Restoration

Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and all that may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. – (3 John 1:2, NIV) 

Dear friend, I am praying that all is well with you and that your body is as healthy as I know your soul is. – (3 John 1:2, TLB) 

Beloved friend, I pray that you are prospering in every way and that you continually enjoy good health, just as your soul is prospering. – (3 John 1:2, TPT) 

 

Just as John’s words were an encouragement to Gaius, may they also be an encouragement to each of us. Often, the condition of our soul carries with it a seeming sort of boost for our physical health as well. However, I know this is not always the case, as I am acquainted with a handful of faithful believers who are fighting horribly difficult and serious battles with their health. It is my prayer that healing would come and health would be fully restored this side of heaven. May it be well with our souls as we seek our Savior for all things – body, heart, soul and mind. 

 

O Lord, as I pray,

May I keep in mind; 

Your faithful in need, 

Bring health, as designed. 

May things all be well, 

Mind, body and heart; 

As we seek Your face, 

Make illness depart. 

You are the Healer, 

Of all misaligned; 

Please heal and restore, 

Each heart, soul and mind. 

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that we are encouraged in our faith and that You are the Healer of each part of us, Your created. Thank You that You hear every prayer. Forgive us for not seeking You to contend for those who need healing as often as we should. Bring to our minds all those to lift up before You and teach us to pray as You would have us pray. Show us how to love those around us in tangible and practical ways. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we thank You for all of the goodness that You have granted in our lives. Amen.

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

 

Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace be with you. – 2 Corinthians 13:11

 

 

Test Your Heart

Just as we are acutely aware of our physical health, we ought to also be equally mindful of our spiritual well-being. Paul advises the people of Corinth this way: “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you – unless, of course, you fail the test?’ – (2 Corinthians 13:5)

 

We are meant to check ourselves to make sure that we are solid in our faith. Are we moving forward toward God, grateful for all that He has done, or are we drifting in the wrong direction, frighteningly unaware of His faithfulness? To be in the faith, is to be in an ongoing and growing relationship with our Redeemer. Christ lives in the hearts of all who have invited Him in, yet do our lives reflect His presence? By checking ourselves regularly, we are more readily available to correction and redirection as it is needed. For our physical bodies, we have doctors and dentists, trainers and teammates to stay healthy physically. Likewise, for our spiritual health we have pastors and small groups, prayer teams, and dear friends traveling the same direction on this leg of life’s journey, to keep our hearts right and minds renewed.

 

Test your heart often,

to see where you stand;

are you seeking God,

or on sinking sand?

The very same God,

who’s living in You;

will give direction,

show you what to do.

Know He is faithful,

His presence secure;

when You call on Him,

you’ll find He’s right here.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You dwell in us, and give us the capacity to check ourselves to determine whether or not we are following the path of faith You have laid out before us or not. Thank You that Your Holy Spirit speaks to our hearts and minds, whispering reminders of what we should and should not do. Forgive us for ignoring Your still small voice, or for neglecting our own need to redirect our attention on what You ask. Help us to have ears to hear You, and hearts that are quick and willing to obey. Lead us to listen well, and help us to love others as You so lavishly love us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You as they see Your faithfulness at work in us. Be exalted O God, in all that we do and say. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present.

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. – Galatians 5:22-23