What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?

What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?
Remember: "When God closes a door, He always opens a window!" You never know what might be out there waiting for you!

Monday, December 18, 2017

Healing In His Wings

Malachi 4:2 "But to you who fear My name (says the Lord of Hosts), the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings; and you shall go out and grow fat like stall-fed calves."




 I know you are probably wondering what this little teapot and cup with a butterfly has to do with the above verse and story below.  I will tell you in a minute.



"The Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings, 
and you shall go out and grow fat like stall-fed calves."

Interesting terminology.  I love it...and I claim it by faith on behalf of my dear friend Sharon, who has been diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer, (and she has never smoked a day in her life) and she begins chemotherapy tomorrow. 
 
My hubby and I with our friend Sharon last week. 
The vision that imagery conjures up in my mind is one of complete health, mighty in strength and vitality; restored in every way to a full, long, and happy life. Wow! Thank you, Jesus, for this picture You have engraved in my heart right now! I pray that it will be true in every way for my friend Sharon. (Although I think she’d probably prefer not to “grow fat like stall-fed calves”…Ha Ha. Just injecting a little humor here, which I believe Sharon will appreciate). 


My friend Sharon is a remarkable woman in every way. I will not even begin to try and list the ways here because it would take too long.  But last week, we went to visit Sharon in her home to pray and spend a little time just trying to encourage her as she faces this battle for her life...and what does she do?  She gives me a gift.  Yes...she gives me a gift.  The little "teapot and cup for one" shown above she had found in a thrift store somewhere and thought of me, and wanted me to have it. I was speechless!  But as I looked more deeply into this lovely little teapot, I discovered another gift...the butterfly in the bottom of the cup and also on the outside with the flowers... a butterfly! To many the butterfly is a symbol of healing, of new life, of resurrection...a thing of beauty created by our Lord to brighten our days and give us hope when we feel hopeless!

And as I looked at this wonderful gift, I knew that God wanted me to have it so that I would be reminded to pray for Sharon every day...and to have hope for her healing, and to have confidence on her behalf that indeed, "The Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings"....and my friend Sharon shall "go out and grow fat like stall-fed calves"!!

I know that many of you have had your own battles to win, challenges to face, and triumphs to celebrate.  There are some of you who also have family members and friends battling serious illnesses, overcoming tragedies, and who may be learning to walk by faith through treacherous terrain. Perhaps this verse and this little story will be encouraging to you today.   And possibly you may be the one who can share this hope and encouragement with others around you. Christ has come into the world with "healing in His wings"...that's what Christmas is all about...Christ came not only to save us from our sins, but also to heal us from our wounds and illnesses and broken hearts.

Luke 4:18 (and also Isaiah 61:1-2)
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me 
to preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to set at liberty those who are oppressed;
to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord."

Be blessed today, my friends!
Christ has come with "healing in His wings".










16 comments:

  1. I'm so sorry to learn of your dear friend's cancer diagnosis. Please count on my prayers added to those of others. Please also keep us posted about how she is doing. Your teacup is lovely and the butterfly is a perfect symbol of life and renewal!

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    1. Thank you Terri. Yes, I will keep you updated as to Sharon's progress. She is a very strong Christian woman, and I know God is going to be glorified through her during this time of testing and healing.

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  2. What a tough patch for Sharon, Pamela. I will definitely keep her in prayer, and will be looking forward to your updates on her health. May the Lord's healing wings surround her!
    Blessings!

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    1. Thank you, Martha. That is comforting to know that you will also be praying. Yes, I will keep everyone updated.

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  3. That's beautiful, Pamela. I'm so sorry to read about your friend and am touched by the gift she gave to you. I pray that the healing touch of the Son of righteousness will be upon her as she goes through this difficult time.

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    1. Thank you, Nonnie. I am thankful for praying friends coming together to pray for her..the more the stronger. Thank you.

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  4. Pam, I'm quite familiar with Malachi 4:2, in fact, it was a primary text for one of my sermons a few years ago. Your friend, Sharon is certainly in a rough time. Praying for her. (By the way, I stumbled upon her CaringBridge page recently and started following.)

    Sharon's gift to you is beautiful!

    Blessings!

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    1. thank you, Kim. I am sure your "stumbling upon her CaringBridge page" was no accident. Thank you for being a prayer warrior and a person who truly cares. We will believe together for Sharon's healing through Christ. Amen!!

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  5. I am praying for your friend, Sharon. I do believe in the healing power of prayer. A year ago now we called all of our children home to say goodbye to their dad (my husband) who was diagnosed with stage 4 head/neck cancer. After some very brutal treatment and being sick for many, many months he was healed--changed---but healed. I believe that medicine and God can work together to provide many miracles. God bless you and your friend- xo Diana

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    1. Oh thank you, Diana, for these words of hope and encouragement. I am so very happy for you and your husband that God chose to bring healing to him. I know that God is able to do miracles in our lives and we are trusting Him for our dear friend Sharon right now.Thank you again...God bless you and your family with continued health and strength and JOY!

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  6. I will certainly remember Sharon in my prayers for complete and easy recovery and comfort of mind that only God can provide.
    My older sister had lung cancer and recovered beautifully. They can so wonderful things today in medicine and God always does wonderful things!

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    1. Oh Annie! That is such encouraging news! Thank you so much for sharing that with us this morning. I know that God is able and we are trusting Him to do exceedingly, abundantly above all that we could ask or think on behalf of our friend Sharon. Thank you, and God bless you today!!

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  7. Pam: Thank you for reminding us about Sharon. I will add her to my prayer lists.

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    1. Thank you, Cecelia. She is certainly in need of all our prayers at this time.

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  8. Hi Pamela, what a beautiful post about your friend. I'm adding Sharon to my prayer list. I believe in healing by prayer. Have a day of blessings dear friend.

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    1. Thank you for your prayers, Toni. Sharon certainly needs and appreciates all the prayers offered on her behalf. God bless you too!!

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