HOW DEEP ARE YOUR SCARS?

I focused on the cracks in the wood floor; the deep scrapes and scarring. They've been there every single time I've sat close to stretch, but today I noticed. They seemed more obvious...battle wounds; class after class, weight bearing down. It's old and worn now. It's taken much. As I continue to stare, my battle wounds come to light. A struggle in the waiting currently engulfs me. 

Is that why I noticed?

Is it cancer? How bad? What am I going to have to face?

Old scars from the last time I went down this road a year ago...re-opening, tearing deep.

But I received a miracle. It was gone and I required no further treatment. 

Scars leave a mark. A reminder left behind.

Jesus shared His scars of sacrifice with a doubting Thomas~(John 20:24-27). A reminder of the truth of His love, words and actions. The scars remained but the truth prevailed. Hope to the hopeless. Love for the unloved. Forgiveness to the lost. Healing's for the sick. Resurrection from death. Promises of a new way of life, above all we face; above all we're dealing with.

Jesus Christ bears the truth and love. As we look to Him in the middle of a crises...we are healed.

As I focus on Jesus in the waiting, my worry gives way to peace. My fear gives way to trust. 

We are all scarred. We all have a choice. Are you...am I...going to continue to look at the scars too long? Or are we going to focus on the Healer, Jesus Christ? It's a moment by moment, minute by minute choice. What are you choosing? Today I choose healing. My Lord and Savior meets me as I seek Him. Today Lift your eyes up...your Savior, Jesus Christ is holding out His love scarred hands toward you. Grab Hold. Be healed.

Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.”

So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.”

And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.”

Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Return to Me,” says the Lord of hosts, “and I will return to you,” says the Lord of hosts.~Zechariah 1:3

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”~John 8:12

Can You Intercede To Help Others?

I've been thinking a lot about the need for intercessory prayer. The kind of prayer that has you standing in the gap for your struggling family members & friends, whether they know Christ or not. There are definitely a lot of scriptures which talk on this subject. But often, we never really understand the power we have in interceding on behalf of others. So I'd like to share a few scriptures that will help you understand a little more about what God says about intercessory prayer and proclaiming His promise over the lives of others. 1 Timothy 2:1 "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;"

God's Words will never return void. He has left promises over the lives of each one of us. The key is to stand strong in prayer, faithfulness, and trust; believing that God is more than willing and able to turn a life around.

First let's look at intercession for addiction, which seems to be so prevalent in today's society:
In Isaiah 61:1 it says-"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound." People who suffer with addictions are captive, they are in prison and bound, but the Spirit of the Lord can set them free. John 10:10 says, "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."

Next when looking at Spiritual Warfare, the battle that is taking place, we see in Ephesians 6:12, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Our prayers are coming up against the enemy. We need to stand on that truth and proclaim it with confidence in Jesus Christ who has already defeated the enemy. In Job 1:10 it further states to pray for a hedge of protection, “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land." It is important to enter into battle by praying for a hedge of protection around your loved ones as you continue to proclaim the Lord's truth over their life.  

When praying for the sick, James 5:14-16 says, "Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." Your prayers are important. Your prayers make a difference.Your prayers are needed. Ephesians 6:18-"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;"

Don't ever underestimate the power you have in praying for others. The enemy will try to fill you with every excuse to keep you from praying for people in need. Don't shrink back! Don't give up! Healing is always in God's timing...He just asks us to continue to be faithful in praying & trusting. When someone comes to your mind, instead of thinking, wow, I haven't thought of them in years...it's time to pray for them. When someone continues to struggle with addiction...it's time to continually pray for them. When someone is sick...push ahead...keep praying for healing. PRAYERS ARE POWERFUL...they break chains of bondage, heal the wounded and bring people to the freedom of Jesus Christ. Someone needs your prayers today...it's time to intercede!  

Details in a Miracle

photo & story by: lisa petrarca

Walking down the stairs, large red passes hanging from our necks marked, "Guest," we headed below the Honda Center stadium in Anaheim, CA. We were unsure what awaited us, but felt very privileged to be sharing this moment with our dad.

We were taken to a holding room with several people. Pushing our way back trying to find a spot to stand, I put a call into the PR Rep, as instructed by the The Detroit Red Wings PR Executives. I was told they were in a press conference but would be done in a few minutes. I assumed, as did my family, that we would be staying in this area & mingling with the coaches and players along with all the other "guests."

This was a gift to my dad, first surviving inoperable 4th stage lung cancer and now getting to meet The Detroit Red Wings Hockey coach, Mike Babcock (also the gold medal winning Canadian Olympic Hockey coach) and the players.

My dad grew up in Michigan and was actually asked to try out for their farm team as a goalie. He chose to join the Marines and served his country. Upon returning, he played for the semi-pro team, The Reno Aces for several years.

I received another call a few minutes later. The PR rep came and took us down the hallway, as we entered a room, Mr. Babcock and the entire coaching staff were standing there to greet my dad. We were alone in the room visiting with them for about 15 minutes. They also invited my dad and mom to come to their practice in Phoenix and hang out with the team.

This was so much more than I ever expected! The special attention, time and treatment my dad received was such a blessing!

While driving to work the next morning, so full of gratitude, I turned to see a large sign on the side of a car, "Jesus' Detailing." How appropriate...at that moment, I thought of how Jesus sits at the right hand of God interceding on our behalf...even the special little details that we never expect.

Never give up hope...Jesus is interceding on your behalf and Heavenly Father is faithful to answer!

ROMANS 8

³¹ What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? ³² He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? ³³ Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. ³⁴ Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. ³⁵ Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? ³⁶ As it is written "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered" ³⁷ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.