This message was initially designed to be sent solely to a select group of people (friends and family), many of whom inquire regularly about my health. Most of them (Thank God) wished me well and said they would pray for me, and a few have even asked me to cite the specific ailments so they could focus their prayers more directly on those maladies. Many of them actually suggested to me that I should make this message public and get even more people to pray for you!
Well, I never pray for money, nor seldom for any material things to indulge in (toys, video games, hobbies, etc., as if I could still do any playing); nor do I focus or seldom ask for any physical healing, especially when I know what Paul meant concerning grace after he asked the Lord to remove the thorn in his side:
9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong, (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).
"and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him. 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months…(James 5:15-17).
First of all, there are millions of people throughout the world that are in worse physical pain than me. I recognize this and always include those who the Holy Spirit brings to mind for their healing in my prayers.
Secondly, pain always accompanies 'old age' regardless of how well a person takes care of themselves throughout their life. Ask any football players how the constant banging into each other leaves damage that comes to haunt them after retirement, even though they may be in their early 30's.
Many also tell me that pain and suffering is mostly attributable to emotional issues in their lives (this coming from many of my holistic friends) and that those 'psychological' problems must be addressed before healing can ensue. [This subject matter deserves another full discussion unto itself.]
Lastly, I believe God allows many of us to experience the "Job Syndrome (afflictions that God allows Satan to inflict to test our faith resolve).
Secondly, pain always accompanies 'old age' regardless of how well a person takes care of themselves throughout their life. Ask any football players how the constant banging into each other leaves damage that comes to haunt them after retirement, even though they may be in their early 30's.
Many also tell me that pain and suffering is mostly attributable to emotional issues in their lives (this coming from many of my holistic friends) and that those 'psychological' problems must be addressed before healing can ensue. [This subject matter deserves another full discussion unto itself.]
Lastly, I believe God allows many of us to experience the "Job Syndrome (afflictions that God allows Satan to inflict to test our faith resolve).
I believe I am experiencing all of the above to one degree or another for the reasons cited.
Nevertheless, being a person who believes that regardless of the source of pain, or whatever medical solutions I have at my disposal, why should I leave God out of my ailment equation? Therefore, I am sending this list of specific maladies in this prayer request for healing:
Nevertheless, being a person who believes that regardless of the source of pain, or whatever medical solutions I have at my disposal, why should I leave God out of my ailment equation? Therefore, I am sending this list of specific maladies in this prayer request for healing:
(1) Although my scheduled bunion surgery has been delayed until I finished other tests to determine if I can go under anesthesia, this pain is constant and makes it almost impossible to walk;
(2) My Sleep Apnea problem is manageable (once painkillers wear off I awake regardless) and it causes irregular sleep patterns that contribute to complete and total exhaustion throughout the day;
(3) My sciatica problem is constant and not even pain killers are helping. The symptoms, in addition to constant pain to my left side (buttocks, thighs, calves and ankles) is physically and emotionally perplexing;
(4) Degenerative Arthritis of both knees and ankles is constant, which makes walking almost unbearable, much less lifting myself from chair and couch. My inability to get the slightest degree of exercise makes weight management nearly impossible;
(5) My Spinal Stenosis problem is probably the most painful. It includes severe pain to my spine from the neck down to my tail bone. It usually takes about a half hour to get out of bed in the morning (or in the middle of the night due to sleep irregularity) with such excruciating agony that require pain killers (hydrocod/apap 10mg) at least 20 to 30 minutes to kick in once I wake up.
This problem (along with the sciatica) is the most painful and causes me the most grief. I can't sit in front of my computer for more than an hour before shooting pains kick in and force me to lay down. I can't lay down for more than an hour and have to get up to move around to relieve pain, unless I medicate myself to sleep, which usually lasts no more than 3 hours.
The exciting thing about these two symptoms combined is the unexpected shooting pains that I experience (mostly to muscles located below the waist) almost every 15 minutes, jolts that come out of nowhere and almost knock me down. Sometimes I feel like there is someone out there with a little Joe Ortiz doll and jamming knitting needles into it at their discretion.
(6) Carpal Tunnel Syndrome has increased (mostly in my right hand) the last couple of months (never paid much attention to it in the past), which makes typing extremely painful. This problem has obviously impacted my writing for those who have seen a decrease in my blogging ventures.
(7) My eyesight seems to be diminishing each passing day. The Myasthenia gravis condition (which has caused my left eye to almost close shut) also contributes to unexpected moments of complete exhaustion exhaustion throughout the day. Although my doctor has increased the dosage to a prescription medicine (pyridostigmine) to counter this ailment, I have some good days and some bad days with my vision. If the weather temperature gets over 70% (which also causes complete exhaustion), my eye almost closes shut. This, in addition to cataracts in both eyes.
