ellie's chat

Wrestling with God

Trading on God's Gifts

Plans and a Purpose

Trusting In the Dark

How many times have you looked ahead and wondered just what on earth was going on? What you see is NOT what you expected.

I can relate to that feeling. Some time ago, the Lord started to reveal His plan to me and began again the call on my life that actually began when I was a little girl. But this time the dream was much clearer and much more desired. I knew God had called me to serve Him, but that my heart's desire was not to serve alone. He had given me a husband whom I assumed God would use to serve with me. Together God would use us in some form of ministry or service - big or small didn't matter. I just knew we were called to serve the Lord.

I came right up to that door of my dreams, and as I was about to step across the threshold my husband was suddenly killed in a freak motorcycle accident. It left me paralyzed. I literally didn't know what to do next. All God’s plans and dreams came crashing down and I couldn't understand how I could possibly go on. Had I misunderstood? Had I been wrong? I could not see before me, much less comprehend what had happened behind me.

Now, some years later I still am learning where God's plan is taking me. I don't know more then the day ahead. But God has taught me so much about Himself. See, it wasn't until I was blinded and couldn't see that I began to trust and fully depend on God. When I could see where I was going, I didn't feel the need to totally come to God for everything. I held back on some stuff- mostly the small stuff. But now, that has changed. I have learned that God's promises are true and that even though it may not make sense, I have never been without. What's better is that my security and worth is in something that will not be moved or taken from my life. Jesus lives forever and since He is not temporal, satan cannot steal Him from me. Therefore, I am more grounded now then I was before my husband died. That faith in Jesus makes my life worth living. Better yet, I am excited for my future and seeing what God's plan for me is - since His promises never fail.

I am human and at times I wonder where my life is heading and start doubting. But then I am reminded of my faith in Jesus. He has never left me nor forsaken me. He has been with me through every horror and miracle in my life. If He says He will restore me, then He will restore me. Hebrews 11:1 has greater meaning for me because I now realize what my faith in Jesus does for me and how much armor it gives me against the enemy.

Satan is a defeated foe through my Savior's blood. When the tunnel of life is dark and its darkness is pressing in on me, I cling to the precious promises of my God (2 Peter 1:4) and it makes my life worth living. I can handle not seeing because I know He does and He has never left me nor forsaken me and He never will.

A Prayer of Faith

The story of the paralytic is a powerful story for intercession. The paralytic was indeed physically disabled and crippled. But, what ailed him most was the feeling that he was lost and that God was unable to save him. He did not have the faith or belief that "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." It was the condition of his heart that caused him the most pain, not his physical condition. He stopped believing, became despairing, and was without hope.

But that didn't stop God. He sent four friends to this paralytic who would believe for him. "A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven."

What a beautiful story of the love of friendship!

These friends were persistent. They did not give up. Though the odds were against them and others around them were indignant that they would bring their friend before Jesus without following the "correct" protocol, they came anyway. Nothing would stop them from bringing this man to the feet of Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, "he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven." The faith of those men saved their friend. And it didn't stop there. Jesus moved on and healed the man's physical being as well. Jesus believes in complete healing, not a partial one.

The same opportunity is for us today. "If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death." - 1John 5:16 Many are in need of our prayers and our faith on their behalf. When we are diligent and do not give up in finding a way to bring them to the Saviour, our prayers will be answered and "Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins."

When was the last time you became persistent for the salvation of someone's soul? When was the last time you wouldn't stop interceding until you knew that person was at the feet of Jesus to be healed. God is calling us to become a "paralytic's believing friend".  Our efforts combined with God's power can move mountains and bring complete healing to a despairing soul.