Christ As Healer- The Truth

CHRIST AS HEALER 

The Truth 

John 4:4-42

Opening Prayer: Abba Father, speak Your Truth through me, so that all who hear might be changed and drawn closer to You.  Teach me to persevere and to trust You to do the work You have said You will do.  I praise You for Your perfect knowledge and wisdom and I entrust all things to You.  In Christ’s Name I pray.  Amen. 

HOLDING GRUDGES 

When we hold grudges against others, including God, it creates barriers and greater wounds.  Healing is prevented, new wounds arise, and our hearts become hardened to reconciliation.  “That’s not fair” becomes our byword as we are paralyzed by our own feelings.  

Anger, resentment, bitterness and holding grudges are destructive forces.  They destroy relationships, bring forth physical problems, and cause our relationship with the Lord to suffer.  When the enemy is given access to us because of such things, we take our eyes off the Lord and appear to thrive on our desire for revenge and retribution.  All the time we are traveling farther and farther away from the Lord.   

While on the cross Christ said “forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing”.  It is time to lay down our “right” to be angry, bitter, resentful, or hold grudges and to take up forgiveness toward those who wound us and to walk in the light of His forgiveness for others, ourselves, and our God. 

Consider these scriptures about healing and forgiveness:

Romans 8:18 

Isaiah 53:5 

Ephesians 4:32 

Luke 23:34 

Hebrews 3:13, 15 

Colossians 1:22 

Romans 5:10

Ephesians 5:21 

What anger, bitterness, resentment, or grudge do you need to lay upon the altar of God for His redemption?

PERSEVERANCE 

As Christ persevered in talking with the Samaritan woman, she came to understand Who He was and what He offered her.  Likewise, as we persevere in living and speaking the godly example of Christ and His love before others, God continues His work of changing hearts and lives for all eternity through us.  He will use it all to draw others to Himself through His Son Jesus Christ.  What more precious gift is there than to be used by the Lord in such a way?

Consider these scriptures concerning perseverance: 

Galatians 6:9 

Matthew 9:37 

I Corinthians 15:58 

John 4:34

John 8:32 

John 16:8-11, 13

I Corinthians 3:6-9a

Mark 13:11 

Where is God calling you to greater perseverance?  Abandon yourself and this area to the Lord, asking Him to intervene on your behalf and use you for His glory.  

JESUS KNOWS ALL THINGS 

Jesus knows what we need, because He knows everything about us.  We have no secrets from Him. Knowing this about Him brings three possible responses: peace and assurance (that brings me comfort, Lord), squirming and fear (You know everything about me, Lord?), or questioning (Why would You allow that , Lord?).  Which response belongs to You?  Take your response to the Lord in prayer and journaling after pondering these truths from His Word. 

Psalm 121:8 

Psalm 139:1-3

Job 11:7 

Daniel 2:47

Isaiah 55:8-9

I Peter 5:7 

Psalm 126:3

Psalm 72:8 

Psalm 130:7 

Journal Entry-

REFLECTING ON GOD’S WORD- What does each scripture say to you? 

Romans 8:38-39

Psalm 121 

Psalm 34:7 

Ephesians 2:8-9

Matthew 17:8 

Psalm 55:22

Colossians 1:23 

I John 3:16 

Psalm 139:7 

Job 11:17

John 16: 8-11, 13 

Luke 15:7, 10 

Closing Prayer: I praise You, Lord, for You are holy.  I praise You for Your mercy and Your grace.  I freely abandon my “right” to be angry, bitter, resentful, or hold grudges against those who wound me.  Cleanse my broken and contrite heart before You and make it pure.  Fill me with Your grace to persevere in the dark so that I may be a light for You.  In Christ’s Name I pray.  Amen.