Matthew 9:20-22 - "Take heart, daughter," He said, "your faith has healed you."
Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. She said to herself, "If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed." Jesus turned and saw her. "Take heart, daughter," he said, "your faith has healed you." And the woman was healed from that moment.
For twelve years the woman in Matt. 9:20-22 had sought a cure for her condition. Perhaps worse than the drain on her physical strength and finances was the stigma of uncleanness. Jews considered women ritually unclean during menstruation, and whoever touched a menstruating woman was made unclean until evening. (Lev. 15:19-27). That meant exclusion from participating in the life and worship of the community.
Scripture is silent on the source of this woman's livelihood. Perhaps she lived off an inheritance, or perhaps she was divorced and her dowry had been returned to her. Whatever her means of support, it was gone. Jesus was her last hope. So she approached Him, breaking a rule that made it an unclean person's responsibility to keep away from others. In desperation, she reached out and touched Jesus. Jesus didn't withdraw. Rather He drew her to Him with the affectionate term "daughter" and sent her away in peace, healed at last.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Thursday, July 31, 2008
The Believing Business
Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. Mark 9:23 (KJV)
Get into the believing business. You have to get over into the believing business. When you get over into the believing business, then you will start having the manifestation of God's healing power.
In Luke, chapter 4, the people went by what they thought they knew. And by what they thought they saw to determine whether the power was present. Jesus was requiring them to believe that the power was present without the aid of a miracle.
The healing power of God does not show up because of certain people (personalities). Jesus was requiring them to believe what He said before anything else. They said, show us a miracle and we will believe you. He wouldn't do it. He is still that way today. He has not changed. Somebody says, well, you know, if I ever saw a blind eye opened then I would have great faith. Faith does not come by seeing. Faith comes by hearing. When I was overseas, I saw whole lines of blind eyes opened. Some of the people were blind from birth. But there were still blind people in the same line doubting. Faith does not come by seeing. Faith comes by hearing. The children of Israel saw the miracles and still doubted God in the desert. So you need to hear the Word.
I want you to take some time to lift your hands to the Lord. Lift your voice up to the Lord and say, thank you Lord the healing power of God is available wherever I go. It is available for me. And in Jesus' name I tap into it, anytime I want to. By faith I know Jesus is my Healer. I know healing is provided for me. And I know it's mine, right now, from the crown of my head to the very soles of my feet, in Jesus' name. Now, thank Him for it in faith.
Scripture References: Luke 4, Mark 9:17-27; Romans 10:17
Get into the believing business. You have to get over into the believing business. When you get over into the believing business, then you will start having the manifestation of God's healing power.
In Luke, chapter 4, the people went by what they thought they knew. And by what they thought they saw to determine whether the power was present. Jesus was requiring them to believe that the power was present without the aid of a miracle.
The healing power of God does not show up because of certain people (personalities). Jesus was requiring them to believe what He said before anything else. They said, show us a miracle and we will believe you. He wouldn't do it. He is still that way today. He has not changed. Somebody says, well, you know, if I ever saw a blind eye opened then I would have great faith. Faith does not come by seeing. Faith comes by hearing. When I was overseas, I saw whole lines of blind eyes opened. Some of the people were blind from birth. But there were still blind people in the same line doubting. Faith does not come by seeing. Faith comes by hearing. The children of Israel saw the miracles and still doubted God in the desert. So you need to hear the Word.
I want you to take some time to lift your hands to the Lord. Lift your voice up to the Lord and say, thank you Lord the healing power of God is available wherever I go. It is available for me. And in Jesus' name I tap into it, anytime I want to. By faith I know Jesus is my Healer. I know healing is provided for me. And I know it's mine, right now, from the crown of my head to the very soles of my feet, in Jesus' name. Now, thank Him for it in faith.
Scripture References: Luke 4, Mark 9:17-27; Romans 10:17
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Time For A Spiritual Check-up
"I am praying...your body is as healthy as...your soul." 3 John 2 TLB
We all know how important physical health is; here's a plan for keeping your soul in shape:
(a) Don't question your faith, question your doubts. We spend too much time dwelling on our misgivings, experiencing faith as an occasional flash-in-the-pan. God's promises are for 'believers.'
