Need A Doctor?

Last Wednesday, my heart started to race. I took my blood pressure and the machine said that my heart rate was 165 beats per minute. I repeated this process several times over the next fifteen minutes and got the same result. All of a sudden, my cardiologist’s office called to check up on something else. After a brief discussion of my symptoms, they told me to call 911 and go to the Emergency Room. I am not one to be dramatic and often downplay things, but the doctor’s office telling me to go to the ER got my attention. I did go to the ER and got the medical attention I needed. Sometimes, we can downplay our condition in order to have everyone else think we are healthy, whether that be physically, mentally, or even spiritually.

Mark 2:17 says, “And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, ‘Those who are well have no need for a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.'” Many people take pride in the idea that they are good in and of themselves, having no need for God or His forgiveness. The Bible says that we are all sinners in need of a Savior. It is only by the mercy and grace of God, that we can be saved from sin through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ.

As The River Flows

In our area, we have many rivers, streams, and creeks. Sometimes, the water is crystal clear, but at other times, the water appears muddy. Regardless, the waters provide the necessary nourishment for the life of the surrounding forests, flowers, and crops.

Revelation 22:1 says, “Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb.” Abundant life and eternal life flow from God alone. Through faith, God bestows pure and true life.

On the Rock

Have you hiked up a mountain to stand upon the highest rock and take in the beautiful scenery below? I have on occasion and have come away each time with a sense of wonder, hope, security, and gratefulness. In the Bible, Jesus is often referred to as the Rock. He is the One in whom we find peace, security, hope, and wonders.

Psalm 61:1-3 says, “Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy.” No matter where we go or what circumstances we may be in, God hears our prayers. He provides protection and security while also lifting our hearts when we face despair.

Leaving Your Comfort Zone

By faith, Noah ignored the critics and built an ark in the desert. By faith, Abraham left his home to go to a faraway place because God called him to do so. By faith, Sarah believed God and bore a son in her old age. By faith, Moses rejected life as royalty to live as a shepherd and be mistreated by oppressors. By faith, God’s people crossed the Red Sea on dry ground, while the Egyptians were all drowned as they pursued. All of these people left comfortable circumstances to go where God led them and do what God called them to do.

Hebrews 11:6 says, “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” Faith requires that we come out of our comfort zone to a place where we trust Him to do that which we need done. When we have fear, it is the opportunity to trust God to overcome that which we fear. By faith, we don’t always receive that which we want, but we do receive that which we need.

Transformed

We may look at the professional athlete, performer, billionaire, or other leader and decide that we want to become like them. So we learn, practice, and give it our best efforts. Most of us will fail, at least to some degree, because we don’t not have the same opportunities and innate abilities. Although it is often said, it is not true that you can be whatever you want to be. Real transformation comes from inside, from our hearts.

Hebrews 10:14 says, “For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.” By the one sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, God sees us true believers as perfected in Him. We are now in the process of becoming like Him, that is sanctified. As we exercise faith, He builds us into His image, transformed from our former likeness.