Shepherd

Shepherd

The idea that God is our shepherd has great meaning for me. I worked as a shepherd for a time when I was young, and this affected me in profound ways.

As Christians we see God-as-shepherd-to-His-people throughout Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation.

There are many others, who do not see themselves as people of faith but who find great comfort in David's 23rd Psalm: "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want ..". I think that this is because we often feel alone and vulnerable, even frightened, by what we know of the world. The thought of having someone of great righteousness and power looking out for us is very heartening. Not a cowboy or a corporate executive or a wheat farmer or a crocodile wrangler, but a shepherd ..

In Bible times a shepherd would stay with his sheep and guide, protect and care for them constantly, he would be present and he would be working. I have come to see that this is how Jesus is towards me ..

".. Jesus said to them, "My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working" (John 5:17).

It is easy to forget that God works all the time; He is constantly creating new life and sustaining all the universe; I cannot really get a clear hold on this - it is such a big concept. He is looking out for each one of us every minute of every day; He uniquely cares for me, and Trish, and us as a married couple, and our family; the people of our city, and of our time.

And you too, He reminds your heart to beat and your lungs to fill ..

"In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety" (Psalm 4:8).

When I was just fifteen my father sent me to help on the farm of his war-time buddy, Mr. Donald. It was lambing time when I was there. This was a stud farm where all the animals were pedigree, they were carefully bred, rams and ewes, to sell to other farmers to improve their own flocks. Every lamb born was precious, stud lambs fetch a superior price at market. Mr. Donald depended on having a good lambing for his livelihood; we checked the mothering sheep five times each day, starting as it was getting light and finishing after dinner at night.

On my first afternoon I was given a horse to ride; as a shepherd I would need a horse. His name was Baron, he had been a pacer and had spent his life racing other horses. I had never ridden before; this seemed not to be a problem to the farmer or to his full-time shepherd, Robert. The horse knew that I was not his master so was skittish and bossy for the first week. I was also given a bag containing everything I would need for me to help ewes give birth to their baby lambs when they were having trouble on their own, much like an obstetrician or a midwife helps human mothers. Lastly, I was given a shepherd's crook which I would use to get that extra reach to grab a running sheep so I could help her.

I still vividly remember that first afternoon and evening. Riding my horse was scary but also exciting; you are so very high off the ground! The spring-time countryside was beautiful. My new friend, Rob the shepherd, was kind and very knowledgeable as he explained what our job was.

Suddenly he yelled and spurred his horse forward; immediately Baron was in pursuit; I was just able to hang on. We got to the distressed sheep and dismounted; Rob dismounted, I virtually fell off. My shepherd friend was now with the troubled birthing ewe; her baby was partially born but she could do no more to bring it forth. Rob immediately went to work, he sanitised his hands and the area around the birth canal, then very gently eased his fingers, then his hand and arm into the birth canal. The ewe did not seem to mind this massive intrusion but I was totally shocked. I had not long turned 15, in those days boys were quite unlearned about feminine parts and functions, pregnancy, gestation and birth, and really knew nothing about sex, (though we were very excited at the prospect of soon learning more!)

Rob explained to me that he needed to establish where the lamb's four legs were. We could see part of the face. The most desirable position is for the lamb to be ready to be born facing the outside, with the front feet together and forward with the lamb's chin resting on the backs of its feet, and the hind legs, with their big thigh muscles, trailing. The whole lamb is in a sack, which is filled with amniotic fluid and connected to the mother's uterus wall by the umbilical cord, this supplies everything the baby needs to develop and grow. While the sack is intact the baby is completely safe, but once the sack tears the baby needs to be born. A mother is so amazing that the tearing of the sack sends a message to her body to contract and push, to bring about the birth as quickly as possible. The mother's body can no longer sustain the baby, it now needs to be in the world.

Rob struggled for a minute or two then slowly removed his hand; the ewe gave a mighty push and with a sudden and very wet whooshing sound the baby lamb was born.

What a moment. New life! I had never experienced anything like it. I had played no part in this drama, but I was there, completely awe struck, amazed. My heart was pounding. I recognised something, in life, in eternity, in myself. Glorious.

Over the next three weeks I learned to ride a horse, (the second and third days were very, very painful), and to round up sheep and lambs and do a hundred farm chores. I also learned to help mother sheep birth their babies. Perhaps I helped a hundred births in all sorts of difficult situations, twins too, even triplets. Never did I lose that sense of total awe-filled amazement at the new births, the coming of new life into the world.

No matter how difficult the birth was, and sometimes the mother had been struggling for hours before Rob or I found her, the ewe immediately completely became a mother. She would find the lamb, or lambs, (they seemed to absolutely know if they had twins or triplets), they would lick them clean and get them feeding. Sheep have no hands and very limited language but this process almost always worked perfectly. Nothing was going to stop the mother uniting with her baby and getting about nurturing it. I have a memory of power and confident responsibility.

As a shepherd I was simply a servant (and an observer of miracles), providing a small help in this fabulous yet eternal process of new life.

At 15 years old, my immediate question was: "Can this be my life's work? Can I do something which would enable me to be involved with this miracle always?" In those days shepherding was a short term job; young men would work as a shepherd on the way to another career job. In no way could my family establish me on my own farm, but with enough study I could be a doctor and specialise in mothers-to-be and their births. When I asked my science teacher, he made it plain that my intellect would not get me into medical school, nor through the years of study and practical work. A career of helping babies be born seemed completely out of reach. (Nursing was not considered a suitable career for men in those days).

Only once since then have I helped a mother ewe give birth, I was driving home from the country and saw a ewe in trouble in a paddock by the road. It looked as though, without immediate assistance, the lamb would die, and possibly soon after that, so would the mother. I rolled up my sleeves and went to work. The lamb was not presenting at all well and the mother's efforts had just made things worse. Soon I had re-arranged the baby's forelegs and head, the ewe gave a mighty push. The wonderful glorious moment! New life! I was as excited as the mother! She went right to work settling her baby down: "forget the pain, forget the exhaustion, forget that fearsome looking young man standing there, it's now time for my baby!"

Trish and I have six children, our twins, the youngest, are now 20. When we were expecting our first child the midwife taught us about "husband coached childbirth" and encouraged all the soon-to-be dads to learn to rub backs and help and participate in the birth. Yes, this was for me. Absolutely. Totally, fabulously awesome! Love in action .. Not a delivery .. not a hospital procedure .. a mother giving birth to her baby .. a new baby being welcomed into his or her family!

This story is really about Jesus and Father God, and me, and you, and all those who have gone before, and those who will came after. It is about life and family and continuity.

