The Weekly Focal Point - July 3
Sickness and Sin
Clearly not every health crisis or sickness is a result of someone’s specific sin (cf. Jn.9:1-3; Job 1:1; et al.). On the other hand, sometimes they are. According to Hebrews 12, God’s protective and parental love is demonstrated in the “unpleasant” correctives he brings into our lives (Heb.12:11). Often God’s painful discipline comes in the form of sickness. The Psalmist said, “my back is filled with searing pain,” “there is no health in my body,” and “my bones have no soundness because of my sin” (Ps. 38:3b, 7). David testified, as he carried around unconfessed sin, “my bones wasted away” because “day and night [God’s] hand was heavy upon me” and “my strength was sapped” (Ps.32:3-5). We would be wise at the outset of any physical ailment to introspectively ask God to bring to mind any unresolved patterns of sin that he may be wanting to draw to our attention. The Apostle James reminds us that when our sin is the cause of our physical pain, a sincere prayer of repentance is the first step to a full recovery (Jas.5:15).
-- Pastor Mike
JULY OFFER
Relationships make up the fabric of our daily lives between family, friends, neighbors and co-workers. But there is no relationship as vital as the one that exists between us and our Maker. Apart from this divine relationship, we can never be satisfied. The longing we experience deep in our souls is evidence for the fact that we were created by God to enjoy Him and know Him. Tragically, this relationship was severed when sin entered the world. And yet, that God-shaped hole in our hearts is aching to be filled. That’s where Jesus comes in. Through His sacrifice, not only were we declared innocent of our sin, the possibility for relationship with God was restored: “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus … let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith” (Hebrews 10:19, 22).
Nothing in life is more important than cultivating a deep, personal relationship with God. It is my sincere prayer that you are growing every day in your walk with Him, and that you find Focal Point an encouragement to you in the journey. As your relationship with God grows and develops, thank you for joining me in pointing others toward the satisfaction that is found only in Jesus. This month at Focal Point, we have selected the 5-part CD series from Hebrews 10 called A Closer Relationship with God: Getting Motivated to Deepen Our Walk with God as a way of saying thank you for your gift of any amount to the ministry.
Request A Closer Relationship with God by Pastor Mike Fabarez with your donation this month.
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