Written by: Elizabeth
Oath of God Ministries

Table of Contents: Click

Introduction
Healing for Spirit, Soul and Body
Pharisaical Spirit
Chronic Trespassing of Physical Laws
Showing Compassion
Ask God First
Lack of Faith
Faith Problems: Too Much Medical Reliance
Enemy Profiling
Thoughts that Profile Others
Asking for More Faith
Fear
Hoping but Not Faith Walking
Positive Thinking – Not Faith
God Prefers “Plan A”
Reading the Word of God
Speak Healing to Your Body
Repentance & Apologies Left Undone
Unforgiveness & Root of Bitterness
Jesus’ Standard of Forgiveness
Sin Prevents Healing
Compromise
Not Understanding Your Identity & Authority in Christ Jesus
Sitting in Heavenly Places
Your Appointed Time to Go Home

 

Introduction

Because we are born with a sinful nature, everyone will inevitably sin and experience the consequences of sin.  Not always, but often times sickness can result because of sin.  he purpose of this segment is to raise the level of faith among believers and to uncover why various healings are not taking place in a higher frequency within the Body of Christ and without medical involvement.  This section is not meant to give medical advice nor do we give it.  Again our intention is to only uncover why Christians are not experiencing more miraculous healings and why faith levels for Christians seem to be at an all-time low.

There may be other reasons why a believer might not recover from an illness and perhaps those reasons are not highlighted in this article. God does not always reveal His purposes to mankind. With that in mind, the overall objective set forth in this article is to simply present the majority of reasons why a believer is not experiencing more healings without medical involvement.

Christians have also been trained by our culture to get instantaneous results without much effort especially when taking medications.  If a miraculous healing is not immediate then feelings of discouragement, impatience, guilt or anger may begin to manifest.  These emotions do not originate with God so it’s very important that we have a clear understanding as to why Christians are not receiving more miraculous healings.  Whether we experience a spontaneous healing or a somewhat gradual improvement – the experience should always bring us closer to God. Back To Top

Healing for Spirit, Soul and Body

Woven throughout this article is a theme that emphasizes the need for believers to completely rely on the indwelling Holy Spirit (whole spirit) regarding all their decisions.  This is typically called being Spirit-led.  The believer must acknowledge the presence of the Holy Spirit in his life and become completely dependent on God’s direction in Christ Jesus whereby poor health decisions are removed by the Holy Spirit  This allows our bodies to experience greater health and longevity whereby we see more healing independent of drugs or medical involvement.  As Apostel Paul wrote, “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.”  We will learn more about the “soul” realm herein.  

A believer living under God’s grace can honestly declare, “I am spirit, have a soul, and live in a body but remain one person”.  Trichotomy is a term that teaches that a human consists of three parts or divisions: spirit, soul, and body.  These different realms interconnect and influence one another.  Scripture states “May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through.  May your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thes. 5:23).  When we receive Christ Jesus as our personal Savior, we receive at that very moment the indwelling Holy Spirit.  Separate from the spirit is the soul.  The soul or soul realm consists of the mind, its thinking, emotions, beliefs, attitudes, memories, human will, intellect, and feelings.  The scientific study of the soul realm which is the study of a person’s behavior is typically called psychology.  Included in the mind region is the person’s personality, conscious, subconscious, and unconscious mind.  In Christ Jesus, as the believer reads the Word of God, the soul will prosper.  “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.”   Prosperity in this scripture does not necessarily equate to magnificent wealth but instead it means the believer will make wiser decisions which can lead to better health, financial prosperity, and godly relationships whereby Christ Jesus is glorified in a believer’s life.  

As confirmed by scripture, both the mind, soul, and spirit are separate from one another. For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)  Yet, we must remember that they all interconnect with one another.  The joints and marrow mentioned in this scripture represent the body.  The bone marrow is the flexible tissue found within the bone’s interior.  This is where the blood is manufactured in the human body and we already know from scripture that the life is in the blood.  “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.’ (Lev. 17:11)  This scripture is pointing to the soul realm where the human mind makes its decisions to sin against God, other people, and one’s own body.   Atonement is necessary otherwise the sin would not be forgiven by God.  For the ancient Israelites, the sacrifice of innocent animals was a temporary atonement for their sins.  The innocent animal, whether it was a bullock, male goat, ram, pigeon, or lamb, did nothing deserving of death as a sacrifice for a person’s sin.  Those sacrifices, however, were a copy and foreshadowing of the sacrifices of Christ Jesus on the Cross as He too was innocent, sinless, and nothing deserving of death by crucifixion.  Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.  For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this reason, He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.”  (Hebrews 9:6-15)

The body can be impacted by a person’s belief system or feelings.  If a person is not living under God’s grace then the conscious or unconscious mind cannot be reasonably and knowingly influenced by God’s direction and therefore remains isolated, self-sufficient, and at great risk for making unwise decisions. Making bad decisions in one’s life will ultimately result in anxiety, fear, resentment, and loneliness.  Separately, Christians who do not read the Word on a daily basis may have anchored strongholds that continually close the door to God’s influence whereby their behavior appears similar to the world’s.  Please see the article “Strongholds” for further information on this topic.  We can reasonably attest to the fact that a person’s mind and body continually interact with one another and to some degree depend on one another.  For example, a person who smokes will harm the body which is depending on the person’s mind to make correct decisions in stewarding the body.  The mind’s decision to smoke inevitably will harm the person’s body with various diseases because the body was never designed by God to receive cigarette smoke.  However, when a person becomes a born-again Christian who reads the Word of God – then God through the indwelling Holy Spirit can influence the person to make wiser decisions whereby the person realizes the need to stop smoking.  There are many known testimonies where the power and grace of God divinely interceded in a person’s life to completely cut off the addiction to smoking.  These testimonies have been noted when the believer engages in a revival, praise or worship, reading and meditating on the Word, prayer and fasting, spiritual warfare, and a continual faith walk with God.  

In order for a believer to properly acknowledge the indwelling Holy Spirit he must feed daily on the living Word of God.  Reading scripture on a regular basis will beneficially influence one’s soul or mind to make godly spirit-led decisions which will ultimately eliminate needless anxiety.  All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God[ may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”  (2 Timothy 3:14-17?  Meditating on the Word helps the believer to become more like Christ Jesus and further helps the believer to become more sensitive to the guidance from the Holy Spirit.  This is where a believer will begin to realize the mind of Christ and this is when the believer will begin to experience less anxiety in life’s situations.  It is Christ Jesus who desires to give us peace that surpasses anything the world has to offer.  “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Phl 4:7)  It is fair to acknowledge that excessive anxiety in anyone’s life can result in either acute or chronic illnesses as well as premature aging and death.

Finally, there is the physical body which is the temple of the indwelling Holy Spirit for those alone who have received Christ Jesus as their personal Savior.  Yet scripture clearly states that even our bodies must be completely surrendered unto the Lord.  “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”  A Christian renews his mind by reading the Word on a daily basis.  This in turn transforms his mind to Christ.  It also aids in helping the believer realize that his body is not his own but is instead the temple of the indwelling Holy Spirit thereby allowing the believer to walk in sobriety and purity while using wisdom and common sense towards his diet and physical activity.

Overall the term and concept of trichotomy shouldn’t be too difficult to comprehend.  We worship one true Godhead in three persons the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost same in substance, equal in power and glory.  Although the Trinity is indeed a deep mystery and sometimes difficult to comprehend we are nevertheless made in the image of God and also have three parts but remain one whole person. Back To Top

Pharisaical Spirit

It’s important to note that some Christian denominations still believe that miraculous healings are no longer valid during this church era.  This is false doctrine and is perpetuated by a religious spirit influencing these teachers.  During Jesus’ ministry the Pharisees also tried to discredit His healings and it was a religious spirit influencing their motives as well.  Because the people were following Jesus more than they were investing time with the religious hierarchy, the Pharisees who were still influenced by this spirit became increasingly jealous of Jesus.