(b) Don't be a 'lone ranger.' It's no accident that the Old Testament contains the story of God's people, and that the Epistles were written to congregations. We grow as we relate - not isolate!
(c) Guard your thought life. If your "thinking is controlled by the sinful self, there is death. But if [it's] controlled by the Spirit, there is life and peace" (Ro 8:6 NCV). Practice mind management!
(d) Fall asleep and wake up immersed in gratitude. It'll transform your day. "In every thing give thanks!" (1Th 5:18).
(e) Ditch anything that distracts you from God. Toss the junk reading material, and if you've got the guts, throw in the TV!
(f) Always err on the side of mercy. Philip Yancey writes: "I marvel at the humility of a God who descends to live inside...his 'flawed' creatures...Do I show that same attitude towards people of whom I disapprove?"
(g) Be specific and don't revert to generalities when discussing your faith. Paul wasn't "ashamed of the Gospel" (Ro 1:16); neither should you be.
(h) Be gracious to the people who irk you. God chose them too! Sometimes it's easier to be gracious to non-believers than to uptight, moralistic Christians. But that just makes you a different kind of judgmental.
(i) Forgive those who've hurt you. Harboring hatred hinders healing, so bring your hurts to God.
We all know how important physical health is; here's a plan for keeping your soul in shape:
(a) Don't question your faith, question your doubts. We spend too much time dwelling on our misgivings, experiencing faith as an occasional flash-in-the-pan. God's promises are for 'believers.'
(b) Don't be a 'lone ranger.' It's no accident that the Old Testament contains the story of God's people, and that the Epistles were written to congregations. We grow as we relate - not isolate!
(c) Guard your thought life. If your "thinking is controlled by the sinful self, there is death. But if [it's] controlled by the Spirit, there is life and peace" (Ro 8:6 NCV). Practice mind management!
(d) Fall asleep and wake up immersed in gratitude. It'll transform your day. "In every thing give thanks!" (1Th 5:18).
(e) Ditch anything that distracts you from God. Toss the junk reading material, and if you've got the guts, throw in the TV!
(f) Always err on the side of mercy. Philip Yancey writes: "I marvel at the humility of a God who descends to live inside...his 'flawed' creatures...Do I show that same attitude towards people of whom I disapprove?"
(g) Be specific and don't revert to generalities when discussing your faith. Paul wasn't "ashamed of the Gospel" (Ro 1:16); neither should you be.
(h) Be gracious to the people who irk you. God chose them too! Sometimes it's easier to be gracious to non-believers than to uptight, moralistic Christians. But that just makes you a different kind of judgmental.
(i) Forgive those who've hurt you. Harboring hatred hinders healing, so bring your hurts to God.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Is healing for all
There are seven scriptural methods whereby you can receive your healing. I believe the prayer of faith is the highest form of prayer to receive healing.
In Mark 11:24 Jesus said,
Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.
Well, is Jesus a liar or does He tell the truth? He tells the truth! He says, "whatever things you ask...." Wouldn't that have to include healing? Yes, it does.
Therefore, it must be God's will to heal. Otherwise He could not make that kind of bold declaration. "Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray"-not after you pray, not a month later, not when you see something, not when you understand it, but "when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them."
If you believe you receive them you will confess that, "Bless the Lord-I believe I am healed, I believe I have received my healing." Now, once you make a faith confession you are going to get opposite from the enemy. His motive is to move you off your faith confession.
Someone might say, "Yes, but you don't look like you are healed." I didn't say, "I look like I'm healed," I said, "I believe that I received my healing."
"Yes, but how do you feel?"
"Bless God, I am not going by how I feel-I am going by what I believe-and I believe I am healed, in Jesus' Name."
"Yes, but that doesn't make sense."
"That's right; it is not sense, it's faith."
"Yes, but that's illogical."
"You're right again; it's not logic, it's faith."
