[2 Timothy 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given in Christ Jesus before the world began.]
From Genesis to Revelation we read about God blessing man, man blessing God, and man blessing man. One of the most prominent stories is the story of Abraham. Believe it or not the covenant that God made with Abraham applies to all of God's children. [Genesis 12:1-3 Now the Lord said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto o land that I will show thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in the shall all families of the earth be blessed.] God's second promise to Abraham was just as miraculous as the first. [Genesis 15:1-6 After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. And Abram said, Lord God, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus? And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and lo, one born in my house is mine heir. And, behold, the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir, And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.]
God's promises and blessings didn't end there. God made a covenant with Abraham and with his seed after him, their generations. [Genesis 17:3-7 And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him saying, As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations. Neither shalt thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee. And I wilt make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and Kings shall come out of thee. And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for on everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.]
Did you notice who was talking to Abraham? We see in [Genesis 15:4 And, Behold, the word of the Lord came unto him saying... Who is the word of the Lord?] We read in the book of John that the word of God is Christ Jesus. [John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father) full of grace and truth.] God also spoke directly to Abraham . [Genesis 17:3 ...and God talked with him saying,] Why did God change Abraham's name from Abram to Abraham? Abram means 'high father' or 'father of elevation'. Abraham means 'father of a multitude'.
The Apostle Paul teaches the Galatians who the children of Abraham are and that the children of Abraham are blessed. [Galatians 3:6-9 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And the scripture, forseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.]
God blesses us in different ways. God blesses by giving riches and prosperity. [Genesis 39:5 And it come to pass from the time that he had mode him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the Lord blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of the Lord was upon all that he had in the house and in the field.] God blesses by giving spiritual and temporal good things. [Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the Gad and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:] God blesses by consecrating or hallowing. [Genesis 2O:11 For in six days the Lord made heaven and the earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day, and hallowed it.]
Men bless God when they praise him for his goodness. [Psalm 104:1 Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty.] Men bless God when they thank him for his benefits to them. [Psalm 1O3:1, 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:]
A blessing is the favour, kindness, and goodness of God, making what his people do succeed and prosper. [Psalm 3:8 Salvation belongeth unto the Lord: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.] A blessing is all good things which God bestows upon his people, whether spiritual or temporal. [Deuteronomy 28:2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God.] A blessing is the mean's of conveying a blessing to others. [Isaiah 19:24 In that day shall Israel be the third with Egypt and with Assyria, even a blessing in the midst of the land:] Blessing is wishing, praying for, and endeavoring for the good of our enemies. [1 Peter 3:9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railings for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.] A blessing is a gift or a present. [Genesis 33:11 Take, I pray thee, my blessing that is brought to thee; because God hath dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough. And he urged him, and he took it.]
Many declarations were made by the Master in the opening of His Sermon On the Mount. [Matthew 5:3-11 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which ore persecuted for thy righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed ore ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shalt say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.]
Not only do we receive blessings from God, we can bless other men by uttering a solemn benediction, as a father praying for his son, and naming him heir and successor. [Genesis 27:23 And he discerned him not, because his hands were hairy, as his brother Esau's hands: so he blessed him.] We can also bless other men when we pray to God for his blessing on them. [Numbers 6:23,24 Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying, On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel saying unto them, The Lord bless thee and keep thee: 2 Samuel 6:18 And as soon as David had made an end of offering burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord of hosts.]
There is much controversy as to who can inherit the kingdom of God. We find the answer in the book of Matthew. [Matthew 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:] Who is blessed by God? Remember what we read about Abraham? [Genesis 17:7 And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seeds after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.] At times the children of God are chastened, not to punish them, but to teach them. [Psalm 94:12 Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O Lord, and teachest him out of thy law; Revelation 3:19,20 As many as I love, I rebuke (point out faults) and chasten (correct): be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.]
God blesses those who trust in him. [Psalm 34:8 O taste and see the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.] We are blessed for hearing the word of God and obeying. [Luke 11:28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.] God blesses people for believing in him. [Galatians 3:9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.] The Lord has promised a crown of life to them that love him. [James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.] We are to love our enemies. [Matthew 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;] God blesses those who are looking for the coming of Christ. [Luke 12:37,38 Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. And if he shall came in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.]
