Starting a new venture can be exciting and doubtless risky. Exciting because it is something new and seemingly promising. Risky because of the fear of failure, resource constraints amongst other uncertainties. Sometimes people handle the uncertainties of new ventures by proactively focusing on project purpose and objectives, ensuring tact and discipline in mobilising and utilizing resources, sticking to proven successful models and practice.

My youngest daughter communicates very clearly; a lot of people say this about her. Some weeks ago, we were in the kitchen together when I noticed from the corner of my eyes that she was rubbing her eyes somewhat profusely. Just as I was about to turn and ask her to stop, she said; ‘mummy, I just had a vision- a someone was standing behind you.’ Ordinarily I would have panicked, but I just looked at her in smiles and responded he’s my angel’. I believe the Father opened her eyes to see this as a confirmation of Psalm 34:7.

A striking and not to be missed commonality between these different definitions is the ability of a seed to reproduce independently. That is to say that a seed has an intrinsic ability to transform into a full plant of its own kind (given the right soil).The word of God as seed has the ability to reproduce and intrinsically grow (on its own) when founded on a good receiving soil.

We sometimes read the account of creation and conclude that God created the universe from nothing. While this may seem right in a way considering that there was originally void, formlessness and darkness on the face of the earth, however, it wasn’t these things that gave rise to the universe. In and of themselves, void and formlessness will maintain their current state or deteriorate but very unlikely to transform to something useful on their own. And as for darkness, it is just a natural habitat for all sorts of imaginable and unimaginable evil to thrive, for dreams to never be realized, for possibilities to continue to be hidden or concealed. Darkness never outshines light, God is light, so every time God steps into darkness, light happens and darkness ceases to be

“[Then] He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings shall you trust and find refuge; His truth and His faithfulness are a shield and a buckler.”
Psalm 91:4 AMPC

Rains are significant because they bear a newness and freshness to them, especially after a period of drought. In which circumstance rains would indicate or symbolize a washing away of the old and regrowing of something new, something better. 

Winning faith is the faith that believes a thing, speaks it and takes actions towards manifestation of the faith proclamation. This is a way to put an end to the season of drought that has pitched tent around us for so long. We believe by faith that an end has come to the period of drought, we proclaim that the rains are here, and just like Elijah, we bow to the ground, put our face between our knees and pray, wait, remain expectant, check 7 times and over, until we see the cloud…even its smallest bit. Halleluyah!

The Heavens tell of His glory, creation showcases the works of His hands. The dawn of a new day and its embrace of night reveals His power. The sun, the moon, the stars tell of His glory. All these though silent yet communicate louder than words, transmitting their message throughout the world to all mankind (Psalm 19:1-5), to all who care to think, listen, and see.

“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.” I Peter 2:24 NKJV

In Part 1, we answered the following question:

Is 1 Peter 2:24 ‘healing’ just a spiritual healing, a physical healing or both a spiritual/physical one?

Please refer to Monday’s post see the response from scripture.

Today we try to understand the word ‘stripes’ in 1 Peter 2:24.

As used in 1 Peter 2:24, ‘stripes‘ mean; a bruise, a wound from a stripe, to beat to pieces, crush, smite, humble, oppress.

‘Wound’ is an injury to a living tissue caused by a cut, blow, or impart, which typically cuts or breaks the skin.

‘Bruise‘ is an injury that appears as a discolored area of skin on the body.

These descriptions point to a physical, bodily experience. Yes, Jesus definitely felt the spiritual and emotional weight of crucifixion, but also in reality, He was physically tortured. His body was bruised.

The Amplified version reading helps paint a clearer picture of 1 Peter 2:24….

"He personally carried our sins in His body on the cross [willingly offering Himself on it, as on an altar of sacrifice], so that we might die to sin [becoming immune from the penalty and power of sin] and live for righteousness; for by His wounds you [who believe] have been healed.” 1 Peter 2:24 AMP

His body was cut. He was lashed so much that His skin broke. The nails pierced His skin as they passed through His hands, and the spear certainly pierced his skin. He even bore our sins in His own body.

The Stripes were not imaginary, they were real…

"Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” Isaiah 53:4‭-‬5 NIV

He carried them all (sin and sickness) so that you will not carry them. You have no business with sin, you have no business with sickness.

Agree with God; Believe His Word, Continually confess His Word on healing and it will be health to all your flesh.

By His Stripes I was healed. The Bible says it and I choose to believe the Word of God. I agree with God!

……………

Reviewed from first published in 10/08/2019.

The reason Lazarus was located at the rich man’s gate was because those that dropped him there knew the rich man had the required resources to help him. You can help someone in genuine need today, and that someone is located at your gate (around you).