Miraculous Healing Part One

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

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Photo Credit: www.LumoProject.com, www.freebibleimages.org

MIRACULOUS HEALING Part One

By Gail K. Kachnycz; 22 March 202, revised 17 February 2024 

     During our journey through chronic illness and care-giving, there have been friends that have told us that they are praying for miraculous healing for my loved one’s condition. A few have been close and dear friends who care about us deeply. We appreciate these prayers. We also worship in a fellowship that believes that the miraculous gifts of the Spirit are active in this modern time. However, Mike has never sensed from the Lord that it is His plan to heal miraculously. The illness progressed through various stages of decline. First, it was manageable and full employment was possible. Next, accommodations at work were needed. Eventually long term disability status was granted in 2012. Finally, all avenues of medical treatment were exhausted and hospice at home began in fall 2018. Through all these events, we did not sense that the Lord was directing us to pray for miraculous healing.

      A miracle of healing can take place in this day and age. However, it is not always the Lord’s plan for everyone. If that were the case, people would profess faith in Christ simply to be healed of cancer or any other debilitating or terminal disease. The ultimate goal of faith is God’s glory, not man’s convenience or comfort.

     My counsel to people who want to pray for miraculous physical healing is this: seek the Lord for His guidance in this matter. Be sure that the attitude for prayer for healing is not actually denial of the disease. If this issue has been addressed, and you still feel led to pray for miraculous healing, do so. However, until that healing takes place, do not ignore the practical realities of the illness that the person and family are facing. To paraphrase 1 Corinthians 14:15, pray in the spirit (for miraculous healing), but also with understanding (for symptom relief and practical help).

     If you are the person experiencing chronic illness and have concerned family or friends praying for miraculous healing, they may question why you are not doing the same. If miraculous healing is not taking place, they may suggest that the problem is either that there is unconfessed sin in your life, or that you don’t have enough faith to be healed. These are deep issues. A brief examination of both will be addressed. First, sin connected to sickness. Next week we will examine faith and healing. 

     SIN CONNECTED TO SICKNESS

     There are scriptures that seem to connect sin and sickness. Matthew Chapter 9 records the story of a man healed of paralysis. 

     Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town. Some men brought him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.”

     At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming!”

     Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” Then the man got up and went home. When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to man. Matthew 9:1-9 

     In John 5:1-15, Jesus heals the invalid who had been lying at the Pool of Bethesda for 38 years. Verse 14 notes: 

     Later Jesus found him [the healed invalid] at the temple and said to him, “See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.” John 5:14    

      In His comments to the healed invalid, Jesus seems to indicate that in certain cases individual sin can lead directly to sickness and other difficulties. However, it must be made clear that this is not always the case. It is unwise to assume that the same issues contribute in the same ways in every case of sickness and disease. The sin that results in suffering is the consequence of the disobedience of Adam and Eve; we live in a fallen world. (Genesis Chapter 3)

     The entire book of Job documents that a man who was blameless was afflicted with a severe debilitating illness. In John 9:1-12, there is a description of the healing of a man born blind. 

     His disciples asked him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’...”Neither this man no his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.” 

     Both Job and the man born blind were physically healed, but the ultimate purpose was God’s glory. Job even says, "Though he [God] slay me, yet will I hope in him;” (Job 13:15). Job was committed to faith in God, regardless of the circumstances of his life. In some instances, faith in the face of chronic or terminal illness is more miraculous than if physical healing had occurred. This type of faith can open doors to sharing the reason for hope in the most depressing of situations. 

     Bitterness and unforgiveness can lead to a negative mental outlook, which will have an impact on physical and mental health in general. Unconfessed sin is never a good thing. Addressing strongholds of sin in a person’s life will always be helpful. However, it will not always automatically result in miraculous physical healing.