These religious spirits also swayed the Pharisees to both condemn Jesus and to turn Him over to the Roman government to be crucified.  The Pharisees frequently gave place and opportunity to these spirits and the condition of their hearts was exposed by Jesus on numerous occasions. Unapologetically Jesus told them, You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do.  He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him.  When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.” (Jon 8:44)  This demonic spirit wanted both the miraculous healings to stop and Jesus out of the way.

Pharisaical SpiritToday, this same spirit of religion continues to operate by trying to shut down not only the gift of healing but other spiritual gifts as well.  Sadly this is taking place in biblically grounded churches across America.  Apostle Paul makes it very clear that during a conflict we are not really dealing with people per say but the demonic host which people open themselves up to and allow themselves to be influenced by.  “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. (Eph 6:12)

Some false teachers have publicly declared that the miraculous healings observed in Christian revival crusades are both questionable and not well documented.  These spurious statements are made despite the fact that many doctors have stepped forward to support these miraculous healings on behalf of their own Christian patients.  Countless people including children have also been healed during crusades and these same healings have been documented on film.  If the dead were raised before the eyes of these false teachers, they would still not believe.  It is nothing less than a Pharisaical spirit.

It’s also important to note that the majority of these worldwide crusades are evangelistic in nature. Jesus declared in Matthew 10:7-8,  And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.” (Mat 10:7-8)  Jesus’ command to first preach and evangelize is taken very seriously by the ministerial leaders of these worldwide crusades where signs and wonders of a miraculous type do follow them and have been duly noted by observers.  A Christian who believes that miracles no longer occur or that the healing gifts are no longer valid may forfeit a miraculous healing.  By entertaining this false doctrine, which ultimately nullifies the prerequisite for faith, the believer cancels the prospects of a desired healing.

One can only wonder what these false teachers do when their own family members fall to a serious illness.  Do they pray for a miracle?  Why pray if you don’t believe that miraculous healings are even possible?

Some Christians do have the special gift of healing but every Christian should be walking in faith regarding the healing they desire in Christ Jesus. This faith walk also pertains to any other gift that has been given to a believer by Our Lord.  “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men.” (Eph 4:8)  Clearly, Jesus has had no reason to change His mind over the past 2,000 years regarding the command to heal or to be healed nor did Jesus state that healings would only take place during a specific era of church history.  “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Heb 13:8)  Jesus also declared that His Word would never perish but remain into eternity.  “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My Words will by no means pass away.” (Mat 24:35)  Therefore the gift of healing during this church era still remains intact and the healing miracles remain available to those willing to accept the blessing on God’s terms.

In most cases, prayer, obedience, forgiveness, confession of sin, faith, and reading scripture on a daily basis will always prove to be excellent spiritual tools in increasing a believer’s faith level whereby he may observe a decline in sickness, an increase in health and a more noticeable observance of the Holy Spirit’s protective care from accidents and mistakes.  So let us now review the reasons why many Christians do not experience more miraculous healings. Back To Top

Next…..please click on Chronic Trespassing of God’s Physical Laws listed below: 

 

Chronic Trespassing of God’s Physical Laws
Click on above Link

 

 

Showing Compassion

Showing CompassionLet us remember that each of us at some time in our life has suffered an infirmity in our mind or body.  Therefore we should always proceed with a humble heart towards others who may be suffering from mental anguish or physical pain in their bodies.  We should also express great compassion towards those who tend to the sick and disabled as this work can be very tiring and sometimes lonely.  Christ Jesus always showed great compassion on the sick despite the reason for the sickness.  “And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.” (Matthew 14:14)

We should always remember that only God is the great Physician.  Our anchored faith and truth statements may be the keys that unleash Christ’s tender mercies towards ourselves or others but only He is the Great Physician.  The healing should always point to Christ Jesus and never to us.  Moving with great discernment and compassion is important especially when we are laying hands on or praying for others.  Without compassion, our faith walk to see a healing becomes nothing more than a mechanical process which leads to few results or none at all.  Whatever revelation or word we receive from the Holy Spirit regarding another person’s illness must be guarded with genuine humility and spoken only when prompted by the Holy Spirit for correction or healing but never with a tone of condemnation. Back To Top

Ask God First

Ask God FirstGod has called many men and women to the medical profession so He certainly doesn’t have a problem with physicians although they still need Jesus just as much as the next person.  God, however, may have a problem with a Christian who places the position of a doctor over His Sovereignty.  King Asa relied strictly on his physicians, not on God and died as a result. And in the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa became diseased in his feet, and his malady was severe; yet in his disease he did not seek the LORD, but the physicians.  So Asa rested with his fathers; he died in the forty-first year of his reign.” (2Ch 16:12)  As early as Exodus 15:26 God revealed Himself to the ancient Hebrews as Jehovah-Rapha (The Lord that Heals).For I am the LORD who heals you.”  Had King Asa, relied on Jehovah-Rapha for healing, he most likely would have lived a longer life.  Clearly King Asa knew better than to ignore God’s willingness and ability to heal.

For many Christians, not consulting God first and foremost before a medical appointment has become both an unwise and chronic habit.  Not only does a Christian forfeit any reasonable development of his faith by ignoring God but he may also be compounding the problem by selecting the wrong doctor or treatment.  On the other hand, we see an entirely different scenario with King Hezekiah of Judah, who ruled around 716 – 687 BCE.

We are told,In those days Hezekiah was sick and near death. And Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, went to him and said to him, “Thus says the LORD: ‘Set your house in order, for you shall die and not live.’  Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed to the LORD, and said, “Remember now, O LORD, I pray, how I have walked before You in truth and with a loyal heart, and have done what is good in Your sight. And Hezekiah wept bitterly. (Isa 38:1-3) And the word of the LORD came to Isaiah, saying,Go and tell Hezekiah, ‘Thus says the LORD, the God of David your father: “I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; surely I will add to your days fifteen years.” (Isa 38:4-5)  King Hezekiah asked God to relent of His decision.  In the New Testament, Christ Jesus reminds Christians to ask in order to receive. “Yet you do not have because you do not ask.”(Jas 4:2)  Christians clearly need to ask more often.  Not only did God grant King Hezekiah an additional fifteen years, the Lord also gave the prophet Isaiah special instructions for King Hezekiah to use a very natural remedy to heal the boils on his body.  There are underlying systemic diseases that can cause a boil to surface and boils themselves can result in serious health complications if left untreated. “Now Isaiah had said, “Let them take a lump of figs, and apply it as a poultice on the boil, and he shall recover.” (Isa 38:21)

Even today people use figs for both nutritional and medicinal purposes.  Nothing is impossible for God and He oftentimes keeps things very simple. Even today medical scientists agree that there are certain super-foods such as herbs, fruits and vegetables that strengthen a person’s immune system and help to combat cancer cells.  We tend to look at God’s ability based solely on what we know or don’t know.  The lesson learned in this scripture is that King Hezekiah turned first to the living God for healing and a longer life.  So often in our society people run first to the medicine cabinet never making an attempt to reach out to God for healing.  It is a very poor habit and chronic tendency found today within the Body of Christ. Back To Top

Lack of Faith

Lack of FaithScripture makes it clear that we cannot please God without faith. “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Heb 11:6)  Yet a key reason why many Christians do not receive a healing and forfeit their reward is a lack of faith.  We all have sufficient faith to believe the sun will rise tomorrow morning.  It’s something that we take for granted so it does not require any supernatural faith to believe it.  It will take, however, a much stronger faith walk to believe that God will restore one’s health from a chronic state of illness.

The growing process of building or exercising one’s faith should produce a continual stream of successes whereby we experience more victories in Christ Jesus whether for healing or anything else that is needed in our lives. Back To Top

Faith Problems: Too Much Medical Reliance?

