1 Jun, 2007
Flight Risk
An airline passenger infected with a particularly lethal form of tuberculosis been put under quarantine. How much of a threat is the disease to others?
Passengers and crew on two recent transatlantic flights may have been exposed to a rare and unusually drug-resistant strain of tuberculosis by an unidentified man who is now under federal quarantine. Officials at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) say it’s been more than 40 years since a similar isolation order was given.
In an effort to contain the spread of this often-lethal form of the disease known as XDR TB, health authorities are asking passengers who traveled on either flight (Air France Flight 385 from Atlanta to Paris on May 13 and Czech Air Flight 0104 from Prague to Montreal on May 24). to come forward for testing. Tuberculosis is an airborne bacterial infection that usually affects the lungs and is usually spread by people in close quarters. While rates of the disease are fairly low in the United States (fewer than 14,000 cases were reported last year), it is a leading health problem worldwide—particularly for those with compromised immune systems. There were 1.6 million TB deaths in 2005 according to the World Health Organization.
photo & story courtesy msnbc.msn.com, 5/30/07
Dangerous disease?
Matthew 8:14-17 (NLT)
Jesus Heals Many
14 When Jesus arrived at Peter’s house, Peter’s mother-in-law was sick in bed with a high fever. 15 But when Jesus touched her hand, the fever left her. Then she got up and prepared a meal for him.
16 That evening many demon-possessed people were brought to Jesus. He cast out the evil spirits with a simple command, and he healed all the sick. 17 This fulfilled the word of the Lord through the prophet Isaiah, who said,
“He took our sicknesses
and removed our diseases.”
What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about Jesus' authority over disease and evil?
Tyndale's LIFE APPLICATION STUDY BIBLE notes explain:
8:16,17 Matthew continues to show Jesus' kingly nature. Through a single touch, Jesus healed (8:3,15); when he spoke a single word, evil spirits fled his presence (8:16). Jesus has authority over all evil powers and all earthly disease. He also has power and authority to conquer sin. Sickness and evil are consequences of living in a fallen world. But in the future, when God removes all sin, there will be no more sickness and death. Jesus' healing miracles were a taste of what the world will one day experience in God's future Kingdom.
If you are a fairly regular reader of the DAILYBIDE, you know that I often remind us that the Bible tells us that more world wide trouble will lead up to the return of Christ. Terrorism, war, famine, hurricanes...and it is possible that a disease may impact the planet at some point.
The ultimate disease the entire world faces is sin. It's in each of us and Jesus' blood shed on the cross is the only cure.
As Christ's followers, we must spread Christ's "cure" world wide. He alone is the only hope for the most deadly disease.
How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives?
- Thank God for Christ's blood that takes away your disease of sin. If you are reading this and realize that you're still dying....admit that to God right now and receive His gift of forgiveness through Jesus Christ. He will come in to your life, forgive you, lead you, and He promises you eternal life in Heaven! (If this is you, please email us at 3Story.org so that we can send you info to help you grow in your new relationship with God.)
- If you are already a Christ follower, you have just read over the simple "cure" for the disease of sin. Ask God right now to show you how to spread it, starting with one person.
- To learn more about how to spread the "cure", learn the 3Story strategy by going to our home page at 3Story.org
How can we connect today's story and God's Story and our story to others?
- Pray every day for God to lead you to share the "cure" with someone as His Spirit gives you the opportunity to build relationships with those who are dying of the disease of sin.
- Whenever you continue to hear and see news reports of today's story, let it remind you to spread the "cure" of Christ.
- Use today's story about the airline passenger infected with a particularly lethal form of tuberculosis to have conversations with friends in your storysphere. Ask them if they think there's any disease that could infect the whole world? Let Jesus nudge you if this is the time to share more of your story and how God gave you the "cure" for your disease of sin.
- March 2010 [9]
- February 2010 [19]
- January 2010 [22]
- December 2009 [22]
- November 2009 [21]
- October 2009 [22]
- September 2009 [21]
- August 2009 [20]
- July 2009 [21]
- June 2009 [22]
- May 2009 [18]
- April 2009 [15]
- March 2009 [7]
- February 2009 [17]
- January 2009 [20]
- December 2008 [23]
- November 2008 [19]
- October 2008 [22]
- September 2008 [22]
- August 2008 [19]
- July 2008 [22]
- June 2008 [11]
- May 2008 [20]
- April 2008 [22]
- March 2008 [21]
- February 2008 [18]
- January 2008 [20]
- December 2007 [18]
- November 2007 [15]
- October 2007 [19]
- September 2007 [18]
- August 2007 [12]
- July 2007 [12]
- June 2007 [9]
- May 2007 [11]
- April 2007 [10]
- March 2007 [11]
- February 2007 [14]
- January 2007 [7]
- December 2006 [4]
- November 2006 [13]
- October 2006 [17]
- September 2006 [11]
- August 2006 [16]
- July 2006 [10]
- June 2006 [3]