"Yes, but I just don't understand that."
"I don't understand how it works either, but I believe it is true because God said it in His Word."
Listen friend, I don't understand how television works, but I believe if I turn it on, I can watch a movie. The fact that I don't understand how it works does not stop me from enjoying the benefits of watching my favorite TV programs in living color.
I don't understand how a gasoline engine works. I don't understand how it works inside without blowing up the whole thing. Instead of blowing up it pushes a piston down that drives a crank-shaft that turns a drive-shaft to the rear wheels that turns the wheels when you put it in gear that moves the car forward. I don't understand it, but I could care less-all I want to know is that when I turn that thing on and put it in gear, it is going and that is all that I'm concerned about. How about you?
I don't know how an airplane stays up in the sky, as big as a 747 is-that thing is gigantic. How does it stay up in the air? The good news is that I don't have to understand it to get on the plane and fly from Los Angeles to Hawaii or somewhere else. All I have to do is believe the plane can fly me there, get on board and go. After all, that is what you want anyway-the results-right?
Praise God! You don't have to do any more than believe that you receive your healing based on the Word of God and you shall have it!
Is healing for all? I believe that it is so. I believe that I can walk in divine health all the days of my life. I believe and confess that I will never be sick and I'm not being presumptuous. The Bible says in Psalm 91:1, "He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty."
I believe I'm right in there under His right wing-right up under that wing. God Himself said in verse 10, "...No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling." Whose dwelling place is God talking about? My dwelling place because I am under His shadow of protection.
What is a plague? Isn't that sickness and disease? God said, ""...No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling." Well, I guess God lied. No, He is not a man that He should lie. He went on to say, in verse 16, "With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation." Praise God! Healing is for all.
Oh, that's not to say I'm not attacked. I'm attacked. The devil just sits like a blood hound-every morning I wake up he's sitting right on the foot of the bed. Sometimes he throws that dart the right way, but it doesn't stop me and it won't stop me because I'm being "strong in the Lord and in the power of His might."
In Mark 11:24 Jesus said,
Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.
Well, is Jesus a liar or does He tell the truth? He tells the truth! He says, "whatever things you ask...." Wouldn't that have to include healing? Yes, it does.
Therefore, it must be God's will to heal. Otherwise He could not make that kind of bold declaration. "Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray"-not after you pray, not a month later, not when you see something, not when you understand it, but "when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them."
If you believe you receive them you will confess that, "Bless the Lord-I believe I am healed, I believe I have received my healing." Now, once you make a faith confession you are going to get opposite from the enemy. His motive is to move you off your faith confession.
Someone might say, "Yes, but you don't look like you are healed." I didn't say, "I look like I'm healed," I said, "I believe that I received my healing."
"Yes, but how do you feel?"
"Bless God, I am not going by how I feel-I am going by what I believe-and I believe I am healed, in Jesus' Name."
"Yes, but that doesn't make sense."
"That's right; it is not sense, it's faith."
"Yes, but that's illogical."
"You're right again; it's not logic, it's faith."
"Yes, but I just don't understand that."
"I don't understand how it works either, but I believe it is true because God said it in His Word."
Listen friend, I don't understand how television works, but I believe if I turn it on, I can watch a movie. The fact that I don't understand how it works does not stop me from enjoying the benefits of watching my favorite TV programs in living color.
I don't understand how a gasoline engine works. I don't understand how it works inside without blowing up the whole thing. Instead of blowing up it pushes a piston down that drives a crank-shaft that turns a drive-shaft to the rear wheels that turns the wheels when you put it in gear that moves the car forward. I don't understand it, but I could care less-all I want to know is that when I turn that thing on and put it in gear, it is going and that is all that I'm concerned about. How about you?
I don't know how an airplane stays up in the sky, as big as a 747 is-that thing is gigantic. How does it stay up in the air? The good news is that I don't have to understand it to get on the plane and fly from Los Angeles to Hawaii or somewhere else. All I have to do is believe the plane can fly me there, get on board and go. After all, that is what you want anyway-the results-right?
