The current struggle: Self-conscious light-shining.
I am completely rocked by Pete Cabrera Jr.’s teachings and healings on YouTube. First hurtle of “is this real” was easily cleared because I have been blessed to see many miracles, some outwardly and plainly visible and some at my own hand (Jesus’ power through my prayer.) I have learned a proper perspective on healing, and releasing the power that God has placed inside me since the moment of my salvation (Ephesians 1 – pointed out by Pete’s video, What you already have in Christ.)
I put it into practice last week. Here are the facts:
Brian: One of the nicest guys you’d ever want to meet, a good friend of the family, 20-something, analytic non-believer. We have talked about God and the need for him to “get saved” many times, and he describes himself as being on the edge of the decision. We spent some time visiting, walked down to the doc, got into some Faith discussion, and were walking home, and I saw that he was in pain and asked him about his limp. He was injured and had an ongoing problem that was keeping him from sleeping and affecting his mobility. I had him show me what he couldn’t do, because he was stopped by pain. I offered to pray for him and he accepted, but this time, I didn’t just do a quick prayer and tell him to accept his healing that would probably come in the morning. I took the time to explain that God does heal those he loves. I prayed the scripture that came to mind, and stopped talking, kept my hand on his back and waited. He stood motionless, it seemed like time stood still. He just stared down at the ground while the healing happened. I asked him what was going on, he reported feeling a heat in his back. I had him test out his back by bending , doing everything he couldn’t do before. It was hilarious. He looked all confused as he found that there was no pain. He was completely healed.
At work the next day (my biggest and most important client) one of the workers was hobbling around, not moving his back, bracing himself on a desk in back pain. I felt the Spirit urge me to pray for him, but we were in a room with two other guys, and people coming and going. I waited. Frankly, I forgot. I finished up the job and headed for the door, and he was walking out at just the same time, so I let him go first. We came out into an area where there was no one around, and I realized that this was the God-appointment. I asked him if he would let me pray for his back. He told me that he just got prayer last night at his church. I told him that that didn’t matter, and that I just saw a back healed the day before. He reluctantly agreed to have me pray, and the same thing happened. He stared straight and down and just waited while his healing came. I asked him how he felt, he said good, and wanted to be done, but I said “Don’t lie to make me feel good, test it out!” He moved, bent, squatted, twisted, all with a really confused look on his face. It was obvious that he was at least mostly better, and I asked him if there was any more pain. He could not find any pain, just tightness, so I prayed for him again, and we parted ways.
I record these like I record my dreams and convictions, for the following reasons:
- That I won’t forget.
- To remind me that it’s real.
- To bring God Glory
- To encourage others
This is not to glorify myself. This is not to say, “I have arrived” because I’m painfully aware of my short-comings and downright hypocritical in some areas.
This is to testify that anyone can do this. If you believe that you’re a child of the King, then why dwell outside the Kingdom??? If Jesus wants to love and heal people through me, who am I to pursue selfish desires and live life for my own benefit?
As I focus on what I want, it becomes reality. I want to love people. I want to heal them. I want to break the lies of their hart that has them bound up in emotional hell. I want to teach them that they have power over darkness, over sickness, and that they do not have to live powerless lives.
My reality is fun. We are spiritual beings, and while I find myself still working a normal (self-employed) job, I am learning to walk in the Kingdom of God at the same time.
I feared Facebook. It is such a worldly system. It’s all about what “face” you put out there for others to see. People judge. People have opinions. Those opinions have no bearing on who I am called to be. I just opened a Facebook account again, and I feel weird putting forward that spiritual face–but it’s not a facade. It’s Jesus being given the permission of my choice to live through me. I feel like I need to let my light shine to give others hope. I’m not perfect, but my Lord is. I can’t heal, but He can. I will testify of his supernatural works in my life, because I am commanded to:
Matt 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.