Jesus Christ Heals You

The Johari Window, photo from StoneWritten

Scripture:

“Peter said to him, ‘Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; get up and make your bed.’ Immediately he got up.” –Acts 9:34

In Acts 9:34; a man named Aeneas was in obvious need of healing, he had been bedridden for eight years. His need was evident to himself, as well as to those around him. Peter addressed this need and said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; get up and make your bed.” God worked. Aeneas got up. He was made well.

Areas of our lives where we need healing can be obvious to us, and to those around us. However, there are times where it may not be so obvious to us where we need healing. Sometimes we can be blind to our needs, they can be hidden, or less obvious, to us, and to those around us. Sometimes our needs are unknown.

The Johari Window is an engaging tool of self-exploration where we can begin to explore areas of our lives that are 1. Open, known to self and known to others, 2. Blind, known to others, but not known to self, 3. Hidden, known to self, but not known to others, and 4. Unknown, not known to self and not known to others.

Questions for Reflection:

Look deeply at all the ways in which you need to hear “Jesus Christ heals you.”

How and where do you need healing?

Are there obvious, open, needs? What are they?

How can you explore the blind spots in your life? Who can you entrust to help shine some light into your life?

Are there hidden areas where you need healing? How can you get these things into the open? Who can you share your needs with?

Ask God to show you your blind spots and to show you the unknown areas of denial and defensiveness.

Pray for God to help you “‘get up’ and ‘make your bed’”. Ask God for the healing and restoration that you need to continue on in every area of your life where you need healing and restoration.

Prayer:

“Direct us, O Lord, in all our doings with your most gracious favor, and further us with your continual help; that in all our works begun, continued, and ended in you, we may glorify your holy Name, and finally, by your mercy, obtain everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” (Adapted from The Book of Common Prayer, p. 830)

Satan Prowling

Statue of the Archangel Michael defeating Satan,

photo by Michel Hébert from Flickr.com

"We only fully grasp the gospel when we understand, as Paul did, that we are the worst sinner we know." –Tim Keller

Scripture:

"And the Lord said, 'Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.'” -Luke 22:31-32

Jesus prayed for Peter when Satan sought to attack him. Jesus prayed that Simon’s faith would not fail. Jesus prayed that sin and evil would not win the day, and when it was all said and done, that Peter would return to Him and strengthen his brothers.

Peter Himself would later write, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8, NIV). Peter understood his sinful self and the presence of evil roaming around seeking to destroy him. Nothing would delight Satan more than to devour us.

It is God’s desire to see our faith remain steady. God desires us to be strengthened so that we might live and strengthen others. We must return to Jesus, stay alert, be sober-minded, and expect God to protect us and to lead us into His way and service.

Reflection Questions:

Does your awareness of your own sinfulness eclipse the sin you see in others?

How does knowing who you are compel you towards the Gospel?

Are there areas of your life where Satan is prowling around?

How do you need to rely on Christ to help your faith to not fail?

In what ways do you need to be alert and sober-minded?

Prayer:

“Direct us, O Lord, in all our doings with your most gracious favor, and further us with your continual help; that in all our works begun, continued, and ended in you, we may glorify your holy Name, and finally, by your mercy, obtain everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” (The Book of Common Prayer, p. 831)


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Obeying God Rather Than Men

Photo of St. Peter, Artwork by diablana81 

God is worthy of our obedience. We should be more concerned about obeying Christ than we are about obeying, or pleasing, the people around us.  

Scripture:

"But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: 'We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.'”  -Acts 5:29-32, NKJV 

God’s commitment to us demands our unbridled obedience. Jesus has given Himself completely for us on the cross. God raised Christ from the dead and has defeated sin and death on our behalf.

Because of what Jesus has done, we can have Him as Lord and Savior of our lives. In Him we have the ability to turn from our old ways of living. We have forgiveness of our sins. God gives us this and His very presence and assurance in His Holy Spirit.

Reflection Questions:

In what ways do you find yourself obeying man, rather than God?

How have you experienced Jesus as Prince and Savior?

How has Jesus given you repentance and forgiveness of sins? In what ways do you need these things?

How has God's Spirit bore witness to these things in your life?

Prayer:

“Almighty and eternal God, draw our hearts to you, guide our minds, fill our imaginations, control our wills, that we may be completely yours, utterly dedicated to you; and then use us, we pray, as you will, and always to your glory and the welfare of your people; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.” (Adapted from The Book of Common Prayer, p. 832)