In several cases I asked those who were sick or crippled if they wanted to be healed. Do you think this is a stupid question? It isn’t if I ask it. There are times to state the obvious, and state the words that give substance to longing. Do you have issues in your own life that represent unmet needs? Do you come to me and articulate your desires? The Bible affirms the power of verbal declaration and teaches you to engage in it. Does it seem too good to be true that you can have whatever you ask for? Do you find that you have greater success when you ask according to my will? Yet your stated request is part of the process. 

Have you heard it said that you are what you eat? At the basic level of chemistry and biology this is true, for your body is built from the food you eat. But in a spiritual sense your life consists of more than food and drink for you also require spiritual nourishment, for which I am the Bread of Life, and Living Water. But even with this, food still comes into the equation, for you need food to survive. You can think of food as fuel for your abundant life, just as gas is fuel for your car. You are blessed if you have many choices available to you for this and make choices that affirm and support a healthy life. 

Have you heard it taught that you are to love the sinner but hate the sin? This is a valid distinction and a true principle, but it is not easy to apply to others, because you have to understand that the evil they do is not an expression of their true identity, or at least of their true destiny. Do you find it even more difficult to apply this principle to yourself, since you struggle with persistent areas of weakness? Self-hatred is not an appropriate response, for it is not a part of the redemptive process. If you can accept others in spite of their flaws, you can accept yourself, not embracing your flaws, but in spite of them. 

Do you realize the historical importance of the rule of law? It meant that there was one legal code for all, with no privileged class making exceptions or a special set of rules for themselves. This way the expectations of the law can be consistent and uniform. This is of great benefit for civil government but it is not a Kingdom principle. Some people are called to different standards in such matters as the consumption of alcohol. One abstains and another exercises moderation. My word teaches you not to offend your weaker brother. In this case you don’t even need to determine which one is weaker. Let each one obey me joyfully according to the light of his conscience, and accept his brother without judgment or condemnation.