In today’s world of medical technology, our lives have become increasingly dependent on the medical field to heal us.  It has become a slow process of indoctrination within our culture and everyone without exception has fallen prey to it.  Most Christians are not aware of just how deep the roots of this indoctrination have infiltrated their mindset.  In some ways, this indoctrination has anesthetized their faith and by itself has become a prevalent problem during the current Laodicean church era.  The believer has convinced himself that a healing from Christ and a healing from a physician are one and the same.  It’s a very lukewarm attitude towards the promises given to us by Christ Jesus.  Just like the secular world, a Christian will turn first to a doctor’s medical knowledge for healing rather than turn to Christ.

Faith Problems: Too Much Medical Reliance?Frequently the disease (dis-ease) continues to be accepted by the Christian so long as it can be managed by prescription drugs.  In this situation, the Christian’s faith walk has been jeopardized as Christians should not be satisfied living with any disease.  Indeed, physicians can be very useful in educating patients to take better care of their bodies.  Dietitians and medical specialists might impart words of wisdom to their patients regarding proper diet and exercise as well as warning patients against the harmful effects of alcohol, processed foods and smoking.  Even a diagnostic test which uncovers a medical problem can force a patient to finally come to terms with being a better steward over his own body.

Nevertheless, the concern spoken of in this section focuses on why Christians are relying more and more on the medical field and less and less on God for healing.  In today’s culture it is now mandatory for everyone to have health insurance and when a person pays for something, he is expected to use it.  Medical insurance is no different. The expectancy to use the medical care has already been deeply embedded into the believer’s thought process.  Even when a Christian has determined to rely on a medical treatment – he should still be turning to Christ for healing.  Given the daily assaults against our minds and bodies a Christian should be in the Word of God to strengthen one’s faith with the intention of eventually being free of all medication.  Unfortunately this is not taking place within the Body of Christ as God is often forced to take a backseat until the doctors can no longer provide further help.

When a Christian places an increasing reliance on the medical field and its prescriptions the faith needed to see a healing directly from God becomes increasingly diluted.  Most mental health and disease related prescriptions only manage the illness and regulate the symptoms but do not heal the patient.  Many of these prescriptions have dangerous side effects.  Christians should be seeking complete healing but sadly most never consider even the slightest possibility of a miraculous healing.  It never enters their minds because they have been indoctrinated by the surrounding culture to rely exclusively on the medical field, over the counter drugs and pharmaceutical medicines.

Many Christians actually believe that God has substituted medical science for Himself.  If this were true, Jesus would have chosen a physician’s esteemed career over that of a humble carpenter’s trade.  He would have publicly administered medicine instead of the healing power of God.  Jesus would have spent most of His time discovering and researching new medicines thereby urging the physicians of His time to accelerate forward in the same capacity.  By doing so, He would have committed sin by highlighting medical science as being more powerful than God.  This would have constituted idolatry whereby the prescribed pill would have become an idol and carved image before the people convincing them to seek out doctors rather than Jesus.  “I am the LORD, that is My name; And My glory I will not give to another, Nor My praise to carved images. (Isa 42:8)

Would Jesus allow a prescription that inherently has many dangerous side effects including death or suicide to be His substitute?  We know, however, that Jesus was sinless.  He came to earth as the Word of God in the flesh and to die on the Cross for our sins.  Christians therefore need to make sure that prescribed drugs do not become their carved idol.  We would never advocate that anyone stop taking his medication unless instructed by his physician; nevertheless the Christian population needs to be more diligent in seeking God’s heart on these matters.  You might be pleasantly surprised to hear the direction He gives you regarding your healing if you would only ask. “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” (Jas 4:8)

Too often, Christians will accept a medical evaluation carte blanche and never consult God about the illness.  As time goes on, a Christian’s ability to walk in faith has been jeopardized.  It isn’t until the situation gets out of hand and the medical field no longer has answers will most Christians finally turn to Christ for healing.  If by that time a Christian’s faith has not been properly exercised – he will probably find himself in a panic-stricken search for supernatural faith.  During this process, many Christians will begin praying for a miracle.  At this point Christians may not even ask God to heal but rather that God will allow the medicine to work.  Should the crisis subside, many will continue to accept the disease in tandem with the prescribed drugs so long as life is allowed to meander along.  Thereafter, it rarely enters the Christian’s mind to ask God to eradicate the core disease altogether.  Nor does the Christian ask God to point out what he might be doing wrong which might otherwise be causing the disease.  This in turn brings the Christian full circle, accepting the disease and not believing that God altogether desires to remove the disease.  The Christian has been intimidated by the disease and will settle for less.  Clearly, this is not faith. Back To Top

Enemy Profiling

Enemy ProfilingNo person wants to be profiled and then subsequently attacked or harassed.  Yet this is what the demonic host does to Christians all the time and we allow it.  So what exactly is profiling?  According to the Merriam Webster dictionary profiling is defined as “the act or process of extrapolating information about a person based on known traits or tendencies <consumer profiling>; specifically: the act of suspecting or targeting a person on the basis of observed characteristics or behavior”.

As born-again Christians we know that God is no respecter of persons.  We have been adopted into His Holy family and are equally loved by Him.  “Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality.” (Acts 10:34)  Yet in many ways, Satan is no respecter of persons either.  Satan and his host of minions desire to take everyone to hell with them.  He will kill, steal and destroy whatever or whomever remains in his path.  In John 10:10 Jesus said, The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.  I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”  The demonic host desires to bring everyone to a dismal failure including their health which is why Christians must be discerning and watchful.  “Be sober; be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” (1Pe:5:8)  You are a constant target of this enemy and it requires vigilance on a daily basis.  The demonic host will use keen strategies to deceive and prevent a Christian from experiencing a miraculous healing.  The demonic host’s initial strategy is to always reinforce a medical profile that is already universally accepted by both the patient and the medical field.  Since many individuals have already been indoctrinated to rely first and foremost on doctors and medicine, they easily accept all the profiling that targets them.  It’s near impossible to walk in faith believing in a healing while keeping your ear attentive to what the world of medicine is telling you at the same time.

So, let’s review an example of medical profiling.

1. White and Asian women, 50 years or older, 120 pounds or less, thin women, mostly blue eyed, European or Asian descent, will suffer from osteoporosis at sometime during their life.  Statistics support this medical profile. Osteoporosis promotes bone loss.  Typically a woman’s mother and grandmother suffered from this disease as well.  Negative environmental factors such as poor diet, inadequate exercise, and exposure to chemicals can cause an existing gene mutation to manifest into a disorder or disease.

Once this profile has been brought to a woman’s attention who has these hereditary characteristics, fear and intimidation will enter her thought process.  As soon as the patient learns the profile details she will rely solely on her doctor’s medical advice without consulting God.  In turn she will take whatever prescription is given to her in order to increase bone density.  Even if she remains unaware of the worldly statistics which profile millions of women, the universal belief system is still behind the profile and she remains a target by the enemy.

In Luke 13:11-13 we read that Jesus was teaching in a synagogue when He came upon a woman with an infirmity. “And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up. But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, “Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.”  And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.”

The scripture further tells us that the ruler of the synagogue was indignant towards Jesus because He healed on the Sabbath.  Jesus replied, “So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound—think of it—for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?”  Thus Jesus silenced his adversaries while giving us a little more insight into this woman’s health problem.  Some biblical scholars believe that this woman had experienced some type of single trauma to her spine which caused her spine to bend.  Although possible it is not likely in this woman’s situation.  In today’s medical world this woman would be diagnosed with an advanced case of kyphosis which causes a woman (and sometimes men) to be severely bent over.  This condition is caused by advanced osteoporosis which is a result of considerable bone loss over an extended period of time.  Osteoporosis is also considered a silent disease and is oftentimes hereditary in nature.

Once a sufficient amount of bone loss has taken place, fractures may ensue.  Although there are three types of fractures that contribute to kyphosis including the wedge fracture, biconcave fracture and crush fracture, it is typically the wedge fracture which causes kyphosis most often.  The damage begins in the area between your two shoulder blades and can extend to the lower back region.  With a wedge fracture the front of the vertebrae collapses due to bone loss while the back of the vertebrae remains intact.  This process causes the vertebrae to lean forward causing the spine to misalign which can be painful on the other spinal discs.  Once this process begins considerable pressure is put on the other vertebrae causing other wedge fractures to occur. Like a stack of dominos, as more vertebrae collapse into wedge fractures thereby tipping forward in succession, the woman’s body bends over providing little resistance to this ongoing and painful process.

