United Church of God

Letter From Jim Tuck - January 19, 2019

Letter From Jim Tuck

January 19, 2019

Dear brethren,

I was thinking this week about the tremendous blessings God gives us in our lives.  He provides all we have and possess--the air we breathe, the sun and the water we drink, and the food we ingest for nourishment.

The verse in James 1:17 means what it says: "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning."

He even provides the rain from heaven, and the warmth of the sun which graces our face each day.  Yes, God has provided us every good thing without fail.  He is ever faithful to us.

And yet we sometimes forget some of the great benefits God gives to those who fear and serve Him.  It is hard to believe, but when we surrender to Christ, we then have access to benefits. King David recounts the many benefits of being a servant of God in Ps. 103:1-10:

"Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name!  Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Whoredeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.  The Lord executes righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed.  He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel.  The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. He will not always strive with us, nor will He keep His anger forever.  He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities."

One great benefit we have is healing.  This is made possible through the stripes of Jesus Christ on our behalf.  He was strapped to a stake and endured a great beating for us so through the physical wounds inflicted on our Savior we could be healed.

Jesus told one man ""If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes."  To Whom the man cried out with tears, "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!" (Mk 9:24)

All we have to do is believe in what Jesus Christ endured for us, and that God has the power to heal us. (Heb. 11:6)

The Apostle James reminds us in Jas. 5:14-16: "Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 [a

 

]Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, [b

 

]fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.'

Don't forget this marvelous blessing and to avail yourself of the benefit of healing.  Put your trust is the God who heals us, and He will!  Just believe, and it will be done.

Have a wonderful and uplifting Sabbath! 

          Your pastor,                                                                             

Jim Tuck