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Monday, October 30, 2006

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Ephesians 4:32—5:8
Psalm 1
Luke 13:10-17

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doctor's orders

"There are six days for working. Come on those days to be cured, not on the sabbath." —Luke 13:14

We always have an excuse for not being healed. The chief of the synagogue said it was the wrong day for Jesus to release the stooped woman from her shackles (Lk 13:14, 16). The real reason was that the religious leaders were jealous of Jesus (Mt 27:18). We may say the place, person, or method is not right for healing, but we are just making excuses to mask fear, unforgiveness, pride, or sin.

Many people refuse to go to a healing service because they don't feel comfortable. Many people do not feel open to being prayed for right out on the street, although Jesus healed people on the street more than anywhere else. Also, we often are turned off to the person the Lord has chosen to minister His healing to us.

There's always something standing in the way of our being healed. Receiving God's healing means obeying "Doctor's orders" (Dr. Jesus), although we can think of a hundred excuses why not to obey. God's healing is for you, for now, and for here. No excuses. Let the Lord love and heal you.

Prayer:  Father, "give us today our daily bread" (Mt 6:11), that is, our basic needs, including healing.

Promise:  "As for lewd conduct or promiscuousness or lust of any sort, let them not even be mentioned among you; your holiness forbids this." —Eph 5:3

Praise:  Jerry was healed of a broken leg overnight when his daughter prayed for him.

Reference:  (For a related teaching, order our tape on How Jesus Healed on audio AV 11A-1 or video V-11A.)

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 6, 2006

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