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Sickness

This will be my last sermon until I read more of the Bible. I know, I know. Before you BURST into tears (especially you….) I’ll let you know that I will write more sermons later. Just gotta grow. Jesus is the best, don’t you agree?

Anyway, let’s get started.

Who here is a fan of Resident Evil? Hehe, I know, it’s a weird thing to bring up in a sermon, but I’d like to know if you are (because then I can flood you with PMs about RE! I know you want to blaugh ) Anyway, lately I’ve been in the Resident Evil mood and, like Batman before this, I can’t seem to break it. When I’m not thinking about the Lord, friends, family, homework, etc. I’m thinking about RE. Resident Evil has zombies, conspiracies, cool creatures, awesome characters, TERRIBLE dialogue (then again, what horror story has good dialogue?) and the feel of the game is just so…terrifying? (That’s it, I’m reading a thesaurus) But one thing about that series that really makes me like it is the biology lessons they give (Like how to make zombies!icon_xp.gif) Seriously, tell me if you like RE ;ninja: I’ll be SURE to discuss it with you

(hehe, random scene
Me: Hey, did you say you liked RE?
Somebody: Ummm..yeah, I kinda lik-
Me: AWESOME! Like, totally! You remember that one part with that zombie that ate that dude and that dude was like, “Ahhh!”?
Somebody: Ahhh….not reall-
Me: Or that one time with that Ganado that was like “Yaaah!” and that guy was like, “Faaahhhhh!!icon_gonk.gif?”
Somebody:…No…
Me: Like, woah! Wanna be my friend?
Sombody:…nah, that’s Ok…*walks away*
Me: (foams at that mouth) Resident Evil! *curls into a ball and starts to rock back and forth* )

The game likes to go on about virus and parasites and such. Basically, all the monsters you see in those games were created by either a virus called “T-Virus” or in RE 4, “Las Plagas” . Yes, I know, what does this have to do with anything? Well, it got me thinking about sicknesses, and how the Lord heals us of our ailments…if you let Him.

A lot of my spiritual bros and sisses have been ill lately. Most of them are fine now, but they were sick for a short period. You know, I’ve always wondered what made bacteria and viruses and little green men that attack your spleen, and I’ve always wondered what can heal you of a disease. Of course, immune systems are a big part of it, and medicine, but something much, MUCH greater can heal you of your sickness if you call on Him. Who is it? You know who. None other than our Lord.

First thing is first. Who made diseases? Why are they here? Are they here to help us, or to punish us? Well, many would believe Satan is the cause disease. But I think otherwise. The Lord made diseases. You look at the Bible and you know that our God made diseases. Why did He do that? I don’t know. I have a few theories on this, though. Throughout the Bible, it talks of plagues and diseases killing people off. Why is this? Because the Lord was angry with these people. You look at Ezekiel’s first few chapters, and it talks about how the Lord will punish those who were being constantly wicked. One of the ways He said He’d punish those people was to kill them off with disease and hunger.

(Ezekiel 5:12 (Amplified Bible)
12And a third of you shall die of pestilence and be consumed by famine in the midst of you; a third shall fall by the sword round about you; and I will scatter a third to all the winds and will draw out a sword after them.)

It seems very much to me that the Lord wants ways for us to die, and for ways to punish us if we’re very, very wicked. Of course, it’s not like the Lord isn’t quick to forgive, but I hope you see my point.

Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind
1As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"

3"Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. 4As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. 5While I am in the world, I am the light of the world."

6Having said this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man's eyes. 7"Go," he told him, "wash in the Pool of Siloam" (this word means Sent). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.

Another theory I have is that the Lord made diseases so that His glory can be realized. Look at the Gospel. Throughout the entire thing, Jesus was healing people of their illness and saving their lives. If He didn’t have anything to cure, how could He show His love for each and every one of us, even those who are sick? Jesus is the Lord, and He was quick to heal those who trusted in Him.

Whatever causes diseases, I don’t know. But I do know that the Lord WILL heal you of an illness if He sees fit.

Today, people rely more on medicine than on the Lord. Medicine is great. I’m not bashing medicine. You read Deuteronomy and Moses talks of a plant that the Israelites use as medicine. I know the Lord made medicine to help us. But! People tend to lean more towards medicine than just going to the Lord for help. Whenever I’m sick, I often think to myself, “Woah! MUST GET ANTIBIODICS! Life, slipping! Hair, falling from head…old age seeping in…should have played more RE…” or I think, “Oh man, I really don’t like puking…” Most of the time I tend to forget to go, “Lord, if you will it, please take away my illness.”

Jeremiah 17:14 (Amplified Bible)

14Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for You are my praise.

James 5:14-15 (Amplified Bible)

14Is anyone among you sick? He should call in the church elders (the spiritual guides). And they should pray over him, anointing him with oil in the Lord's name.

15And the prayer [that is] of faith will save him who is sick, and the Lord will restore him; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.

How many of you have called on the Lord to help you when you’re sick? Twice I did this, and it was THE BEST!
This isn’t quite a sickness, but this was AWESOME.

Quote:
Yesterday, while my big brother and I were at the store, I had this crippling back pain. I've had this pain come out of no where for years, and each time I could hardly walk. It usually lasts an entire day. My brother and I had walked to the store, so we had to carry all the groceries home. We bought some heavy stuff, and with crippling back pain, chances are I wouldn't have been able to carry it. So, I prayed to God to take away the back pain. Within a minute, the pain was completely gone and my back felt great. Not much of a miracle, but it was AWESOME! Praise the LORD!


Let me tell you, my back hasn’t done this since that day. AT ALL! Hallelujah!

Then, there was another…*cough* more embarrassing time *cough* I was having bowel troubles at school…. you didn’t just read that you crazy! Well, anyway, I was having diarrhea and it would go away. So, I prayed to God to heal me of this sickness. You know what? IT WENT AWAY INSTANTLY! Just like that, it was gone! I didn’t have to do it anymore. The Lord will heal you if He wills it!

Of course, just because you pray saying, “Lord, please heal me” and you’re not healed right away doesn’t mean the Lord said, “Nope” to your request. He may want you to do something first, or take some medicine, or something, but rest assured, He didn’t go, “Nope” He will heal His children. Maybe He wants you to learn something, or maybe He wants you to be ill as a punishment (I doubt that, but who knows) for something, but He WILL heal you. Don’t doubt this. He does it all the time!

If you’ve got a testimony about how the Lord healed you, please post it! It would be greatly appreciated.

Please, pray for those who are sick, even if they don’t believe. The Lord’s glory shall be made manifest in the sick person, one way or another. You all rule, I love you so much!

I’ll end off by saying I’m going to write a Resident Evil fanfic soon….who wants to read it???

~James the Nerdy

Father in Heaven, Jesus Christ Almighty God,
Take all praise, for it belongs to you. Forgive us of our sin,s though we don’t deserve it. You are awesome, Lord. Your love and mercy and grace and EVERYTHING is just so awesome! Thank you for curing us of our illnesses. It’s always great when you do. You are the BEST! The King of Kings! Thank you for your Son, whom you love, whom you sacrificed for us. Thank you for dying for us. In Jesus name, AMEN!

Thank you for sharing your testimony, Lisa. It all goes to show the Lord's glory.

*giggles* No comment.