Abraham was blessed by God not only as the founder of the Hebrew nation, but as a father to a child who was born to him by his wife, Sarah, who was barren. God tempted Abraham by telling Abraham to offer his son, Isaac, for a burnt-offering. [Genesis 22:1,2 And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am. And he said, take now thy son, thine only Son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt-offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of. Abraham did just as God told him to. He believed the promise that God made to him and trusted him. Just as Abraham raised his knife to kill Isaac, the Lord stopped him. Genesis 22:13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt-offering in the stead of his son.]
The offering up of Isaac, an only son, seems a prophecy in facts of the sacrifice of the Messiah by His Father. It seems that beneath the whole incident is buried the mystery of the great sacrifice that was to take place two thousand years later on Calvary. [John 3:14-18 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but hove eternal life. For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.]
While deciding whether or not Jesus is the Son of God, the Messiah, consider that they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. [Galatians 3:9-14 5o then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful {believing) Abraham. For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: far it is written, Cursed is everyone that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is everyone that hangeth on a tree: That THE BLESSING OF Abraham might come an the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.]
God made promises to Abraham and his seed. [Galatians 3:16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, and to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.] The seeds of Abraham are not limited by nationality . [Galatians 3:25-29 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a school master. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.]
*Psalms 68:19 Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.*
*Psalms 103:2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:*
*Psalms 116:12 What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?*
Written By Lisa Collier Clewis, 02-18-14
Saturday, November 22, 2014
I Have Seen God's Power
I have not had a life free from sickness, pain and disease. But I have a God who has delivered me from it all. My life is one of miracles and wonders. I have seen God's power with my own eyes. I have seen his power in his protection, his healing, and in his guidance. We have a mighty and powerful God whom I will love to praise forever. 'When we've been there ten thousand years, Bright shining as the sun; We've no less days to sing God's praise, than when we first begun.' Praise God! I have been healed so many times. When I was a small child I had high fevers that caused me to be delirious. My mama said that she took me from doctor to doctor and no one could diagnose me or help me. Praise God, he healed me. I was completely healed. The random fevers just stopped.
When I was a few years older I got out of bed in so much pain. I felt like I had to urinate but I could only pee small drops of blood. The pain was terrible. I cried and prayed and asked God to heal me. When I awoke the next morning I was completely healed. There was no more pain, no more burning, no more blood. I peed normally. I was completely healed with no sign of the illness that I had the night before.
God is the master physician. He loves us unconditionally and has compassion on us. And when he heals us from something it doesn't come back on us. We are healed for life. When I was a teenager I was plagued with tonsillitis and strep throat. My preacher and his wife prayed for my healing. Eventually that same weekend my tonsils came out in little chunks. I have not had tonsillitis or strep throat since then. I had seizures for over a year. The last one that I had was at my preacher's house. I went in to seizure and my body went stiff. I was unconscious. I was laid on the couch and my preacher and the other believer's there anointed me with oil and laid hands on me and prayed for my deliverance. Praise God! I was immediately healed. I have not had a seizure since then.
When I was twenty-three I was healed from endometriosis. Two gynecologist wanted to do surgery. One wanted to do a hysterectomy and the other a partial hysterectomy. I asked the elders of the church to anoint me and pray with me for my healing. Praise God! I was healed. About a year and a half later I had a little girl. I never had endometriosis again. When I was twenty-four I became very sick with my bowels. I went several days without a bowel movement. I could do nothing on my own to remedy it. I got a high fever which at one time made me delirious. There is a length of time that I can not account for. I remember getting into bed and praying for God to heal me or take me home seeing that the pain was terrible and my whole body hurt and I had been depressed for sometime. Something extraordinary happened to me. It is as though I drifted away in my sleep and awoke in a tunnel. I walked towards the light that I saw. I knew I would find the end of the tunnel when I reached the light. I could feel a cool welcomed breeze gliding past me and a cool mist on my skin. Then out of no where a crib mobile appeared as though it was hung in mid air. I heard a voice say, "It is not yet your time." I felt as though I were being lifted away and I awoke completely well. The fever had broken. My bowels worked properly. There was no pain. I know that I had a supernatural experience. And I knew that it was God's will for me to live and be well.
In 2007 I was diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse. There was more blood backing up into my heart than there was going through the valve. My heart became enlarged on one side. An ultrasound technician, while training someone during my ultrasound, told me that there were several scars on my heart, probably from light heart attacks. At times my heart would start racing and I would get very sleepy. I would lie down and go into a deep sleep. When I awakened my heart would have a normal heartbeat. I asked God to heal my heart. And, Praise God, he did. The last ultrasound that I had of my heart showed that I have a completely normal heart in every way and I no longer have episodes of a racing heart and extreme sleepiness. God is so amazing. He is always there to rescue us from whatever catastrophe we face. Praise God! He is true to his word. His love for us is precious and unconditional and profoundly extraordinary.
