Recently it seems like every time the phone rings I hear about someone sick and suffering. I have been praying for all those who are suffering from sickness, health issues, as well as mental health challenges that I hear about. I would also ask that you pray for me and my family as well. We don’t have any major challenges at the moment, so praise God for that, but still the little things are concerning. I have seen many posts over the years that say if a believer does not claim that they are sick or if they rebuke the sickness in the name of Jesus they will not be affected. Also, by saying *Isaiah 53:5…And by His stripes a person is healed*, and also *1 Peter 2:24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.* and should come to understand that this is spiritual healing and not so much a physical one. Verses like these are referring to sin and righteousness, not sickness and healing. We can look at the early disciples and see that they had their own sickness and problems that they were not healed from. Paul had an eye issue as written in *Galatians 4:15…For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your own eyes and given them to me.* and Timothy a stomach issue as written in *1 Timothy 5:23 No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities.* We are all sick and dying a little bit everyday in one way or another because we are human. The only way we are going to get out of here alive is if Jesus comes back soon. Paul asked three times for his “thorn in the flesh” to be removed, and the response was simple and to the point as well, as written in *1 Corinthians 12:9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.* Brethren, may God give us His strength to endure with whatever we are going through by His grace and mercy. I like what Charles Spurgeon said on the subject, “There is an essential difference between the decease of the godly and the death of the ungodly. Death comes to the ungodly man as a penal infliction, but to the righteous as a summons to his Father’s palace. To the sinner it is an execution, to the saint an undressing from his sins and infirmities. Death to the wicked is the King of terrors. Death to the saint is the end of terrors, the commencement of glory.” May God give His children peace in whatever trial or tribulation we go through. In Christ Love, douglas.

To any who are interested, please feel free to reach out to me with prayer requests, questions, encouragement, or for information on how to come alongside me in financial support of the ministry activities that God has entrusted to me at pastord.blog@gmail.com