GET UP, AND LIVE!

By Evangelist Garlena L. Hines

 “Then I passed by and saw you kicking about in your blood, and as you lay there in your blood I said to you, LIVE!.”
 Ezekiel 16:6

A WORD FOR THE CHURCH

As you read this article my prayer is that you will experience the healing power of Jesus Christ.  Have you ever hurt so badly that you thought you were going to die?  The pain seemed so unbearable and you wondered when you would be free from the pain.  Whether you’ve experienced pain from an unexpected death, divorce, betrayal, rejection or loss of a job, sometimes situations have caused us to throw in the towel.  Many times when people are hurting, they have the tendency to become a loner.  Sometimes it’s due to embarrassment, lack of truck or just a result of being in a place of disbelief.  I believe God has called the strong saints to speak life to those who are going through---to let them know they’re not alone and God will and He’s able to bring them through.  In many of our communities and churches the spirit of hospitality is not exhibited.  Many feel if the situation doesn’t affect them directly then they don’t need to become involved. I believe God has led me to write this article to send a message to the church.  It’s time for us to speak life to those who are dying around us.  The days of turning our heads in oblivion can no longer be if we want to see people live a holistic life.  To those who are giving up and can’t see a way out, God has called us to let you know that there is hope in Jesus Christ. 

In this passage, God is speaking to Jerusalem about their detestable ways.  In this chapter He orders the prophets to show the people that He punished them as their sins deserved to be.  God is showing the people their abomination that they may understand the judgment which they were receiving.  He sees the state of the people in a deplorable way.  They have been damaged, hurt, kicked about and lying in their own blood. When we think of people laying in their own blood the next event that takes place is death. It is the blood that sustains life.  It delivers oxygen, nutrients and other essential substances to different cells and tissues of the body.  If the blood count is too low or an individual looses a tremendous amount of blood it can cause severe problems and in some instances death.   Metaphorically speaking, how many people do we see in our churches that are lying in their own blood?  As a body of believers, what are we doing to restore those who are hurting?   

What do you see?   “Then I passed by and saw you kicking about in your blood”.   How many times have you seen someone hurting and walked by?  I believe we may do this for many reasons.  Sometimes we don’t know what to say or we don’t want to become involved.  Other times there are we may just not care.  I’ve often heard that the church is a hospital for those who need care---a place where you can come and receive the cure for your problem.  If that’s true, then why are so many being hurt in the very place that should bring healing?  In addition, where are the doctors in the “spiritual hospital” to aide these hurting individuals?  When we see someone broken in our congregation are we really ministering reconciliation and restoration to them?  How many wounded individuals are kicking (showing a sign of struggle), but yet we are still singing and shouting because we are not in that place.  How many marriages are being devoured while we’re still singing “Oh, how I love Jesus” but never loving the individuals enough to speak a word of healing?   How many young ladies are kicking in their blood because of making a bad decision and now find that they have become a mother too early?  There are some individuals in our churches who suffer from “spiritual exsanguinations” (a complete loss of blood) or from “spiritual desanguination” (a massive loss of blood).  They’re coming every Sunday, yet dying.  They’re hearing the word of God, but not knowing how to apply it because they are so damage.  They are looking for hope in Jesus, but he’s so far away and yet they’re dying in our very presence.  What do you see?   

What will you do?   Many times people are lying in their own blood due to a bad decision made and/or sin in their lives.  So what is the responsibility of the church when someone is lying in their own blood?  What do we do when a sin has overtaken one of our covenant sisters/brothers?  The scripture says “Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.”  (Gal 6:1) The spirit of reconciliation/restoration is always needed in the body of Christ.  Those of us who are spiritual are instructed to restore gently and to be careful not to be tempted. God has given us the power to speak life to those who are dying and who have given up.  The scripture says when they were seen kicking and lying in their blood He said live.  Pay careful attention to a couple of points in this passage.

• The writer does not indicate that any questions were asked in reference to the condition.  I’m always apprehensive when people say, “I can’t pray for you unless you tell me what’s going on.”  I always believe the best source of information comes through the Holy Spirit.  If we pray in the spirit then we will be led by the Spirit to pray according to the will of the Spirit.
• Once the condition was seen, there was immediate action taken.  When we see someone damaged in the household of faith, immediately our action should be to bring healing and speak life.  Verse 5 states “No one looked on you with pity or had compassion enough to do any of these things for you. Rather, you were thrown out into the open field, for on the day you were born you were despised.”  Not only were they kicking and lying in their own blood but the treatment of them is a strong indication of their present condition.  No one showed any compassion toward them or wanted to help.  They were cast aside and it’s sad to say we see this in many of our churches.  How offensive it must be to see someone hurting and cast them aside. 
• Words of life were spoken.  As I minister, I often find that what many people need is a word of encouragement.  A word of hope to know that their situation is not hopeless and that God is able to bring them through whatever they’re facing.  Once they were seen in this terrible condition words of life were spoken. Regardless of how they were treated, torn, depressed, hurting, the word spoken was “live”.  Do you know how many people we could help by speaking a word of encouragement to them?  A lot of times people are not interested in hearing a story, receiving a card or even money, but they need a word spoken to the brokenness of their lives that they may get up and live.

The book of Proverbs tells us that life and death are in the power of our tongue.  There are people waiting to hear a word of encouragement that they may live.  People of God, we have to stop being so busy with our programs, fund raisers, meetings etc… and begin to restore the brokenness in the house of God. We have to begin to speak life to those who are downtrodden and have given up.  If we don’t, our churches will continue to be a revolving door of recycled pain.  If an individual feels that he/she is not receiving what is needed at one church, that person will take his/her pain to another church.  Once the word of life was spoken, the scripture says in Ezekiel chapter 16, verse 8: “I passed by, and when I looked at you and saw that you were old enough for love, I spread the corner of my garment over you and covered your nakedness. I gave you my solemn oath and entered into a covenant with you, declares the Sovereign LORD, and you became mine.”

Lastly, verse 8 shows how speaking life can bring restoration.  When we take the time to share with those who are hurting they can walk in their destiny.  The word says when he passed by he saw they were old enough for love, they were healed, spiritually mature to move on.  We should love one another enough to speak life.   People of God, we have to be more attentive to ministering to those who labor amongst us.  There are so many people hurting in the body of Christ and finding no refuge for healing.  The divorce rate is higher in the church than it has ever been.   If we are going to have an effective ministry then we need to equip effective people. If you know there are people in your congregation lying in their blood with no hope, then speak life. Take the time to minister so that others may GET UP and LIVE!!

Let’s pray:

Father we thank you for this day that you have blessed us with.  You have covered us with your love, surrounded us with your grace and blessed us with your presence. Thank you for healing us that we may show your love and compassion to others.  Father, forgive us for the times we have walked away while others were lying in their blood hopeless.  Forgive us for being selfish and not taking the time to minister when our sisters/brothers were broken. Father, forgive us for aiding to the pain of others instead of aiding to their healing. God position us that we may be more attentive to the needs of others.  Slow us down that we may seek your face for guidance on how to pray for those in need.  God we thank you for the healing in our lives and we pray for a spirit of compassion and patience as we deal with others.  I pray for every wounded member who sits in a congregation with no hope.  I pray for strength to endure their present situation. God give them peace that passes all understanding and the knowledge to know that you will bring then through.  In Jesus’ name I pray.   Amen.