amazing grace

2 Corinthians 9: 8-11 (The Message)
    God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you’re ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done. As one psalmist puts it,
   He throws caution to the winds,
      giving to the needy in reckless abandon.
   His right-living, right-giving ways
      never run out, never wear out.
   This most generous God who gives seed to the farmer that becomes bread for your meals is more than extravagant with you. He gives you something you can then give away, which grows into full-formed lives, robust in God, wealthy in every way, so that you can be generous in every way, producing with us great praise to God.

Jesus was preaching in a synagogue on the Sabbath when He saw a with a deformed hand. Luke 6:6–11

I wonder what my response to the man and his needs would have been?  I wonder if my faith is strong enough today to understand God’s willingness to heal and restore?

Jesus looked at the man and saw the supernatural grace of God around his deformed hand. He understood God’s power and His willingness well enough to ask for healing and wholeness. Jesus sees things differently than I do. He sees the invisible. He sees that the kingdom of God is here, now, ever-present in any and all situations, with supernatural love and unending supply. I see only the visible; the tangible, the temporal and what looks real to me.

But Jesus knew God’s supernatural, amazing grace was around the man and his deformed hand for healing and restoration. You don’t say to a man with a deformed hand, “Stretch out your hand,” unless you can see God’s supply, the supernatural abundance for wholeness surrounding him. Jesus spoke with authority, releasing God’s supernatural power and grace to envelop the man and his situation, and his hand was made whole.  Jesus changed a life in an instant and created a new convert for the Kingdom.

It is possible for a person who is sick and broken to have supernatural grace surrounding their situation and yet that amazing abundance of God’s grace does not heal their body. I believe so.  I think it happens because they keep acknowledging the tangible problem as they see it. They are more concerned with the visible and the temporal than with what God wants to do for them in the supernatural. Instead of thanking God for what He has done, acknowledging and confessing the superabundance of God’s grace, they continue to talk about their negative circumstance all the time. So, even though God’s supernatural, amazing grace is present, it is present in vain. That is soooo sad!

Jesus spoke to the dead, called forth life, and life sprang into visibility. There are times when it is necessary for us to speak about what we want to see instead of what we continue to see. Say, “Father, I thank You that right now, though my health is under attack, there is supernatural grace available for my healing and health. I accept your grace and love now and receive it in Jesus’ name. Amen!”

I believe the time has come for us, God’s children, to accept His power, love and grace in our own lives, allowing Him to supernaturally restore us were we are deformed and broken. Only in this way can we move out and share what He has done for us with others.

toad ja so

Here is a screen capture from the Fox News web site that triggers the “toad ja so” reflex in me.

When Fox News and members of the medical community are willing to go so far out on a limb as to credit “the Big Man Upstairs” with healing powers, we’ve gained some credibility in a hostile and skeptical world. 

I’ve been saying God is a concerned and healing God who sent his son to carry our sickness and bear our diseases for years.  And, His willingness to heal goes far beyond those individuals diagnosed with clinical depression… Jesus said, “The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.” Luke 7:22 NIV

Please take another look at the article above…in the first paragraph it comes right out and says, “notice their research showcasing “distinct brain differences” between believers and nonbelievers.” 

So…my question is, as always, what do you believe?  As for me and my house, we will believe the Word of God.

Jesus Heals the Sick

Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and he healed them. Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him. Matthew 4:23-25

They ran throughout that whole region and carried the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he went—into villages, towns or countryside—they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed. Mark 6:55-56

When the sun was setting, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them. Moreover, demons came out of many people, shouting, "You are the Son of God!" But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Christ. Luke 4:40-41

The Apostles Heal the Sick

If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. Acts 4:9-10

As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by evil spirits, and all of them were healed. Acts 5:15-16

When the crowds heard Philip and saw the miraculous signs he did, they all paid close attention to what he said. With shrieks, evil spirits came out of many, and many paralytics and cripples were healed. So there was great joy in that city. Acts 8:6-8

There was an estate nearby that belonged to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us to his home and for three days entertained us hospitably. His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him. When this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured. Acts 28:7-9

Jesus said believers will Heal the Sick…

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 16:17-18

what should I do?

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:16

Possibly one of the most difficult questions – for someone in crisis who wants to please God, because they desperately want something from God – is, “what should I do to get God’s attention?” 

