Healing for the Paralyzed in All of us

This time last year I was only contemplating publishing a book so I could finally mark off, "I published a book." However, God had other plans. After publishing my first book this ministry became public.

I remember visiting with the Father saying, "How am I supposed to do what you ask of me, and who am I to do what you ask of me?"

The Lord brought to my memory "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion," (Ecclesiastes, 4:9-10).

As preparation began, he sent a group to move forward. A father who felt like a fatherless child has helped the ministry through encouragement and providing services of the Web site and financial donations. A couple with eight children who struggled seeking their destiny, willing supported the ministry with their family helping for all events. A stay-at-home mom who was in a shell about singing opened herself not only to sing once but to be the minister of music for the organization as well as help with clerical duties. A mother who had suffered for five years with heme-facial spasms, after a severe car accident opened her home once the ministry did not have a location to hold its workshop sessions.

A mother who almost died in a car accident dedicated her time in collecting clothing donations on behalf of Healing of a Broken Heart Ministry. A father and veteran of the military recently suffered from a stroke and has continued to be an advocate, with the blessing of being on TV and radio programs.

All these people have helped not only by acts of service presenting themselves as a living sacrifice but also investing their time in planning and finances; they promote the ministry, ask others to donate and are always full of cheer.

This has been a blessing like no other. It has ministered to others and it has ministered to a paralyzed woman - me. Jesus did the same for a man thousands of years ago.

In Luke, we note Jesus was teaching and his power to heal was present. "Some men came carrying a paralytic on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, he said, ‘Friend, your sins are forgiven,'" (Luke 5:18-20).

Those standing by questioned Jesus' authority. Later in the text we see "He said to the paralyzed man, ‘I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.' Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, "We have seen remarkable things today," (vs. 24-26).

This year the Lord has used my husband and children along with the help of the father who felt like a fatherless child, the couple with eight children seeking their destiny, the mom who was in a shell, the mother who had suffered for five years of spasms, another mother who almost died in a car accident and, finally, a father who suffered a stroke.

I was not paralyzed as the man in the Bible, though mentally I was paralyzed from thinking, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13).

Today, I am most thankful for being delivered from sitting on my mat. I am grateful for God sending people to help work together to fulfill his mission. It has been a blessing and a reward to do what he ordained this year with the help he sent.

As you reflect on your life today, search what God has done for you. What areas have you been paralyzed in your life? Have you told yourself you can't do this or that? What is he telling you to do?

Consider paying attention to what you can do with what the Lord has provided you. Pray to God to lift you to do his will. "For woe to him who is alone, when he falls, for he has no one to help him," (Ecclesiastes 4:10).

God's Prevailing Love

When I was a little girl my parents divorced. By the time I was a teenager, I remember thinking my mother hated me. I was such a rebellious teen. Although I did everything I could to win her love and please her, yet I spent years trapped in fear thinking she never loved me.

During those years it was a tremendously difficult time for me and my mother. Then one day as young adult I heard her read a poem. It was as if I had met her for the first time. She stood in the crowd so confident; I had never seen that side of her.

When the crowd was gone I went to my mother and told her, “I love you”. But it was as if I told her for the first time. I will never forget that day, for I realized that we had so much in common and our river of love flowed again.

As I contemplate my past, my mind is captured by writings of the Apostle John. He wrote, “No one has seen God at anytime. If we love one another, God abides in us and His love has been perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us His Spirit” 1 John 4:12-13.

The Scripture is saying while we have not physically seen God with our eyes, we see Him spiritually through the expression of sincere, godly love. We are able to love one another because His love has been placed in us, once we confess the Savior. We are able to testify that we live in Him and He is us because His Spirit dwells within us. As His Spirit dwells within us, His love supersedes all else, casting away the negative. Through it we are able to lay aside every harmful, malicious and irresponsible thing anyone has said or done. It is by the power of God’s love that we are able to love as He loves.

Maybe you have been hurt by someone you love yet can’t seem to understand their actions. Possibly someone has been so malicious towards you that you can’t see beyond their actions or even your own. Could it be you have not been perfected in love? Could it be that you have confessed the name of Jesus but no one can tell He abides within you?

Later in the passage, John says, “There is no fear in love but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love” 1 John 4:18. When we walk around in agony over what another has done or did not do, are we displaying the Spirit of God’s powerful love or the fear of love? If we are hurt by something from the past and have a fence guarding us against loving another, or being loved, we are being tormented. Our fruit shows any imperfections in our love. Yet when we love even when it is difficult, we allow the Spirit to take over and consume us.