Sometimes kyphosis can cause breathing problems since the respiratory system is constricted along with other vital organs so we can understand why Jesus expressed considerable compassion towards her.  Despite her condition, she was diligent to attend synagogue where Jesus was teaching.  She may have desired a healing but obviously it was too difficult for her to even look up at Jesus given her bent posture.  In fact, it was Jesus who called her over to Him.  Jesus always sought out the sick, the lonely, the desperate and the infirmed whereby His healing touch restored them.

We are told that she had a “spirit of infirmity”.  It is the preposition “of” that requires our attention when interpreting this scripture.  This preposition indicates “derivation, origin, or source”.  Jesus tells us that the source of her disease or infirmity was Satan.  Actually every disease has both its direct and indirect origin in Satan.  Every human is born into sin because of both Adam and Eve’s original sin in the Garden.  Generational disorders, gene mutations and hereditary diseases are the resultant realities of being born into sin.  Jesus, however, did not use “infirmity” as an adjective.  An adjective, unlike a preposition, describes the noun in a sentence by answering one of these three questions: What kind is it?  How many are there?  Which one is it?  Jesus didn’t state this spirit was a “unclean spirit”, “sickness spirit” or “disease spirit” but said instead that the woman had a “spirit of infirmity”.  There’s a significant difference.

It is often said that some people have a “spirit of sadness” but this does not necessarily mean they have a demonic “sadness spirit” indwelling them.  It is doubtful that the woman had an indwelling demonic spirit although the bible does not make this perfectly clear.  It is also noted that most bible teachers believe this women must have opened the door to the demonic host at some point in her life which allowed this disease to manifest in her body.  Today’s medical research, however, has pointed to several dysfunctional gene mutations which might contribute to the more severe forms of osteoporosis resulting in kyphosis but do not account for the much more prevalent milder forms of the disorder of which an estimated 200 million women suffer from on a worldwide basis.  Let’s remember our gene pool remains imperfect because we are all born into sin and gene mutations are typically inherited by a child from either or both parents.

Typically whenever Jesus cast out a demonic spirit He did so by first identifying the spirit type and then subsequently commanding it to come out of the person.  Most of these deliverances were associated with demonically possessed people who manifested mental disorders or extreme aberrant behaviors. In these situations it was not unusual for Jesus to speak directly to the demonic spirit before casting it out.  In this particular situation, however, Jesus simply said to her, Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity”.  Jesus did not communicate with any spirit but only the woman.  This appeared to be her deliverance from what might have been a painful generational disorder as Jesus made it clear that her body had been in bondage by Satan for eighteen years.

The number eighteen is equally important to note.  In Hebrew the number ten indicates the ten commandments or the Mosaic Law which points to mankind’s sin.  The number eight in Hebrew, however, signifies a new beginning.  This woman, who was living under the Law, was given a new beginning when Jesus healed her.  Disease is a result of original sin and it is easy for anyone in today’s society to become captive to disease. Disease is like a curse.  Let’s remember, however, that Jesus became a curse for our sake. “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written), Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree” (Gal 3:10)  Over 2,000 years ago Christ Jesus took captivity captive and we can rejoice knowing that Christ is still in the healing business.

We know very little about her personality or character to help us determine the existence of any stronghold or if she was being influenced or harassed outwardly by any specific demonic spirit.  However, this does not seem to be the case in this instance.  Nevertheless, please see the articles “Generational Curses” and “Demonic Possession” for more information on these topics.

Jesus took a second step to complete her healing.  “And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight.  Christ Jesus foreknew He would need to use a two-step process in her healing.  This was done mostly for our benefit.  First – Jesus spoke the Truth.  “Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.”  Jesus is our banner of Truth.  He is also the Word that became flesh.  In John 14:6 Jesus declares, I am the way, the truth, and the life.”  First and foremost, He declared her liberty.  Therefore, when Jesus said, “Woman you are loosed from your infirmity” – it was true because Jesus can’t lie.  Then our compassionate Lord placed his hand on her and she became straight again.  “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.”   Christians who have been called by God into healing and deliverance ministries must hear from the Holy Spirit, even in the midst of noise and crowds, to know what God requires as the next step.

The believer who struggles with osteoporosis should also ask the Lord what diet is best for building bone density since there are a number of non-genetic risk factors that can exacerbate the disease or at least contribute to the overall development of osteoporosis.  God has provided certain super-foods such as herbs, fruits, vegetables as well as various botanicals which have specific nutritional values and are well known in combating disease including osteoporosis.  There are specific foods to avoid as well.  Daily exercise is also a known factor to stall this disease as well as other diseases.  Christians should seek the direction of the Holy Spirit in all these matters.  Believers should medicate daily on scriptures as well as speak specific scripture over their bodies. Back To Top

Scripture for Your Bones
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Thoughts That Profile Others

Did anyone ever ask you to pray for someone who was very old and very sick?  Did they ask you to pray for a complete healing which would remove an aggressive disease?  Did you pray fervently for this aged individual or did you simply profile the person as “He’s lived to a ripe old age so maybe it is God’s will to take him home now”.  This type of thinking is profiling.  You’ve determined that this person is too old or too weak to receive any healing from our Heavenly Creator.  Perhaps this individual has a deep desire to continue living.  Maybe God wants this individual, despite his aged years, to live another ten years with complete healing but He is searching for someone to intercede with boldness and confidence over this person.  Your thought processes have already determined that this individual should be dead. God doesn’t ask us to profile a believer or to judge him or his situation.  He’s simply asks that we stand on the truth, confirm the truth and in faith expect a healing.  Can you imagine Jesus turning away a person because of his age.  Scripture tells us that Jesus healed everyone who came to Him for healing. “And great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them all.” (Mat 12:15)  Jesus never profiled or discriminated against anyone who diligently sought after Him for healing. Back To Top

Asking For More Faith?

Asking For More Faith?

Another reason why healings are not forthcoming is because Christians are not aware of the origin of their supernatural faith.  So often, Christians through prayer will ask God to increase their faith when in fact He’s already given them the sufficient amount they need.  Believers need to exercise their faith – not ask for more.  It’s also important to understand where our supernatural faith first originated.

So let’s begin by reviewing the moment of our salvation in Christ Jesus then we’ll return again to further discuss the faith issue. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Eph 2:8)  It’s interesting to note that both faith and grace are mentioned together in this scripture as both are required to obtain salvation.

We can’t even make a decision to receive Christ Jesus without God’s Grace.  Yes, it is God’s Grace or Mercy that allows us to make the decision to receive Christ Jesus as our personal Savior.  It’s not an intellectual decision because a person’s intellect so easily dismisses the things of God.  Yet, salvation is the greatest miracle given to mankind by God.  For the born-again believer, His Mercy hunted you down and carried you to the Cross.  His supernatural grace melted your heart to repentance thereby allowing you to accept Christ Jesus as your personal Savior.  Jesus said, “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.(Jhn 6:44)  It was God’s grace that took you to the Cross where you found Jesus.  Remember, sinful man is running away from God, not running towards Him.  Jesus also confirmed that the sinner must first receive Him (Jesus) before receiving peace and reconciliation from the Father. “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (Jhn 14:6)

So salvation can’t occur without God’s grace.  Now let’s return to our discussion about faith because it is equally important in receiving one’s salvation in Christ Jesus.  Before God’s grace caught up with us, we had no faith whatsoever.  Let’s remember, prior to salvation, we were all running away from God, not towards Him.  We had zero faith in God prior to salvation.  We might have entertained some inferior or intellectual type of faith by believing that Jesus lived 2,000 years ago and that perhaps He was no more than a righteous man in the chronicles of history.

