Tag: healing

Blessed is the One Who is Not Offended by Me

February 19, 2022Blog, Personal Growth, Sunday Sermons, Leave a comment

Jesus spoke these words to His disciples in Luke 7:23, and I believe He is speaking them to us in these days as well.

Jesus was being Jesus, healing people of diseases, plagues and evil spirits. He was giving sight to the blind, allowing the lame to walk, lepers were being cleansed, the dead were raising to life, and even the poor were receiving good news.

It was admid these happenings that John the Baptizer sent messengers to ask if Jesus was what they were all looking and hoping for. Smack dab in the middle of miraculous healings, and wondrous miracles, the guy who was s’pose to be preparing the way, was wondering if this was the right guy and the right way.

Jesus response to him was, “You tell me, what do you see and hear happening?” Then Jesus recounted the miracles that were happening:

  • the blind receive their sight
  • the lame walk
  • lepers are cleansed
  • the deaf hear
  • the dead are raised up
  • the poor have heard the good news

And then, He added, “And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”

Why is this powerful phrase included with the events of the miraculous healings and actions of Jesus?

First, let’s look at what offended in this text means.

“Offended” in the Greek here means:

” skandalizo” = a stumbling block, tripped over. Entangled, annoyed, find displeasure, make indignant.”

G 4624 Strong’s Concordance

Could it be that miraculous healings will trip people up? Would some people be annoyed by what Jesus asks them to do for their healing? Would there be those who get angry by the way God does things when healings and demon evictions start happening? Would some dare call healing services and meetings scandalous?

Look at these bible examples before you answer.

  • Naaman the leper- was annoyed that he had to go and dip in the Jordan River. 2 Ki. 5
  • the disciples were trippin’ (offended) that Jesus told them they would eat His flesh. John 6
  • the rich, young, displeased, ruler, turned and walked sadly away. Mat. 19
  • King Herod seized and killed John because John challenged him. (THAT’S anger!) Mt. 14
  • Ananias & Sapphira, entangled in greed, lied about a property cost to keep more of the money. Acts 5
  • The Saducees and Pharaisees were constantly annoyed and angry at Jesus for something that He did or said. The Gospels
  • Paul & Barnabus were threatened by unbelieving Jews who also stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned people’s minds against the brothers. Acts 14
  • Jews mocked the Apostles. Acts 17

So, what say you? Could it be that when God moves that there will be those who are offended?

Lest we shovel the blame out there, on some unsuspecting reader, let’s look within.

If I am being honest, here are some things that God has told me, that I still trip over and sometimes get annoyed with:

  • love & forgive my enemy
  • deny my own way
  • seek Him 1st, not 2nd or 3rd
  • don’t try to figure it out (my own understanding)

If Jesus is Lord of my life and God is ruler of the universe (and they are), then the chances are we are gonna have our wills cross, don’t you think? That is “picking up the cross daily” part of our Christian walk.

But here’s Jesus’ point in the text of Luke 7. Jesus is listing all of these fabulous, life-altering miracles – all of which everybody should be celebrating. Geesh, the lame are walking! The blind just saw his daughter for the first time! The demon possessed woman has been freed and in her right mind! Oh, and that guy won’t be needing his grave just yet, he’s gonna be here a while longer! These are all headlines not only worth noting, but extolling.

And for one last entry, Jesus adds, (my slant), “Don’t get offended and all tripped up or annoyed about the way I heal and perform miracles.” Don’t let the way it happens, or the length of time it takes to happen, or the one’s He uses to make it happen, or even where it happens be considered scandalous by YOU.

Jesus is saying, Don’t allow yourself to be offended by what I do. The way I do it. Who I do it to. Who I use to do it. Where I choose to do it. You wanna know if I’m the one everyone has been looking for and hoping for…?

LOOK AT THE MIRACLES that are happening.

Oh dear reader, call me crazy if you want, but I firmly believe we are living in the days of God’s miraculous. He is still a God who heals, delivers and makes people whole and free. He is moving in miracles, signs and wonders today, and there will be those who are on board and involved with what He is doing, celebrating every healing and sharing it. They are those who are blessed.

And there will be those who are offended and call what God is doing a scandal.

Which group will you be in?

Debbie

Avoid

November 16, 2021Blog, Encouragement, , Leave a comment

Defined by Oxford as “to keep away from or stop oneself from doing.” Merriam-Webster concurs, ” to prevent the occurence or effectiveness of, to refrain from.”

What is it that you avoid? What things do I avoid?

A quick internet search offered these things to avoid:

  • bad company
  • unhealthy food
  • fake friends
  • wasting time
  • abusive fights
  • smoking weed/weeds/drugs

Actually, a pretty good list, in my opinion. What do you think?

Here’s another great list of things to avoid:

  • grabbibg your phone without a goal
  • answering messages on the spot
  • waiting for others to contact you
  • see the negative first
  • buying more than you throw a way
  • not letting silence in
  • and the list continues, but you get the idea

But just for a minute, let’s go micro rather than macro. Micro looks at the small segments, compartments of your life. Lets go there.