Praise God! You don't have to do any more than believe that you receive your healing based on the Word of God and you shall have it!
Is healing for all? I believe that it is so. I believe that I can walk in divine health all the days of my life. I believe and confess that I will never be sick and I'm not being presumptuous. The Bible says in Psalm 91:1, "He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty."
I believe I'm right in there under His right wing-right up under that wing. God Himself said in verse 10, "...No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling." Whose dwelling place is God talking about? My dwelling place because I am under His shadow of protection.
What is a plague? Isn't that sickness and disease? God said, ""...No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling." Well, I guess God lied. No, He is not a man that He should lie. He went on to say, in verse 16, "With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation." Praise God! Healing is for all.
Oh, that's not to say I'm not attacked. I'm attacked. The devil just sits like a blood hound-every morning I wake up he's sitting right on the foot of the bed. Sometimes he throws that dart the right way, but it doesn't stop me and it won't stop me because I'm being "strong in the Lord and in the power of His might."
Saturday, July 26, 2008
LORD I am sorry
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Psalms 51:17 (KJV)
Un-repented sin can lead to a stronghold. You see first of all I need to be sorry for my sin, not because I got caught in it. I want to be sorry for my sin because I displeased God.
I want to be sorry for my sin because I transgressed against the God that has done so much for me. I don't want to act like I'm sorry because you caught me or because you read my phone bill and my phone bill was not right. I don't want to be sorry because someone exposed me. I don't want to be sorry because someone got pregnant out of wedlock. I don't want to be sorry because you caught me in the Lotto line. I want to be sorry because I'm sorry.
And until we have confessed our sin before a Holy God, all our sin - everything that displeases Him, we walk around with unforgiven sin and we build strongholds up in our lives.
Join me in prayer--
Lord,
I ask forgiveness for my sin. I am truly sorry that I have sinned against you and you only. I confess all of my sin, those done consciously and unconsciously and I am truly sorry that I have transgressed against you. Wash me pure with the blood of the Lamb. Create in me a new heart and renew a right spirit within me that I may worship you in spirit and in truth and leave a sanctified life before you.
In Jesus' Name... amen.
Un-repented sin can lead to a stronghold. You see first of all I need to be sorry for my sin, not because I got caught in it. I want to be sorry for my sin because I displeased God.
I want to be sorry for my sin because I transgressed against the God that has done so much for me. I don't want to act like I'm sorry because you caught me or because you read my phone bill and my phone bill was not right. I don't want to be sorry because someone exposed me. I don't want to be sorry because someone got pregnant out of wedlock. I don't want to be sorry because you caught me in the Lotto line. I want to be sorry because I'm sorry.
And until we have confessed our sin before a Holy God, all our sin - everything that displeases Him, we walk around with unforgiven sin and we build strongholds up in our lives.
Join me in prayer--
Lord,
I ask forgiveness for my sin. I am truly sorry that I have sinned against you and you only. I confess all of my sin, those done consciously and unconsciously and I am truly sorry that I have transgressed against you. Wash me pure with the blood of the Lamb. Create in me a new heart and renew a right spirit within me that I may worship you in spirit and in truth and leave a sanctified life before you.
In Jesus' Name... amen.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Bring It To Me
"A man came up to Jesus, falling on his knees before Him and saying, 'Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is a lunatic and is very ill; ... I brought him to Your disciples, and they could not cure him. ' And Jesus answered and said ... 'Bring him here to Me" (Matthew 17:14-17).
In life there are problems that I call "God problems." These are not problems with God, but problems only God can handle. God problems are those that cannot be fixed with your checkbook, education or influence. These problems are outside of the control of human beings and lie squarely within God's sovereign jurisdiction. They stop us in our tracks and cause us to soberly assess our associations and situation in life. They bring us face to face with our insufficiency and our need for God's sufficiency. When we face a God problem we discover what is really important in life. These problems are not designed to stop us from making progress in life, but to reveal our dependency on God. They are opportunities for us to seek and grow closer to Him. God wants to reveal something to you. He wants you to spend some time with Him, growing in your knowledge and relationship with Him, and your problem may be the vehicle He is using to do it.
