I've been thinking about faith lately. And people like Joel Stockstill. Joel Stockstill is the youth pastor of the biggest youth group in America. He has also lived with kidney failure since he was sixteen. He is now in his early 30's. So two or three times a week, for three hours at a time, for the last fifteen years he has gone into the hospital to have dialysis. I follow him on twitter, and he writes things like this:
"today i am still basking in thankfulness that Jesus has given me life for 30+ years. Many have passed on & yet HERE I AM! His Stripes 4 me!"
"Today a day of rest and treatment. Wait,1 of those doesn't go! Treatment isnt Gods best. I reject all reliance on medicine & embrace healing"
"Claiming total miraculous healing today in Jesus mighty name! perfect function in kidneys and restoration of all things stolen by the enemy"
"Today my petition and confession are the same 2 BRAND NEW KIDNEYS!!! i will settle for nothing less & stop at nothing to receive Jesus best"
He totally inspires me to believe God for . . . anything, everything! But sometimes my faith gets tangled with doubt. Because now I have a daughter that I'm trying to teach about faith. And I know what I think about the power of Jesus, but . . . what if she becomes disappointed? What if I keep confessing healing over her, and she never gets rid of her glasses? I mean, I'm confessing complete healing in her eyes while I stand there looking at her through my own glasses! I've answered several calls for healing, and prayed over my own eyes with no noticeable difference. What if that doesn't inspire her, but makes her think I'm foolish?
I can handle waiting for healing. Everything worth having is worth waiting for, faith is the substance of things hoped for -- you guys have heard the same messages I have. I'll keep standing, but I want Natalie's faith to be unshakable, too. What do I tell her about people who believe for healing and die in sickness? Because that happens.
But who has more faith: the person who thinks it's pointless to believe and is never healed, or the person who believes without wavering and is never healed? Which is more likely to be healed? Which is more likely to move in a spirit of healing? Of course, it's the person who believes.
So I will believe for me and for her. And for both of us to have great faith.
"Lord, I believe, but help my unbelief."
Eleanor, I know a man who believed for healing for many years before it manifested in his body. He was living in India at the time, where medical help was really not available and no one really knew what was wrong with him. He said he knew he was healed, even when he didn't see it happening. But, the thing that struck me the most was when he stated, "If I had died, at least I would have died in faith! And faith pleases God." I love that!
ReplyDeleteSo whether or not we see the results we want, it's pretty awesome that God is pleased that we have chosen to believe Him and His Word.! Keeping believing girl! Your daughters will rise up and call you blessed as they follow your example!
Mmm, that's good. Thanks, Cheri.
ReplyDelete"And we know that without faith it is impossible to please God." So true.