Consider allowing the Spirit of God’s love to override your fear of love. Ask Jesus to come into your heart so you may truly love and accept love. Pray and ask God to forgive you for any hatred that may dwell in your heart. Then call upon the Lord to cast out fear so you may love as He wills.

Suffering for His Sake

I can recall a movie that I saw in which there was a scene about a husband who could not maintain a job that would provide for his family’s day to day survival. The wife became fed up with hearing excuses day after day as to why her family could not have “this or that.” Finally, she left her husband and son behind, refusing to suffer because of what she considered a selfish decision made by her husband. She journeyed one way to pursue happiness as the son and father journeyed another direction, also in pursuit of happiness.

This movie reminds me of the journey that we as Christians have in life. There are certain aspects of life that everyone must face – temptation, affliction, discouragement. The Apostle Paul wrote “For thy sake we are killed all the daylong; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter,” (Romans 8:36).

This Scripture is saying that God’s faithful people will continually face trials for His sake as the enemy daily and unceasingly seeks our destruction. It is during these hard times that we must look above our troubles and to God; believing that though the enemy is allowed to test us, he has no real power over us. Power belongs to God.

What temptation are you experiencing right now? Are you being afflicted? Do you feel discouraged? Perhaps you are suffering or possibly you know someone who is going through right now.

The father and son mentioned previously, experienced much hardship. Living in a hotel, sleeping in a train’s station restroom and when they could, a shelter. This father knew that there was more to life and he was determined to suffer in whatever way necessary – even while caring for his son—in order to get to happiness. Do you have that same type of determination for the cause of Christ?

Consider finding comfort in the midst of your situation while meditating on the Word of God, and seek to be content. Call upon our heavenly Father to restrain you from seeking relief by any sinful manner. Let Him mold you into the person He has already equipped you to be. Ask the Lord to give you strength and help you face each day. Pray to God that you will not beat yourself up during your time of destitution. Remember “If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you,” 1( Peter 4:14).

Generosity out of Poverty

A few days ago, I received a phone call from a woman who was struggling to survive. She said, “It would be my delight to supply an offering. Through God's favor, I will do my very best to provide an offering.” The next day she said to me, “my heart wants to give but I really don’t have enough.” As we closed our conversation, I reminded her that her prayers are sufficient and God knows her heart, so that is a blessing.

Moments later she sent in a donation, saying it was only but a ‘small donation.’ Interestingly, I noticed so many others commenting saying they can only give a ‘small donation.’ Such phrases reminded of the Bible passage that speaks of a widow’s two mites.

Luke wrote: And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury. And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all. For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had. (Luke 21:1 – 4)

This Scripture is saying that when the poor widow let go of the thin, small brass coin, worth about a 1/5 of a cent; she did not have any attachments to it. She willingly gave from her heart. From her offering, we can learn that what we give to assist the poor, in the support of God’s worship, is actually given to God. God knows our heart and delights with whatever offering we give to help the Body of the Church and to bring relief to the poor.

Luke continues to say “she of her penury cast in all the living that she had.” That is, in her deficiency she gave all that she had to live off of– and it was the very thing that she was lacking.

What state of mind would we find ourselves in, if we were impoverished? Some might be saying “I am in poverty right now.” Would we have a heart to give with no strings attached? Could we say, I might not have enough for my rent this month, but I still have a roof over my head, the Lord is worthy? Would you give property, if you were lacking? Would you give resources, if you were lacking? How would you give out of poverty?

The Lord rejoices knowing we give the small we have, simultaneously giving our soul to Christ. He knows what we have because He is the reason we have anything at all. Our giving displays our attachment to possessions, to God. It shows our reliance towards our heavenly Father.

Many are struggling; some who never knew they would are facing poverty right now. The enemy wants us to believe because we lack we can’t give. It is only a trick. Some have nothing physically to give but can still lift up prayers. Some can’t give financially but know others that can pitch in financially. Some can’t buy clothes but can still share the clothes they have. Some can’t buy food but can cook a meal to share. We all have something that is satisfactory to give. When our heart connects with the Father and we seek Him about our giving, He reveals what we can give, even out of poverty.

Consider giving from your heart, knowing that our small delights Christ. Don’t think your small is not enough, for it pleases God that we give, even out of our deficiency. As the world goes through, walk with faith that you are coming through. Call upon the Lord to help, you see that the small you have is sufficient. Pray to God to help you to not cling to the things of this world but to help bring relief to the poor. Ask God to bless you so you may be a blessing to someone else. Pray to the Father to help you understand “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).

