Greetings, brothers and sisters in Christ and children of God,

I would like to share a story with you today. It is a story of a man who woke up one morning and felt his legs were still asleep, and soon the numbness began to spread through the rest of his body. With a little assistance, his wife was able to get him to the hospital. The doctor diagnosed him with a severe stroke and that he may never walk again. When the man returned home, he began exercising and, within three days, regained use of the right half of his body and his left arm. He bought crutches and began an intense therapy program. After three months, he had regained the use of his left leg and switched from the crutches to a cane. Two weeks later, the cane was set aside. His pace was slow, and permanent paralysis in his left foot causes him to limp, but he walks on his own.

When he saw the doctors, they asked, “How?” His response was, “I’m a firm believer in prayer. I did all I could on my own, and I asked God to do the rest. As you can see, I did my part, and he did his.”

Our good apostle Peter writes in his book, In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith, of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire, may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed (1 Peter 1:6-7).

We do not always know why or understand the circumstances that we are faced with or must endure. The man in our story certainly did not ask to endure the struggle of overcoming the pains in rehabilitating himself so that he could walk again on his own. Did he defy what the doctors said? No! God defied what the doctors said, but it was the faith of this man who knew a Doctor more powerful than they were and trusted God to deliver him from the inability to walk. 

Paul writes, We glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope (Romans 5:3-4). The man held on to the hope of the Lord. His faith and hope persevered through the struggles. When times become a challenge, we cannot lose hope. It was not in this man’s character and should not be in our character as believers in the healing Christ. In fact, we are called to consider it pure joy whenever we face trials of many kinds. It is the testing of our faith that produces perseverance (James 1:2-3).

Therefore, look at your circumstances, not as a hindrance or burden, and certainly not as a punishment, but as a test of faith that in the end becomes your testimony to what God will do if you only do your part and pray, knowing that it is your faith that God will do His part. 

Last week, the little lambs reviewed the fruit of the Spirit and focused on the first fruit, which is love. This week, we will look at the second and third fruit, joy and peace. It is said that Jesus is the first fruit to go to heaven, and the Word says God is love and that God and Jesus are the same, and the first fruit mentioned of the Spirit is love. Coincidence?

I look forward to worshiping our Creator with you tomorrow, with songs of praise and dancing before Him who heals the broken and strengthens the weak. If, for whatever reason, I do not see you tomorrow, may the Lord bless you with joy, peace, and an abundant love, and may he heal you, comfort you, and guide you when you are in need.

God bless you,

Your brother in Christ,

Michael (aka Mr. Michael)