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“ Scarred”
Key Verse:
“But
he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon
him, and by his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5 NIV)
Devotion:
The
bullet grazed across my friend’s cheek upward toward his forehead. The
physician in the emergency room told him that he was lucky to be alive. My
friend just shrugged his shoulders and exited the sliding door. I could see
revenge in the depth of his eyes framed by the purplish-red slice that would
soon become a scar for life.
I
wish that was the only scar my friend brandished. However, pockmarks from the
methamphetamines mix with the freckles on his face. Tracks the size on
pinpricks run up and down his inner arm from heroin
needles. Hepatitis wastes his liver. And those are only the physical marrings,
the scars of drug abuse penetrates his heart and mind.
The
fire of hatred and revenge sears my friend’s soul. The years of drug abuse
twists his thoughts. His personality is lost in torment of heroin highs and
downer lows. Peace of mind eludes him as the potent drugs delude his senses.
Thankfully,
no one, not even my addict friend is beyond redemption and healing. Jesus loved
the scarred people of society. He hung on the cross for every heroin addict. He
died for those filled with hate. He rose from the grave, so that every addict
and drug dealer could experience the full extent of God’s love through His
nail-scarred hands.
Prayer:
Lord
Jesus, help my friend to that You were pierced for his transgressions. Grant
him the understanding that You were crushed his iniquities. I ask that my
friend be accept You as Savior and be healed by Your wounds. Touch my friend
with Your nail-scarred hands. In Your Name, Amen.
Application
steps:
Search your local library or the Internet for
information on helping family or friends with drug addictions.
Set an appointed time each day to pray exclusively
for your relative or friend to find freedom from the drug addiction through
Jesus Christ.
Reflections:
What
words of encouragement can I give?
How
can I offer assistance, without enabling, my friend, or relative?
Power
verses:
Isaiah
61:1, “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed
me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the
brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness
for the prisoners.” (NIV)
Galatians
5:1, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do
not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” (NIV)
© 2007 by Susanne Scheppmann. All rights reserved.
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