ICS Daily Devotions
Restored Physically & Emotionally
John 3:13-17 (NKJV) No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
The Bible tells us that all of us have sinned and fallen short of the expectations of God. The wages of sin are spiritual death and eternal separation from God. There is no other way for us to return to the Creator except through the redemptive work of Christ on the cross of Calvary. It pushed us to seek for the grace of God found on the cross just like the deliverance for the Israelites was to look at the bronze serpent. We are to look at the cross for our salvation and it also includes healing because of the redemption work of Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 2:24 (NKJV) who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.
We believe that Jesus took our sins upon Himself, He was made sin for us, the judgement of sin was upon Him, He was made a curse for us and He dealt with the sin issue that separated us from God. It is by His stripes that we are healed spiritually and physically. He was whipped for us and by His stripes we are healed. We are healed spiritually, physically and also emotionally.
3 John 2 (NKJV) Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.
Holistic prosperity as revealed to us in the gospel is not only in the aspect of finances but prospering through our restored relationship with God through our born-again experience, through being in good physical health and also by being emotionally healthy in our soul.
None of us are living in a perfect or pain-free life because of the fall of man. There is a possibility for us to be hurt by our parents, loved ones and people whom we used to respect. Life on earth can be messy. While we might not be able to completely deal with those who have hurt us, we can definitely be able to deal with ourselves. One might be continually disturbed emotionally if we harbor the bitterness. Therefore, if we choose to walk in love and forgiveness then there will be a release in our soul. We will prosper emotionally. They will be joy and peace in our hearts.
Philippians 4:6-8 (NKJV) Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
We need to know that fear opens the door for the devil to have a playground in our mind. What is the first thing to do when you receive news of an illness or sickness? We should run to God who is our great physician and make our request of healing to Him. You are sharing the struggles and anxiety with Him because you are aware that you are at peace with Him and He is not the source of your illnesses and sicknesses. He is the answer. Praise the Lord that we belong to Jesus Christ who has conquered death and death has lost its sting. Though we might die but we live on in eternity! We still win through Jesus Christ!
Sermon series: Meditating on the Names of God