Here were answers to the Big Questions. Why am I here? What does life mean? Is there any purpose in anything? Where did I come from?

Until I came to belong to Jesus, and to know Him, these questions really bothered me. There seemed to be only partial, temporary and contradictory answers in the world. Now I had seen life up close in a most profound way and had come to know that every life is a miracle.

Once Jesus brought me to Himself I learned that "relationship" is the big answer to the Big Question. Now I am in intimate everlasting relationship with the Lord and Creator of all that there is, that ever was (Colossians 1:16). Even these mothering ewes know this as they have their babies (Psalm 65:13, 96:11-12, 97:1, and Romans 8:22). Jesus is “my Shepherd”.

I never got to medical school, but my testimony is that because I belong to Jesus and live "in Him" (John 14:16-17), I see new life everywhere. The miracle of birth is all around us, all the time. We see it in the wilderness and the seasons, in our families and among our friends, even in the parks and gardens of the big cities. There is new life in great music and architecture and design. Birth and new life are part of who we are because it is part of Him who created us, our Shepherd.

Amen.

Favourite Bible Verses

"David said to Saul, 'Your servant has been keeping his father's sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock,  I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it.  Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God.  The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine'. Saul said to David, 'Go, and the Lord be with you'" (1 Samuel 17:34-37).

"Because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.  For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse" (Romans 1:19-20).

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.

 He makes me lie down in green pastures;

 He leads me beside quiet waters.

 He restores my soul;

 He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake.

 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; 

 Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

 You have anointed my head with oil;

 My cup overflows.

 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever"

(Psalm 23:1-6 A Psalm of David).

Hallelujah!

First posted in January 2011 revised January 2020.

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"Shepherd" is now a podcast on Spotify under PsalmsOfJohn
• Public link to podcast
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Praise Jesus.

In Jesus' Hands: More +

Seeking Healing - 30 Days In Jesus' Hands - What Happened?

After years of being burdened with many illnesses, diseases, malformations, and side-effects I threw myself into Jesus' hands. For 30 days I trusted that Jesus would fully heal me of all my physical ailments. I stopped all medication, had no tests, visited no doctors. Even now that the 30 days are over I still believe that I will see miraculous healings in my body . .

What's Up?

These are my first really coherent thoughts after the emotional drought which followed the 30 days . .

It's been a long time since Day 30. I fully believed that Jesus would heal me; it is His nature and his plan, under the new covenant, to heal and to save all humanity. He died so that we could be free from sin and know salvation. He suffered and was crucified knowing that by His stipes we are healed.

(1 Thessalonians 5:9-10) For God didn't appoint us to wrath, but to the obtaining of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

The morning after Day 30 I awoke to a completely normal day. My body appeared to be unchanged. There were no signs that I had been healed of even 1 of the 17 distinct medical complaints that brought me into this amazing quest. Not one! Neither did there appear to be any ill effects from going a month without my medications.

Surprisingly, my weight was virtually unchanged even though, without actually trying, I had become much more disciplined: almost no chocolate or ice cream, no cookies or cake, smaller portions, hardly ever a second helping. These are significant changes; but they brought no weight loss!

What Happened?

What happened over those 30 days?

Many questions. No answers. I felt a need for a conclusion, a wrap-up, even some kind of follow-up.

It looks as though prayer didn't help. My prayer seemed to have little substance, it was watery and without real engagement.

This time reminded me of being in England all those years ago, with my mother 12,000 miles away. She was still my beloved Mom, and I her beloved John. Letters were wonderful. Phone calls really connected us. The rest of the time we were apart, my day was her night and my night her day, she knew none of my new friends, or work, or play. Moment by moment we had few shared experiences. This is how I was feeling about my relationship with Jesus. Out of reach. Distant.

There was absolutely nothing to write down.

I know that He lives in me. I am His, baptised in Him, fully immersed in His Holy Spirit. We cannot be closer together, it's like a spoonful of honey in a cup of tea. But, for more than two weeks this is not how it felt.

In truth I was still expecting something to happen any moment. Something huge and miraculous.

Normal Life

Within a few days I had a routine check up at the plastic surgery clinic where they treat sun damaged skin. They found two lumps or spots that need to be excised; these are keratoses or carcinomas and only a potential threat. The plastics people are very cautious because I have had 4 melanomas (perhaps the worst kind of cancer). A couple of years ago I learned that I have fair skin. All those years in the sun! Me, fair skinned! No wonder I have skin damage. Still, God can fix that; He can fix anything. He took away my stony heart gave me a new soft heart:

(Ezekiel 36:26) I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.

He has healed me from cancer, smoking addiction, alcoholism, and from fear, and more. Also He has healed and delivered others in my family.

On about Day 40 Trish said she could see I was disappointed. This surprised me, but was true. It was not good to think about this disappointment because it allowed it to grow. Before long disappointment had become devastation and it was then a short journey to a spiritual crash.

It was abundantly clear that I had made a terrible mistake; my request to Jesus was quite beyond any bounds. How could I make a deal with God, the King of kings, that He would heal me . . All the old chestnuts came flooding into my mind: I'm not good enough. Others deserve His help but how could I put myself among them? I felt both worthless and useless. My study and teaching were useless. This Website was worthless. Everything I had ever done for Him .. useless.

That night Trish came and sat by me, clearly she had things to say, the kind of things that wives say to husbands. This was a time to turn the TV right off, not just mute the sound.

What a gracious, Christ centred, woman of God Trish is! She spoke for a good half hour. She prayed for me, over me and with me. Then we had communion.

Jesus said: (John 7:38) "He who believes in me, as the Scripture has said, from within him will flow rivers of living water".

For many years I was excited about the promise of these words, then one day I realised that Trish was like this. Trish was the very first person who I saw had rivers of living water flowing out of her belly; from her very essence, her self. Jesus flowing out from her. This was such a time. Thank you Trish. Thank you Jesus!

The spiritual crash was done, it was over.

Father

This has been an unusual week; both of our daughters have especially needed a dad this week, Becky had some stuff she had to do and wanted me to stand with her. Kate is working long and hard to put her end-of-university-year art projects together. I can help with transport, handyman work and food. And encouragement. So lovely .. so "Dad"!

Father God said: (Isaiah 49:15-16) "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; all that I am building in you is ever before me".

Totally true. Deep calls to deep. Father God is saying to me: "John, I know what being a father means to you. Well, I am your Father. Always. All the time. I am building things in you, and will never forget".

Favourite Bible Verses

(Psalm 103:1-5 NIV)
Praise the Lord, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits -
who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

(John 1:16)
From his fullness we all received grace upon grace.

