A life transformed
“Is not this the one who used to sit and beg?”
John 9:8b (NASB)
Each week, I lead a Bible study with Asian believers. As I began our study of John, a new believer entered the room and shyly took a seat. She seemed very distracted, often rocking back and forth while laughing. After the lesson, one of the students explained that she was mildly retarded and abused. My heart cried out to God for this young girl.
The next week, she returned and I asked if she would like to pray. She nervously shook her head. I learned that she believed God couldn’t use her. I immediately began to encourage her. I shared the story of Jesus healing the blind man. I could see her expression change as she intently listened to the words.
Several weeks later, the group prayed for this girl, asking God to heal her from a medical problem that had existed for years. The very next day, her physical problem was healed. I began to see God slowly working in her heart. She began to softly respond during our studies about what God was teaching her.
One day, I again asked her if she would like to pray out loud. This time she prayed, pouring out her heart to God. One believer shared that God was using the young woman to witness in a clear way, stating that Jesus died on the cross for us all.
Everyone who knew her before asks, “How can this be the same girl?” She simply says, “Jesus is alive and lives in my heart.”
Thank You, precious Lord, that You love the greatest and the least and all those in-between. You are Jehovah-Rapha, the God who heals. Amen.
Text exerpt from Voices of the Faithful. Order your own copy from the
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