In 2010 God again showed me his power and protection. I had suffered a long time with excruciating pain. No one could find what was causing the pain that started in 2006 and increasingly got worse. I finally learned that they couldn't find the pain because damaged nerves were causing the pain to radiate down to a healthy part of my spine. After performing a task at work which caused swelling in the back of my neck I was given an MRI which showed three herniated disks, spinal cord impingement, and spinal canal stenosis. I was referred to a neurosurgeon who after examining me told me that I was given the wrong MRI. I asked him why. He said because if that was my MRI I would be experiencing a lot of things that I wasn't bothered with. I told him that I am in God's hands and he takes care of me and asked him what type of things would I be experiencing. He said that I would have numerous problems such as my legs falling out from under me while walking, having difficulty picking up things and difficulty holding things in my hands, and I wouldn't be able to control my bladder among other things. I had experienced my legs giving out under me one time and I asked God to heal me. I experienced difficulty picking up and holding on to a glass one time. But I was experiencing memory loss and a lot of pain. Well, he sent me to get a more extensive test called a myelogram. The myelogram showed that there was more wrong with me than the MRI showed. It showed even more damaged nerves and spinal cord impingement in not one but two places. And one of the places was by a bone spur. I was given a neck brace to wear until I had surgery because a bump or fall could cause me to be paralyzed from the neck down. When I found out that I was going to have surgery on my spine I was enveloped in a most precious kind of peace that I since recognize as God's way of letting me know he is in control and everything will be alright. Praise God! I had a very successful surgery and the surgeon was also able to remove excess bone from my neck and make a curve in my neck where I no longer had one. God protects us from things we don't even know about. He is always there for us, keeping us, protecting us, and watching over us.
In 2011 I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia after being sent to a neuromuscular doctor for a debilitating pain that nothing I did could remedy. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. I tried a couple of pain medications for fibromyalgia but had terrible side effects from the medication. I got so sick that I had to start at five minute intervals getting up and moving around. Then I would rest. Gradually, adding another minute to my activity. Praise God, he blesses me with the energy to go all day and then some. The last time I saw the neuromuscular doctor she said that I had beaten fibromyalgia with diet, supplements, and yoga. I praise God for healing me from fibromyalgia.
Last year I was healed from a bone spur that had developed between my vertebrae and the metal plate in my neck. I was referred to a neurosurgeon. I went back to see the surgeon who did my surgery in 2010. He showed me the bone spur when he viewed my MRI. Me and many of my brothers and sisters in Christ prayed for me to be healed from the bone spur. I had a myelogram done. When I went back to see the surgeon to get the results of my myelogram he came into my room smiling. He said that the bone spur was gone. I said, "Praise God! He healed me." The doctor said, "Yes he did." He did find a slight bulge above the hardware in my neck and sent me to physical therapy which was a great help and learning experience for me. Since then I have been diagnosed with hashimoto's hypothyroidism, obstructive sleep apnea, and hereditary high cholesterol. I have no doubt that God has healed me from that also and that one day soon I will have medical test to prove it. I will not ever experience any of it again because when he heals us from something it is healed for the rest of our lives.
I do not know why my life has taken the course that it has but I do know that God is my protector, my healer, my redeemer, and my friend. I have been kept from so much pain and sickness and death. I was hit in the head with the sharp end of an ax when I was four. God protected me. While white water rafting I had a blackout and was thrown from the raft into a stormy river. I was repeatedly sucked under the water in the waterfall that I had been swept to. I did not breath in or swallow any water. Two rafts went over my head. The second I knew I needed to reach up and so I clawed the bottom of the raft as it went over and people in the back of the raft grabbed my arms and pulled me in. Praise God! I was not only unharmed, I was ready to go down the river again.