(John 6:67-68)
Jesus said to the twelve, "You don't also want to go away, do you?" Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life".

Praise Jesus
Amen

More +

An Email I sent earlier this week

From: "John"
To: "Undisclosed"
Date: Wednesday, 1 December 2010 6:18 AM

Subject: Heart Healed ?

On Monday I took my pulse and it seemed to be in rhythm, the first time this phenomenon has been observed in several weeks. I didn't say anything because it seemed so unlikely to be true.

The next day I was in Royal Perth Hospital seeing my Oncologist. Completely outside their plans for my visit they gave me an ECG to check my heart.

It was beautiful . . the ECG showed perfect sinus rhythm . . no sign of Atrial Fibrillation. A second ECG confirmed this.

I'm now wearing a monitor for a week. I believe that the results of all the monitoring will show that my heart is back. Beating normally. Fully healed.

I can see no scientific reason why my heart has gone into sinus rhythm. Does this mean that JESUS TOLD IT TO? I believe so. 

(Mark 11:22) Jesus answered them, "Have faith in God" (more correctly translated from the Greek: "have the faith of God - have God-like faith").

Since October 2009 my heart has only been known to be in rhythm three times, each for two or three days immediately after a major heart "reset" procedure (two cardioversions around the middle of this year and an ablation nine weeks ago).

This is remarkable and so wonderful! I am ebullient, and praising Jesus.

Thank you for your prayers
and your fellowship
and your love

Bless you
John

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"In Jesus' Hands: More+" is now a podcast on Spotify under PsalmsOfJohn

• Public link to podcast

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6IuYJC7YW2uAQYaiXDUIPP

Amen.

In Jesus' Hands Day 30

Testimony - Jesus Heals - 30 Days In Jesus' Hands

After years of being burdened with many illnesses, diseases, malformations, and side-effects, I threw myself into Jesus' hands. For 30 days I've been trusting that Jesus will fully heal me of all my physical ailments and illnesses. I have had no medication, or tests, nor visited any doctors. Even at this final hour I believe that I'll see miracles . .

Day 30 . .

I remember Martha and Mary. Lazarus was dead, they knew that his body had begun to stink. But Martha knew Jesus, she had no doubts: "'Even now I know that, whatever you ask of God, God will give you' she said"  (John 11:22).

Martha's words filled my mind and heart as I walked by the river this morning with Star, our dog . .
"Even now" . .

I am very focused, living in the Scriptures, the very Word of God.

Last night I finished the Day 29 post pretty late, then sleep was totally elusive until about 5 AM. As I was tucking into bed Trish half woke up: "I think I'm disappointed", I said, "but I still love Jesus". This was not a conscious thought, rather it was my spirit talking to my wife, that lovely person who is the other part of me.

Today is it. This is the last of the 30 days.

Sick or well, my body has been my friend; I have trekked in many mountains, walked and run thousands of kilometers. Six times I have held brand new babies in my arms, Trish's and my babies, and still share their lives. Now I have daughters-in-law and grandchildren to hug and to bless. My body houses my spirit; this is where I know Jesus and my heavenly Abba Father. It doesn't get much better than this.

Thank you my lovely Lord.

Favourite Bible Verses:

(Psalm 139:14)
I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful. My soul knows that very well.

Praise Jesus
Amen.

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"In Jesus' Hands: Day 30" is now a podcast on Spotify under PsalmsOfJohn

• Public link to podcast

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6SJ32SnelSUar6Y3C0wnR5

Praise Jesus.

In Jesus' Hands Day 29

Jesus Heals - 30 Days In Jesus' Hands - Second Last Day

On 28th September 2010 I threw myself into Jesus' hands. Over the next 30 days I'm trusting that Jesus will fully heal me of all illnesses and diseases, some of long standing (1 Peter 2:24). My testimony has been undermined. I am sick of being sick. I feel led to take none of the 6 medications prescribed for me, have any tests, nor see any health professionals (Mark 16:18). I believe I'll become healthy, rested, alert, mobile, vigorous and sound of spirit, soul, mind and body.

6:45 AM Today

"Shall not the God of all the earth do right?"

The minute I awoke this morning, these words were clearly written on my consciousness. What comfort!

God does not make two snow flakes the same. We know that every person is unique. God is saying that He is revealing Himself to me uniquely, in a way perfectly suited to me. He's doing right by me. He will reveal Himself to you, and deal with you, in a perfect way for you. We cannot walk another's walk.

Celebrations

We've just had the most wonderful evening of celebration. On Sunday Rebecca moves out for the first time, to share a house with two friends. Monday is Trish's birthday, this marks 5 years since the Lord began her present life chapter. We'll honour her early because that same Monday, Patrick heads out for the remote far north for six weeks with two friends, in an old Kombi van, on what he calls his "road trip". He'll work up there and see a totally different world to anything he's known so far.

Suddenly we'll have gone from Mum and Dad and 4 big, busy kids, to just the two of us and Kate who's flat out with uni. I cannot imagine what it will be like.

When I got home ready to cook the big feast, there, in our kitchen, was Richard! We didn't even know he was in Australia. He's been with YWAM in Amsterdam for a year and is still getting settled. He gets his car back tomorrow. What a surprise! Needless to say, he stayed and shared our evening with us. Perfect.

Favourite Bible Verses:

(Genesis 18:25 NIV)
"Far be it from you to do such a thing - to kill the righteous with the wicked, treating the righteous and the wicked alike. Far be it from you! Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?"

(Numbers 6:24-26)
"The Lord bless you, and keep you.
The Lord make his face to shine on you, and be gracious to you.
The Lord lift up his face toward you, and give you peace".

(Jeremiah 29:11-13 NIV)
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart".

(2 Corinthians 13:14)
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen.

Praise Jesus (the Judge of all the Earth)
Amen.

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"In Jesus' Hands: Day 29" is now a podcast on Spotify under PsalmsOfJohn

• Public link to podcast

https://open.spotify.com/episode/38PhVyTY3FvtyXKJzuJUlr

Praise Jesus.

In Jesus' Hands Day 28

Testimony - Jesus Heals - 30 Days In Jesus' Hands

On 28th September 2010 I threw myself into Jesus' hands. Over the next 30 days I'm trusting that Jesus will fully heal me of all illnesses and diseases, some of long standing (1 Peter 2:24). My testimony has been undermined. I am sick of being sick. I feel led to take none of the 6 medications prescribed for me, have any tests, nor see any health professionals (Mark 16:18). I believe I'll become healthy, rested, alert, mobile, vigorous and sound of spirit, soul, mind and body.