The answer is really pretty simple.  Believe that God exists.  Believe that God sent Jesus to the cross to bring you personally into a relationship with his Heavenly Father. Believe that God is who he says he is, that God will do what he says he will do, and that you can have what God says you can have. 

Once you’ve decided for sure, I DO believe in God and I DO want to please Him, and you’ve told Him so in plain non-manipulative language, you can enter into a relationship with Him.  Once you’ve entered into a relationship (contract) with God, all His promises are yours for the asking.

Let’s break that down into the simplest form.  Let’s say you know of a major corporation that offers its employees fantastic benefits, amazing perks and a world class retirement package.  You’ve seen evidence of this in the lives of people you know who work for this corporation.  You think to yourself, “Everything they have, I could have, too; if I worked for their corporation.”  You know the CEO of the corporation has the final say in who gets hired, but you also know the chances of your meeting him face to face are pretty slim.  But you belong to the same social network as the CEO’s son. You have access to the son and you feel fairly certain getting to know him won’t be too difficult. So…whatcha gonna do?  Get the son to introduce you to his Dad, right? Then, once you’re introduced to Dad, the CEO, the BIG man… you’ll eventually work your way around to telling him who you are, what you want, what you need and if you’re a friend of his son, you stand a pretty good chance of getting what you want and need. We often begin our relationships with an eye toward what we will gain from them…it’s human nature to do so. 

Often we try to begin a relationship with God, from a point of crisis…crying out to Him to get his attention. We’ll try bargaining with Him so He’ll pay attention to us…”give me what I’m asking for and I’ll do thus and so for you.”  I gotta tell you honestly, that’s not the best way to approach the situation.  There’s a pretty good chance you aren’t gonna meet the BIG man face to face anytime soon.  And even if you could force yourself into His presence…God doesn’t need anything you can offer Him.  He created it all in the first place!

Ok…so there you are, and you’re still in a crisis and people are telling you about all the wonderful benefits of knowing God, and you can’t get past security to meet Him! 

Here’s the good news.  You belong to the same social network as His Son!  Get to know Jesus.  He’ll introduce you to His Father, and the Father will give you what you want, and what you need, and even more than you can ask or even think, just because you are friends with His Son.

So, let’s say you’ve hired on as a junior executive with THE corporation.  What’s next?  Well, it’s a pretty good bet you won’t be promoted to VP-in-charge-of-everything your first week on the job, right.  And even if, by some miracle you did land a really cushy job, there will still be a training period.  I mean, come on, we may think we know it all…but truthfully, most of us don’t.  That means we’ve got the job, and we’re going into the training period, and we’re gonna have to read the company manual.

Same goes for signing on with God. Before you can know what to expect you’re going to have to read the manual….it’s called the Bible. (An acronym for Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth). It’s in the pages of God’s Word that you’re going to find out God is who he says he is, God will do what he says he will do, and you can have what God says you can have. 

Following along with our analogy of reading the company manual…let’s just say what you’re really interested in learning about right now, is healing, and you don’t have time to read all 66 books of the manual cover to cover to find out what you want to know.  Common sense and years of schooling tell you, if you want to know about a particular subject, you go to the index, look up that subject and find out all you can about it. Right?  So…you rummage around in your space (on your desk, in your room, in the trunk of your car, whatever) and find that Bible somebody shoved into your hands awhile back, and check out the index (it’s usually in the back of the book). After you find the word you’re looking for, you do what you’ve always done when you were studying, you look up each reference, maybe make notes about it, memorize it, do whatever helps you remember the information so you can pass the test.  And believe me – there will be a test – there always is. And sometimes it’s a POP quiz.  Don’t you just hate those?

Now, when you get past the crisis – and with God on your side, you will – if you don’t pick up the company manual again until the next crisis your only alternative is to panic and start bargaining with the BIG man for your job all over again.  I gotta tell you here, if you’ll spend a little time reading the manual every day, checking out the subjects you need to know about as you think of them, your next job crisis is gonna be a whole lot easier to handle, because you’re gonna KNOW what God says you can have.

will God heal me?

Yet it was our grief he (Christ) bore. our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, for his own sins!  But he was wounded and bruised for our sins.  He was beaten that we might have peace; he was lashed – and we were healed!  We – every one of us – have strayed away like sheep! We, who left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet God laid on him (Christ) the guilt and sin of every one of us!                                

