Saturday, March 29, 2014

THE JOY OF THE LORD

         This is another chapter from the book I discussed two days ago called The Healing Power of Christ by Emily Gardner Neal, 1972. As I said before, what was written many years ago is still true today. In this section she talks about how people can radiate Our Lord's love. I just realized her first name is Emily, which is my mom's name. I didn't notice that two days ago.
         The life of the Spirit, Mrs. Neal says, is the most exciting life on earth: one never knows what is around the corner in the way of revelation. The individual who is open to God is continually being astonished at the marvels He has in store for us and at the thrilling way He works out His plan in our lives.
         True joy is one side of the Christian coin: on the other side is suffering. Unless we share in the common suffering of the world which is also the suffering of Our Lord, we cannot enter into His joy. The early Christians went to their deaths singing joyous hymns of praise. As it was their joy in the face of persecution and martyrdom which resulted in the conversion two thousand years ago, so it is the same joy that effects conversion today.
        St. Paul says in Philippians, Chapter 4, verse 4, "Rejoice in the Lord always." These are words of healing and strength as well as thanksgiving. Paul also tells us in Romans (14:17) the Kingdom of God is righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. These three are inseparable and indivisible, Mrs. Neal continues. Our Yes to God is a continuous and ongoing process that will never cease as long as we live.
          We must be reborn as Nicodemus in John (3:4) asked about. Our Lord enunciates a formula of Christian baptism necessary for salvation. The majority of churches teach that in the sacrament of baptism we are born again, cleansed of sin, spiritually regenerated, and be made members of the Body of Christ. This rebirth is from Above of God.
           Rebirth can be equated with conversion. Conversion applies to someone who has never known Christ whereas the rebirth experience is for those who have known and believed in Him, but less than completely. When the experience of rebirth occurs suddenly, there is an unforgettable moment of glorious truth, occasioned by a love from the Holy Spirit. Heart, soul, mind and body unite. The grace of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38) which you received in baptism comes to you in a new and fuller way.
          You then will feel the love given to you at His Crucifixion, overwhelmed by your love for Him, sorrow for your sins, and be aglow. We confront the living God in the altars of His church and enter into His joy. This happened to me at St. Francis de Sales Church in Tucson when a nun named Sr. Beatrice visited and anointed many people with oil. I felt the Holy Spirit's peace overwhelm me and have been smiling since. Whenever I can, I try to give it to someone else. 
 
Some other Scriptures that Mrs. Neal gave were (John 16:24), (1 Cor. 4:20), (2 Cor. 13:3), (1 Tim. 6:17), (Neh. 8:10), (John 3:3), (Luke 17:21), (John 3:4), (1 Pet. 1:8), (Ps. 16-!!).
         

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

THE HEALING POWER OF CHRIST

       I am in the middle of reading a great book called, The Healing Power of Christ, by Emily Gardner Neal, published 1972. Chapter 15 is titled, "Are You Anxious or Afraid?" and deals with eliminating stress in our lives. Her advice from so many years ago holds true today.
        Mrs. Neal says that few of us are totally immune from anxiety. Our anxieties, like our depressions, range from being merely troublesome to complete incapacitation. We would keep out of trouble if we kept our eyes focused on Him. In Matthew 14:30, Peter took his eyes off Jesus and sank. We don't know how far under he went, but we know he must have been a good swimmer if he was a fisherman living on a boat.
          Anxiety, Mrs. Neal says, is the negation of the Spirit of God in us, for love, which is God, casts out fear (I John 4:18). The moment we are disobedient to God, the instant we break a spiritual law, we suffer the consequences, which are self-induced not God-produced. The Christian should live in the present. He should be informed by the past, but not agonize over it.  You do what seems best to you at the time. It is done and over with. So forget it.
          As for our fear of the future, most often what we fear does not come to pass. Our Lord never promised His followers cake - only bread - the Bread of Life. There is no implication here that we should ever pray, "Give us cake and caviar and Cadillacs for the rest of our lives." Also, don't cancel your life insurance, you need it. Mrs. Neal was a born worrier and had to learn to turn all over to Him for His blessing, healing and guidance. This also does not mean that in your life there will never be trouble , anxiety, or tension. It does mean that these things will be caught up in the flood of God's love and mercy, moment by moment.
        Anyone can learn to enter the present moment and surrender. Ask God what He wants of you now. Ask the Holy Spirit to open your spiritual ears so you may hear what He wants to tell you. You will receive a peace that exists in your heart regardless of what happened in your past. It is an ineffable peace of the heart and spirit, which comes from knowing God and striving to live according to His will. It lies at the core of our being, and cannot be disturbed no matter what.
        I have seen so many people healed during our seminars for Prayer Healing Ministry. Come join us next time and be hugged by Him who loves you.
 
I bought a coffee cup with a wonderful saying on it:
       Peace - It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart. 
 

Thursday, March 6, 2014

TEN COMMANDMENTS FOR A HEALTHY HEART

It is so vital to keep your body in top shape. Here are some excellent ways to take care of your heart.
1. Eat for your heart health.
2. Have your blood pressure checked regularly. I have one at home and check it every few days..
3. Do not smoke cigarettes or use other tobacco products.
4. Talk to your doctor about reducing your risk of heart disease.
5. Get regular physical activity every day. I walk to church often. It's between 2 and 3 miles round trip depending on where I walk.
6. Know your cholesterol levels.
7. Have your blood sugar level checked for diabetes.
8. Aim for a healthy weight.
9. Know the signs and symptoms of a heart attack
10. Know your risk factors for heart disease. Anyone in your family have or die from a heart attack?