Barry

At the crusade last night this sick guy needed prayer, he seemed to have a problem with his leg. No-one else was around. My pastors allow me to pray for people; Pastor Robert asked people to step forward, I did.

There was too much going on to have a big discussion, so I, and now another man, started to pray. Robert was leading from the platform. It was all very simple; Robert had just been teaching about Jesus. Jesus is my friend. I believe in Him and on His Name. All I could do without coming over the top of Robert was be humble, forget about myself, pray, speak to whatever was bothering this man's leg, lay hands on him.

After a time I knew to kneel down and lay my hand gently over his hand which was on his leg. After a minute or two the man stood up and headed over to the platform. Soon he was up there, under the lights, with Robert. He was healed!

Some weeks before, he had been bitten by a poisonous Australian spider. Intense pain had become a constant, his mobility was drastically reduced, the abscess around the bite mark grew and grew and grew. The man had almost become a cripple, he could not escape the pain. Normally one would expect months to pass before the body would pass the poison and normal life could begin to resume.

But this man was healed, suddenly, right before our eyes. All the pain had gone and he was bouncing around on the platform like a young lamb. I was there, I prayed. This is the most outstanding healing I have seen where Jesus used me. Talk about encouraged.

The man's name is Barry. Bless him. You could not get the smile off his wife's face! A huge burden off their whole family.

What About Me?

Yes, I did put up my hand for prayer. But somehow it seemed more important to pray for this sick man. So I did. Did I therefore miss out? No. I'm getting to know Jesus more and more. He would never bypass me because I was doing His work. Never.

Belief

A very old hymn goes:

I know whom I have believ-ed,
And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I've committed
Unto Him against that day.

It is about Jesus. I can still remember singing those words with all my heart! All day today this truth has been with me: "Jesus is the One whom I can believe".

One of the most important things Jesus said before He was taken to be tortured and killed was: "abide in me, and I in you. As the branch can't bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in me" (John 15:4).

Even in a human context we believe those we love and live with. How much more Jesus whose love towards me is so complete and so constant.

Favourite Bible Verses:

(John 6:29)
Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent".

(John 14:1)
"Don't let your heart be troubled. Believe in God. Believe also in me".

(Philippians 1:6)
[I am] confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in me will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.


Praise Jesus
Amen.

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"In Jesus' Hands: Day 28" is now a podcast on Spotify under PsalmsOfJohn

• Public link to podcast

https://open.spotify.com/episode/7wHawi6yyCcDUqJKGqNpbg

Praise Jesus.

In Jesus' Hands Day 27

Day 27 - Jesus Heals - 30 Days In Jesus' Hands

On 28th September 2010 I threw myself into Jesus' hands. Over the next 30 days I'm trusting that Jesus will fully heal me of all illnesses and diseases, some of long standing (1 Peter 2:24). My testimony has been undermined. I am sick of being sick. I feel led to take none of the 6 medications prescribed for me, nor see any health professionals (Mark 16:18). I believe I'll become healthy, rested, alert, mobile, vigorous and sound of spirit, soul, mind and body.

Crusade

Tonight’s meeting was even more amazing than those which went before. We got there early to pray. Prayer was so very easy! All around and above us was an open heaven. The meeting started with anticipation, grace and love. Then it went from glory to glory. We shared in the most extravagantly signs and wonders filled gathering I have ever seen in my whole life. The number of demonstrable healings of very serious, life-reducing illnesses, physical damage, results of trauma, even a poisonous spider bite, were extraordinary. There were many salvations. Glory be. Jesus is on the move amongst His people.

Trouble

All day today I have been aware that after 26 days there is no sign of my physical healings . . not even a "cloud the size of as man's hand" (1 Kings 18:44). I was encouraged about my knee but I would not ask my orthopaedic surgeon for x-rays as there has been pain and signs of weakness. I've been chasing after symptoms for years, now I am asking for solid healings: beyond doubt, doctor verifiable, "testimony quality" healings.

So today Satan has been sitting on my shoulder reminding me of all the old chestnuts: that I'm not worthy of God's miraculous attention, that it is my sin that keeps me sick, that I have too little faith to ever be healed . . one negative thought after another. Strongholds.

These were my "favourite" strongholds, those that Satan has had most success against me with; those that I most believed and was most robbed by. This went on from when I walked the dog this morning, until Trish and I left for the crusade at about 4:00 this afternoon. It was heavy, I was discouraged.

Trish and I started to talk, I was telling her about my battle today, because of it I had no idea of what to share with you tonight when we got home.

Suddenly

As I shared with Trish, Jesus immediately responded. Suddenly. Every day Jesus has provided the material for that day's post. As I've typed and researched, Jesus has been right there with me. I tend to say a lot. But these posts have all been edited by Jesus, trimmed and tidied up. He is the Word of God, He is the One who inspired and edited the Bible. He’s the very best!

Jesus showed me that every single one of the strongholds Satan was trying to pin on me has been the subject of identification, deep thought, prayer, and meditation. Each has been discussed in one of these posts, and totally refuted by Scripture after Scripture after Scripture. Jesus brings every Scripture to my mind.

The "Favourite Scriptures" segment of these posts just seemed to happen on the first day, I thought the verses would help show you me, who I am, how I see God; my theology. By day 3 they had become a feature. Clearly they were always Jesus’ idea; He has been faithful and brought His Word, (really, Himself), every day!
Jesus always speaks to His people.

(Revelation 3:14) "The Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Head of God's creation, says these things . . "

He is the One called "Wonderful Counsellor . . " (Isaiah 9:6).

Favourite Bible Verses:

"The Children's Bread"
Under the Old Covenant, God worked miracles for the Israelites, His children. Anyone not a Jew could have no expectation of a miracle. Now, under the New Covenant, all Christians are children of God, under grace, by faith. He feeds us, and we can expect bread. "Miracles are the children's bread."

(Matthew 15:21-28)
Jesus went out from there, and withdrew into the region of Tyre and Sidon. A Canaanite woman came out from there, and cried, "Have mercy on me, Lord, you son of David. My daughter is severely demonised!" Jesus did not answer. His disciples came and begged him, saying, "Send her away, for she keeps crying after us". He answered, "I wasn't sent to anyone but the lost sheep of Israel", The woman came and worshiped him, saying, "Lord, help me", and He replied, "It is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs".  "Yes, Lord", she said, "but even the dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters' table".  Then Jesus answered her, "Woman, great is your faith! Be it done to you even as you desire". And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

(Matthew 7:9)
"Or who is there among you, who, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone?"

Praise Jesus
Amen.

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"In Jesus' Hands: Day 27" is now a podcast on Spotify under PsalmsOfJohn

• Public link to podcast

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Praise Jesus.

