Terminal Illness-We All Have It!

Photo by KoolShooters on Pexels.com So you will be my people, and I will be your God. Jeremiah 30:22 (NIV)

Medically, no one wants to hear the word terminal-knowing it leads to death or the end. This word can turn our lives upside down and shake us to the core. It seems to change everything once the effects begin to unravel. Life is never the same.

In Jeremiah we find a portion of Scripture in chapter 30 referencing this very medical language. It clearly states, “Your wound is incurable, your injury beyond healing.” (verse 12b) What? Talk about getting straight to the point-there is no beating around the bush here. And to surprise you even more, let me share 12a, “This is what the Lord says:” Words uttered from God.

So, exactly what is this wound, incurable injury God is referencing? What is the disease within where the Lord clearly conveys a terminal effect? We all have it. There is no human cure and it has the power to spread and completely destroy life as we know it. Deadly.

This three-letter illness is SIN. There is no human remedy and the pain is overwhelming. The guilt and shame will devour. The sting of death is its friend and the disease can easily spiral out of control until we are consumed and unrecognizable. In medical terms some might even say, “They are too far gone! There is nothing more we can do.”

BUT GOD…”But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds”, declares the Lord, …” Jeremiah 30:17a. Only God has the antidote-the true cure-Jesus Christ, the Savior! AMEN!

ALL-yes, all have sinned. The very thing that brings pain and suffering. The wounds are deep from it and it can spread like wildfire within a short period of time. It has a major way of destroying lives and those around it.

Many times, we try to find a cure on our own. We attempt to heal the pain and/or find a remedy without the help of the Lord. We enlist in ways to “humanly” become healthy or even find an “earthly” cure, but nothing can restore and heal us from sin except Christ Himself.

Jesus was sent as the new covenant. A chance for healing, restoration, and life eternal. Our antidote so to speak. He made the sacrifice for the ultimate cure! Through His death and pain, we are offered grace in exchange for our terminal illness-sin.

When was the last time you read the plan of salvation?

How have you been able to share this with the world recently?

What could you do to ensure others know of this miraculous healing?

May you be encouraged to stop and give thanks for what God has done for you.

God’s Word says:

ADMIT we have sinned: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” (Romans 3:23) Sin separates us from the LORD and its outcome is death.

BELIEVE in Christ’s sacrifice: Jesus paid the price for all sins. “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf…” (2 Corinthians 5:21a)

ASK for forgiveness & for Christ to enter your life: “…if you confess with your mouth Jesus as LORD, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved:” (Romans 10:9) The gift of the LORD is eternal life and it is only by grace you can be set free from the terminal effects of sin. (Ephesians 2:8)

Now, go beyond and find a way to share it with the world. Remember, the antidote is for ALL!

November 6, 2022 1

Heir Too!

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8

Have you ever had your DNA tested? There are numerous reasons our genetic code is beneficial. Establishing paternity, researching health risks, and exploring ancestry are a handful of reasons DNA inquiries occur. For me, DNA testing produced exposure and clarity about my true family history plus an abnormality which awarded me a high-risk badge. It may sound barmy but finding my relatives through my mother’s paternal tree has given me a sense of belonging. The family has made me feel included as a member.

In Galatians 4, Paul reminds us that we can be a part of the family of God through the saving grace of Christ Jesus. Verse 3 shows us we are subject to the authority of worldly and fleshy desires without the redemption of Jesus. “A child under bondage” cannot escape the power of sin and is only promised death and destruction. Christ, the Son of God, who is our source and spiritual rock, is our direct line to obtaining adoption into the family of God.

Redemption, deliverance, salvation, … (you can continue the list) it is simply spiritual adoption. Romans 8:15 states that once we accept Christ’s grace through our full faith in Him, the Spirit is received and we are now sons and daughter to “Abba, Father”. We are redeemed by the blood of Christ and our Savior is the key to God’s adoption.

