Are you up for hearing a scary verse from the Bible?
Hi, I'm Joni Eareckson Tada and you know I’ve been doing a lot of research lately for a book I'm writing on the subject of miraculous healing. It’s a topic that, as you can imagine, is near and dear to my heart, because there have been so many times when I longed to be back up on my feet. Years ago, I was drawn to Christian leaders who really seemed to have their theological ducks in order… they seemed to possess unusual powers to perform miracles. Several of my Christian friends even told me they experienced miraculous healing because of the ministry of this person, or that leader. I was a very young believer way back then and from all appearances, these miracle workers seem to have an extraordinarily close relationship with Jesus.
But many, many years later when I exhausted myself going to so many miracle healing services, I looked a little deeper into the Word of God. Listen to what Matthew 7:21 says: “'Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” I tell you a verse like that can sound a little scary and you might say to yourself, "Man, if those miracle-working, demon-busting guys aren't making it with Jesus, what about me?" Well, friend, don't be intimidated by people who seem to be on some higher spiritual plain. If God's not impressed with them, we shouldn't feel insecure around them either. I think about that whenever I see some of these speakers on Christian television. I wonder if these are the ones about whom God is speaking in Matthew 7.
Now, don't get me wrong. Bona fide miracles are going on, but if all you hear is, "Lord, we did this," "Lord, we did that," "Lord, look at what was done over here by us...," realize that God is not swayed by showy drama. He's not impressed with all the “we’s”. Neither is he impressed when we recount to him all our good works, all that we've done. Such things are never a passport into heaven.
So just who is it with whom God shares His favor? Who are the ones that God is proud to say that He knows? Well, like the Bible verse says, it’s the one who quietly perseveres and does the everyday will of the Father who will enter the kingdom. And what is God's will? To be like Jesus; to let Him shine through you in patient, loving ways. Whatever you do, whatever you are, as long as you're like Jesus, being like him, you're in God's will. That's not such a scary idea after all, is it?
You know, when you don’t receive an answer to a prayer asking for healing, your faith can sometimes weaken. So you might ask yourself “What is God's will?” Is He honestly in control when cancer strikes or when heart disease encroaches? Is God in control when we get diagnosed with some strange connective tissue disorder or when you suddenly become glucose intolerant? How and to what extent is God in control of these things and when is it ever His will to heal us?
Well, I’ve written a little booklet called “Is God Really in Control?” and I'm convinced it will help pave the way for you to begin understanding the control of God over diseases and disabilities that never seem to get healed. I’d like to send you a copy and all you need to do is visit me at joniandfriendsradio.org and we’ll get this little booklet off in the mail to you right away. Because remember, God wants to give you a brighter perspective on the diseases and disabilities that seem to loom on your horizon. Just visit me at joniandfriendsradio.org and I'll send you this little book called “Is God Really in Control?” Don’t forget, that’s joniandfriendsradio.org. Of course you can always call by dialing 1-888-522-5664.Here’s hoping I hear from you today. Until next time, thanks for listening to Joni and Friends!
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