Nevertheless, we had no personal relationship with Him prior to salvation.  So where did this faith come from?  Clearly, it’s the measure of faith given to us by God at the time of our salvation.  Therefore, we are the receivers of both God’s Grace & His Faith. For by grace you have been saved through faith and that not of yourselves……” (Ephesians 2:8)  God is the giver while we are the recipients of both His grace and faith.

In the above scripture we read that His grace is accomplished through faith.  What exactly does that mean?

Well there’s another scripture that makes it clear that faith comes by hearing the Word of God (scripture). So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Rom 10:17)  When an unregenerate heart hears the gospel for the first time, it is God’s supernatural faith given to him at that moment which allows him to believe God’s spoken Word. Also at that moment it is God’s grace that brings our hearts to repentance where we finally admit we have been sinners all along and desperately need a Savior.  So you see, God’s grace did a good work through God’s faith at the time of your salvation in Christ Jesus.  It is not something we do either for or by ourselves.  We have no boast in ourselves regarding our salvation in Christ Jesus.  God alone designed your salvation prior to the foundation of earth and He alone did this good work in you.  This point is confirmed in Hebrews 12:12, “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.”  Not only is Jesus the author (originator) of our faith, He also gives us the strength to finish the course set before us in faith.  “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)  Christ Jesus is the originator and finisher of our faith but He also gives us the strength to persevere under pressure in completing the course set before us.

Using a different scripture, let’s confirm yet again where our supernatural faith originated. For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.(Romans 12:3)  Here again we are assured that every believer has been given a measure of faith at the time of salvation.  God is not a respecter of persons.  We are all given a measure of faith which is Christ’s faith currently in us.  No person is more important than another, yet it is up to each of us to exercise our God-given faith to please God and to overcome circumstances and life’s hurdles by way of His complete guidance.

An enormous burden is taken off of our shoulders when we finally realize that Christ Jesus is the Author and Finisher of our faith.  Nor will Christ Jesus allow our faith to remain dormant because a sedentary faith does not glorify His Name.  Therefore He may permit certain circumstances to take place in our lives in order to strengthen our faith.  These life events will force us to exercise our faith where we see ourselves relying more on Him and less on the world.

In summary we need not ask God for more faith.  We need to ask Him to help us build-up the supernatural faith He has already provided.  For example, God designed every human to have a bicep which is a two-headed muscle that lies on the upper arm.  As adults we can allow our biceps to become flaccid and weak or we can exercise our biceps to increase the muscle.  We don’t need to ask God for another bicep or more muscle, we simply need to exercise what God has already given us. Back To Top

Fear

FearInevitably people are afraid to walk in faith.  In their own minds they have convinced themselves that God can’t or will not heal them.  It’s easier for them to remain in a comfort zone that relies completely on ready-made physical facts that have no spiritual substance to them rather than to experience a profound relationship with an awesome God.  They actually settle for a lie which causes them to doubt God.  This decision is made by millions of Christians despite the fact that we cannot please God without faith.  But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6)

This element of fear prevented Peter from confidently walking on the water with Christ Jesus.  Peter was in the boat with the other disciples when they all saw Jesus walking on the water towards them.  “And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!”  And they cried out for fear.  But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”  And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”  So He said, “Come.”  And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”  And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:26)

Bold minded Peter seemed to fall apart when the wind became boisterous despite the fact that he had already started walking on the water.  Most people would be delighted to walk on water.  Additionally Jesus had comforted everyone earlier by saying, “It is I; do not be afraid.”  Jesus was justified when He said, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”  There was no reason for Peter to doubt.  He was a fisherman by trade who experienced the sea on a daily basis.  Additionally, Jesus was right in front of him throughout the entire process of walking on the water.  Fear makes believers walk in doubt which in turn paralyzes their faith to believe God. Back To Top

Hoping but Not Faith Walking

Hoping but Not Faith WalkingMany Christians are actually walking in hope not in faith.  There’s a difference.  It is normal to hope that one’s health will improve while on medication.  This, however, is not faith.  Let’s look at the difference between hope and faith in more specific terms.  Hope is a future expectation which a person currently entertains in order to obtain an expectant end.  Hope, however, is not a firm conviction.  Hope is more like a wish.  Merriam Webster Dictionary defines hope as to want something to happen or be true and think that it could happen or be true.”  The words “could happen” or “might happen” is not the same as “it will happen”.  Hoping something “to be true” is not the same as “knowing it to be true”.  There is much less conviction with hope.  A person can hope for a desired outcome.  He may say, “I hope this person will get well” but the comment does not stand on a firm conviction that the person will get well.  Nor is this same comment standing on an eternal truth found in God’s Word.  “That they may set their hope in God, And not forget the works of God….,” (Psalm 78:7)

Please understand that hope is still critically important to each Christian.  If we don’t set our hope in God, then all is in vain.  We will not only forget the works of God which are declared in scripture but we will forget the marvelous things which God has done and is still doing for us. “I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty, And on Your wondrous works.” (Psalms 145:5)  Without hope each of us would crumble into an abysmal state of depression and utter discouragement within a very short period of time.  Without hope in God’s help we would give up before seeing God’s resolution to our problem. “And now, Lord, what do I wait for?  My hope is in You.” (Psalms 39:7)  When all has gone wrong, we can still turn our hope to God knowing that that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (Rom 8:28)

We may not know how, when, where or why but we can persevere having the good hope that God knows exactly how to resolve the problem.  God will also give us His strength to persevere until His objective has been met in our lives.  Hope can stand by itself.  Faith, on the other hand, works in tandem with hope.  Let me explain by turning to the meaning of “faith”.  Let’s review Hebrews 11:1Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”  According to the Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance (G4102) the Greek translation for the word faith is “pistis” which means conviction of the truth of anything, belief.”   In other words faith is a conviction which is based on a belief.  A Christian’s belief is always based on unerring biblical truth which is why believers must be reading scripture on a daily basis to prevent faltering.  Faith does not wish for something.  Faith knows something.  In this same scripture we are told that “faith is the substance of things hope for.”  The word “substance” is equally important to understand.  According to Strong’s G5287 – the Greek translation for substance in this scripture is “hypostasis” which means “a setting or placing under, the steadfastness of mind, firmness, courage, resolution.”  It can also meanconfidence, firm trust, and assurance.”   You can have hope without faith but you cannot have faith without hope.  Faith undergirds hope and gives it impetus to move forward – despite the obstacles.  In other words, faith is the fuel that gives inspirational flight to hope and provides it with a specific destination.  We need both faith and hope to see a miracle.  Back To Top

Positive Thinking – Not Faith

Although positive thinking is a welcome trait it can nevertheless be dangerous if not properly supported by scripture.  On the other hand, positive thinking even with scripture if not applied correctly can be equally dangerous.  Positive thinking is a mental exercise Positive Thinking - Not Faithwhereby the person continually repeats a stream of positive thoughts in order to gain a desired result.  It is intellectual and not spiritual and has the ability to walk a Christian blindly into a disappointing or tragic end.  Granted God doesn’t want us to be sick but the method to gain healing must honor Christ Jesus.

People who lean completely on positive thinking believe that if they sufficiently think something – it will happen.  Positive thinking stems from self-sufficiency and is normally void of any faith.  Without the security of faith and the assurance of the Holy Spirit’s direction, the attempt for healing will prove to be grossly misguided.  There may also be a hint of pride in this person’s decision not to use medicine, ask for prayer or to receive a physician’s help because everything is based on his own positive thinking or self-sufficiency.  Yet scripture reminds us to ask for prayer when we are sick. “Is anyone among you sick?  Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.  And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up.  And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.” (Jas 5:14-15)  For the positive thinker the healing becomes a goal rather than an opportunity to enrich one’s relationship with Christ Jesus.  To be victorious in our pilgrimage here on earth, we should confirm our health in Christ Jesus every living moment and not rely on any self-sufficient motives. Back To Top

God Prefers “Plan A”

God Prefers "Plan A"Sometimes Christians have difficulty applying common sense to the basic requirements of health.  Many of the health problems Christians encounter could otherwise have been avoided.  For example, the stress that rivets through our bodies takes an enormous toll on our well-being and health.  Yet Christ Jesus said, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”  This scripture when applied is excellent medicine.  This wise advice is reinforced in 1 Peter 5:6-7, Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”  The key to this scripture is casting all your cares upon Him.  God desires that Christians take all their cares and concerns, large or small, and turn them over to Him for healing and resolution.  Stress impacts one’s health and can cause an array of diseases.