As we can see how troubled society is nowadays, and that so many need words of encouragement and insights to God's will, I am determined to continue the 'good fight' and contribute as much as I can to be a force for good, and hopefully to do the best that I can with the tools I've been given.
God's word obviously is my only saving grace at this point in my ministerial journey. It gives me the confidence and assurance that I need to know I am still in a right relationship with the Holy Spirit, who always brings to remembrance the word of God to fit whatever occasion, and/or whatever issues that confront me and/or I'm dealing with as best as I can. More importantly, whether the source of my afflictions come from the reasons mentioned above (old age, punishment for past peccadilloes or the "Job Syndrome," I need to address this dilemma in the most spiritual manner that I can.
I'm constantly reminded by Paul's words (which bears repeating) cited in 2 Corinthians 12:7-9, when he asked God to remove the thorn the devil was buffeting him with. Like many of us whom God has called out for a specific ministry, we often believe we are more "special" in the eyes of God, than others, possibly fooling ourselves to believe we have been chosen for a special work above other people.
Who truly knows?
Who truly knows?
But, like Paul, who was also known for more than his share of arrogance and boasting in God, regardless, moved forward and approached God in thus manner:
7 To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
I thank you ahead of time for keeping me in your prayers, and pray that God's will (not mine) may be done!
I'm in His peace!
For more information concerning his books, blogs and websites, please click on Joe Ortiz
!['GOD CANNOT FORGIVE A SIN UNTIL THE SINNER CONFESSES THE SIN!
Regarding Tom Brady’s pecadillo (deflating footballs) it obviously is not as dark nor as sinful an act as beating your wife or girlfriend. However, the severity of Brady’s deceitfulness (claiming innocence and his unwillingness to cooperate during the investigation) is more about committing such a minor act that goes to the heart of the issue.
That was Nixon’s major sin; not committing Watergate, but it’s cover-up. That was Bill Clinton’s sin; not the lascivious act with Monica Lewinsky, but the cover-up. The same thing with Alex Rodriguez taking PEDS; it’s the cover-up. Therefore, my message to Tom is to bow down admit his guilt and beg for forgiveness. Remember, God can’t forgive sins if the sinner does not admit them. This edict has been with us since the beginning of time:
Job 24:13,15,17 (NIV) “There are those who rebel against the light, who do not know its ways or stay in its paths… The eye of the adulterer watches for dusk; he thinks, ‘No eye will see me,’ and he keeps his face concealed… For all of them, deep darkness is their morning; they make friends with the terrors of darkness.”
Isa 29:15-16 (NIV) Woe to those who go to great depths to hide their plans from the Lord, who do their work in darkness and think, “Who sees us? Who will know?” You turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay!… Can the pot say of the potter, “He knows nothing?”
Isa 28:15 (NIV) You boast, “… for we have made a lie our refuge, and falsehood our hiding place.”
Ps 139:7,11-12 (NIV) Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me…” the night will shine like day….
Jer 23:24 (NIV) “Can anyone hide in the secret places so that I cannot see him?” declares the Lord. “Do I not fill heaven and earth?” declares the Lord.
Jer 16:17 (NIV) “My eyes are on all their ways; they are not hidden from me, nor is their sin concealed from my eyes.”
Light As Judgment
The same light that makes plants grow hardens clay. The light is the same, but the response is completely different.
John 3:19-21 (Phi) “This is the judgment: that light has entered the world, and men have preferred darkness to light because their deeds were evil. Everybody who does wrong hates the light and keeps away from it, for fear his deeds may be exposed. But everybody who is living by the truth will come to the light to make it plain that all he has done has been done through God.”
Secrets Are Temporary, You Can Count On The Light
Mat 10:26-27 (NIV) “There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the housetops.”
Mark 4:22 (Jer) “For there is nothing hidden but it must be disclosed, nothing kept secret except to be brought to light.”
The Light Illuminates What?
Ps 90:8 (NIV) You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence.
Job 12:22 (NIV) He reveals the deep things of darkness and brings deep shadows into the light.
Job 28:11 (NIV) [God] … brings hidden things to light.
Dan 2:22 (NIV) He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him.
1 Cor 4:5b (Phi) He will bring into the light of day all that at present is hidden in darkness, and he will expose the secret motives of men’s hearts.'](https://scontent-lax.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtf1/v/t1.0-9/11164731_10204980468486255_2610023103456117867_n.jpg?oh=3e1583e93de5d808faffb4f0c5087f8e&oe=55D9036B)
!['GOD CANNOT FORGIVE A SIN UNTIL THE SINNER CONFESSES THE SIN!
