Mike's Senior Picture
Mike and Gracie in September
I have been thinking a lot about Mike lately. I haven't seen him since November of last year. Mom tells me he's not doing that great. He's about the same--sometimes he's worse. I miss Mike. I want him to be healed. Two things have renewed my faith and prayers that Mike can be healed.
The first is witnessing what happened with Uncle Brent. I am so grateful that he was healed. We prayed for him along with all of you. His recovery is a miracle and renewed my faith in the Lord's healing power.
Second, we have been studying the New Testament since the beginning of the year. Ron and I have talked a lot about the healings that occur in the New Testament. Many of the people who are healed were brought to the Savior by family members or friends who had faith. If they hadn't been brought by their loved ones to see Jesus, they would not have been healed. In some instances, they couldn't have come on their own.
Matthew 8:16 says: "When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick."
Then there's the story of the man who was sick of the palsy:
"And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee. And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth. And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house. And he arose, and departed to his house. But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men." (Matthew 9:2-9)
In this story, the man's friends bring him to Jesus. Matthew says that when Jesus saw "their" faith, he proceeded to heal the man (both spiritually and physically). The faith of the friends of the man seems to be important to this healing.
Finally, there is the story of the daughter of Jairus:
"And, behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue: and he fell down at Jesus’ feet, and besought him that he would come into his house: For he had one only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay a dying. But as he went the people thronged him...While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue’s house, saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master. But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole. And when he came into the house, he suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John, and the father and the mother of the maiden. And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead. And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise. And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat. And her parents were astonished: but he charged them that they should tell no man what was done." (Luke 8: 41-42, 49-56)
The father of this girl came to get Jesus. Probably she was too sick to be brought. When they are informed that the girl has died, the Savior speaks to the family and friends of the little girl saying "Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole." Again, the faith of the family is important to the healing of this little girl.
I feel that Mike needs the faith of his family. I know that he has been the subject of many prayers and I know we've held several family fasts for him. Mom and Dad especially have borne the burden of his illness and have done so much for him. One of Dad's favorite scripture stories is of the man who was healed at the Pool of Bethesda. This man was sick for 37 years. Many people in the NT were sick for years before they were healed. Like these individuals, Mike has been sick for many years. But if it is the will of the Lord, he can be healed. I know Mike can be healed. I know he will be healed in the resurrection, but I pray that his healing will happen in this life. I have been trying to pray more intently and faithfully on Mike's behalf and I hope all of our family will do the same.