Self-sufficiency, although promoted by the world, is detrimental to the Christian’s walk with God.  Complete dependence on God and trusting Him for direction and education in all areas of our lives should be our first prerequisite in receiving a healing.  Regretfully some Christians will die prematurely. God doesn’t want a premature death but at some point He may allow it.  Nevertheless, God in His mercy will send many warnings and many messengers to save an individual from his own destruction but too often God’s warnings are scoffed away.  Eventually God’s hedge of protection may be removed which may result in a believer reaping what he sowed earlier.  Sadly this may inevitably result in a premature death.  Nevertheless, repentance and prayer can release God’s mercy whereby the believer becomes more sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s direction regarding personal decisions and lifestyle choices.  Most of our problems result from running ahead of God or dragging our feet behind Him.

If we honestly analyzed our choices in life we’d realize that most of our problems were a direct result of our own self-sufficiency and an unwillingness to acknowledge God’s sovereignty over our lives.  This grieves the heart of God.  We should never grieve the Holy Spirit yet we do and, by doing so, we force God to permit other options less pleasing.  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” (Eph 4:30)  We convince ourselves that God’s less pleasing option was His only plan for our lives.  This is a result when deep no longer calls to deep.  It simply surfs the surface where the believer travels a path that should have been avoided.  Christ clearly declared, And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, and raise the dead, cast out demons.  Freely you have received, freely give.” (Matthew 10:8)  This was a direct command from Jesus with evangelism being the primary goal accompanied by wondrous signs and healings.

Instead we watch the sick linger and say it is God’s will.  We receive news that a drug addict overdosed and say it was God’s will that he died when in fact God never wanted the drugs to be used in the first place.  We believe the death caused by a recent car accident was God’s will as if He approved of a car going 80 miles an hour in a 55 mph zone.  We feel the rod of God’s chastisement over our lives and convince ourselves it is God’s perfect will while refusing to exercise self-judgment which otherwise would have spared His rod altogether.  God is grieving over these many incidents while we simply count it as His perfect will.  When we refuse to hear and obey God, we begin to reap what we sowed never to realize God’s primarily plan for our lives. “Moses was one hundred and twenty years old when he died. His eyes were not dim nor his natural vigor diminished”. (Deu 34:7)  Moses’ greatest health asset was his humility.  “Now the man Moses was very humble, more than all men who were on the face of the earth.” (Numbers 12:3)  Moses’ humility caused him to rely completely on God while leading the people of Israel out of Egypt and beyond.  I also believe his humility protected him from disease.

Moses knew he had a strong purpose in life and he desperately needed God’s continual guidance to fulfill it.  Scripture clearly states the importance of humility before God.  “He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you, But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8)  When Christians walk humbly with God on a daily basis and inquire of Him to determine their direction, they typically find fewer obstacles and less illness in their way.  They are able to see God’s foreordained plan for their lives come to fruition in more immediate and transparent ways.  They also wait more patiently when the objective appears to be delayed for unknown reasons. God also stated of Moses, “He is faithful in all My house.” (Num 12:7)  Moses heard from God and was faithful to obey.  Whatever God asks us to do; He will accomplish it through us if we permit Him.  Quality health will typically follow the steps of obedience. Back To Top

Reading the Word of God

The Word of God is a mighty tool which strengthens our conviction to step out in faith more often.  “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Rom 10:17)  Christians need to be reading the Word of God on a daily basis.  Otherwise a Christian will remain immature and carnal having received their salvation but never maturing to a higher conviction in Christ Jesus.  Meditate on at least one scripture a day.  It is quality medicine. “Make me understand the way of Your precepts; So shall I meditate on Your wonderful works.” Reading the Word of God(Psalms 119:27)  It is the Word that builds faith.

God reveals Himself in scripture and it is here where we see God’s marvelous healing works done in people just like you and me.  A Christian’s stream of thoughts should continually be self-scrutinized.  The minute a negative thought enters one’s mind, a Christian should counter respond with scripture.  When Jesus was harassed by Satan, He promptly responded by declaring, “It is written” which preceded His speaking a targeted scripture whereby Satan was silenced.  Christians should be doing the same.  These same scriptural declarations will continually build a Christian’s faith walk for healing. Every step towards Christ Jesus is a step in the right direction.  Every day the Christian should progressively migrate to complete reliance on Christ Jesus regardless of the health need.  To help a Christian grow in faith for healing, a subsequent link to healing scriptures is provided.  You will find scriptures that express God’s desire to protect, deliver, and supply all your needs.  Earlier in this segment we discussed the need to exercise our faith.  So, how can we exercise our faith?

Let’s return to the same scripture found in Romans 2:12. “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Rom 12:2)  Christians must renew their minds daily by reading the Word of God.  If we are not reading the scripture on a daily basis, we will have difficulty building our faith.  This lack of faith will become evident in our lives.  We will approach challenges in a carnal way and will remain baby Christians forever.  God is continually revealing His character through His Spoken Word.  When we read the scriptures we discover God’s genuine character which is imperative in building a close relationship with the Holy Spirit.  In His beautiful character we find an awesome God who desires to lovingly bless us and to heal us from all our diseases.  It is in the reading that we learn to trust God more often and apply His biblical precepts to all areas of our life. Back To Top

Speaking Healing to Your Body

To help Christians build their faith where they are relying more on God for healing and less on drugs and medications, I have found tSpeaking Healing to Your Bodyhis daily exercise most helpful.  Over time, one’s faith walk can be strengthened where there is less fear and more confidence in seeing Christ Jesus’ willingness to heal.  Clearly God has not given us a “spirit of fear”.  “For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”  One of the best preventative medicines available to a Christian is to declare scriptural truths over one’s body and its members.  This is an excellent exercise in strengthening one’s faith and increasing one’s expectancy in receiving Christ’s blessings.

If you are struggling with vision problems, you should daily place your hands on your eyes and speak, “In the Name of Christ Jesus, by the Blood of Jesus and in His Holy Authority only, vision be healed and functional”.  If you are experiencing spinal problems, place your hands on your spine and speak,  “Bones be strong, be dense, be moist, be adjusted and be healthy in the Name of Christ Jesus.”  If you have a problem with your kneecap simply place your hand on this bone area and speak the Word over it, “Kneecap, you are healed by His stripes.” Back To Top

Repentance and Apologies Left Undone

Repentance and Apologies Left Undone If you have done harm to someone and they have this against you – do not procrastinate in delivering your apology. Your gift at the altar means nothing to God until you’ve reconciled to the person you’ve hurt.  “Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, “leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” (Mat 5:24)  Meeting with the person is the best method of reconciliation.  So often, people hide behind emails, voice messages and sometimes other people which simply trivializes the trespass.  It is very important that apologies be sent on an immediate basis.  The longer you wait the more you will stir the pot.  The sooner an apology is delivered the less trouble you will have in the future with the person you’ve offended.  Thereafter, you may proceed with your requests for healing and leave your gifts for God at the altar. Separately if there is no remorse for harm done to someone else whether it is a husband, wife, friend, co-worker or stranger then what remains is a self-justified hardened heart.  Believers need to self-judge their own behavior on a regular basis and they need to use the scriptures as their mirror. Genuine remorse will allow God to transform the believer’s aberrant behavior into the sweetness of Christ Jesus. Back To Top

Unforgiveness & Root of Bitterness:

Unforgiveness & Root of Bitterness There are rare occasions when a Christian must take a non-believer to court for a gross trespass to recover legitimate losses or in some cases to stop a pattern of criminal activity from continuing.  In this instance, we are discussing only the trespass of an unbeliever and not another Christian.  Scripture does require a Christian to take very specific steps within the church when a believer has trespassed against another believer.