I love Galatians 4:6 because it speaks about the gift of the Holy Spirit. One of the main topics within the Refining study focuses on the “Spirit of his Son” as a living source with abilities no human can ever equal. The Spirit teaches, prompts, assures, and reveals only what the Father directs. It is a reminder that we are now heir to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit. We are no longer left out or excluded from the kingdom.

Our beautiful gift in God’s family comes with dedication to bring Him glory as we draw closer to our “Daddy” through the outpouring of our love and worship. He has given us an inheritance unlike any other and blessed us with the equipment to honor Him in all we do. May our adoption be reflective through the inward and outward changes we embrace as God refines us.

But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. Luke 12:48

But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” I Peter 1:15-16

Are you grateful to be an heir too? Here is my prayer based on Galatians 4:1-7:

Thank you, Father, for the sacrifice of Christ. You made a way for us to escape our sinfulness and opened the door for us to escape the slavery of sin. You, oh Lord, are worthy of the highest of praise and honor for the abundant grace and love you have extended. There are no words to fully express the gratitude for paying our debt on the cross. Christ, we are overwhelmingly appreciative for the invitation of adoption and thankful for the opportunity to be called sons and daughters to the King of Kings. Father, it is comforting to know your Spirit lives within our heart to leads us. Help us each second of our time on the earth to glorify you, oh Lord. Forgive us when we fall short of fully living out the purpose you gave us. We love you Abba, Father.

October 19, 2019 0

Truth told. . .

Truth told…Have you ever prefaced what you say with this statement? Mark Twain once said, “If you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember anything”. It was Emily Dickinson who made the statement, “Truth is such a rare thing, it is delighted to tell it”. We often find ourselves defending what we say as absolute honesty to assure people believe us. Why are we skeptical? – The world’s vast deception-white lies, news, advertisements, publications, etc. Need I say more?

An elementary educator once told me truth would always be revealed. Of course it was after she inquired about my “bandaged” lie. I couldn’t really conceal the extremely swollen hand wrapped in an ace bandage. Truth told…the day before was a school holiday and my mother had dictated to stay home. Surely that did not include a visit to my grandparent’s house three blocks away!

As I took off early in the morning, the walk was pleasant, and the spring weather placed a pep in my stride. I eagerly anticipated picking a few peaches and enjoying breakfast with my Granny. The morning menu was consistent-one farm fresh scrambled egg and a single piece of bread toasted in a cast iron skillet topped with butter and homemade wild plum jam. This was going to be an amazing day. Besides, what a wonderful surprise it would be for my grandmother.

Once I arrived, I immediately reached for a large, luscious peach. Pain shot up my arm and out came a deafening scream. Needless to say, the yellow jacket was the culprit who blew my cover. I quickly noted that my grandmother was excellent at scrambling more than just eggs. She scurried around to find medicine, tweezers, gauze, bandage, ice pack, and my mother’s work phone number. Why? I had an allergic reaction. BUSTED! Oh yeah, and no breakfast after all.

In Galatians 3, Paul insists on revealing the truth. He was on a mission to blow the cover of the Judaizer’s checklist of regulations for the new Gentile converts. They were led astray from the true gospel and began believing on fleshy means to solidify their salvation because of false teachings. Paul was determined to convey the real meaning of grace-a free gift received through faith in Jesus Christ. He probably said, “Truth told…the gospel is not earned based on our merit”.

God’s promise is honest and true. Paul is clear in his message that the promise of God is trustworthy and eternal because it is directly from God. Our Father extends the invitation to be part of His family through genuine faith in Jesus Christ. We are unable to earn grace through mere obedience. Our efforts are fruitless! (So was my morning in my grandparent’s yard!)

You, my friend, are a child of God. Don’t be tempted to succumb to the lies of the enemy. Trust in the truth and cling to Galatians 3:25-29-Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian. So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

October 4, 2019 1