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November 8, 2015

As I have been processing recent events globally and here in Merced one thought has come to the forefront of my thinking.  It is contained in the words of Jesus "My kingdom is not of this world" (John 18:36).
 
All around us we see and live in the effects of a sinful world.  A world that is crying out for release from and groaning under the burden of sin.  Because of sin the grace, love, and mercy of God's kingdom is not always evident in ways that we understand.  Yet, we need to remind ourselves that all things are ultimately in God's hands and that He is in the process of redeeming this world unto Himself.
 
We need healing.  We need His healing which is complete and lasting.  Our Heavenly Father spoke to Solomon and said to him, "If My people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land" (2 Chronicles 7:14).
 
God speaks these words to His people and as God's people we can avail ourselves of this tremendous promise.  As we look at the effects of a sinful world we are humbled by the frailty of our lives.  But in the midst of great woundedness and pain our Heavenly Father speaks to us that if we will pray, seeking His leading and placing ourselves in His hands, He will hear and respond with healing.
 
To place ourselves within the healing, nail-pierced hands of Jesus, is to allow Him to restore, comfort, and guide us in the midst of this perishing world.  There is no other way to know true and lasting healing and peace.