesus with confident expectation that He will provide for you and deliver you from your lack.


“But Pastor Prince, is it really so simple? All I have to do is look unto Jesus and He will bless me financially?”


Yes, it is that simple. The problem with us is that we tend to look unto ourselves. But we cannot save or deliver ourselves. Even the apostle Paul struggled when he depended on his self-effort. That is why he said, “For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice.” (Romans 7:19) It was only when Paul looked away from himself and unto Jesus that he received his deliverance. (Romans 7:24–25)


My friend, if you have been looking unto yourself, it is time to start looking unto Jesus. Look unto Him, the author and finisher of your faith. And soon, you will be looking at your healing and provision!

A Woman's Walk

Sanctification

by Margaret D. Mitchell
Week of June 22, 2014





"Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy word is truth." -John 17:17 (KJB)


One day I attended a high school graduation party for a young friend. In a conversation with the child’s father—a professed Christian—about the gathering, he confessed that he doesn’t like people.


I was a bit taken aback and thought, “Well, so much for the Greatest Commandments and the Great Commission!”


Later, I pondered what this man said and how he seemed to get along well with people socially. And then I wondered…


·Do any of us in our carnal flesh really like others?


·Or have we just learned to do what’s socially required—get along topically—smile and nod and pretend to be interested.


·Do we make an authentic effort to love others?


·And if so, what does that look like?


·Where does it come from?





Authenticity


If there is anything authentic in us, it comes from our Helper, The Holy Spirit, who illuminates the truth of God’s Word (Jesus) and reveals God’s wisdom to us—beyond our own thoughts and imaginings.


Is it possible for us to love others God’s way but not like them initially? I believe so…when we actively do it by faith, believing His word, asking God to purify our hearts to catch up with His will.


Ezekiel 36:26-27 (NIV) tells us…


"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow My decrees and be careful to keep my laws."


And David reminds us in Psalm 51:10 (NLT) to pray…


"Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me."


The Spirit of The Lord impressed upon me one day that not all believers are followers. And not all followers follow Christ in every area of their lives.


Loving others God’s way requires an intentional choice of our humble submission to God’s will; and it has been my experience that when there’s full yieldingness, it doesn’t take long for a bumper crop of fruitfulness. God can cleanse a heart and renew a spirit in an instant.


When you meet someone you don’t like, do you submit your whole heart to God and sincerely ask Him to put more of His love in your heart so you can see them and love them His way?


Loving others isn’t an option. It’s God’s second greatest commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matt 22:39).





Purpose


One of the purposes of loving others is to draw them nearer to Jesus. Another purpose is to do a work of sanctification in us. Sometimes, we have to be reminded that God often works in parallels. And sometimes, we have to be reminded to live holy lives, to be awakened to more humility and dependence on God as our source.


If you invite Jesus into your heart, He will do works of grace in you. His love will fill your heart to overflowing so you can love others His way.


Paul reminds us in Phil 2:12-13 (NASB)... "So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure."


Hindrances


·Envy… We may also want to ask ourselves why we don’t like someone. Is envy involved? That can be a big hindrance and even an enemy attack to try to get you off focus, off course and entangled in a stranglehold that can rob you of your blessings while cannibalizing someone else with words or actions.


·Lust… The idol of sinful lust, as in David’s case, can cause us to turn from loving other’s God’s way to seeing them in a perverted fashion. When we give way to carnal pleasures over God’s will, we can hinder God in our lives until we authentically repent.


· Insecurity… We must know who we are in Christ so we don’t perceive ourselves as unloved or unworthy. We cannot share what we do not realize Christ died to give us. It’s not easy to be happy for someone else when our wounded, deceived hearts perceive lack in our own lives.


· Indifference/Impatience… Do we really desire to spend the time that’s required to get to know someone and understand more about them, to lift them up, to disciple them? Do we perceive their value as God does?


· Hatred… Hatred is a soulful reaction that can be rooted in fear, lack of understanding, wrong teaching, wrong priority, etc., and it usually reacts in judgment and rejection. It’s important to remember that Jesus loves sinners and is merciful.


Bottom Line


It’s all about pleasing God, and loving others pleases God. He is big enough to do it through you.


"Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good" (Rom 12:9, NLT).

How to Overcome Being a People Pleaser by Joyce Meyer

There is only one remedy I know of to avoid being a people pleaser and that is learning to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit in all we do. That is one of the most exciting things about being a Christian.

As believers, the Holy Spirit lives inside us. He desires to lead us in everything we do, from how we handle our finances, to the type of job we have, to the house we live in, to what we do or don’t do for others. He does not want to just be involved with the spiritual side of our lives; He wants to be involved with the natural side of our lives too.

I love what Romans 7:6 says: But now we are discharged from the Law and have terminated all intercourse with it, having died to what once restrained and held us captive. So now we serve not under [obedience to] the old code of written regulations, but [under obedience to the promptings] of the Spirit in newness [of life]. What Paul is saying is, when we follow the leadership of the Holy Spirit, we experience newness of life—peace, joy and contentment—that cannot be experienced when we live under the “shoulds,” the “oughts,” the obligations and the expectations of being a people pleaser.

It All Comes Down to One Thing…

Motives… Why are we doing (or not doing) something? Are we being motivated by fear, personal gain or a sense of obligation? Are we being motivated by a desire to be in control, accepted or seen? These are all the wrong reasons for doing something. Our motive for doing anything should always be because God has prompted us and we want to please Him. Following the leading of the Holy Spirit means we are motivated by the fruits of the Holy Spirit, such as love, kindness and goodness. What the Spirit leads us to do or not do, He will give us a peace about.

Remember, whatever you and I do, if we will do it as unto the Lord, our lives and the lives of others will be blessed. If you help a family member, do it as unto the Lord. If you visit with relatives, do it as unto the Lord. If you work in the nursery at church, do it as unto the Lord. If you are getting dressed, washing the dishes, driving to work, cutting the grass, or going to the grocery store, do it as unto the Lord.

In other words, with everything you do, do it with the motive of pleasing God. The result will be a new measure of joy and enthusiasm in your life—even in the everyday, ordinary things.

I encourage you to shake off the way people think or feel about you and just begin to do what you feel God wants you to do. If you need strength in this area, and I think we all do, pray and ask the Lord for His grace to follow after His voice instead of the pressures and demands of others. That you may walk (live and conduct yourselves) in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him and desiring to please Him in all things…(Colossians 1:10).

The Power of Grateful Prayers by Rick Warren

“Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace.” (Philippians 4:6-7a NLT)


In Philippians 4:6-7 we find one of the most difficult verses in the entire Bible to obey: “Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace” (NLT).


It’s not easy to stop worrying about the often-scary, everyday parts of our lives, but God tells us how in the next part of the verse: “Pray about everything … and thank him for all he has done.” Grateful prayer brings peace. God says, when you start to worry, pray.


Parents understand the power of grateful prayers. Most parents wouldn’t appreciate their children always making requests without saying “thank you” for what they’ve already received. God sees it the same way. He wants us to ask him for what we need and want. More than 20 times in the New Testament, we’re told to “ask” him. But he wants us to ask with gratefulness.


The Bible urges us to be specific in our requests — and our praises. Instead of a simple “thank you for everything,” he wants us to tell him what we’re grateful for. When I say to my wife, “I'm so grateful for you,” she tells me to be specific. She likes to hear what I appreciate about her and what I'm grateful for about her. God does, too. So when you pray, tell God what you’re thankful for. Prayer is one of the most important ways we tell God “thank you.”


Thanking God in advance is a big step of faith. When we have the faith to thank God ahead of time, miracles happen. The more thankful we are, the more God works in our lives. The Bible says that God inhabits the praise of his people. He uses our thanksgiving as an instrument of power in our lives.


So, what are you thankful for?


Talk It Over

• Why do you think gratitude is so important for our spiritual lives? 
• Being as specific as possible, for what are you thankful to God? Spend some time in prayer thanking God for those things. 
• What are some ways you believe God will bless you in the future? Thank God for those things — even before they happen.

