What do you spread? Do you spread Good news or Bad news? I don’t think there has ever been a more necessary time to be a disciple and spread the Good news than now. We need to be Disciples! Yet, what does it mean to be a disciple, and what does that have to do with healing?
First, what is being a disciple?
Being a disciple is, first and foremost, living a life led by God. Just by being a follower of Jesus, learning the Word, and demonstrating what peace and joy come when we put our trust in God, you are a disciple. Why? Because actions speak louder than words. People will want the peace and joy that you have in all circumstances. I heard a story about two neighbors that each got cancer at the same time. The one kept very upbeat during her treatments, and the other stayed at home most often and felt miserable. As the story went on, another neighbor approached the upbeat neighbor and mentioned that they noticed how different the 2 women were handling the treatments. That neighbor asked what the upbeat neighbor was doing to keep so positive. She said it was her constant faith in Jesus. You can be a disciple by demonstrating how a Christ-centered life will maintain peace and joy through anything.
Being a disciple also comes in how you treat other people. If you see a car with a Jesus fish on the back of it racing down the highway and being very unsafe, your view of a “Good Christian person” will definitely be shaped. If you are already someone who feels that religion is hypocritical, that would seal the deal. Now, imagine that you are at a restaurant and the service is exceptionally slow, the food is cold and not very tasty, and the server is grumpy as all; yet you still say thank you to the server and ask to pray for him or her that their circumstances may change. That is much more effective than the person who complains and adds to the server’s distress. Possibly, the server will stop and question, “Could their faith be bringing them this sense of compassion?” You could have changed their life forever through your actions.
Speak the word. Open up the conversation about your faith whenever possible. This world needs to know that we have a great comforter without any ulterior motives. Even before COVID, this world has been struggling with being consumed by the physical world. The physical world places a high level of importance on paychecks, societal standards and popularity, the things they own, and proving their worthiness and righteousness. We love to pass judgment and seek “justice,” otherwise known as revenge. When COVID hit, the fear easily penetrated this world because we were already on unsteady ground. Our seed had not been planted in fertile soil. So, it’s of no surprise that we just keep going deeper and deeper toward the dark side. That is why we must speak of the Goodness of God so this world sees that there is hope. We need to bring Heaven to Earth even before Jesus comes again.
This doesn’t mean memorizing and quoting the Bible, though the verses I read are so powerful and would be great to use if you cannot find the right words to say. What I am urging you to do, is to speak about your relationship with God. I have found that the best place to do this is with my children and their friends. Kids love to spread what they have heard. If we teach them about God, to rely on God as their great comforter and guide, then they will encourage their friends to do the same. Then spread this same conversation to your extended family members, your social groups, and then to any stranger you meet. It’s as simple as saying, “I will pray that the rest of your day goes smoothly,” to the grocery store clerk or saying, “Peace be with you today and always,” to the person who randomly helps you.
You do not have to be the Apostle Paul traveling the world to spread the Word and call people out on their injustices. Remember that God’s love is a choice, not to be forced. Anything of force is of the devil. God wants us to choose to love him and follow his ways. Start subtly and grow from there. Be the fruit on the vine.
John 15
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
8 This is to my Father’s glory that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.
11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.
What greater love than to bring the love of Christ Jesus to those that you love. Want to feel better? Focus your life on God. Let God guide you, inspire you, and bring you peace and joy. He is the waymaker, miracle maker, promise keeper, and light in the darkness. Through him, you can heal, and you can bring healing to those around you through him.
Voyage to HEAL Weekly Task
Stretch: Recently, I discovered that my jaw was very tight. I tried a new stretch in which I opened my mouth and place my fingers on my cheeks in front of my jaw bone. You will feel the pterygoid muscle as you do this. Then, I gently pressed upwards on these muscles. Feel free to massage this muscle and then place and hold this upward pressure. Be gentle. Nothing is ever obtained with force.
Exercise: In standing, activate the pelvic floor and core muscles (if you need a refresher on how to do this, visit weeks 2 and 3 of the Voyage to HEAL, or you can purchase the 12-week Pelvic Floor and Core Activation Series on the website). Once those core muscles are turned on, bend your elbows, then straighten your arms and sweep them outward in opposite directions as if spreading peace and love everywhere. Do this for 1 minute. Feel free to change directions and planes of your arms. As you move, say the words you want to say as if you had an audience.
Habitual Change: Change the brightness of your computer screen as the daylight changes. This will be much easier on your eyes.
Perspective enlightenment: I give myself permission to open my mouth and be a disciple of Christ.
Journaling option: Write out all the ways that God’s love has helped you and then write out all the people you want to know the Lord.
This week’s blog post coincides with week 10: Thank you for we need to give thanks to God for he is good! We give thanks to God by spreading his word. If you feel compelled to spread the word through financial support, I discovered a wonderful organization called Galcom that provides solar-powered radios to people in foreign countries that read the Bible in their language. This is amazing because so many people in 3rd world countries do not read! With this radio, they can hear the word in their language. For more information, visit www.galcomusa.com .
I also encourage you to start your full online Voyage to HEAL. Click here to visit the store. I will also be holding the Voyage to HEAL Weekend Excursion on November 11th-12th, 2022 and again on March 3-4, 2023. Visit Products- Weekend Excursion for more information and to register. Godspeed on your Voyage to HEAL
Love,
Jocelyn