I survived a terrible car accident. The car flipped three times and the car battery was thrown I think they said 80 feet from the car. Praise God! I was protected. I only got a gash under my left eye which is barely visible now. Time and time again God has protected me and healed me and through it all I have grown so much spiritually. I love God with all of my heart, mind, and soul. HE IS MY EVERYTHING. And he will be yours too if you will only believe. John 3:16,17 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
The first covenant that God made was to give us a guide to live by and prove to us that we can do nothing without him. It is impossible to live completely without sin because we are flesh and blood. Every day we are faced with the battle field of life. We often react to situations and in our hindsight realize that we weren't Christ like in our behavior and could have handled it better. Eventually, we get stronger and stronger and react more and more the way Christ would. It takes a lot of growth and studying and learning how to apply God's word to ourselves and to our life and so many different circumstances. As long as we are in these flesh and blood bodies we will make mistakes. The new covenant God made with us through Christ takes away all of our sin and anoints us with the holy spirit who teaches, guides, and leads us. When we pray for God's grace to cover an area of weakness in us he is faithful to strengthen us and keep us from committing that sin. God's grace, forgiveness of our sins, and healing are gifts. Salvation is a gift. You can do nothing to earn it. All you have to do is open your heart to God and let him come in. You have already been redeemed through Christ now all you have to do is accept his gift. Just believe and have faith. Romans 8:1 There is therefore no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Trust God and give him your heart.
Throughout my life I have been faced with many challenges. I learned how to forgive others for my own peace of mind and heart and then I learned how to forgive myself for my shortcomings so that I could receive God's love and blessings which he freely gives to us. WE CAN NOT DO ANYTHING WITHOUT GOD. WE ARE NOT EXPECTED TO DO ANYTHING TO EARN GOD'S LOVE. HE IS GOD! He is the creator of the heavens and the earth. He is perfect, almighty, and wonderful. And when we accept Jesus Christ as our risen Lord and Savior that which is in us is perfect.
If you have not already, I urge you to go to God in prayer and share your feelings your with him. Talk to him about everything. Tell him you are sorry for the sins that you have committed and confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and that God has raised him from the dead. If you have anger which persist ask God to bless you with a compassionate heart so that you can forgive others. Jesus took all of our sins on him so that we are no longer are under the law but can by faith believe unto righteousness. We are living in the period of grace. Accept God's forgiveness of your sins. Forgive yourself also. And if the devil tries to remind you of your past tell him to get behind you because God has set you free and you are free indeed! Greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world. Ephesians 3:15,16 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches in glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
Speak the word to yourself. Study God's word, the holy bible. Think about things that are pure, positive, and true according to God's word. Try not to allow yourself to think negative thoughts or to profess negatives. Look for like minded believers that you can fellowship with and worship God with. Keep God's word on your mind. God will strengthen your faith, lift your spirit, fill your heart with joy, and surround you with a blanket of peace. His grace is sufficient for a multitude of sins. He will forgive all your sins and equip you to face life's battles knowing that he is for you and not against you.
Ephesians 6:13-18 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about you with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereumto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
To all those that believe, God Bless YOU!!! If anyone would like me to pray for you, or to email me about something that is on your heart, you can email me at lisa.clewis@live.com
Written By Lisa Collier Clewis, 11-22-14
When I was a few years older I got out of bed in so much pain. I felt like I had to urinate but I could only pee small drops of blood. The pain was terrible. I cried and prayed and asked God to heal me. When I awoke the next morning I was completely healed. There was no more pain, no more burning, no more blood. I peed normally. I was completely healed with no sign of the illness that I had the night before.
God is the master physician. He loves us unconditionally and has compassion on us. And when he heals us from something it doesn't come back on us. We are healed for life. When I was a teenager I was plagued with tonsillitis and strep throat. My preacher and his wife prayed for my healing. Eventually that same weekend my tonsils came out in little chunks. I have not had tonsillitis or strep throat since then. I had seizures for over a year. The last one that I had was at my preacher's house. I went in to seizure and my body went stiff. I was unconscious. I was laid on the couch and my preacher and the other believer's there anointed me with oil and laid hands on me and prayed for my deliverance. Praise God! I was immediately healed. I have not had a seizure since then.
When I was twenty-three I was healed from endometriosis. Two gynecologist wanted to do surgery. One wanted to do a hysterectomy and the other a partial hysterectomy. I asked the elders of the church to anoint me and pray with me for my healing. Praise God! I was healed. About a year and a half later I had a little girl. I never had endometriosis again. When I was twenty-four I became very sick with my bowels. I went several days without a bowel movement. I could do nothing on my own to remedy it. I got a high fever which at one time made me delirious. There is a length of time that I can not account for. I remember getting into bed and praying for God to heal me or take me home seeing that the pain was terrible and my whole body hurt and I had been depressed for sometime. Something extraordinary happened to me. It is as though I drifted away in my sleep and awoke in a tunnel. I walked towards the light that I saw. I knew I would find the end of the tunnel when I reached the light. I could feel a cool welcomed breeze gliding past me and a cool mist on my skin. Then out of no where a crib mobile appeared as though it was hung in mid air. I heard a voice say, "It is not yet your time." I felt as though I were being lifted away and I awoke completely well. The fever had broken. My bowels worked properly. There was no pain. I know that I had a supernatural experience. And I knew that it was God's will for me to live and be well.