In Jesus' Hands Day 26

My Testimony - Jesus Heals - 30 Days In Jesus' Hands

On 28th September 2010 I threw myself into Jesus' hands. Over the next 30 days I'm trusting that Jesus will fully heal me of all illnesses and diseases, some of long standing (1 Peter 2:24). My testimony has been undermined. I am sick of being sick. I feel led to take none of the 6 medications prescribed for me, nor see any health professionals (Mark 16:18). I believe I'll become healthy, rested, alert, mobile, vigorous and sound of spirit, soul, mind and body.

Diary For Today

This weekend's Christian crusade in our city had a youth rally this afternoon. It seemed very important that I get there as early as I could and intercede. The prayer flowed. Trish and I have six kids, all in their 20s and nearly 20s. Also two beautiful daughters in law, and two fantastic grandchildren. They all have cousins and friends. Youth is important in our family.

Awesome things are happening in the world because of the kids and young people who are already in the Kingdom of God, and also those that Jesus is bringing in. Perhaps my prayer flowed because God is confident that what He has undertaken in this crusade will come to fulfilment.

The meeting was great. (I probably would have enjoyed the music more if I wore those foam ear plugs which reduce sound. My time for very loud music was with Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Suzy Quattro and all those 70s rockers).

Robert's talk was so very good. He was telling the kids about growing up straight and true. As yesterday, he spoke with illustrations from the Bible and testimonies from his own ministry. Robert did not moralise, yet his talk covered the moral issues of living life today. It was very moving. I plan to buy the CD; this lovely man can tell this stuff so much better than me. For reasons of love, and for love of Jesus, I don't think any of the kids there will ever have an abortion. That is very good news.

Living In Fullness

In recent days I have been pondering fulfilment, and the whole thing of living in fullness in Christ Jesus. This is such a big subject in the New Testament. I think the secret is to be happy to love and follow the Lord, to be obedient to Him, and to not crave for stuff that’s out of reach:

(1 Timothy 6:6) "godliness with contentment is great gain".

Prayer: "Thankyou Lord Jesus, your Word assures me that I have fullness in you. Any seeming shortcoming in my circumstances does not affect this truth".

Favourite Bible Verses:

(John 1:16)
From His fullness we all received grace upon grace.

(Acts 17:28)
For in him we live, and move, and have our being.

(Romans 15:29)
I know that, when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of the Good News of Christ.

(Ephesians 1:9-10 ISV)
He made known to us the secret of His will. This was according to His plan that He set forth in Christ to usher in the fullness of the times and to gather up all things in Christ, both things in heaven and things on earth.

(Ephesians 1:22-23)
He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

(Ephesians 3:19)
.. and to know Christ's love which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

(Ephesians 4:13)
.. until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a full grown man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.

(Colossians 2:9)
For in Him all the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily.

Praise Jesus
Amen.

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• Public link to podcast

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Praise Jesus.

In Jesus' Hands Day 25

Jesus Heals - 30 Days In Jesus' Hands

On 28th September 2010 I threw myself into Jesus' hands. Over the next 30 days I'm trusting that Jesus will fully heal me of all illnesses and diseases, some of long standing (1 Peter 2:24). My testimony has been undermined. I am sick of being sick. I feel led to take none of the 6 medications prescribed for me, nor see any health professionals (Mark 16:18). I believe I'll become healthy, rested, alert, mobile, vigorous and sound of spirit, soul, mind and body.

Diary For Today

Some people I spend a lot of time with are running a Christian crusade this weekend. A wonderful pastor from Uganda, Robert Kayanja, is ministering. His message tonight was simple, yet profound; "Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever". Robert spoke with illustrations from the Bible and testimonies from his own recent ministry.

We saw ears being unblocked; people who had been deaf in an ear for years were demonstrably healed. For others it was restoration of the sight of a blind eye. Healed. The evidence was plain to see.

In one case the affliction of a father was mirrored in a daughter, both were healed. In another a whole family was affected by night blindness, in dim light they were unable to see at all; the whole family has been healed.

This afternoon, while I was interceding for the meeting, my damaged knee bothered me as I walked up and down the bleachers. Robert asked everyone who had pain, sickness, or oppression, to stand. He came against all the devils of affliction, pain, infirmity, sickness, inheritance, and more, then he prayed for our recovery. Immediately I had confidence to use my knee in the way I'd experienced difficulty this afternoon. Briskly I walked up to the top of the bleachers, then down again. Three times I did this. My knee was fine.

Praise Jesus, I am rejoicing over the restoration of my knee. This is a wonderful leap forward. Thank you Lord! I am so looking forward to walking our dog, Star, tomorrow!

Favourite Bible Verses:

(Matthew 4:24)
The report about [Jesus] went out into all Syria. They brought to Him all who were sick, afflicted with various diseases and torments, possessed with demons, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them.

(Luke 4:40)
When the sun was setting, all those who had any sick with various diseases brought them to [Jesus]; and He laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them.

(Acts 5:16)
Multitudes also came together from the cities around Jerusalem, bringing sick people, and those who were tormented by unclean spirits: and they were all healed.

(Hebrews 13:8)
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Praise Jesus
Amen.

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Praise Jesus.

In Jesus' Hands Day 24

 Jesus Heals - 30 Days In Jesus' Hands - One Week To Go

On 28th September 2010 I threw myself into Jesus' hands. Over the next 30 days I'm trusting that Jesus will fully heal me of all illnesses and diseases, some of long standing (1 Peter 2:24). My testimony has been undermined. I am sick of being sick. I feel led to take none of the 6 medications prescribed for me, nor see any health professionals (Mark 16:18). I believe I'll become healthy, rested, alert, mobile, vigorous and sound of spirit, soul, mind and body.

Signs

(Mark 16:20) They went out, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word by the signs that followed. Amen.

Mark's book covers Jesus' life, death, resurrection and glorification. It ends with our Lord's instructions and encouragement for the Church which would soon rise up.

Today, some do not believe in signs and wonders. I do not understand why this is, though I know it to be true . . Perhaps because of fear? I know that many have been hurt by the promise of what the Word of God seems to promise, yet they have seen no fulfilment of the promises.

Mark wrote in a concise and no-nonsense way. At the very end of his book, Mark is quoting Jesus, and Jesus is giving His final earthly teaching to His people. To Mark this has to be a very important passage.

Jesus' is speaking to the people who knew Him:

(Matthew 16:16) Simon Peter said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God".

(John 11:27) Martha said to him, "Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, he who was to come into the world".

Is God truthful? Yes. Unchanging? Yes. Loving? Yes. Saviour? Yes. Abba Father? Yes.