     Anyone, not just those with chronic illness, can harbor resentment, bitterness, or sin that is buried. Everyone should examine their hearts for sin that needs confession and forgiveness. If the sin is deeply rooted, it is recommended that the individual not try to delve into areas of sin that have taken hold alone, but instead seek proper spiritual oversight. The pastor of the church where you are a member may provide counseling or refer to a Christian counseling center. If payment for counseling is an issue, consider secular counseling covered by insurance and separate sessions with the pastor. The Unbound* program follows scriptural principles; check if there is a team in your area. If addiction is present, Celebrate Recovery* addresses addiction with a 12 Step Program incorporating scripture as the foundation. 

Unbound; Heart of the Father https://heart-of-the-father-minitries.thinkific.com 

Celebrate Recovery 12 Step Program https://www.celebraterecovery.com



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Banana Baked Oatmeal

Wednesday, February 21, 2024

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     BANANA BAKED OATMEAL shared 2/9/2022 by Gail Kachnycz 

     Are you trying to avoid sweets during Lent? This recipe contains no refined sugar; the sweetness is supplied by over-ripe bananas, fruit, and cinnamon. Therefore, more cinnamon and fruit is used here than in most recipes.

     Oatmeal, cinnamon, and apples are all heart healthy and help regulate blood sugar.

      NOTE: if over-ripe bananas were frozen, thaw overnight in the fridge in a container.

 

Ingredients:                                                    350 F; 45 minutes

3 cups dry oatmeal (quick or regular)             Combine in a separate bowl:              

1 teaspoon baking powder                              2 over-ripe bananas, mashed/smooth

1 teaspoon salt                                                2 beaten eggs

2 to 4 teaspoons cinnamon                              ½ cup vegetable oil (not olive oil)

1 cup milk (I use 1 cup water with 1/3 cup dry milk powder)

1 cup fruit, chopped to about the size of raisins: (nuts may also be chopped/added)

     raisins, Craisins, mangos, peaches, apples or fresh or cooked fruit, such as pineapple

NOTE: ½ cup mayonnaise can be substituted for 1 egg and ¼ cup oil.

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, combine & mix well oatmeal, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.

2. Add milk to the oatmeal mixture and stir to moisten.

3. In another bowl, beat the eggs. Then, add bananas and mash & beat with eggs until smooth. Finally, add the oil and beat/whisk until well mixed.

4. Add the egg/banana/oil mixture to the oatmeal and mix until well combined.

5. Add the fruit/nuts and mix until the pieces are evenly distributed in the batter.

6. Spread batter evenly in 9x9 inch greased pan/baking dish. Bake in 350 degree F (177 C) for 45 minutes, check if top springs back or knife comes out clean.

Nutrition: If cut into 12 pieces, each piece is 225 calories.

NOTE: This recipe can easily be doubled and baked in a 9x13” pan; may require 60 minutes.

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Total Solar Eclipse: Testimony of Creation

Wednesday, February 14, 2024

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Source: Get Eclipsed by Pat & Fred Espenak

                                TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE: TESTIMONY OF CREATION 

     On Monday, April 8, 2024, there will be a total solar eclipse that will pass over North America. It will begin in Mexico, then take a path across Texas toward the Great Lakes, cross in to Canada at Niagra Falls, and then head out to sea past Nova Scotia. Weather at that time of year can be unpredictable, but if the sky is clear, the view will be AWESOME. If you are able to travel to see this event, I urge you to do so.

     Why is a post about astronomy included in a website about care-givers and chronic illness? Because it is an incredible event, and causes us to focus on the Creator, instead of ourselves, for a brief time. It is also an amazing testimony to the whole world that there is a Creator. In their booklet Get Eclipsed, Pat & Fred Espenak note:


Even though the Sun is 400 times bigger than the Moon, it is also 400 times farther away from Earth than the Moon. That means the Sun and the Moon appear the same size to us here on Earth. That incredible coincidence is why we have total solar eclipses. 

