HEALING IN EVERY WAY

Jesus can heal us everywhere we hurt! He wants to help us mentally and emotionally as well as spiritually and physically. For a long time, I did not know that, and my lack of knowledge caused me to live a dysfunctional life. Abuse and rejection had left me emotionally wounded until I discovered that Jesus wanted to give me - and all of us - beauty for ashes. When we accept Jesus as Saviour and Lord a great exchange takes place in the spirit realm. He gives us evetything He has and is - and we are supposed to give Him not only everything we are, but even what we are not. He takes our weakness and gives us His strength. He takes our sickness and gives us His health and healing. We give Him our sin, and He gives us His righteousness. He will give us beauty for ashes, but we must be willing to give up our ashes. I cannot live in the past and press into the future at the same time. Let go what lies behind and start enjoying the new life that Jesus has for you. When I married my husband in 1967, I had no car but he did, so suddenly I had one too. My poverty was swallowed up in his abundance. Similarly, when we accept Jesus, our sin-filled, miserable, hopeless lives are swallowed up in His goodness, mercy and grace. If you have problems, you adjust the person Jesus died for. He came for the sick and needy. The greatest need that most people have is to admit they have a need! It is time for you to enjoy God's favour: "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon [Me], because the Lord has anointed and qualified [Me] to preach the Gospel of good tidings to the meek, the poor and afflicted; He has sent [Me] to bind up and heal the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the [physical and spiritual] captives and the opening of the prison and of the eyes to those who are bound. To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord [the year of His favour] and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn. To grant [consolation and joy] to those who mourn in Zion - to give them an ornament (a garland or diadem) of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, the garment (expressive] of praise instead of a heavy, burdened, and failing spirit - that they may be called oaks of righteousness [lofty, strong, and magnificent, distinguised for uprightness, justice, and right standing with God], the planting of the Lord that He may be glorified" (Isaiah 61:1-3). That means He will bless you even though you do not deserve it, if you place your faith in Him. God wants you to enjoy yourself and your life. He wants to heal you everywhere you hurt! He wants to heal you spiritually, mentally, emotionally, physically, finan- cially, and so socially. Do not close off any part of your life to His healing touch. Invite Jesus into every area and ask Him to make you whole! [The Everyday Life Bible, Faith Words, New York, Notes and Commentary by Joyce Meyer, 2006]