In His Footsteps. The Forgotten Message, Part 24

"I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it." John 14:12-14 (NIV)

If we are followers of Jesus, we are encouraged to do what Jesus has been doing all along: "As the Father, has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love." John 15:9 (NIV) While on this earth, Jesus showed genuine love towards everyone He encountered. He was always encouraging others, and His truest act of love was demonstrated when He willingly died on a lonely cross to bring multitudes back to our Heavenly Father so that we could receive life without end.

"Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them." John 17:25-26 (NIV) Jesus' compassion was endless. When the sobbing Martha faced Jesus after her brother's death, "Jesus wept." John 11:35 (NIV), even though moments later He would raise Lazarus from the dead!

He cares, He loves, He is filled with compassion. This was His mission: "Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people." Matthew 4:23 (NIV) Jesus wanted anyone to know the Good News of reconciliation with our Heavenly Father. He doesn't want us to wander around without hope. He brought hope and the promise of eternal life. However, Jesus also focused on healing our diseases, and by His actions, He demonstrated that what He said was true!

We are encouraged to follow in His footsteps by genuinely loving others and demonstrating total dependence upon our Heavenly Father. Compassion, as well as sharing the Good News, should be our norm, but in addition to this, we are to walk with Jesus in healing.

Naturally, we can't do this in our own power. It can only happen when we rely solely on the One who heals: Jesus Christ: "Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did." 1 John 2:6 (NIV). All we need is the faith of a tiny mustard seed. Jesus promised that he would do everything for us, and if we know Jesus, we know that He will always keep His promises. He will do whatever we ask in His name. We can heal others only by depending on The Miracle Maker.

If you have never experience healing, why not try it on yourself or a loved one? Let me illustrate by relating a recent event that happened in my family.

I suffer from sleep apnea. It's quite an awful experience to suffocate while sleeping due to the collapse of your own tongue into your airway, and the common remedy, the C-PAP machine, doesn't work for me. Instead, I use a special chin strap that prevents my tongue from blocking my airway.

When we travelled to Watkins Glen last October, however, I accidently left my chin strap at home. At first, I panicked, then my wife began to pray for my healing. We both felt the peace that comes solely from my Father, and we weren't really surprised when I had no trouble. In fact, I slept like a log (though who knows, really, how logs sleep!), and I awoke refreshed and full of energy. I was healed! And why not? After all, I can trust my Heavenly Father!

Healings confirm that there is a loving God who cares for us. If we have no faith we can ask our Heavenly Dad for help. He is the One who heals. If you hesitate, find some gung-ho Christians who believe in the power of God and start experiencing our Father for yourself. Never will you forget that our Heavenly Father really cares for you, and no one will ever be able to convince you that our Father doesn't exist! My Heavenly Dad is way bigger than all these doubts. After all, He loves us explicitly!

Healing is within your reach!

Rob Chaffart