Regarding Tom Brady’s pecadillo (deflating footballs) it obviously is not as dark nor as sinful an act as beating your wife or girlfriend. However, the severity of Brady’s deceitfulness (claiming innocence and his unwillingness to cooperate during the investigation) is more about committing such a minor act that goes to the heart of the issue.
That was Nixon’s major sin; not committing Watergate, but it’s cover-up. That was Bill Clinton’s sin; not the lascivious act with Monica Lewinsky, but the cover-up. The same thing with Alex Rodriguez taking PEDS; it’s the cover-up. Therefore, my message to Tom is to bow down admit his guilt and beg for forgiveness. Remember, God can’t forgive sins if the sinner does not admit them. This edict has been with us since the beginning of time:
Job 24:13,15,17 (NIV) “There are those who rebel against the light, who do not know its ways or stay in its paths… The eye of the adulterer watches for dusk; he thinks, ‘No eye will see me,’ and he keeps his face concealed… For all of them, deep darkness is their morning; they make friends with the terrors of darkness.”
Isa 29:15-16 (NIV) Woe to those who go to great depths to hide their plans from the Lord, who do their work in darkness and think, “Who sees us? Who will know?” You turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay!… Can the pot say of the potter, “He knows nothing?”
Isa 28:15 (NIV) You boast, “… for we have made a lie our refuge, and falsehood our hiding place.”
Ps 139:7,11-12 (NIV) Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me…” the night will shine like day….
Jer 23:24 (NIV) “Can anyone hide in the secret places so that I cannot see him?” declares the Lord. “Do I not fill heaven and earth?” declares the Lord.
Jer 16:17 (NIV) “My eyes are on all their ways; they are not hidden from me, nor is their sin concealed from my eyes.”
Light As Judgment
The same light that makes plants grow hardens clay. The light is the same, but the response is completely different.
John 3:19-21 (Phi) “This is the judgment: that light has entered the world, and men have preferred darkness to light because their deeds were evil. Everybody who does wrong hates the light and keeps away from it, for fear his deeds may be exposed. But everybody who is living by the truth will come to the light to make it plain that all he has done has been done through God.”
Secrets Are Temporary, You Can Count On The Light
Mat 10:26-27 (NIV) “There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the housetops.”
Mark 4:22 (Jer) “For there is nothing hidden but it must be disclosed, nothing kept secret except to be brought to light.”
The Light Illuminates What?
Ps 90:8 (NIV) You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence.
Job 12:22 (NIV) He reveals the deep things of darkness and brings deep shadows into the light.
Job 28:11 (NIV) [God] … brings hidden things to light.
Dan 2:22 (NIV) He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him.
1 Cor 4:5b (Phi) He will bring into the light of day all that at present is hidden in darkness, and he will expose the secret motives of men’s hearts.'](https://scontent-lax.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/s240x240/11233553_10204980470366302_906495386660390449_n.jpg?oh=8d4e22d5c2f75bc625d594c64b171044&oe=55D144C8)
!['GOD CANNOT FORGIVE A SIN UNTIL THE SINNER CONFESSES THE SIN!
Regarding Tom Brady’s pecadillo (deflating footballs) it obviously is not as dark nor as sinful an act as beating your wife or girlfriend. However, the severity of Brady’s deceitfulness (claiming innocence and his unwillingness to cooperate during the investigation) is more about committing such a minor act that goes to the heart of the issue.
That was Nixon’s major sin; not committing Watergate, but it’s cover-up. That was Bill Clinton’s sin; not the lascivious act with Monica Lewinsky, but the cover-up. The same thing with Alex Rodriguez taking PEDS; it’s the cover-up. Therefore, my message to Tom is to bow down admit his guilt and beg for forgiveness. Remember, God can’t forgive sins if the sinner does not admit them. This edict has been with us since the beginning of time:
Job 24:13,15,17 (NIV) “There are those who rebel against the light, who do not know its ways or stay in its paths… The eye of the adulterer watches for dusk; he thinks, ‘No eye will see me,’ and he keeps his face concealed… For all of them, deep darkness is their morning; they make friends with the terrors of darkness.”
Isa 29:15-16 (NIV) Woe to those who go to great depths to hide their plans from the Lord, who do their work in darkness and think, “Who sees us? Who will know?” You turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay!… Can the pot say of the potter, “He knows nothing?”
Isa 28:15 (NIV) You boast, “… for we have made a lie our refuge, and falsehood our hiding place.”
Ps 139:7,11-12 (NIV) Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me…” the night will shine like day….