Isaiah 53:4-6 LB

Well…here’s the thing….everything we receive from God comes down to this: First we have to believe that He exists, and that He rewards those who seek him. Hebrews 11:6 We are told that without this belief (faith) it is impossible to please God. 

Now I know that when you’re 18 or 21 or even 25, you’re not particularly interested in what your parents and grand-parents think.  I remember what it’s like to flex your independence, make your own decisions, run your own life.  I remember how much interference and ‘suggestions’ from parents, grand-parents, older sibling…heck, most anybody who’s trying to tell you what to do and how to do it…can be received.  Why can’t they just leave me alone and let me live my life the way I want to?  But when a crisis of major proportions hits, we figure out pretty darn quick that pleasing those who can help us out is the smart thing to do.

Let’s take a son and his father for example.  The son is all grown up…running his life on the fast track…making his own decisions and doing pretty well.  Then something comes along that throws the whole deal into a crisis.  The father has been trying to stay out of his son’s business; keeping a low profile, watching from a distance.  But when the crisis comes down full force, the son, if he’s not totally stupid, suddenly wants his dad’s help badly and he’s not afraid to ask for it.  He has faith that dad will do what dad has always done – bail him out of the mess he’s made. I can pretty much guarantee you, from my own experience, any father who is called on for help in a crisis is going to reward that faith if he can. 

People who are raised in church are taught to think of God as a Father – true, a Heavenly Father but a father none the less. And we are told in the scripture “What father among you, if his son asks for a fish will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then who are (evil) human know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” Matthew 7:1-12 & Luke 11:9-13

OK…so if you make a mess of your life, or get sick – really sick, or smash up your new car, or lose your job, or whatever…whatcha gonna do?  Ask your father for help. Right?  I mean, come on…I was thirty-something and still looking to my parents for help.  Then I was given a better way to clean up the problems.  Ask God to help. 

“God, if you’re out there, somewhere…if you really do exist…HELP ME.  Heal me!”

Now here’s the sad thing in all of this.  God has no grand-children!  God isn’t going to answer my prayers based on my mother’s faith, or my father’s faith, or my BFF’s faith. God wants a personal relationship with me!  God wants a personal relationship, through his son Jesus Christ, with each and every one of us.  God will accept the faith of a little child in absolute love, guarding and protecting that child through all of his growing up years. But eventually, when a child becomes an adult, God again asks for a personal relationship based on our grown-up understanding.  It’s not so hard to understand really.  Little children are loving and trusting, and have faith simply because their life depends on it.  A little child without faith in his parents wouldn’t know where to turn for what he needs; food, clothes, toys, education…whatever.  But when we reach the place where we want to run our own life, our own way, God gives us the choice to trust him again…this time with an adult’s understanding.  So at that point in each life, God gives us these words:

“I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse; therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and clinging to him; for that means life to you and length of days…. “  Deuteronomy 30:19-20

“God, will you really heal ME?”

There’s an old song of the church…it’s not rap pop, or hip-hop.  I’m telling you it’s OLD.  It goes like this:  “It is no secret what God can do.  What he’s done for others, he’ll do for you.”

So what has he done for others?  Read Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.  Count the times Jesus was surrounded by crowds of thousands..and he healed them ALL.  Talk with D for awhile.  Let him tell you about the times God has done amazing things for him and through him.  Ask him about a broken arm that was healed between x-rays.  Ask him about a diagnosis of stage three cancer, that was nowhere to be found in a second biopsy.  Ask me about what should have been a broken ankle, bit never needed a cast.  Ask me about recovering from a surgery that should have taken months, but instead took weeks.  What he’s done for others…he’ll do for you…..If you believe that he exists and rewards those who seek him.

health & healing

Another call for prayer from a frantic parent…"my child is in the hospital again!"

If I was able to teleport myself from California to Tennessee where I could help…if it were possible…here’s what I would do. Go to that hospital room and turn it into a battle station.  We know from experience this plan has power and brings divine healing.  Three times in the past 20 years Dick has been hospitalized with a life threatening illness.  Three times we have turned his hospital room into a battle station and seen first hand how God’s Word and the power of the Holy Spirit will accomplish in the supernatural what cannot be seen or hoped for in the natural.