Ideas

Last evening a "creation" teacher came to a church near here and I was able to go. The visitor would quote from famous researchers and teachers from the fields of Big Bang Theory, and the Theory of Evolution. He would then present empirical evidence and shoot down every single one of those arguments. There is absolutely no evidence to support Evolution, or the Big Bang Theory, or the multi-billion-year age of the universe. None. Not even a little bit. The much proclaimed Fossil Record is full of holes, and empty of facts; it is a sham.

I love science and the “unfathomable riches” with which creative minds can work. It was good to see ideas pitted against one another, each supported by evidence, (where there is any). But when something is called "science" which is just an idea, a theory, or a proposition, is not science, no matter how famous or aggressive its supporters may by.

Satan

What does Satan tell us? Lies:

(John 8:44 NIV) " . . the devil . . he was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies".

God

(Psalm 102:25 NIV) In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.

The Creation takes my breath away every day. I have held new babies, helped sheep birth lambs, said "good bye" to my Dad, picked flowers, raced cars, body surfed, climbed mountains. Trish and I have been married for 30 years, we have children.

What does God tell us? Truth:

(1 John 5:6) This is he who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ; not with the water only, but with the water and the blood. It is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.

Here is truth. God has moral glory.

Faith Is My Friend

I choose to believe God, and the Son He sent who saved me!

Favourite Bible Verses:

(Ephesians 4:12-13)
.. for the perfecting of the saints, to the work of ministry, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a full grown man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.

(Mark 16:20)
They went out, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the Word by the signs that followed. Amen.

Everywhere . .

(Mark 16:17-18)
". . those who believe . . will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover".

They will . .

Praise Jesus
Amen.

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Thank you Jesus.

In Jesus' Hands Day 23

Jesus Heals - 30 Days In Jesus' Hands

On 28th September 2010 I threw myself into Jesus' hands. Over the next 30 days I'm trusting that Jesus will fully heal me of all illnesses and diseases, some of long standing (1 Peter 2:24). My testimony has been undermined. I am sick of being sick. I feel led to take none of the 6 medications prescribed for me, nor see any health professionals (Mark 16:18). I believe I'll become healthy, rested, alert, mobile, vigorous and sound of spirit, soul, mind and body.

Today

A very unsettled day. There is just a week to go of my 30 days. Today I had number of small house-husband and household-bookkeeper things to do which, as so often happens, took way longer than planned. There is also a great deal to ponder . .

Jesus' Fear Of The Lord

For the past three days I have been thinking about Jesus, and His Sonship, His fear of the Lord:

(Isaiah 11:2-3) "The Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him; the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. His delight will be in the fear of the Lord. He will not judge by the sight of his eyes, neither decide by the hearing of his ears".

Whilst living on the earth, Jesus "who, existing in the form of God, didn't consider equality with God a thing to be grasped, emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men" (Philippians 2:6-7).

Jesus constantly served Father God because of love. He loved His Father, and He loved being the beloved of His Father. I believe that the most precious thing Jesus had on the Earth was His Sonship, it meant everything to Him. He always looked to His Father:

(John 5:30) "I can of myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is righteous; because I don't seek my own will, but the will of my Father who sent me". (See also John 6:57, John 8:29, John 14:13, John 15:10).

Jesus lived in worship, obedience and humility. He served.

We are to be like Jesus. Me also. I am to be like Jesus.

It is very clear in the Bible, that Christians will grow. This is one of my great delights. Many seniors behave as though their lives are over; the Christians I know, of my generation, are all exploding in faith, hope and love (1 Corinthians 13:13). Growing in faith, in hope, and in love.

Thank you Jesus, you did not simply die for us, but you laid down all of your life in humility and obedience to Our Father for the sake of the whole world. For my family. For me.

As we face difficulties we can ponder these things in the knowledge that God never fails and never changes. Jesus' faith was anchored in these truths.

Favourite Bible Verses:

We are to become more Christ-like:

(Ephesians 4:11-13) He gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, shepherds and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, to the work of serving, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a full grown man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.

And we can rejoice:

(Philippians 1:6) being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.

Praise Jesus
Amen.

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"In Jesus' Hands: Day 23" is now a podcast on Spotify under PsalmsOfJohn

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Thank you Jesus.

In Jesus' Hands Day 22

My Testimony - Jesus Heals - 30 Days In Jesus' Hands

On 28th September 2010 I threw myself into Jesus' hands. Over the next 30 days I'm trusting that Jesus will fully heal me of all illnesses and diseases, some of long standing (1 Peter 2:24). My testimony has been undermined. I am sick of being sick. I feel led to take none of the 6 medications prescribed for me, nor see any health professionals (Mark 16:18). I believe I'll become healthy, rested, alert, mobile, vigorous and sound of spirit, soul, mind and body.

First

This morning I went to a beautiful Christian meeting. We marked three years of a most amazing ministry. The Lord is bringing salvations and many deliverances and healings, and also multiplying the ministry through teaching and making connections with others around the world. The leader is truly gifted, anointed, and very enthusiastic. It was a celebration of Jesus advance in the world! There is good teaching and training there but still, many of us there are of limited practical use to the crippled, the sick and the burdened. What is here seems not to be enough.

Something Happened

On the way home I (almost literally) bumped into a person we used to know years ago. (The person had many issues and needed huge amounts of ministry, neither our leaders nor Trish and I were equipped or able to give). I stopped, backtracked. We spoke. "How are things? You look well". "O you know, sometimes they are not too bad", and tears started to leak from behind the smile. Our conversation ended soon after. I hadn't known how to respond. It would have been so good to have Trish there. I was frozen. What can I do Lord?

When I got home I thought: "John, even with all your ailments and tests and doctors, you can manage, you can still get about and function. But this family! They have almost nothing but problems, their situation has not changed in many years". The husband became wary of ministry, particularly high powered ministry, because no healing or relief was ever seen. Their kids are now school age. I'm sure that they feel they have nowhere to go.

Trish got home a few hours later. I was still distraught. "This is where the rubber hits the road Trish. With me it is almost like a game by comparison. What am I doing putting so much emphasis on me. What can we do?"

This has really got me going.

I believe that this was a divine appointment. Today of all days!

Is this too much to ask? "Lord, fix me. Give me the confidence to go and genuinely help others, especially this family in all the many ways they need. Lord, the Church has too much ministry with lots of promise, but with very limited results".

We know of so many people who have been on prayer lines for years. They go to every well-known visitor who comes to town. No change. Don't tell me they have too little faith. It's not the patient who needs faith, but the minister needs the faith of God (Mark 11:22), and God certainly has enough. Lazarus had none at all (John 11), and Jesus had him up and out of the grave.