In those places, compartments of your life, of your heart, (maybe known only by you and a close friend), what areas are avoided? What rooms are off limits? Which places are are sealed up? Which memories, motives and masks are eluded, evaded and escaped from? What are you avoiding or trying to stop yourself from dealing with?

This morning, in my life, those were the types of questions that were filtering through my mind and heart. What was I avoiding? Was I avoiding anything that needed to be dealt with? Were there issues, items or incidents that needed my attention rather than avoidance?

And here’s the thought bubble, that appeared very cleary over my head and resounded in my heart –

When we avoid God and what He is pointing to in our life,

there is a VOID in our life, and we are left empty, without what we need.

There is so much truth and power in that statement, my friend.

We avoid things in our heart for a miriad of reasons and excuses. No matter the reason, if it is avoided at all, it will indeed leave a void in your heart, that must be filled and healed. If we avoid allowing God into that place (or those places) in our heart, we fill it with things that will never heal it our last. Things like, bitterness, anger, resentment, hatred or even apathy, and isolation, perhaps becoming callous, hard, harsh or cruel. These things fester and inflame all we do. They poison our entire life, outlook, hope and relationships.

It would be wise for us to allow God into those places in our hearts that we have avoided, for He alone can fill the void and heal at the root level any issue we have been avoiding.

Is there a void in your heart that He wants to fill and heal?

Please don’t avoid it.

Cheers to you.

Debbie

Music’s Power

March 16, 2021Blog, Encouragement, 2 Comments

For over 20 years, I was a music teacher and so I never missed the Grammy Awards on TV. Times have changed for me, but the Grammy’s aired again Sunday night, for the 63rd time.

Music is the universal language. It is a powerful communication tool, memory provider, relaxation technique, mood creator and even medicine.

Scientists tell us that music is hardwired into our brain. It’s components like rhythm and melody echoes in our physiology, our functioning and our being. It has prominent effects on our body.

Before we go any further, because I hope you too are a music lover, let’s do an exercise. You can do it there where you are, but I would love to hear your responses, so please, please consider leaving a comment when you come to the end of this blog today, please?

THINK ABOUT THE YEAR 2020. WHAT SONG WOULD YOU PICK TO BEST REPRESENT IT?

THNIK ABOUT YOUR HIGH SCHOOL YEARS. WHAT SONG BEST DESCRIBES THOSE YEARS? (If you aren’t in HS yet, think about your middle school years and choose a song)

Lastly, THINK ABOUT YOUR FUTURE. WHAT SONG WOULD YOU CHOOSE TO BEST REPRESENT YOUR HOPE FOR THE FUTURE?

Music is entertaining of course, but it is more than that. It is powerful and it’s ability to help in the healing processes are still being discovered and understood.

Because of the close association of music with memories, doctors are telling us that it could be helpful with Alzheimer’s patients. Other doctors have told us listening to hip hop music is of great benefit to those with mental disorders. Pediatricians have concluded that infants remain calmer with music rather than speech.

Chances are you may have music playing right now, somewhere around you. If not now, you probably have recently or will in the near future. Music has become the soundtrack of our life. Silence is uncomfortable for many and therefore gets filled with music and other noise.

The power of music is undeniable.

Music stimulates more parts of your brain than any other human function. “Melodic intonation Therapy” coaxes parts of the brain to take over damaged parts, and that may even help patients regain the ability to speak. For stroke patients who have lost speech, music may stimulate those functions.

Music has been proven to reduce pain and anxiety, according to Brunel University in UK. After testing over 7,000 patients who had undergone surgery, playing music during their recovery (music of their choosing is even more powerful) reduced pain.

“… if music was a drug, it would be marketable… music is a non evasive, safe, cheap intervention that should be available to everyone undergoing surgery.”

Medical News Today 2015; Brunel University, UK

A Denmark study in 2014 has found that music may be beneficial for fibromyalgia patients.

“calm, relaxing, self-chosen music reduced the pain and increased functional mobility.”

Denmark study 3/14

Listening to music triggers opiods in the brain; they are the bodies natural pain killers. Listening to music also increases dopamine in the brain.

So… the music you choose to fill your home, car and brain with has power. Power to relieve your stress, strengthen your body and brain and even heal your mind and body. Pump it up, play it on repeat, and allow music to bring to you the peace and strength that The Creator intended.

Sit back, pump it up, close your eyes, (pour a glass of wine), and soak in music’s power of healing and strength. ENJOY.

Cheers to you.

PLEASE LEAVE YOUR SONGS IN THE COMMENT SECTION.

My 2020 song – Avenue of Broken Dreams – Green Day

My high school song – I Can See Clearly Now the Rain is Gone – Johnny Nash

My future song – Waymaker – Sinach