Don’t Cast Your Confidence

Today someone lost their job, another lost their home. A family experienced a divorce while some were discriminated against. In Kenya there has been no rain for over a year, some without food, and some without clothes. An hour ago someone threat the life of another and a minute ago someone died, yet none of these things can conquer separating us from the love of Christ.

As I ponder the state of the economy my mind is captured by the writings of the Apostle Paul he said, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?” (Romans 8:35).

Paul was saying what can try to divorce us from the love of Christ? Can anything tear us apart from the affection of Christ? Do you think pressure, the stress of the downfall of the economy, the limited places of employment, being treated unfairly, being discriminated against, being without something to eat, having no clothes, going bankrupt, experiencing threat, even death it cannot separate you but bring you closer to the love of Christ.

Can losing your job or house shred the love of Chris from you, the loss of a loved one is not going to take away the affection Christ has for you. No matter how small or how big your situation may be it will not rip away the love that Christ has for you because the Lord will love you the same today and tomorrow.

Maybe you know someone wondering where their next meal is coming from. Possibly you feel low about yourself because you don’t have all the answers. Perhaps you are pondering where you will live by the end of this month or week. Are you staying close to the Lord? Can you stand and say Lord despite all I have and don’t have you’ve been good. Will you stand and say if you don’t do anything else, Lord, you’ve been good.

Can you see, the hardships of the world today, are a strategy to deplete our confidence. If you are low on food go on a fast, if you no longer have a car walk, jog or use the time to exercise to get to your destinations. If you’re staying from house to house, hotel to hotel, shelter to shelter consider you are on vacation. Do not be consumed with your situation that it takes your focus off the Lord and you neglect to reflect on the love that Christ has for you.

Consider not allowing your confidence to be cast below the depths of the sea. Pray to God to restore your joy, shake up your peace. Call upon the Lord to remind you that all He has done is good and pray that He helps you compose yourself in a manner of appreciation. “For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life,” John 3:16.
Written 10/16/09

I Can Make It

Lately, my children have needed more than ever. My husband is experiencing difficult trails at his job and I have been preparing for an event. Yet, as the day draws closer one thing after another keeps happening. Every day is a test, yet preparation. Initially, I couldn’t see how the trails were all working as preparation. I called out to Him crawling before Him on my face, in need of His rejuvenation, for all I could see was ‘how it is hard’. I would call on my help for the children only to be let down. As each day got closer I felt as if I was heartbroken. I start second guessing my abilities, thinking that there is no way I can get this done, write this paper, present for class, take the kids here, tend to this or tend to that, there is no way. But joy comes in the morning. I can understand on a deeper level no matter what may come my way, my life is in His hand. Today, as I was on my face before the Lord, I was reminded there is a friend, a friend that won’t let you down.

My mind is captured by the writer Mark. He wrote “Then one of the synagogue rulers, named Jarius, came there. Seeing Jesus, he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, "My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.” So Jesus went with him,” Mark 5:22-23.

Jesus just got off the boat and a multitude of people were awaiting His arrival, including the synagogue ruler. Jarius was a very prominent man in the community. The mentioning of his name would raise eye brows. But he did not let his status cripple him from showing reverence, once he saw Jesus. He did not let his pride take over him, he went to Jesus sincerely, pleading his situation. He asked Jesus to add His power to his daughter by laying His hand upon her so she may be restored and Jesus went with him.

I vividly see Jarius. Day after day serving the Lord. Seeking the right representatives, teaching teachers all to share the law of the Word to others. I can see Jarius so busy, how so many would flock to him for answers yet in his time of distress he knew just where to go. As his daughter laid to the point of death, he went to Jesus.

What do you have in your life and it seems like it is at the point of death? Are you feelingconsumed with responsibilities? Have you felt that everything has been piling up at once? Are you afraid? You don’t have to worry, you don’t have to cry. If you can just go before the Father and declare “ I can make it, I can make it.” Your brokenness will instantly, be moved if you focus on Him and not all that is coming your way.


The world is facing so many trails and all sorts of darts seem to be coming our way. But there is a friend that can revive you. The Bible says “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” Philippians 4:13.

Consider not doing it on your own. Allow God to block your mind from trying to locate your help and pray that you continue to look to the Father. It is through Christ we are strengthened to with stand, whatever comes our way. When you feel like the bills are too heavy, the job is tearing you down, you feel like your responsibilities supersede the energy you have, rest in Him. Allow our heavenly Father to be your refreshment, believing you can make it. “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away,” Revelation 21:4.