Curing Migraines

Kopp Disclosure

(John 3:19-21)

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"God inhabits the praises of His people."

David

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    I can't take it anymore.

    I'm going crazy.

    I feel like somebody pulled the plug and I'm going down the drain.

    The haymaker of life has decked me and the count is at nine.

    It's like Erma said, "If life is a bowl of cherries, why do I feel like I'm always in the pits?"

    Arriving before anyone just about every day at the church, I'm always stunned by lights left on and doors left unlocked.

    Of course, if I'm ever locked out of the church, all I have to do is flag anybody down on Lincoln or Main and ask for their key to get in.

    Keys to the church.

    You'd think they were keys to heaven; 'cause everybody's gotta have one.

    Oh, I get it.

    Freudian.

    Think about it.

    So many annoyances.

    The last person to use the duplicating machine had the exact number of sheets required; so it wasn't necessary to consider the next person in line for copies.

    The last person to use the stapler had the exact number of staples required; so it wasn't necessary to consider the next person in line who needed to staple something.

    My announcement on the bulletin board wasn't really that important; because someone tacked their announcement right on top of mine.

    I don't have the luxury to banter and moan about anything; 'cause I'm the receptacle for everybody else's bantering and moaning.

    Feed me, Seymour!

    That's not to mention really important stuff like a world exploding , a country imploding, churches that have lost His way, and...

    Go ahead, complete my/your/our/their list!

    Help me/us/'em, Jesus!

    I'll get back to Him.

    I just wanted to see if, uh, we're relating yet.

    Ever feel like that/me?

    It's unavoidable; yet not insurmountable.

    But, again, we'll get back to Him.

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    Do you remember the paralyzed guy at the temple who begged Peter and John for help?

    He expected them to give money to him.

    Peter had Someone better in mind: "I don't have any silver or gold.  Here's what I can offer you: stand up and walk in the name of Jesus of Nazareth, the Anointed One."

    Luke's report: "Instantly, the man's feet and ankles grew strong.  He walked and jumped for joy, and shouted praises to God."

    No, they didn't offer non-directive counseling.

    No, they didn't ask how he felt about being paralyzed.

    No, they didn't present his case before some kinda review board to assess the man's problem and suggest a solution.

    No, they didn't discuss different ways to approach the problem.

    No, they didn't prescribe anything or anyone other than the Anointed One.

    Yes, they knew he had to be referred to Someone with resources beyond their capabilities.

    Yes, they had Someone not something in mind to help the man.

    Yes, they knew there's always an answer/solution for every question/problem.

    Yes, they knew the man needed more than a band-aid of $ for a challenge requiring radical surgery.

    Yes, they knew he needed Jesus.

    Or as Peter explained so clearly, concisely, comprehensively, and conclusively as the only answer/cure/salvation for any question/challenge/problem, "There is no one else who can rescue us, and there is no other name under heaven given to any human by whom we may be rescued."

    Jesus.

    Lord.

    Savior.

    God enough for our existential and eternal well-being.

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    People who know Jesus know everybody needs Him more than anybody/anything else for what ails/annoys/assaults 'em.

    Everyone/everything else is so ultimately temporary at best.

    Everyone/everything else is so inferior to Him.

    Again, that's why Peter looked beyond his humanity for Someone with the divinity to make the real difference in the man's life.

    He didn't have silver or gold or anyone/anything else to offer.

    So he directed the man's attention to the only One with resources that are out of this world.

    Jesus.

    Lord.

    Savior.

    God enough for our existential and eternal well-being.

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    A friend used to suffer from terrible migraines.

    During an especially awful one, he cried out, "Oh, Lord, please help me!"

    He heard Him reply, "Louie, praise Me!"

    So Louie just started praising the Lord.

    Slowly, steadily, and thoroughly, the migraine began to dissipate; then disappeared.

    Subsequently, Louie reports overcoming all of his headaches by just praising the Lord.

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    I'm not suggesting all of our ailments/annoyances/assaults can be overcome by just praising the Lord.

    I'm declaring it!

    I believe David remains right!

    "God inhabits the praises of His people."

    Think about it.

    If we're filled with Him, there's no room for...

    Putting it another way, the more that we're filling ourselves with Him, there's less room for...

    More Him = less...

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    Skeptical?

    Cynical?

    Doubting?

    Let's consider Thomas.

    He doubted Him as God enough for existential and eternal well-being.

    Then he experienced Him and his skepticism, cynicism, and doubt dissipated then disappeared.

    Again, listen to what David learned about how God works best in, through, and for our lives: "God inhabits the praises of His people."

    Cowman's conclusion: "Nothing pleases the Lord as much as praise."

    Nothing taps into His saving graces as much as...

    Surely, ailments/annoyances/assaults are unavoidable; yet not insurmountable.

    But, again, we'll just have to get back to Him to find out for ourselves.

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    Psst.

    If any of the above makes no sense to you, consider whether you've really ever just...

    Let me put it another way.

    We can't walk on water unless we get out of the boat and grasp His hand.

    He doesn't inhabit us unless we just...

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Blessings and Love!