WHOLENESS AND HOLINESS

 John 5:9b-15  The day on which this took place was a Sabbath, and so the Jews said to the man who had been healed, "It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your mat." But he replied, "The man who made me well said to me, 'Pick up your mat and walk.' " So they asked him, "Who is this fellow who told you to pick it up and walk?" The man who was healed had no idea who it was, for Jesus had slipped away into the crowd that was there. Later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, "See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you." The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well. (NIV)

 
It is always disappointing when religious people are upset when God works unexpectedly. A paralysed man, disabled for thirty-eight years, had just been healed; and the religious people disapproved because it happened on their holy day. They believed that no work should be done on a holy day and that carrying a bed roll was work: therefore they considered that the man had defiled the Sabbath and must be unholy. But in fact it was Jesus who commanded him to do it as a sign that he had been made whole - thirty-eight years of profound disability had come to an end.

Broken Cups

"But this precious treasure - this light and power that now shine within us - is held in a perishable container, that is, in our weak bodies. Everyone can see that the glorious power within must be from God and is not our own."    2 Corinthians 4:7, TLB

I was Spring-cleaning with a friend the other day. While reaching into the recesses of the cupboard, she accidentally dropped a cup. It didn't shatter, but the fall to the counter was enough to cause a crack. I wondered whether to save it, but in the end decided to trash it.

God, on the other hand, saves broken cups. In fact, broken vessels are often His most useful tools. The verse for today reads like His fix-it manual. It tells us God pours His treasure into fragile vessels that are prone to shatter. That way everyone will know God is doing the "living" in us.

Gardasil: Is It Safe?

By Edward C. Geehr, M.D.

Gardasil, the HPV vaccine, is back in the news. Did it really ever leave? This drug has been very controversial largely because of the major push by its manufacturer, Merck and Co., to make it mandatory for young women. As many as 39 state legislators are considering the vaccine as a requirement for school-age girls in much the same way that MMR immunization is now required.

Riches in Secret Places

I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord. Isaiah 45:3

My friend, Vicky, is one rich person. She’s got it all, yet she sits paralyzed in a wheelchair, having been shot in an attempted rape many years ago. At first, this tragedy plunged her into dark despair. Yet during her darkest hour, she discovered rich, spiritual treasure. She was able to mine precious insights hidden in secret places. Through her affliction, Vicky found the seven-fold riches of God.

In Ephesians 3:8 she discovered she was blessed with “the unsearchable riches of Christ.” 

In Romans 2:4, she found “the riches of goodness.” 

You Will Be Rebuilt

When hardships come your way, you may feel as if though God has taken his wrecking ball, swung it at you, and shattered your life. But the Lord gives us the promise that with his love, we will be rebuilt!

Download MP3 Next ProgramPrevious Program

Hi, this is Joni Eareckson Tada. Thanks for joining me on "Joni and Friends.”

You know, there are so many lessons, so many things from God's Word that I have learned from these years of paralysis; so many scriptures that became solid anchor for my soul. And I love sharing these things with you, really I do, because if I can help lift your spirits, focus your heart, or point you to a Bible passage that God used to change me (sitting in this wheelchair), well … then these few minutes together are more than worth it!

I'm thinking of one particular verse that I run to even now, after so many years. Back when doctors first told me I would never walk again or have use of my hands, I was devastated. I felt like He took this wrecking ball, swung it and shattered my entire life: everything was in shambles. I had no idea where to begin, or how to begin rebuilding my life. 

Don't Listen to Job's Wife - Joni Eareckson Tada

Joni shares that instead of cursing God because of her accident, she chose to praise God and live. 

Hi, this is Joni Eareckson Tada and welcome to Joni and Friends.

You know, when I was first injured and only just beginning to realize that my paralysis was permanent, I remember identifying – and I mean really identifying – with Job. As far as I was concerned, mine were the trials of Job. I could not face living life as a quadriplegic. It was so overwhelming, it was so scary. Actually, the idea terrified me. Somewhere in those early days, I came across Job 2:9 where it says that, “Job’s wife said to him ‘...Curse God and die!’” And I’m going to tell you what, that sounded very tempting.

Joni Eareckson Tada Not Shaken by Breast Cancer

(Photo: Joni and Friends)

In this undated photo, Joni Eareckson Tada smiles as she sees a little boy in Ghana with cerebral palsy walk for the first time with his new walker.

By Lillian Kwon , Christian Post Reporter

After 43 years of living paralyzed from the neck down and recently learning that she now has breast cancer, Joni Eareckson Tada remains all smiles.

"I want to assure you that I am genuinely content to receive from God whatever He deems fit for me even if it is from His left hand because better something from His left hand than no hand at all, right?" the beloved disability advocate and quadriplegic said in a video message to supporters.

The Forgiveness God Offers

Written by Dr. Bill Bright

This is part 1 of a 6 part series – The Forgiveness God Offers

Do you sometimes find it difficult to believe that you have total forgiveness for your sins in Jesus Christ? Intellectually you believe it, but how about deep within your heart?

Imagine yourself in the crowd as this story takes place as recorded in the Book of Luke:

Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a sleeping mat. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the man, “My friend, your sins are forgiven!”

“Who does this fellow think he is?” the Pharisees and teachers of the Law exclaimed among themselves. “This is blasphemy! Who but God can forgive sins?”