     Coincidence? I think not. In the entire universe, human beings are the only ones who can see a solar eclipse and understand what it is. Birds and animals respond to an eclipse as they would to the approach of twilight. Although through history there were times when people were fearful during an eclipse, the ancient Mayans and Babylonians understood that an eclipse occurred due to the motions of the celestial bodies, and could predict when one would happen.

     A solar eclipse is a glorious statement, declaring, “THERE IS A GOD!” During Creation, God planned the size, speed, and distance of the sun, moon, and earth, so that solar eclipses happen. They demonstrate the glory of God, His awesome power and magnitude. The predictability also shows that God has provided a means for humankind to discover Him. It is His invitation to know Him. What He has written in the sky confirms what He has written in His Word. Creation confirms revelation. 

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.

There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.

Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. Psalm 19:1-4 

For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. Romans 1:20 NIV 

To learn more about the solar eclipse of April 8, 2024, and to obtain the booklet Get Eclipsed and purchase eclipse glasses (required to safely view the eclipse), here is a good website:

www.EclipseWise.com


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The Running Game

Wednesday, February 7, 2024

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Photo Credit: CBS News, Heisman Trophy

THE RUNNING GAME

By Gail K. Kachnycz; 09 February 2022 

     What I know about football would fit in a fortune cookie: a touchdown is worth six points; then they can kick for an extra one point. For me, down is what makes a comforter puffy, and a turnover is a pastry filled with apples, sugar and spice. If this parable bears any resemblance to actual football, it is certainly a revelation of knowledge from the Lord, with some advice from my friend Dan, a graduate of Penn State where the fans dress in white. 

     When I first shared this, a friend said, Jesus can't both be the quarterback, and run interference/intercept the ball. My opinion is, when Jesus is on the team, He can do whatever He wants!

     THE RUNNING GAME 

     God and the devil were meeting for a football game. On the devil’s team were all the demons, the third of the angels that rebelled against God. The devil says to God, “You have twice as many angels as I have, that’s not fair!”

     God replies, “First of all, look who’s complaining about being unfair. Second, my angels are not the players, they are the spectators. My players are the humans.”

     The devil thinks, “Winning will be a piece of cake! Humans are so weak!”

     The angels, all dressed in gleaming white, fill up the stands.

     The teams each emerge from their locker rooms and run onto the field. The last player to come onto the field for the human team is their quarterback, Jesus.

     The devil complains, “That’s not fair! Jesus is God’s Son, He is divine!”

     God replies, “First of all, look who’s complaining about being unfair. Second, Jesus is fully human, and He belongs on the team. But, just to show good sportsmanship, you can look at our playbook, the Bible, any time.”

     The devil looks at the playbook. Every play is a running game; there are no plans for passing the ball. There is no Hail Mary Pass to be seen. The devil returns to his team and says, “If we can just confuse the humans and get them to doubt that the Quarterback is calling the right plays, we can win this game.”

     The teams line up and play begins. Every time one of the humans says, “I trust Jesus,” a demon gets crushed and the human team gains ground toward their end zone. This happens time after time. The devil tries to throw a pass, but it is always intercepted by Jesus and the human team gains possession of the ball. The angels in the stands go wild and wave their towels like crazy. At half time, the score is a zillion to zip in favor of Jesus’s team.

     During half time, the devil gives his team a pep talk. “We can do this,” he says, “Let’s try a double fake-out like sickness and job loss all at once.” “How about a fire or a hurricane?” one demon pipes up. “Good thinking,” says the devil, “let’s go for it.”

      So, the game resumes. Are we in the third quarter? Some people think we may be in the fourth quarter or even at the two minute warning. All I know is: I need to suit up, put on my helmet, and follow through on whatever plays that Quarterback Jesus calls. A running game is not glamorous; no adrenaline rush as a player leaps for a catch and does a victory dance. A running game is gritty, some may even say plodding. But, play by play, yard by yard, it gets the job done. And, every time we say, “I trust Jesus,” another demon gets crushed and we gain ground towards our goal.

 

 

 

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