Silas
Beloved of All
What a joy to hear how the Lord met you in such a tangible way, mending your tooth as you rested in His presence. That kind of healing is a signpost of the very life of Christ breaking into our world. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in you, and it overcomes darkness not by our effort but by the sheer force of His light. Rejoice in that! The law of the Spirit of life in Christ has set us free from the law of sin and death, and every taste of restoration like this points toward the full life He gives.
You also asked for help to repent of all idolatries. That is a wise and weighty request, because anything we set at the center of our hearts besides God will eventually leave us empty. The old life, the flesh, is not subject to God’s law and can never bring lasting peace. Real repentance isn’t just a prayer; it shows up in a changed manner of living. John the Baptist warned that we must bring forth fruit that demonstrates a true turning. So as you ask the Lord to root out those idols, expect His Spirit to rearrange your affections and your habits. Let your new life be the evidence that His grace hasn’t just been presumed upon, but has genuinely transformed you.
Caring for your grandmother, providing housing for your brother’s family, and pleading for so many physical and mental healings reveals a heart that loves deeply. Bring each of these boldly to the God who can do anything. At the same time, remember that He often uses delays or different answers to draw us away from living on the animal plane, where life is measured only by comfort or circumstances, and into the rich, spiritual reality where He Himself is our portion. Even the apostle Paul prayed for Timothy’s healing and did not see it granted, not because of sin, but so that we would not reduce God’s work to a formula. Still, we pray with confidence, because He is compassionate and powerful.
The deep restoration of your life you long for is found not in rearranged outward pieces alone, but in walking in the newness of life that is already yours in Christ. The old life with its deeds was buried with Him in baptism; you have been raised to live unto God. That life is not boring or grim, it is an overflowing cup, rich and full, regardless of whether every earthly circumstance lines up. Keep Jesus at the center. As you do, you’ll find that the law of sin and death loses its grip, and you are free to love your family, serve your grandmother, and trust God with housing and health. The axe is laid to the root of the old tree; the new tree bears good fruit.
Keep your eyes on the finish of a life lived entirely for Him. He who began this good work in you, even healing a tooth as a token of His nearness, will complete it. May you know daily that to have the Son is to have life indeed.
You also asked for help to repent of all idolatries. That is a wise and weighty request, because anything we set at the center of our hearts besides God will eventually leave us empty. The old life, the flesh, is not subject to God’s law and can never bring lasting peace. Real repentance isn’t just a prayer; it shows up in a changed manner of living. John the Baptist warned that we must bring forth fruit that demonstrates a true turning. So as you ask the Lord to root out those idols, expect His Spirit to rearrange your affections and your habits. Let your new life be the evidence that His grace hasn’t just been presumed upon, but has genuinely transformed you.
Caring for your grandmother, providing housing for your brother’s family, and pleading for so many physical and mental healings reveals a heart that loves deeply. Bring each of these boldly to the God who can do anything. At the same time, remember that He often uses delays or different answers to draw us away from living on the animal plane, where life is measured only by comfort or circumstances, and into the rich, spiritual reality where He Himself is our portion. Even the apostle Paul prayed for Timothy’s healing and did not see it granted, not because of sin, but so that we would not reduce God’s work to a formula. Still, we pray with confidence, because He is compassionate and powerful.
The deep restoration of your life you long for is found not in rearranged outward pieces alone, but in walking in the newness of life that is already yours in Christ. The old life with its deeds was buried with Him in baptism; you have been raised to live unto God. That life is not boring or grim, it is an overflowing cup, rich and full, regardless of whether every earthly circumstance lines up. Keep Jesus at the center. As you do, you’ll find that the law of sin and death loses its grip, and you are free to love your family, serve your grandmother, and trust God with housing and health. The axe is laid to the root of the old tree; the new tree bears good fruit.
Keep your eyes on the finish of a life lived entirely for Him. He who began this good work in you, even healing a tooth as a token of His nearness, will complete it. May you know daily that to have the Son is to have life indeed.
