This is a devotional ... my first one so cut me some slack. I want to share with you a Christmas thought I received during my Iron Man meditation time.
1 John 1:5a This is the message we have heard from Him and proclaim (declare) unto you ..."
My father always had a high cholesterol count in his blood. Consequently he also has high blood pressure. When he discovered he had prostate cancer he went to a "wholistic medicine" doctor. His cholesterol medication was interacting with something else and the "witch doctor" (as we both called him) recommended him getting off his high-powered cholesterol medication and to take a natural herb called red yeast rice. He did this and within one month his choleserol was within the normal range. I'll never forget my father telling me: "Son, if you ever have high cholesterol remember 'red yeast rice'" and he asked me to write it down.
Two years later Griselle's mom had a cholesterol level that was through the roof and her prescription meds were not doing it. I remembered my dad's advice. She started taking the r.y.r and within a month or two her blood work came back normal. A few years later a lady from the church I pastored experienced the same dramatic results. Since coming to Indianola my doctor wanted me to take cholesterol medication as mine was above normal and rising. I asked for a month to adjust my diet (which meant to me r.y.r.). The tests came back and the nurse said, "Whatever you're doing ...keep on doing it"). One of my closest friends ...right here in Indianola ...same dramatic results with the r.y.r. .
Here's what this illustration has taught me about what the apostle John said.
I heard my father say that r.y.r. helped him with his cholesterol. This was about the year 2000. That's when I heard it ...now I have not only heard about r.y.r. but I proclaim it. I declare it. I'm certain about it. It's something I have personally experienced in a dynamic way that has profoundly and positively influenced my life and several others. No one can tell me I don't know what I'm talking about. I'm a believer and a proclaimer of r.y.r.!
The apostle John was getting pretty old but I'm sure he remembered when Jesus first told the disciples that He was God. Can you imagine John's faith and fervor of all those years of experiencing the truth of Jesus' words? How many lives did he see transformed because he lived to witness the truth of what he had first heard? How many miracles? Blessings?
Those of us who know Jesus Christ know what He has done for us ...personally for us and also through us. Can you imagine what would happen if all the church would truly proclaim what we know? What did John proclaim? " ...that God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all."
Our culture, our world, is in desperate need for truth (light) and we who have been Christians for any length of time at all can truly proclaim the truth we have experienced. Sure, there will always be doubters but there will always be those whom Jesus is calling to Himself because of our personal, first-hand witness to His truth and reality in our lives. That's powerful.
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