People who testify to miraculous and divine healings, have one thing in common.  They have an unwavering belief that Jesus is who he says he is, and based on his word, his desire is to heal people.  Jesus heals from sin, from sickness, from demon possession and even from death.  Each demonstration of Jesus’ power to heal is based, not on the emotions or strong desires of those who seek healing.  It is based on the simple belief that if God said it, it is so.  It is this simple faith that God honors.  Jesus is indeed the Great Physician, and “by his stripes we are healed.”

In 1855 Joseph M. Scriven, an Irish poet, was living in Canada and his dear mother was living in Ireland.  To comfort her at a time of special sorrow, Scriven penned the words to a famous hymn that you have probably sang many times, “What a Friend we Have in Jesus.”  

It’s a wonderful thing to have a good friend; to have someone in your life that Anne of Green Gables would refer to as a “bosom friend.” For the past 23 years, I have had one such a friend.  She is like a blood sister to me.  We share a similar sense of humor, and everything is funnier when she is around.  Our telephone conversations are peppered with fits of uncontrollable giggles over jokes that only we understand. 

Every day, millions of people donate their possessions to second-hand stores for re-sale.  For some, these giveaways are just trash.  And yet, every once in a while, we hear one of those amazing stories on the news where a lucky person purchases an item for a few dollars, only to discover that the second-hand item is worth a couple million dollars?  The seemingly ordinary object, whether jewelry or a piece of art turns out to be a piece of treasure.

The Personnel Journal reported this incredible statistic: since the beginning of recorded history, the entire world has been at peace less than eight percent of the time! In its study, the periodical discovered that of 3530 years of recorded history, only 286 years saw peace. Moreover, in excess of 8000 peace treaties were made--and broken (Moody Bible Institute, Today in The Word, June 1988, p.33).

From the moment Adam and Eve sinned, peace became a rare commodity.  For this reason, humanity craves peace.  

If you are over 50 years old, you will remember an old hymn that goes like this:

(When he calls me, I will answer x3); I’ll be somewhere working for my Lord; 

I'll be somewhere, (working, working somewhere X2);  Working for my Lord……x2

 As a young girl in elementary (Kenya-primary) school, I sang this song with gusto, mostly off-key I’m sure, but nevertheless I lent my enthusiastic voice to the deafening chorus of sopranos and tenor’s around me, with barely a thought for what this song really meant.  Maybe you can remember singing the same song, declaring confidently for all to hear, “When he calls me, I will answer.” If you are anything like me, this is easier to say, than do.

Jesus will never call you to a place that he hasn’t been to himself.  When he calls his loved ones to a responsibility, task or mission, it’s because he’s been there.  No matter how rough the waters, no matter how strong the winds, Jesus promises, “I will be with you (Isaiah 41:10a).”  Before Jesus calls Peter to the extraordinary act of walking on water; to the extraordinary act of doing that which, no other human person had ever done, Jesus can be found walking on that lake, during the fourth watch of the night, alone, and certain only of one thing, God’s divine Presence.

Words have power.  Words can heal, and words can destroy.  How many times have you seen someone’s face light up because of the encouraging words you spoke to them?  And how many times have wished you could take back harsh words spoken in the heat of the moment?  Perhaps you will remember the little song from childhood whose chorus has these words, “…if you can’t say something nice, don’t talk at all is my advice.”  The composer of the song certainly understood the power of words.