Throughout the gospels people sought Jesus to do what no one else could do. In Matthew 17:14-1 7, a father had a problem that no one else had an answer for. His son was demon-possessed and no one was able to help him, including the disciples. Finally, he encountered the One who had held the key to his son's deliverance - Jesus. Jesus, looking at this seemingly impossible and long term situation, told the father to, "Bring him to Me". Jesus did in a moment what his father had been trying to do for years. Likewise, the disciples faced a seemingly impossible task of feeding a multitude with a boy's lunch. The boy only had two fish and five loaves of bread, but there were over 5000 people to feed. After taking inventory of the situation, Jesus told the disciples to, "Bring them here to me." As the fish and loaves passed through the hands of Jesus, their insufficiency was transformed into sufficiency.
You may be presently dealing with something that is outside of your control. You've done everything within your power to change the situation and have almost given up hope because nothing has changed. Before you give up, make sure that you've truly brought your problem to God and not trusted people for your solution. Like the boy's father who brought his son to the disciples - they couldn't help him. He needed God alone! Too often, God is the last stop in our search for help. You don't have to lose everything before you seek Him. God is not intimidated by what you are dealing with. Stop trying to fix it on your own. If you could fix it, it would be fixed by now. This is a "God Problem", or a "problem for God". Don't mistake your trusting people with trusting God. When God showed up, deliverance quickly followed.
The devil will do everything he can to keep you from spending time with God and discovering His sufficiency. He will put people in your way and keep you so busy and tired, that instead of things getting better, they get worse. I want to challenge you. Set aside some time in the morning, evening, (or if things are so hectic) on your lunch break or when you are lying in bed and get into God's presence undistracted. Take a deep breadth and focus on God's promises. In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus promised, "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, .... 'For My yoke is easy and My burden is light'." God's offer still stands! Whatever it is- "bring it to Me!"
In life there are problems that I call "God problems." These are not problems with God, but problems only God can handle. God problems are those that cannot be fixed with your checkbook, education or influence. These problems are outside of the control of human beings and lie squarely within God's sovereign jurisdiction. They stop us in our tracks and cause us to soberly assess our associations and situation in life. They bring us face to face with our insufficiency and our need for God's sufficiency. When we face a God problem we discover what is really important in life. These problems are not designed to stop us from making progress in life, but to reveal our dependency on God. They are opportunities for us to seek and grow closer to Him. God wants to reveal something to you. He wants you to spend some time with Him, growing in your knowledge and relationship with Him, and your problem may be the vehicle He is using to do it.
Throughout the gospels people sought Jesus to do what no one else could do. In Matthew 17:14-1 7, a father had a problem that no one else had an answer for. His son was demon-possessed and no one was able to help him, including the disciples. Finally, he encountered the One who had held the key to his son's deliverance - Jesus. Jesus, looking at this seemingly impossible and long term situation, told the father to, "Bring him to Me". Jesus did in a moment what his father had been trying to do for years. Likewise, the disciples faced a seemingly impossible task of feeding a multitude with a boy's lunch. The boy only had two fish and five loaves of bread, but there were over 5000 people to feed. After taking inventory of the situation, Jesus told the disciples to, "Bring them here to me." As the fish and loaves passed through the hands of Jesus, their insufficiency was transformed into sufficiency.
You may be presently dealing with something that is outside of your control. You've done everything within your power to change the situation and have almost given up hope because nothing has changed. Before you give up, make sure that you've truly brought your problem to God and not trusted people for your solution. Like the boy's father who brought his son to the disciples - they couldn't help him. He needed God alone! Too often, God is the last stop in our search for help. You don't have to lose everything before you seek Him. God is not intimidated by what you are dealing with. Stop trying to fix it on your own. If you could fix it, it would be fixed by now. This is a "God Problem", or a "problem for God". Don't mistake your trusting people with trusting God. When God showed up, deliverance quickly followed.