Jer 23:24 (NIV) “Can anyone hide in the secret places so that I cannot see him?” declares the Lord. “Do I not fill heaven and earth?” declares the Lord.
Jer 16:17 (NIV) “My eyes are on all their ways; they are not hidden from me, nor is their sin concealed from my eyes.”
Light As Judgment
The same light that makes plants grow hardens clay. The light is the same, but the response is completely different.
John 3:19-21 (Phi) “This is the judgment: that light has entered the world, and men have preferred darkness to light because their deeds were evil. Everybody who does wrong hates the light and keeps away from it, for fear his deeds may be exposed. But everybody who is living by the truth will come to the light to make it plain that all he has done has been done through God.”
Secrets Are Temporary, You Can Count On The Light
Mat 10:26-27 (NIV) “There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the housetops.”
Mark 4:22 (Jer) “For there is nothing hidden but it must be disclosed, nothing kept secret except to be brought to light.”
The Light Illuminates What?
Ps 90:8 (NIV) You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence.
Job 12:22 (NIV) He reveals the deep things of darkness and brings deep shadows into the light.
Job 28:11 (NIV) [God] … brings hidden things to light.
Dan 2:22 (NIV) He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him.
1 Cor 4:5b (Phi) He will bring into the light of day all that at present is hidden in darkness, and he will expose the secret motives of men’s hearts.'](https://scontent-lax.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xta1/v/t1.0-9/p173x172/11206005_10204980473726386_2107937283563887066_n.jpg?oh=6f49c1ed7192f86ac04d648afefb1c9f&oe=55D76BD3)
!['GOD CANNOT FORGIVE A SIN UNTIL THE SINNER CONFESSES THE SIN!
Regarding Tom Brady’s pecadillo (deflating footballs) it obviously is not as dark nor as sinful an act as beating your wife or girlfriend. However, the severity of Brady’s deceitfulness (claiming innocence and his unwillingness to cooperate during the investigation) is more about committing such a minor act that goes to the heart of the issue.
That was Nixon’s major sin; not committing Watergate, but it’s cover-up. That was Bill Clinton’s sin; not the lascivious act with Monica Lewinsky, but the cover-up. The same thing with Alex Rodriguez taking PEDS; it’s the cover-up. Therefore, my message to Tom is to bow down admit his guilt and beg for forgiveness. Remember, God can’t forgive sins if the sinner does not admit them. This edict has been with us since the beginning of time:
Job 24:13,15,17 (NIV) “There are those who rebel against the light, who do not know its ways or stay in its paths… The eye of the adulterer watches for dusk; he thinks, ‘No eye will see me,’ and he keeps his face concealed… For all of them, deep darkness is their morning; they make friends with the terrors of darkness.”
Isa 29:15-16 (NIV) Woe to those who go to great depths to hide their plans from the Lord, who do their work in darkness and think, “Who sees us? Who will know?” You turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay!… Can the pot say of the potter, “He knows nothing?”
Isa 28:15 (NIV) You boast, “… for we have made a lie our refuge, and falsehood our hiding place.”
Ps 139:7,11-12 (NIV) Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me…” the night will shine like day….
Jer 23:24 (NIV) “Can anyone hide in the secret places so that I cannot see him?” declares the Lord. “Do I not fill heaven and earth?” declares the Lord.
Jer 16:17 (NIV) “My eyes are on all their ways; they are not hidden from me, nor is their sin concealed from my eyes.”
Light As Judgment
The same light that makes plants grow hardens clay. The light is the same, but the response is completely different.
John 3:19-21 (Phi) “This is the judgment: that light has entered the world, and men have preferred darkness to light because their deeds were evil. Everybody who does wrong hates the light and keeps away from it, for fear his deeds may be exposed. But everybody who is living by the truth will come to the light to make it plain that all he has done has been done through God.”
Secrets Are Temporary, You Can Count On The Light
Mat 10:26-27 (NIV) “There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the housetops.”
Mark 4:22 (Jer) “For there is nothing hidden but it must be disclosed, nothing kept secret except to be brought to light.”
The Light Illuminates What?
Ps 90:8 (NIV) You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence.
Job 12:22 (NIV) He reveals the deep things of darkness and brings deep shadows into the light.
Job 28:11 (NIV) [God] … brings hidden things to light.
Dan 2:22 (NIV) He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him.
1 Cor 4:5b (Phi) He will bring into the light of day all that at present is hidden in darkness, and he will expose the secret motives of men’s hearts.'](https://scontent-lax.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpt1/v/t1.0-9/p173x172/11258226_10204980498607008_5223201396779789319_n.jpg?oh=818001fd353bb67e4f73dd69dd0e69aa&oe=560907B8)