Teach Us All Things

O Lord, you say that, by your Spirit you will teach us all things. I pray that you will make this clear. I am ready to follow. Trish and I are both ready to follow you.

(John 14:26)
But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and will remind you of all that I said to you.

(1 Corinthians 2:9-10)
But as it is written, "Things which an eye didn't see, and an ear didn't hear, which didn't enter into the heart of man, these God has prepared for those who love him." But to us, God revealed them through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.

(2 Timothy 2:7)
Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things.

How like Jesus am I, really, after all these 25 years as a Christian? (See Ephesians 4:13). The New Testament is full of people ministering on the day, or the week, or the year they were converted. Lord Jesus bring your mighty power to bear in our time.

Favourite Bible Verses:

(Matthew 8:16)
When evening came, they brought to him many possessed with demons. He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick.

Praise Jesus
Amen.

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Thank you Jesus.

In Jesus' Hands Day 21

Jesus Heals - 30 Days In Jesus' Hands

On 28th September 2010 I threw myself into Jesus' hands. Over the next 30 days I'm trusting that Jesus will fully heal me of all illnesses and diseases, some of long standing (1 Peter 2:24). My testimony has been undermined. I am sick of being sick. I feel led to take none of the 6 medications prescribed for me, nor see any health professionals (Mark 16:18). I believe I'll become healthy, rested, alert, mobile, vigorous and sound of spirit, soul, mind and body.

A Higher Place

In all my years of being Christian I have never been able to consistently make time to pray and study as I have these 21 days. It's wonderful, rich.

In many ways I am in a higher place:

•   I am so very aware that Jesus is near (Matthew 28:20), always, it is His promise.

•   I know that all God's promises are good because I have seen and read hundreds of times about salvation, deliverance and healing in people's lives (2 Corinthians 1:20). Jesus. He created and sustains each one, and even the entire universe (Colossians 1:17).

•   Key words from Scripture keep coming to my mind, I often do not know which book they are in, but from the key-word I can find the verse; it is always a perfect fit for my meditation with Jesus at that time, whether I am cleaning, or cooking, or shopping for the family, or praying!

•   All day, and also when I wake in the night, Jesus will bring Himself into my consciousness. Always He brings hope, as in Paul's prayer for us:

(Romans 15:13-14) Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, in the power of the Holy Spirit. I myself am also persuaded about you, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to teach others.

Cat On A Hot Tin Roof

At the same time I'm like a cat on a hot tin roof. It seems to be a dichotomy (two mutually exclusive, opposed, or contradictory ideas):

•   I see no sign of any physical change, but I trust my Jesus for my wellbeing!

•   The days are ticking by. Where is my rescue?

Nasty Stronghold

For years I had a nasty stronghold, I believed that God has favourites. Some people seemed to constantly make progress in every area of their lives; they were joy filled in their Christian walk, they enjoyed satisfying work and adequate finances (they could make spending and lifestyle choices), their relationships flourished in every area. Nasty. This was a painful place for me to live.

Now I know the truth. More than anything, I have come to realise that the way Jesus has got hold of me is so very special, so precious, that it far outweighs anything Satan or the world may try to tempt me with. My family has been healed; our relationships have been healed, we grow together. Our finances are truly sufficient. We are able to be generous and live full lives.

What I See Is In The Spiritual - Not In The Physical

Everything that I do see is in the spiritual, and:

(2 Corinthians 10:4-5 NIV) The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Faith Is My Friend

(Hebrews 11:1 NIV) Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

I do not see what Jesus has promised in His passion and pain and death, and in His resurrection. Yet I am certain of what I do not see:

•  Jesus' wounds have healed me.

•  His blood has washed me clean.

•  He has purchased me, for eternity.

•  He has brought me into full sonship to Father God with Him.

•  Eternally I will live and reign with Him.

•  I am not alone, but a part of a mighty army, in Christ Jesus.

Righteousness

(Sorry, it has taken a few days to get back to this subject which I began on Day 16).

The main thing I would like to add is this:-

We have been adopted by Father God to be sons and daughters. This means that we have the same birthright and the same inheritance as Jesus. We have been washed clean. There is no question about how special we are. We have come into what God designed from the beginning, since before the Fall, you and I living with God and His Son Jesus. There is no question that Father will protect us from unrighteousness, the same way he does everything, by His Son Jesus!

(2 Corinthians 6:18) "'I will be to you a Father. You will be to me sons and daughters,' says the Lord Almighty".

Favourite Bible Verses: A Walk Through Salvation And Righteousness:

(Romans 3:23)
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

(Romans 6:23)
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

(1 Peter 2:24)
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.

(Matthew 27:46)
About the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lima sabachthani?" That is, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

(2 Corinthians 5:21)
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

(Matthew 28:1-10)
After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: `He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you." So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me".

(Acts 2:37-39)
When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" Peter replied, "Repent and be baptised, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all who are far off, even as many as the Lord our God will call to himself".

And then:

(Acts 2:42-47)
They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.


Praise Jesus
Amen.

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Thank you Jesus.

In Jesus' Hands Day 20

Jesus Heals - 30 Days In Jesus' Hands

On 28th September 2010 I threw myself into Jesus' hands. Over the next 30 days I'm trusting that Jesus will fully heal me of all illnesses and diseases, some of long standing (1 Peter 2:24). My testimony has been undermined. I am sick of being sick. I feel led to take none of the 6 medications prescribed for me, nor see any health professionals (Mark 16:18). I believe I'll become healthy, rested, alert, mobile, vigorous and sound of spirit, soul, mind and body.

The Elephant In The Room

Day 15 of this project was a big milestone. It marked half way. I was not quite sure how to express myself but something has been churning away inside me since then. It was this: I have asked Jesus to heal me of 17 distinct physical or medical complaints, for which I was seeing 8 doctors and specialists, and regularly taking 6 medications. Some of these conditions were congenital, some of were of many years duration, others were quite new.

When Jesus took me to Himself I began to testify to His working great emotional, generational, spiritual, and physical healings in me and my family members. (Also, I often testify to God's mighty power at work in others).

At the end of two weeks with no medications, no tests, and no doctor visits, my wife, Trish, and I were unable to discern any significant change in my condition. Certainly there were no noticeable improvements.

I started thinking about Job and Habakkuk. The elephant in the room appeared as part of my background consciousness. What if there is no healing? What if these 30 days come to an end and my health is unchanged? After much prayer I concluded that this was not Satan trying to build a new stronghold. It was me asking: "Who are you Lord Jesus?"

"I know who you are Jesus, please forgive my unbelief".