First invite God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit to come into the situation; to be present in the room.

Next invite all visitors to respect your privacy and leave the room.  Suggest they go to the hospital chapel and pray while they wait for your invitation to re-enter the room. Turn off the TV,  turn off the secular music (rock, hip-hop, rap, country, whatever) and turn on praise and worship music.  If you don’t have an iPod or CD player filled with Christian music for just such emergencies find a good Christian radio station and play that.

Get out your Bible, look up, and write down, at least ten scriptures that speak of God’s willingness and ability to heal – then put them on mirrors, the computer monitors, and the bathroom door. (see Word Study HERE for quick a reference)

While you’re waiting, and when dealing with the medical profession you will be waiting, read the Word.  If you don’t have a Bible or Book of Psalms handy – get one. Most hospital gift shops will have one or the other, if they don’t, send anybody who asks, “is there anything I can do for you?” to get one for you. Read the Psalms, aloud if possible, under your breath in a whisper if necessary, but in such a way as to be putting the Word into the realm surrounding you and your loved one.  At home you can play a CD of someone reading the Word…turn it down so it is barely audible. Even if you can barely hear it, it will accomplish God’s purpose and force the enemy’s crowd to back off.

Call everyone you know who understands the power of prayer.  Ask for prayer – put your situation on prayer chains and in prayer circles.

Finally, and importantly, Watch Your Mouth! Why?  Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. Matthew 12:34-37  And by your words you will be justified and by your words you will be condemned.   Why? Where two or more are gathered together and agree as touching anything, there I am in the midst of them. Matthew 18:18-20  And spiritual principles apply whether in the positive (it will be done by my Father who is in Heaven) or in the negative.  Satan has ears and hears, we’ve been talking about that for awhile now.  The whole purpose of this process is to surround the patient, and their family, with God’s healing power.

God’s Word is filled with promises we can claim in times of crisis.  Make them your own.

God’s ICU

For the word of God is living, and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:11-12

Yesterday afternoon we got a call from another one of my “god-daughters” asking us to pray for a sick child.  Oh NO….not again.  Not another family looking at the devastation and fear caused by a doctor, a stranger, giving them a horrible report.

My first reaction was, as it always is, pull out my sword and start swinging. 

Brandi called for prayer support and I’m spouting scriptures over the phone, one after another, so fast she couldn’t possibly catch them all.   The same thing happened when Laurie called to tell us about Josh’s diagnosis in December ‘09.  During the night it dawned on me…’you need to write this stuff down.’  OK. So, here goes.

What to do in the face of a horrible medical report:

1. Surround yourself and your loved one with God’s Word.

It is ALIVE and ACTIVE. Remember? And, it ALWAYS accomplishes what God sends it to do. (so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose and prosper in the thing for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:11) 

The forces of hell cannot stay in the presence of the Word of God.  Hearing the word sears the ears and terrifies the mind of demonic spirits, forcing them to back away from His (Christ’s) power. If you doubt me, read about how the legions of demons throughout the gospels reacted to God’s word, as spoken by Jesus Christ. Now you may ask, “Are you telling me sickness and disease are demonic?”  Yes, in part.  The word tells us man fell from grace with God because of a lie of Satan. Genesis 3 And Jesus is quoted as saying, “The thief (Satan) come against the sheep (children of God  – followers of Christ) only to steal, kill and destroy”. John 10:1-18  Logic tells us sickness and disease also come simply because we live on this dirt ball called earth, in an earth-suit (body) that is fragile and prone to failure. Either way…demonic or systemic…God has given us hope and powerful answers both in the spiritual and in the natural.

a.  turn off the secular music (rock, hip-hop, rap, country, whatever) and turn on praise and worship music.  If you don’t have CD’s find a good Christian radio station and play that.

Why?  First, when praise happens, God shows up.  Next, true praise comes from God’s word, you’ll be filling your surroundings with the Word, even though you may not be speaking it into the spiritual realm. Praise and worship music will be inviting the Holy Spirit and God’s ministering spirits (angels) to surround you and work on your behalf. Hebrews 1:14

b.  get out your Bible, look up, and write down, at least ten scriptures that speak of God’s willingness and ability to heal – then put them on mirrors, the computer monitors, and the fridge door.

