EBOLA

             If you are like me you probably never heard of the Ebola virus until recent weeks. Ebola is transmitted from one person to another or from infected animals through bodily fluids. It is difficult to cure and the last figure I saw was 2400 dead as the virus ravages west Africa. Missionary doctors from the U.S. have contracted it as they treated others. These were flown back to the U.S. and recovered. The epidemic has not been slowed thus far.

            Diseases seemingly come out of nowhere and cause widespread death. HIV/Aids is still claiming many lives in Africa, even though medicines for treatment have been developed. Many lack the medicine or lack information about the disease.

            As I have noted before, we seem quite unable to help in these situations. That, of course, is not true. We can help financially to the extent God enables us. Locally, Eddie Gibson, on the staff of Sardis Baptist is working with Liberians in Birmingham, Al. to collect foodstuffs to Liberia where the Ebola outbreak has interfered with food production and availability. One result of the Ebola crisis is that my prayer list has expanded once again to include those fighting it in west Africa. I believe with all my heart that the Holy Spirit works through dedicated scientists and medical personnel to develop medicines and treatments for all kinds of diseases. Therefore I pray for God’s Spirit to do just that in the Ebola crisis. And I pray that God will help those who are ill, the families of those who succumb to the disease, and those who are ministering to them. Again, I believe with all my heart that God hears and acts in response to prayer. “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.” (Mark 11:24) 

Grace and peace.

WHO DID YOU PHONE?

           Edward Snowden and his leaking of government surveillance information are still in the news and are considered editorially in the latest issue of Christianity Today. As I understand the issue the government, with other nations, has traced phone calls, emails and other correspondence of all of us. I further understand they have information on who we have phoned, who has phoned us, whom we have emailed and from whom we have received email. They do not have the actual communications, what was said or written, just the traffic information. They do therefore have information on the amount of traffic between people here and radicals in the near east, information I really want them to have.

            It doesn’t bother me for the government to know with whom I’ve been in contact. Now, if I was plotting some action detrimental to the nation or to businesses, or even to individuals, it would bother me for my communications to be tracked. Otherwise, I don’t think any of us should be upset over this kind of government surveillance. It goes back to the truth that we should not be engaged in anything we need to hide.

            Indeed, if we join the psalmist in his desire to, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer;” (Psalm 19:14) we then need not be concerned even if someone does know the content of our conversations and emails. If it is acceptable to God, surely it will be acceptable to most others.

Grace and peace.

GOD HEALS

             The Holy Spirit gives gifts of service to all believers. “The Holy Spirit displays God’s power through each of us as a means of helping the entire church.” (1 Corinthians 12:7 TLB)  In this passage the apostle Paul lists the various gifts. Each of us has a gift or gifts which we know or should endeavor to discover. Every Christian is given a gift but it is implied that none is given all the gifts. And we cannot receive a gift on our own. They are given by the Spirit. If I could attain another spiritual gift it would be the gift of healing. When Jesus chose his twelve disciples he gave them the power to heal. (Matthew 10:1)

            Some claim the gift of healing was given only in the first century. Many who have claimed the gift, and famously so on TV and hyped healing crusades, have proven to be false upon investigation. This debate continues.

            I do know and have witnessed God giving miraculous healings in spite of scientific knowledge and hopeless symptoms. I have not seen it in connection to an individual “faith healer.” But I know God can do it. I don‘t know why one is healed and many others are not.

            So often I’ve been in a hospital room overcome with sympathy and wished for the ability to proclaim, “You are healed” or like Jesus “take up your bed and walk.” Alas, I do not have that gift.

            But I do believe God hears and answers prayers. I do not hesitate to pray in faith for His healing touch. I do not hesitate to anoint the sick with oil and, with others, pray for healing. And to His praise I have been granted the privilege of seeing it happen.

            Keep praying. Keep believing. God will act. 

Grace and Peace