The Project Trigger

The orthopaedic surgeon who has been caring for my bones and joints is a very good doctor and a wise and gentle man. He is a scientist, not a man of the spirit. He showed, in unambiguous terms, that the knee, which I thought Jesus had miraculously healed three years ago, had continued to deteriorate. He assured me that any medical person would conclude, like him, that it was natural and normal that my knee could again be painful and swollen . . the three years of relief from symptoms was simply part of its normal cycle of ageing and wear, pain, swelling, and relief.

This news was devastating. I am a Christian who testifies. This is what I do. Jesus had me build this web-site, PsalmsOfJohn.com, as a place to post my testimonies. My Bible knowledge is limited, when I came to Jesus I was old enough that remembering Scripture and chapter and verse was very hard. But testimony is as natural to me as breathing.

Where Is My Testimony Now?

My cry: "Lord, where is my testimony now? I've told dozens of people, whole groups, that you healed my knee. Was I deceived? Are you real? Can I ever rely on my understanding again?"

So many people have a story about how God revealed Himself when they desperately cried out to Him. I have nowhere else to go. I cannot go back into the world.

"Breathe" / Michael W. Smith

This is the air I breathe, This is the air I breathe,
Your holy presence living in me,

This is my daily bread, This is my daily bread,
Your very word spoken to me.

And I, I'm desperate for you, And I, I'm lost without you,

This is the air I breathe, This is the air I breathe,
Your holy presence living in me,

This is my daily bread, this is my daily bread,
your very Word spoken to me.

And I, I'm desperate for you, And I, I'm lost without you.
I'm lost without you. I'm lost without you. I'm desperate for you.

Prayer

"O Jesus, Saviour, Redeemer, come, reveal yourself beyond denial. My life is yours. I commit all again to you. Come Lord Jesus".

Favourite Bible Verses:

(Psalm 22:22)
I will declare your name [Lord Jesus]. In the midst of the congregation, I will praise you.

(Habakkuk 3:17-18 NIV)
Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will be joyful in God my Saviour.

(Jeremiah 29:13 KJV)
And you shall seek me, and find me, when you shall search for me with all your heart.

Praise Jesus
Amen.

• Permalink to web page

https://www.psalmsofjohn.com/2010/10/in-jesus-hands-day-20.html

"In Jesus' Hands: Day 20" is now a podcast on Spotify under PsalmsOfJohn

• Public link to podcast

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5okPWuSuyvwWH2yknlkDKk

Thank You Jesus.

In Jesus' Hands Day 19

Jesus Heals - 30 Days In Jesus' Hands

On 28th September 2010 I threw myself into Jesus' hands. Over the next 30 days I'm trusting that Jesus will fully heal me of all illnesses and diseases, some of long standing (1 Peter 2:24). I am sick of being sick. I feel led to take none of the 6 medications prescribed for me, nor see any health professionals (Mark 16:18). I believe I'll become healthy, rested, alert, mobile, vigorous and sound of spirit, soul, mind and body.

Getting On With Life

It's Saturday, almost the end of an unusually busy week, not forgetting this 30 day project Jesus has me in. Every day I spend long quiet times with our Lord, firstly to see what He has to say today, secondly to see how I am in Him and thirdly to ask Him to give an outline and then guide me in writing this daily piece for PsalmsOfJohn.com. Also I attend Christian meetings where I am part of what Jesus is doing.

I am a house husband, Trish's husband, and father to our kids, our in-law daughters and our grandchildren. It is good to report that our van can be fixed in a few weeks when the parts come; it took a morning to set this up. Kate turned 25 during the week and we celebrated beautifully. She also has a throat infection so I took her to the doctor for antibiotics. She suggested that I stay in the car while she went in. This definitely seemed to be the right way to handle it for a guy who is avoiding medical people for 30 days. She is now recovering, praise Jesus.

So, this morning it was lovely to sit up in bed with Trish and catch up with one another. She is a teacher in a new school; they are all run off their feet because so much is being developed. Trish gets very tired. This is her mission field so it is a blessing that she's there. We also talked about me and what Jesus is doing in us, our whole family. It is clear that this project is affecting us all. Things are being broken open in the spiritual realm.

Walking It The Dust Of Our Rabbi?

In no way is there any glory for me in this. This is as it should be. Jesus never sought glory. My reading of the Bible shows that He, and His disciples, led very simple lives. In those days, disciples were said to walk in the dust of their rabbi. Jesus' team walked day after day, in the blazing sun, often to escape persecution, and always to do the Father's will, which ultimately led to the Cross:

(John 4:34) Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of him who sent me, and to accomplish his work".

In the years after Jesus was glorified, the disciples became apostles of Jesus' new Church. They continued to be ridiculed and persecuted:

(Acts 7:59) They stoned Stephen as he called out, saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!"

(2 Corinthians 11:23-27) [Paul wrote] "Are they servants of Christ? I am more so; in labours more abundantly, in prisons more abundantly, in stripes above measure, in deaths often. Five times from the Jews I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I suffered shipwreck. I have been a night and a day in the deep. I have been in travels often, perils of rivers, perils of robbers, perils from my countrymen, perils from the Gentiles, perils in the city, perils in the wilderness, perils in the sea, perils among false brothers; in labour and travail, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, and in cold and nakedness".

Did Paul grumble? No, he showed the kind of life for a Christian to live. Did he work? Yes, very hard. Wherever he was he worked as an apostle for Jesus and earned his living as a tent-maker. After his spectacular conversion, Paul lived a "sold out" life for Jesus and Jesus' Church. Rather than whinge and complain, Paul was obedient to his Lord and his calling, he persevered:

(2 Corinthians 11:28) "Besides everything else, there is that which presses on me daily, concern for all the churches".

Can I, John, do this 30 days? Yes. Praise you Jesus. You have so amazingly brought me this far. And Trish too. Both of us shoulder to shoulder, mostly doing different things, not in lock-step but two individuals, in tandem, working and growing together. Loving and beloved of Jesus. Prospering in our family, in our relationships, in our work, in our Christian walk.

Favourite Bible Verses

(Psalm 36:7)
How precious O Lord is your unfailing love!
We find refuge in the shadow of your wings.
We feast on the abundance of your house;
and drink from the river of your delights.
For with you is the fountain of life;
in your light we see light.

Praise Jesus
Amen.

• Permalink to web page

https://www.psalmsofjohn.com/2010/10/in-jesus-hands-day-19.html

"In Jesus' Hands: Day 19" is now a podcast on Spotify under PsalmsOfJohn

• Public link to podcast

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5luZhzZbDZMaA6lWzRdmRM

Thank You Jesus.