Why? As a reminder of God’s promises to heal, as evidenced by the death of his own Son – to defeat all of our sickness, and diseases.  “But he (Christ) was wounded and bruised for our sins. He was beaten that we might have peace; he was lashed – and we were healed! We, everyone of us, have strayed away like sheep! We who left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet God laid on him the guilt and sins of every one of us” Isaiah 53:55-56 LB Every time you look at these reminders of God’s deep desire to heal his children (us) you will be less inclined to dwell on the report from your doctors and focus instead on what God wants for you and your loved one.  This tells me “we were healed” by what He did for us.  Were is past tense…get a hold on that!

c.  while you wait, and when dealing with the medical profession you will be waiting, read the Word.  If you don’t have a tiny Bible or Book of Psalms get one. Most hospital gift shops will have one, if they don’t, send anybody who asks, “is there anything I can do for you?” to get one for you. Read the Psalms, aloud if possible, under your breath in a whisper if necessary, but in such a way as to be putting the Word into the realm surrounding you and your loved one.  At home you can play a CD of someone reading the Word…turn it down so it is barely audible. Even if you can barely hear it, it will accomplish God’s purpose and force the enemy’s crowd to back off.

“How do you know?” you ask me. Well…we’ve been in God’s ICU before.  In March of 1990 Dick was hospitalized for three days with “something”.  Medical science never did give us a firm diagnosis. Best guess was salmonella.  He was horribly ill – sick unto death! I was horribly afraid.  As he lay in the hospital bed fighting to stay alive, I sat in the chair by his side and read the Word, out loud. For days!  The Holy Spirit gave us this Word. “The Lord sustains him on his sickbed; in his illness thou healest all his infirmities.” Psalm 41:1-3 RSV   By April Dick was fine. God healed him.  In 1992 it was Valley Fever (a Central California version of TB – nasty stuff).  He was told he would miss at least six months of work.  The only time he could sleep restfully and breath without coughing was when I sat beside him and read the word aloud.  He went back to work in less than six weeks! In May 2005 the diagnosis was stage three cancer. That’s a whole ‘nother story, but by August, after multiple biopsies and CT scans, there was NO cancer. Had never been any cancer…just another case of the enemy coming along and saying, “you don’t really believe what he said do you? Believe what I tell you instead…would you believe you have cancer?”  God has never, ever, failed us.  But whenever we receive a bad report from the medical community, we go into full ICU mode.  God’s word will do what he purposes for anyone….anyone at all.

2. Call everyone you know who understands the power of prayer. 

a. Ask for prayer!

I find the account of a boy being healed in Mark’s gospel of particular interest. It is here Jesus says, “…all things are possible to him who believes…. This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.” Mark9:14-29, Matthew 17:14-21, Luke 9:37-43 Just keep in mind…there are plenty of “Christians” out there who do not believe in God’s healing for today.  Before you ask for prayer, be certain, absolutely certain you’re asking a “believer”.  You don’t want any ‘doubting Thomas’ praying in critical situations. Doubting God, raising questions, pitting a doubting will against His, all have dire consequences that we’re apt to overlook in the midst of a crisis.

b. put your situation on prayer chains and in prayer circles.

Many churches will add your prayer requests to their routine prayer circles. *see rule a. above :)

3. finally, and importantly, Watch Your Mouth!

Why?  Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. Matthew 12:34-37  And by your words you will be justified and by your words you will be condemned.   Why? Where two or more are gathered together and agree as touching anything, there I am in the midst of them. Matthew 18:18-20  And spiritual principles apply whether in the positive (it will be done by my Father who is in Heaven) or in the negative.  Satan has ears and hears, we’ve been talking about that for awhile now.  The whole purpose of God’s ICU is to surround the patient, and their family, with God’s healing power.  The enemy is going to come along and say, “surely you don’t believe God will do that for you today!  Look what happened to so and so.”  Don’t agree with the negative reports and suggestions.

So…am I telling you that you can throw away your meds, forget about the doctor’s suggested treatments, ignore medical science completely?  Absolutely not.  Our doctor is a believer, too.  He uses his God given talents and abilities to heal the sick and help us whenever we need help.  I believe God guides and directs the doctors hands and makes a way toward healing where there seems to be no way. 