The devil will do everything he can to keep you from spending time with God and discovering His sufficiency. He will put people in your way and keep you so busy and tired, that instead of things getting better, they get worse. I want to challenge you. Set aside some time in the morning, evening, (or if things are so hectic) on your lunch break or when you are lying in bed and get into God's presence undistracted. Take a deep breadth and focus on God's promises. In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus promised, "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, .... 'For My yoke is easy and My burden is light'." God's offer still stands! Whatever it is- "bring it to Me!"
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Getting Your Own Revelation of El Shaddai
Philippians 3:10 - That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; (KJV)
It is vital for every believer to have a personal revelation of God as El Shaddai, our God who will change the course of nature for us if necessary.
Just because you heard about El Shaddai does not mean you "got" it or understood it. Anybody can shout in church with hundreds or even thousands of people standing around them. It is when you get up in front of an obstacle and you can not see your way around it that you need to be able to shout because you have a personal revelation of God as El Shaddai.
Natural law could tell you, "No way!" It is then that you have to have revelation (not that Bishop Butler or that your pastor has) that God is El Shaddai. You have to have the revelation for yourself. And you get that revelation only by getting in the Word and getting to know Him deeper and more intimately.
Remember that Paul said, "That I might know Him." You have to have the attitude, I am going to stay before Him so I can see for myself.
The Book of Revelation talks about angels that fly around and around the throne of God and worship Him. That is why they get to see more sides of God. They stay before Him, around the throne of God.
You have to stay around the throne so you can see more sides of God. If you do not stay around the throne, and you are down at Joe's Bar, you are not going to get a revelation of God. You are going to get a revelation of Joe! If you hang around the phone gossiping with Sally Sue, you are not going to get a revelation of God. You are going to get a revelation of Bad News Sally.
If you want a revelation of God, you are going to have to hang around the throne. How do you hang around the throne? With praise and worship unto God... with glorifying His Name... with praying in the Holy Ghost and with meditating the Word.
Let me tell you what will happen. You will read the Word, and say, "Holy!" You will read something else and say, "Holy!" You will praise God, and you will say, "Holy is the Lord!" And you will see a new facet of God as you have never seen it - as you continue to build on your foundation and not let it slip.
Scripture References: Revelation 4:8; Hebrews 2:1; 2 Peter 1:19
It is vital for every believer to have a personal revelation of God as El Shaddai, our God who will change the course of nature for us if necessary.
Just because you heard about El Shaddai does not mean you "got" it or understood it. Anybody can shout in church with hundreds or even thousands of people standing around them. It is when you get up in front of an obstacle and you can not see your way around it that you need to be able to shout because you have a personal revelation of God as El Shaddai.
Natural law could tell you, "No way!" It is then that you have to have revelation (not that Bishop Butler or that your pastor has) that God is El Shaddai. You have to have the revelation for yourself. And you get that revelation only by getting in the Word and getting to know Him deeper and more intimately.
Remember that Paul said, "That I might know Him." You have to have the attitude, I am going to stay before Him so I can see for myself.
The Book of Revelation talks about angels that fly around and around the throne of God and worship Him. That is why they get to see more sides of God. They stay before Him, around the throne of God.
You have to stay around the throne so you can see more sides of God. If you do not stay around the throne, and you are down at Joe's Bar, you are not going to get a revelation of God. You are going to get a revelation of Joe! If you hang around the phone gossiping with Sally Sue, you are not going to get a revelation of God. You are going to get a revelation of Bad News Sally.
If you want a revelation of God, you are going to have to hang around the throne. How do you hang around the throne? With praise and worship unto God... with glorifying His Name... with praying in the Holy Ghost and with meditating the Word.
Let me tell you what will happen. You will read the Word, and say, "Holy!" You will read something else and say, "Holy!" You will praise God, and you will say, "Holy is the Lord!" And you will see a new facet of God as you have never seen it - as you continue to build on your foundation and not let it slip.
Scripture References: Revelation 4:8; Hebrews 2:1; 2 Peter 1:19
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