Sometimes a Christian must expose the wrong doing for the right reason so that evil behavior or illegal trespasses do not continue to harm society.  Even a vendor who has harmed a consumer may need to be exposed.  Where a heinous crime has taken place, law enforcement and the courts will take over the case and minister justice as deemed appropriate. “For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended.  For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good.  But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason.  They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. (Rom 13:3-4)  This holds true for both believers and non-believers assuming a viable injustice has taken place and the courts are not perverted.  Exposing the wrong doer is not necessarily an act of vengeance or a lack of forgiveness.  In many ways, it’s a moral obligation that is being exercised by a Christian.  But whenever a legal course is pursued by a Christian it is imperative to remember Jesus’ words “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” (Luke 23:34)

There are times when we must restrain evil by speaking out against it and take the appropriate course of action while continually walking in forgiveness towards the offender.  Typically the Christian who pursues this course of action against an unbeliever never enjoys the process as it remains a last resort where all other reconciliatory efforts have failed.  In fact, depending on the degree of trespass, a legal action may be the perfect “wake-up” call for the unbelieving trespasser not to repeat the offense again.

The prayer of salvation embraced with forgiveness should be on the lips of every Christian pursuing a legal action or exposing wrongdoing according to God’s direction.  For the most part, this segment focuses on the everyday non-specific incidents of not forgiving another person.  Nor does it matter if the trespasser is another Christian or an unbeliever; the result should always be forgiveness.  So why might forgiveness be important before receiving a healing?  Unforgiveness is a stream of water containing poison.  In the spiritual realm, the more you drink of it the sicklier you become.  It will wreak systemic havoc on both your mind and body.  From the seed of unforgiveness will spring forth a root of bitterness.  At some point in time, you will have to come to the valley of decision to determine if you will forgive a person for something that was said about you, done to you or taken away from you.  Once forgiven, you are allowed to establish common sense boundaries in dealing with the offender since his aberrant behavior might strike again.  These boundaries should be established in wisdom by the Holy Spirit and remain transparent to the offender.

Everyone, at some point, will experience an offense.  Your Heavenly Father knows that a deep seated wound struck by a friend or someone you trusted may take time more to heal. Nevertheless, every tiny step taken should point in the direction of complete forgiveness.  If forgiveness seems impossible then simply confess the matter to God and allow the Holy Spirit to heal your heart.  Scripture makes it very clear that we must forgive and continue forgiving those who have offended us. “Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him?  Up to seven times?  Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.” (Matthew 18:20-21)

It takes only one incident of unforgiveness to birth a root of bitterness in a person’s heart.  In such cases, the woundedness is typically a deep trauma.  The root of bitterness if not removed will forge a demonic stronghold which conditions a person’s mind over time to respond to circumstances and people in specific and dysfunctional ways.  At this stage, the individual’s heart and mind are being redirected away from the path of righteousness.  A bodily healing may be difficult to experience since this bitterness has taken the forefront.  Eventually it can cause physical illness and prevent desired healings from taking place.  A deep seated emotional healing must often times precede a physical healing.

Let’s look at a biblical character who experienced a root of bitterness and allowed it to control her daily countenance.  Her name was Noami.  “Now it came to pass, in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem, Judah, went to dwell in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons.  The name of the man was Elimelech, the name of his wife was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion—Ephrathites of Bethlehem, Judah.  And they went to the country of Moab and remained there.”  Then Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died; and she was left with her two sons.  Now they took wives of the women of Moab: the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth.  They dwelt there about ten years.  Then both Mahlon and Chilion also died; so the woman survived her two sons and her husband. “Then she arose with her daughters-in-law that she might return from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the country of Moab that the LORD had visited His people by giving them bread.” (Ruth 1:1-6)  By the sixth line, we discover three widows.  Naomi had lost her husband and both her sons.  Her two daughter-in-laws were also widows.  One death after another occurred during their residency in Moab so Naomi decided to return to her homeland.

In ancient Israel it was especially difficult for a widow.  Naomi’s situation was most dire because she had no land inheritance and no sons to intervene on her behalf or to help support her.  She was living on the edge of marginal existence.  Naomi realized that returning to Bethlehem was her only hope.  She returned to Bethlehem with Ruth, her daughter-in-law.  Upon her return the local townspeople were pleasantly surprised to see her.  “When they had come to Bethlehem, that all the city was excited because of them; and the women said, “Is this Naomi?” (Ruth 1:19)  Naomi, in her bitterness, said, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me.”  In Hebrew “Mara” is translated as “bitter”.  We can clearly see Naomi’s root of bitterness in action. Circumstances simply didn’t work out the way she wanted so she struck back at God. “I went out full, and the LORD has brought me home again empty.  Why do you call me Naomi, since the LORD has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?”

In this situation, Naomi wasn’t angry at a particular person.  She was angry at God.  Naomi states that she went out full and came back empty but it’s quite evident that she went out empty and came back empty.  Why would any Israelite leave their beloved nation if they were already full?  Why would an Israelite relocate to a pagan nation unless the grass appeared a bit greener there?  We are told that there was a famine in Bethlehem at the time of her family’s departure.  People with a root of bitterness will mix the facts while running full circle blaming God for everything instead of taking responsibility for their own poor decisions.  Other families survived the famine in Bethlehem.  It’s quite possible that God never wanted Elimelech to leave Bethlehem.  Perhaps God always desired to show this family His majestic willingness to supply all their needs during the famine in Bethlehem. We are told in Psalm 23:5 that God can furnish a table in the wilderness.

People with a root of bitterness will always blame someone else for everything that goes wrong in their life.  God is often on the top of the “blame list”. As painful as it might seem, it’s always best for a believers to re-examine what could have been done differently rather than blame God.  If a root of bitterness is allowed to fester, it will impact a believer’s relationship with his spouse, co-workers and friends.  This festering will legally open the door to demonic influences as well.  It’s a personal choice to confess this sin to God and to ask for His divine intervention.  When forgiveness seems impossible simply ask Jesus to be your forgiveness while knowing “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Phi 4:13)  A believer must die-to-self so that Christ can live in and through the believer to see a godly transformation. Back To Top

Jesus’ Standard of Forgiveness:

We must use the high standards established by Jesus when forgiving another person.  He suffered much and He forgave much. “For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” (Matthew 26:28)  Remission means “forgiveness”.  In order for our sins to be forgiven, Christ Jesus had to shed His innocent and Holy Blood on the Cross.  Our sins were nailed to the Cross with Christ.  Justice had to be serviced.  Our sins had to be punished and Father God had to be legally satisfied.  This forgiveness is not deserved.  It is priceless and cannot be measured.  Jesus’s finished work at Calvary reconciled us to Our Heavenly Father. “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom 5:8)

Therefore, we are commanded to forgive those who come against us.  Perhaps they don’t deserve our forgiveness but God demands that we forgive them nonetheless. “Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.” (Eph 5:1)  There are consequences for not forgiving. “But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Mat 6:15)  Our relationship with Our Heavenly Father needs to remain in good standing.  We must pursue a clean heart on a daily basis.  Otherwise we risk not getting our prayers answered by God which may very well affect a desired healing. Back To Top

Sin Preventing Healing

We all struggle with sin but overt and persistent sin can be a stumbling block to healing.  Christians are warned about sexual immorality.  “Flee sexual immorality.  Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.” (I Cor 6:18)  This sin can be a hindrance to healing.  It is important to self-judge oneself from any and all types of sin.  Other sins such as chronic cheating, stealing, sexual immoralities, homosexuality, adultery, anger, vindictiveness, pettiness, backbiting, bearing false witness, pornography, jealousy, various deceptions and many other sins can prevent a healing. Back To Top

Compromise:

CompromiseWhen Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?” (John 5:6)  Surprisingly there are people who really don’t want to be healed.  There are other Christians who simply compromise the opportunity to be healed.