In 2007 I was diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse. There was more blood backing up into my heart than there was going through the valve. My heart became enlarged on one side. An ultrasound technician, while training someone during my ultrasound, told me that there were several scars on my heart, probably from light heart attacks. At times my heart would start racing and I would get very sleepy. I would lie down and go into a deep sleep. When I awakened my heart would have a normal heartbeat. I asked God to heal my heart. And, Praise God, he did. The last ultrasound that I had of my heart showed that I have a completely normal heart in every way and I no longer have episodes of a racing heart and extreme sleepiness. God is so amazing. He is always there to rescue us from whatever catastrophe we face. Praise God! He is true to his word. His love for us is precious and unconditional and profoundly extraordinary.
In 2010 God again showed me his power and protection. I had suffered a long time with excruciating pain. No one could find what was causing the pain that started in 2006 and increasingly got worse. I finally learned that they couldn't find the pain because damaged nerves were causing the pain to radiate down to a healthy part of my spine. After performing a task at work which caused swelling in the back of my neck I was given an MRI which showed three herniated disks, spinal cord impingement, and spinal canal stenosis. I was referred to a neurosurgeon who after examining me told me that I was given the wrong MRI. I asked him why. He said because if that was my MRI I would be experiencing a lot of things that I wasn't bothered with. I told him that I am in God's hands and he takes care of me and asked him what type of things would I be experiencing. He said that I would have numerous problems such as my legs falling out from under me while walking, having difficulty picking up things and difficulty holding things in my hands, and I wouldn't be able to control my bladder among other things. I had experienced my legs giving out under me one time and I asked God to heal me. I experienced difficulty picking up and holding on to a glass one time. But I was experiencing memory loss and a lot of pain. Well, he sent me to get a more extensive test called a myelogram. The myelogram showed that there was more wrong with me than the MRI showed. It showed even more damaged nerves and spinal cord impingement in not one but two places. And one of the places was by a bone spur. I was given a neck brace to wear until I had surgery because a bump or fall could cause me to be paralyzed from the neck down. When I found out that I was going to have surgery on my spine I was enveloped in a most precious kind of peace that I since recognize as God's way of letting me know he is in control and everything will be alright. Praise God! I had a very successful surgery and the surgeon was also able to remove excess bone from my neck and make a curve in my neck where I no longer had one. God protects us from things we don't even know about. He is always there for us, keeping us, protecting us, and watching over us.
In 2011 I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia after being sent to a neuromuscular doctor for a debilitating pain that nothing I did could remedy. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. I tried a couple of pain medications for fibromyalgia but had terrible side effects from the medication. I got so sick that I had to start at five minute intervals getting up and moving around. Then I would rest. Gradually, adding another minute to my activity. Praise God, he blesses me with the energy to go all day and then some. The last time I saw the neuromuscular doctor she said that I had beaten fibromyalgia with diet, supplements, and yoga. I praise God for healing me from fibromyalgia.
Last year I was healed from a bone spur that had developed between my vertebrae and the metal plate in my neck. I was referred to a neurosurgeon. I went back to see the surgeon who did my surgery in 2010. He showed me the bone spur when he viewed my MRI. Me and many of my brothers and sisters in Christ prayed for me to be healed from the bone spur. I had a myelogram done. When I went back to see the surgeon to get the results of my myelogram he came into my room smiling. He said that the bone spur was gone. I said, "Praise God! He healed me." The doctor said, "Yes he did." He did find a slight bulge above the hardware in my neck and sent me to physical therapy which was a great help and learning experience for me. Since then I have been diagnosed with hashimoto's hypothyroidism, obstructive sleep apnea, and hereditary high cholesterol. I have no doubt that God has healed me from that also and that one day soon I will have medical test to prove it. I will not ever experience any of it again because when he heals us from something it is healed for the rest of our lives.
I do not know why my life has taken the course that it has but I do know that God is my protector, my healer, my redeemer, and my friend. I have been kept from so much pain and sickness and death. I was hit in the head with the sharp end of an ax when I was four. God protected me. While white water rafting I had a blackout and was thrown from the raft into a stormy river. I was repeatedly sucked under the water in the waterfall that I had been swept to. I did not breath in or swallow any water. Two rafts went over my head. The second I knew I needed to reach up and so I clawed the bottom of the raft as it went over and people in the back of the raft grabbed my arms and pulled me in. Praise God! I was not only unharmed, I was ready to go down the river again.
