August 6, 2023— I do not know about you, but I have a tough time keeping still. My body and mind seem to be a built-in biological clock that keeps going and only stops when I sleep. I must always work on something or think of something. Is this how I was made, or is this just a behavioral problem? Perhaps it is my diet, or maybe I do not have self-discipline. No matter what it is, I must recall this verse:
Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!
Psalm 46:10
Remaining Still
As our refuge and strength, God is a pleasant help in times of trouble (Psalm 46:1). We lean on Him in times of crisis, knowing and trusting that He will see a way through. It can be challenging to remain still and wait on God’s response, but this is what we must do. Allow me to give you a testimony from the other night.
On Thursday, August 3, I had a dream of war. On Friday evening, around 6:00 p.m., I realized God warned me of spiritual warfare through that dream. Later that night, we went to our church. It was our pastor’s last day, and his daughter invited a woman to the church. I had never met the woman and did not know she had been sick for thirty days with pain in her stomach and legs. She thought it was cancer and kept hearing Satan’s voice, but she kept praying to God.
During the service, the Holy Spirit told me to pray for her. I told her that the LORD was placing a shield before her, and she would no longer feel pain in her legs or stomach. I confirmed that God heard her prayers. I declared that God was cleaning her blood, and the doctors did not know more than Him. I proclaimed healing over her life in Jesus’s name.
She was crying and thanked me. I explained that it is God’s glory and not mine. While the pastor spoke, she said she was healed and provided testimony for the church. The church worshipped Jesus and praised Him.
Waiting for An Answer
Despite her ailment, this woman waited thirty days for God’s answer and was instantly healed. The waiting period reminds me of Habakkuk 2:1:
I will stand my watch And set myself on the rampart, And watch to see what He will say to me, And what I will answer when I am corrected.
A rampart is the protective barrier of a fort or castle. Habakkuk says he will stand and watch for what God says and his answer when he is corrected. Jesus told us to “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:41). Habakkuk has spoken to God, knowing that he needs correction. Instead, Jesus offers a preventative solution “Watch and pray.” I want to ask you something—how is your prayer life?
Self-Correcting Advice
If you fall into sin, you must evaluate your prayer life. How often do you pray? If not, determine why. Are you repeating yourself within your prayers? Jesus warned against this, “And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.” (Matthew 6:7). Verse 8 reminds us that God knows what you need (Matthew 6:8). Beloved, if you are in sin, then your prayer life may need some work. By being sick, God is getting you to repent and return to Him with all your heart, soul, and strength. To do this, start by praying.
Another thing that can cause sin is not knowing or not hearing God’s word. You must consider the last time you read the Holy Bible and spent time with the Holy Spirit. The gospel of John 14:26 tells us that the Holy Spirit will teach you everything and cause you to remember things He tells you. I have said this before and will repeat it: you cannot remember something if you never read it. Read the Holy Bible.
Accepting Jesus
Jesus began His ministry in the region of Galilee. Matthew 4:17 says, “From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ ” Repenting of sin is so important that it was one of His first preachings, and He continued to discuss sin. Are you ready to repent and accept Jesus Christ as your savior today? If so, say this prayer aloud:
God, I confess that Jesus came in the flesh and blood, paid the price for my sins, died on the cross, rose on the third day, ascended to the heavens, and sent the Holy Spirit to help me understand Your Ways. For that, I accept Jesus Christ as my savior and Lord, and I welcome the Holy Spirit in my life. In Jesus’s name, I pray, amen!
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