"Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving-kindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall show forth thy praise. For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise."
~ Psalm 51:1-17 ~
Last week was Human Trafficking Awareness Week at my school. We had multiple events throughout the week to get people informed, make them aware, and show them how they can make a difference. The week culminated with a Needtobreathe concert on Saturday night. Half of all the proceeds from the concert benefited Project Rescue - an organization that helps victims of sexual slavery. The whole week was truly an eye-opening experience. But Project Rescue was by far what made the biggest impact on me. I was just awestruck by how amazing this organization is, and how devoted they are to serving Jesus Christ and helping these woman come out of bondage. Throughout the week God began to break my heart for the women around the world who are in the bondage of sexual slavery. The motto of Project Rescue is "Hope Starts Here" and for them, hope comes in the form of a three step process. First of all, hope comes through the rescue of women who have become victims of sexual slavery. The Project Rescue representatives told us that this rescue often comes in the form of unexpected miraculous events. It can also come in the form of negotiations or raids. The second step towards hope is through the restoration of these young women. They are restored physically through medical exams, mentally through education and vocational training, emotionally through counseling, and spiritually through prayer, bible study, and worship. Finally, hope also comes through prevention. Prevention involves awareness, education, and outreach. I think that Project Rescue's mission is a beautiful and powerful process that is definitely changing lives. The more I thought about it, the more I was reminded of God's "Hope Starts Here" process. You see, we've all been in bondage at one time or another in our lives. Most of us have not been bound by any physical form of slavery, but we've all been bound emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. I was deep in a dark pit of loneliness and doubt when God found me. I was on the verge of depression when He lifted me up. I was bound by the chains of false religion, but He opened my eyes and set me free. Just like with Project Rescue, the hope that God offers comes in three steps. First is the rescue process. Rescue can happen through a raid - God's rushes into your darkness and pulls you out. It can happen through a miracle - God does something completely unexpected and unexplainable to show you that He is God. And finally - God's most common form of rescue is through negotiation, through prayer. He speaks softly to your heart, convinces you of His love, and you in turn surrender your life to Him. The next step of hope comes in the form of redemption - eternal salvation. 1 Corinthians 6:20 and 7:23 tell us that we are bought with a price. God redeemed us; He saved us from sin and the power of Satan when he sent His Son to die. The blood of Jesus Christ purchased our freedom. The third and final step of hope is the process of restoration. This is the one that takes awhile. If we're being honest, the restoration process is never really done. Restoration is the healing process, the spiritual journey, the search for meaning, the period of growth, the daily transformation. Healing is a process. Spiritual cleansing is a process. The renewing of your mind is a process.
Love Casts out Fear: 1 John 4:8 tells us, "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear." What are you afraid of? When you truly understand the love of God, you will have nothing to fear. God is love. He is perfect, and He has the to ability to cast out our fears. We've got to surrender them to Him though. We've got to show Him our love, and then watch as He takes away our fears. This verse goes on to say, "He that feareth is not made perfect in love." Healing is a process. We are perfection in progress. We are made in the image of God. He is our creator, therefore we must trust Him to restore us. We must fear Him with reverence, not with apprehension - that is the only way we will be made perfect in His love.
Follow Where He Leads: Have you ever noticed in scripture that whenever Jesus heals someone it's usually after they've been following Him. Luke 9:11 says, "And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing." When the woman with the issue of blood came to Jesus, she came from behind (Matthew 9:20). So many times we think we have the answers, we think we can solve our own problems - so we jump in front of God. Spiritual healing can only take place when get behind Him, and follow wherever He leads.
Reach Out in Faith: What did the woman do after she got behind Jesus and followed Him? She reached out and touched Him. "For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole" (Matthew 9:21). It wasn't the physical touch that released Jesus' power. He was walking through a crowd of people, there is no doubt that others were bumping up against him, but none of them were healed of any sickness. It was the faith that accompanied her touch that brought healing. We may not be able to physically touch Jesus right now, but we can reach out to Him. The Holy Spirit is now what links us to Him, and we can touch the hem of His garment through prayer. When we reach out in faith, believing in the power of His touch, then we too will be made whole.
Continue in Prayer: Paul tells us in Colossians 4 and Ephesians 6 to continue in prayer, to pray without ceasing. This is something that God has personally been convicting me about lately. You can't pray about something one time and expect God to answer. You have to continue in prayer. Show Him that you're serious about it, show Him your devotion. So many times when God answers our prayer, we stop praying. God knows that, so why would He answer a prayer if answering it means that our communication with Him stops? He desires our friendship and communication. We need to stay in constant communication with Him throughout the day. We need to take our requests to Him on a daily basis, not just in our moment of need. And we can't just use Him as a crutch or someone to complain to or get things from either - we need to take time and thank Him as well. He is worthy of our thanksgiving.
Study to Show Yourself Approved: Spiritual healing doesn't just come from asking for it in prayer either, you need to study His Word to show yourself approved. 2 Timothy 2:15 says, "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." God's Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Psalm 119:105). Everything we need to know about hope, healing, spiritual cleansing, and the renewing of minds is in God's Word. It is His instruction manual to us, our daily inspiration and encouragement. Hide His Word in your heart that you may not sin against Him (Psalm 119:11). Let God's Word speak to you and offer your heart the healing that it so needs and desires.
Give With a Humble Heart: When I think of humility and having a servants heart, I think of the three Mary's in the Bible. Mary, the mother of Jesus, was obedient to God's calling on her life. She accepted His plan without hesitation, saying, "Be it unto me according to thy word." Mary, sister of Martha and Lazarus, took the time to sit at the feet of Jesus and listen to His Word (Luke 10). She poured out her expensive oil on his feet, and washed his feet with her hair. Martha served the supper, but Lazarus and Mary sat and ate with Jesus. Which is more important? Which offers more healing? In John 12, Judas seemed to be concerned about the poor when Mary started pouring out her expensive oil, but was his motivation genuine? Our service needs to be an act of worship. Our service needs to be done with a humble heart. We are talking about spiritual cleansing, healing, and renewal. Martha was so busy serving Jesus that she lost sight of Jesus Himself. Her service wasn't done as an act of worship, but as an act of duty, and she probably walked away from that dinner feeling more physically drained than spiritual renewed. Judas wasn't focused on Jesus or the poor, but only on himself and money. He neither worshiped nor served Jesus, but only concealed his pride in the form of concern for the poor. Pride is one of the biggest roadblocks of spiritual healing, and so often it is hidden under the disguise of service, worship, or concern for others. Mary poured out what was most valuable to her as an act of worship, she humbled herself to the lowest form to show her love for Christ. In the same way, Mary Magdalene (often believed to be the sinner who washed Jesus' feet in Luke 7) washed His feet with her tears. She didn't have much to give, but she gave all she had, and she held nothing back. She showed no shame, paid no attention to those who judged her, and focused only only Jesus. She showed Him how much she appreciated His forgiveness, and she she showed him her love - and she did it through humble, sincere, and passionate service. She was made whole. Transformed. Cleansed. Renewed. Healed.
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
~ Romans 12:1-2 ~