I survived a terrible car accident. The car flipped three times and the car battery was thrown I think they said 80 feet from the car. Praise God! I was protected. I only got a gash under my left eye which is barely visible now. Time and time again God has protected me and healed me and through it all I have grown so much spiritually. I love God with all of my heart, mind, and soul. HE IS MY EVERYTHING. And he will be yours too if you will only believe. John 3:16,17 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
The first covenant that God made was to give us a guide to live by and prove to us that we can do nothing without him. It is impossible to live completely without sin because we are flesh and blood. Every day we are faced with the battle field of life. We often react to situations and in our hindsight realize that we weren't Christ like in our behavior and could have handled it better. Eventually, we get stronger and stronger and react more and more the way Christ would. It takes a lot of growth and studying and learning how to apply God's word to ourselves and to our life and so many different circumstances. As long as we are in these flesh and blood bodies we will make mistakes. The new covenant God made with us through Christ takes away all of our sin and anoints us with the holy spirit who teaches, guides, and leads us. When we pray for God's grace to cover an area of weakness in us he is faithful to strengthen us and keep us from committing that sin. God's grace, forgiveness of our sins, and healing are gifts. Salvation is a gift. You can do nothing to earn it. All you have to do is open your heart to God and let him come in. You have already been redeemed through Christ now all you have to do is accept his gift. Just believe and have faith. Romans 8:1 There is therefore no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Trust God and give him your heart.
Throughout my life I have been faced with many challenges. I learned how to forgive others for my own peace of mind and heart and then I learned how to forgive myself for my shortcomings so that I could receive God's love and blessings which he freely gives to us. WE CAN NOT DO ANYTHING WITHOUT GOD. WE ARE NOT EXPECTED TO DO ANYTHING TO EARN GOD'S LOVE. HE IS GOD! He is the creator of the heavens and the earth. He is perfect, almighty, and wonderful. And when we accept Jesus Christ as our risen Lord and Savior that which is in us is perfect.
If you have not already, I urge you to go to God in prayer and share your feelings your with him. Talk to him about everything. Tell him you are sorry for the sins that you have committed and confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and that God has raised him from the dead. If you have anger which persist ask God to bless you with a compassionate heart so that you can forgive others. Jesus took all of our sins on him so that we are no longer are under the law but can by faith believe unto righteousness. We are living in the period of grace. Accept God's forgiveness of your sins. Forgive yourself also. And if the devil tries to remind you of your past tell him to get behind you because God has set you free and you are free indeed! Greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world. Ephesians 3:15,16 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches in glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
Speak the word to yourself. Study God's word, the holy bible. Think about things that are pure, positive, and true according to God's word. Try not to allow yourself to think negative thoughts or to profess negatives. Look for like minded believers that you can fellowship with and worship God with. Keep God's word on your mind. God will strengthen your faith, lift your spirit, fill your heart with joy, and surround you with a blanket of peace. His grace is sufficient for a multitude of sins. He will forgive all your sins and equip you to face life's battles knowing that he is for you and not against you.
Ephesians 6:13-18 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about you with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereumto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
To all those that believe, God Bless YOU!!! If anyone would like me to pray for you, or to email me about something that is on your heart, you can email me at lisa.clewis@live.com
Written By Lisa Collier Clewis, 11-22-14
Family Tree John 15
John 15:1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 15:2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. 15:3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 15:6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 15:8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. 15:9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. 15:11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. 15:12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 15:14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. 15:15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. 15:17 These things I command you, that ye love one another. 15:18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. 15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. 15:20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. 15:21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me. 15:22 If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin. 15:23 He that hateth me hateth my Father also. 15:24 If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father. 15:25 But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause. 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: 15:27 And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.
Saturday, November 8, 2014
Stand Still
It is amazing how something that we thought was behind us is death still watching us; a strike with the belt, a fist to the head, a careless word spoken in ignorance of its impact.
You think that your actions are a breath here and gone, but they are frozen in time; a nightmare, a memory, a ghost from the past.
How long will I suffer this world when my true home is only death away; my last breath, the last memory my mind will see, my last heartbeat. In the blink of an eye my life begins new and fresh in a new body where there is no more heartache and no more tears.
Help me Lord to live and strive until you call me home; and to love unconditionally and to forgive. For my home is with the God and Father of perfect love - I AM!
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