Many years ago I had an opportunity to chat with a young man at work who was a co-worker.  He was in his early twenties.  He was a fairly new born-again believer who desired to return to college.  He didn’t however, have the money for his education.  He also suffered miserably from panic attacks.  I always believed that his panic attacks were associated with the trauma he experienced in his childhood years.  To say the least, he experienced a very challenging childhood which continued through his teen years and into his twenties.  He told me that his panic attacks might be classified as a disability by some of the universities and colleges he was applying to.  This handicap would result in him receiving special grant money to help pay for his tuition.  Yet, he still wanted to be healed of the panic attacks because his condition interfered with his ability to work and to have a normal life.

I told him that he would not be healed of the panic attacks so long as he viewed his illness as a way to make money.  Shortly thereafter I relocated to a different area and remained unaware of his decision.  I am convinced of one thing though.  You cannot have one foot in the world’s camp and another foot in Jesus’ camp and think you will receive a healing.  In itself, this idea is a house divided against itself and will reap nothing.  The God that heals is the same God that supplies our needs despite the circumstances.  Both the healing and the tuition were available to this young man but it would take a stronger faith walk to please God and to honor only Christ Jesus.

I met a Christian woman who really didn’t want to be healed because she was waiting for the release of settlement money caused by an injury.  It’s quite possible she deserved the money but she certainly didn’t want to be healed before the money was deposited in the bank.  Nor did she talk as if she desired a healing once the money was deposited.  She simply stated that she would learn to endure the pain.  Separately, Christians who receive disability checks must walk in faith for both the healing as well as God’s provision to meet their financial needs.  Many disabled individuals have been out of work for long periods of time.  You can’t receive a disability check if you’ve been healed of the disability.  God would never miraculously heal someone only to have them sit in poverty afterwards.  God has both a plan and future for each of us if we are willing to receive from Him.

There are yet others who may not want to be healed because they believe their illness is an honorable badge of courage.  They view their plight as a model of perseverance which others can emulate.  This may actually be true up to a point but most Christians would prefer being encouraged by another person’s miraculous healing.  Lastly, some people receive sympathy and attention because of their illness.  Christians need to be careful that they don’t associate with a disease in the same way a victim who has Stockholm syndrome associates with his or her captor.  Our identity is only in Christ Jesus.  Disease is not your friend.  It can keep you in bondage. Back To Top

Not Understanding Our Identity and Authority in Christ Jesus

Many Christians do not understand the authority they have been given in Christ Jesus.  In Matthew 28:18 we read, “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.”  Although the born-again believer has been given great authority in Christ Jesus – most do not understand the nature or purpose of this authority.  Separately, one’s authority in Christ Jesus will never be understood unless the believer is under the authority of Christ Jesus as well.

In Mark 13:34 Christ Jesus explains that His servants are given authority by Him. “It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch.”  In scriptural terms, Christ Jesus ascended to His Father.  His house is considered the church of which He is the spiritual Head.  His servants or born-again believers have been given authority over His church household.  We are to carry out the work He has specifically given each one of us to finish.  There’s a special authority that was reclaimed by Christ Jesus on our behalf and given to us for strong use and purpose.  When we exercise faith, this special authority is accessed and can come to a bountiful fruition of good works.

Christ Jesus was also named the second Adam or final Adam because He reclaimed all the authority that was lost to Satan by Adam’s disobedience in the Garden.  “The first man Adam became a living being.  The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.” (I Cor. 15:45)  Christ Jesus secured this dominion or authority when He went to the Cross at Calvary.  When we believe in Him as our Personal Savior and Redeemer – this same power is given into our hands for good works.  Although there will always be battles against the demonic host during this church era, we have the authority in Christ to conquer evil according to whatever Our Heavenly Father has foreordained for our lives. Back To Top

So let’s take a look at those specific areas of authority:

Sitting in Heavenly Places

Sitting in Heavenly Places“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,” (Eph 2:4-6)  The action verb “made us” is past tense therefore it has already happened.  God has already “made us” sit together in heavenly places.  It’s important to note that the pronoun is “us” not just me and not just you.  Corporately speaking it is the entire Body of Christ that sits together in heavenly places.

Some scholars believe this scripture to mean that when believers are baptized into Christ they occupy an exalted position during their sanctified life for God.  Although this may be true, I believe it actually means that believers currently and corporately sit in heavenly places together in Christ Jesus.  It’s not “with Him” but “in Him”.  To better understand this scripture we must first look at other scriptures for confirmation.  Let’s first look at the purpose and meaning of “together”.  When we receive Christ Jesus as our Personal Savior, we receive the indwelling Holy Spirit and our body becomes His Temple.  In 1st Cor 12:13 we learn that we are also baptized by the Holy Spirit into the Body of Christ.  Thereafter we join or become a member of the church aka the “ekklesia”. “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.”  On the Day of Pentecost, Christ Jesus’ prayer to Our Heavenly Father spoken in John 17:21 became true and remains true to this day.  “That they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.”  Here again we are assured of our oneness with One God, (Three Persons of One Godhead). Christ is one with the Father.  The Father is one in Christ.  We are one in Christ Jesus.  We have the indwelling Holy Spirit.  As members of the Body of Christ we are of one accord in the Trinity because we are already One in Christ.  Now let’s return to the matter of “sitting together in heavenly places”.

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In Galatians 2:20 the individual believer has been crucified with Christ, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”  If “I” (the old man of sin) has already been crucified with Christ (the Conqueror of my sins) and He lives in me by way of the Holy Spirit then I can comfortably know that wherever He is – I must be there with Him.  If I have the indwelling Holy Spirit then I can comfortably know that wherever I am on earth – He must be there with me.  We begin to experience less of the sinful man and more of the Righteous One in our daily life.  In Romans 6:4-8 this doctrine is further clarified. “Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.  For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christcertainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.  For he who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him.”

Since Christ resides in the Throne Room and sits at the Right Hand of God Almighty – we too have been granted joint-heirs with Him.  Most Christians simply don’t understand the priceless power-of-attorney that God has invested in us here on earth. Our Heavenly Father has blessed us in Christ Jesus.  His Throne Room is in Heaven.  Our blessings are stationed in Him as He resides in heavenly places.  “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, (Ephesians 1:3)  Here are additional scripture confirming our identity in Christ Jesus. (Rom. 8:17, Gal. 2:20, Col. 2:12, Col. 2:12-13, Col. 3:1, Col. 3:3, Col. 3:4, 1 Thess. 5:10, 2 Tim. 2:11, 2 Tim. 2:12)

In Christ Jesus we have been given authority over the demonic host. “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. “And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; “they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” (Mark 16:18)  No sooner did Jesus speak these words the following occurred. “So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.  And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs.” (Mark 16:19-20)  Therefore we can know that it is Christ’s power working in and through us.  We should also take authority over disease and demonic spirits.  Jesus has given us the same command found in Mark 16:18 and we should follow it without exception.  Back To Top

Your Appointed Time to Go Home:

Your Appointed Time to Go HomeThere is also an appointed time for Christians to go home to be with the Lord.  Even Lazarus, who was restored by our Lord, eventually died.  Unless we experience the rapture, we will also eventually die.  Only our Lord knows the appointed time for each of us.  It has been noted, however, that in undeveloped nations where the gospel is preached there have been testimonies where the dead have been raised.

Let’s remember that not everyone goes to heaven.  Christ Jesus made it perfectly clear that you must be “born-again”. Some denominations call this life “living under God’s grace”.  Yet no matter what the length of our days, our lives should be a living sacrifice unto the Lord on a daily basis.  This is our reasonable service to Christ Jesus who suffered an agonizing death on the Cross so that we might not perish into eternity.  While on earth each of us should persevere towards our high calling in Christ until the day that our Lord calls us home. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” (Rom 12:1)

On a daily basis we should humbly turn everything over to God, including our bodies which is His temple and where His Spirit indwells us.  Indeed this is our greatest protection from disease.  When, however, it is our time to meet the Lord, we can rejoice by saying “So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”   Back To Top

 

 

 

 

 

 

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