How to Prevent Slipping into Depression

Does your happiness depend on everything in your life being just right? If you think you can't be happy until all your circumstances are right, you will never be happy. We all experience times in life when we feel down for various reasons, but we can't allow our circumstances to control our emotions. Satan seeks to fill our minds with negative thoughts and emotions that cause us to feel down. He is a discourager, and he pulls us down emotionally, spiritually, financially, and in every way he can. But Jesus is our Encourager, and He came to lift us up. He came to give us righteousness, peace and joy, and all these things cause us to feel up!

Everyone experiences times of frustration and distress over unfulfilled hopes and dreams. When things don't go according to our plans, it is normal to feel disappointment. But we must be careful how we deal with that feeling, because disappointmentis the beginning stage of depression. If we remain in a state of disappointment for too long, it can turn into discouragement, despair, and finally depression.
Psalm 30:5 tells us that ...Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. Things may make us feel sad temporarily, but we must not stay sad. Just as we cannot afford to stay mad very long, neither can we stay sad very long. If we do, Satan takes advantage of the open door and pushes his way further into our lives, bringing more serious problems with him.

Don't Trust Your Thoughts and Feelings

Our number one enemy is emotions. We tend to be led by how we feel, but we must realize that feelings are fickle; they change from day to day! We should be careful not to follow every thought that comes to our mind because our thoughts and feelings don't dictate truth to us. For many years of my life, I experienced regular depression. I would awaken many mornings with a little voice in my head saying, "I feel depressed." I believed this was my own thought, not realizing that it was Satan making suggestions to me through my mind. Later, when God drew me into a closer walk with Him and I began seriously studying His Word, I learned that I didn't have to follow every feeling and thought that I had. I began to speak aloud and say, "I will not be depressed." I learned to put on the garment of praise spoken of in Isaiah 61:3 .
We may not always feel like praising,but a victorious person does not have the luxury of living by feelings.

I've learned that staying disappointed can cause me to start feeling discouraged, which is a deeper problem than disappointment. But I've also learned that you can't be hopeful and discouraged at the same time. So as soon as the devil attacks us with disappointment and we start feeling discouraged, we need to turn to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to fill us with hope. A brief period of discouragement may not have a devastating effect, but long-term discouragement can lead to depression—a very serious problem.

Resist the Devil and Rejoice in the Lord!

Depression is defined inpart as "a hollow; being in a low state; a state of sadness; dejection." The real cause of depression is not where we are, but our attitude about where we find ourselves. It is possible to learn to live on the other side of your feelings. We will always have feelings; they will never go away, but we can make our feelings line up with our decisions. That's why God gives us the fruit of self-control. James 4:7 tells us to resist the devil, and we must also resist depression, and anything that resembles it, because it is of the devil. Philippians 4:4 says, Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, gladden yourselves in Him]; again I say, Rejoice!

If we stay filled with the right thing, the wrong thing has no place.
If you don't let the devil impress you with what he does, then he can't oppress you; and if he can't oppress you, then he can't depress you. So choose to be led by the Holy Spirit and you can have victory over depression. We can choose to keep a hopeful attitude by renewing our minds with the promises found in God's Word. We can claim the promises as our own and stand in faith, believing God to help us overcome our feelings and move forward into better things. We can't control all of our circumstances, but we don't have to let what happens today ruin tomorrow. We can actually turn things around by making a decision to let go of the situations that caused the disappointment and discouragement, and move toward the good things God has planned for our future.

Many people are depressed because they can't face truth, but the Holy Spirit came to reveal truth to us. We can't get past depression until we quit making excuses and blaming everyone else. We must face the truth and take responsibility for our actions. When we do that and ask God to help us, the spirit of heaviness leaves us and we feel light and free. Jesus tells us in Matthew 11:30 , ...My burden is light and easy to be borne . Being depressed about circumstances does not change them, and it is a total waste of time and a thief of joy. So we must stop letting our feelings,mind, body, and past experiences rule us and allow God to give us a fresh plan, a new idea, a new goal! You can experience victory over your emotions by being led, guided,controlled, and ruled by the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus sent to us as our Comforter, Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener and Standby to remain with us forever (see John 14:16 ). Thank God, we don't have to be disappointed,discouraged, despondent, depressed or indespair. Jesus is not only the Way, but He is also the way out! Jesus is our healer, our glory, and the lifter of our heads.

By Joyce Meyer