In ’05, when Dick was in the hospital oncology ward for ten days, the nurses who cared for him were Godly women, praying women, caring women!  He was surrounded with compassion and faith, almost without exception.  The on-call urologist we ‘happened’ to get was also a believer.  God can and does use those in the medical community to fit His design and purpose.

It’s just that when a crisis comes along, and they will – we all have them – taking the steps that God has shown to further His purpose just makes more sense to me than panic.  I hope and pray this will help you begin to take the steps.

perfect health in His name

“And his name, by faith in his name, had made this man strong, whom you see and know, and the faith which is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.” _Acts 3:16

Monday night we had a phone call from yet another terrified mother….”My child is sick! It is life threatening! Please pray!”

This is the third such call in as many months. Here is another gut-wrenching cry for help tearing through a young family; another child’s life at risk; another mother beside herself with fear.  This time the threat is a brain tumor. A thirteen year-old boy is having debilitating headaches and blacking out.  His doctor has prescribed an MRI and a battery of additional tests to be performed on Friday.  The test results won’t be available until the third of next month. 

His mother wants to know – NOW. “How do I wait that long? What if….?”

Years of experience have taught us to face these gut-wrenching, life-altering, moments of fear by running to our Heavenly Father, climbing up on his lap and pouring our hearts out to him.  “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn (do an about face away from your fear) and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” _Matt. 18:3-4

We (D and I) have learned, through crisis and fear in our own lives, the only truly safe place to be when fighting for your life, or the life of someone you love, is firmly embraced within the kingdom of heaven.  “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.  For by it (faith) the men of old received divine approval.  By faith we understand that the world was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was made out of things which do not appear.” _Heb. 11:1-2 (emphasis mine)

Picture yourself as a child (are you a child of God), warmly embraced in the arms of a loving father, pouring out your heart’s desire; knowing (by faith) he is willing and able to grant your requests because he promised he would. And the good news is he never breaks his promises. Trust in and rely on the promises God made to his children regarding their healing.

Don’t misunderstand what I’m telling you here.  Medical science is wonderful. Many doctors are men of faith. God can use all of the wonders of modern medicine and men with training and a commitment to accomplish His will. But, the only power we have available to us in times of crisis is the Word (the promises) of God.

We are told, “in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God; all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made.  In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:1-5

We are told the name of Jesus is above every name; that at the name of Jesus “every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Phil 2:9-11, Isa 45:23, Romans 14:11 We read this to mean Cancer, brain tumors, sickness and all disease are names that must bow their knees to the name of Jesus.

Monday night, while I was talking on the phone, saying the same things I always say when one of those calls comes, it dawned on me, “She may not even have a Bible with her. Even if she has a Bible with her – she has no idea where to look for the promises you’re talking about. You’re talking a language it’s taken years for you to learn and understand!”  Giving a panic-stricken mother, whose child is facing a medical crisis, instructions to ‘look up’ healing scriptures is like offering a drowning mother ice water! 

She probably heard me say, “Concur your fear!” 

“How?”

“By an act of your will.”

No, That’s not the idea AT ALL.  If that’s what you heard, in your time of panic, I apologize.

Here is what I wanted you to get – God’s Word says:

I am the Lord, your healer. Ex 15:26
It (wisdom, the word of the Lord) will be healing to your flesh… Proverbs 3:8
Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.  Proverbs 16:24
Bless the Lord….who heals all your diseases…Psalms 103:1-5
He send forth his word and healed them…Psalm 107:19-20

These and hundreds of other promises from God’s word mean that when a crisis arises you don’t have to dissolve into panic.  God sent His Son to the cross, to carry our sickness and bear our diseases. Isaiah 53:4-6

God’s word is filled with promises telling us he loves us and wants only the best for us.  Healing is God’s will for his children.  Why would the Father say, “He (Jesus) himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.  By his wounds you have been healed.” unless he intended to fulfil his promises in our lives. 

We are told God watches over his word to perform it. Jere. 1:12.  We are told God’s word never, ever returns to him without accomplishing the thing for which he sent it. Isaiah 55:11

And, we are told the enemy of our souls…that would be the same old snake who lied to Eve in the Garden… is a liar and the father of lies. John 8:44 Jesus tells us he comes but to steal, to kill and to destroy. John 10:10

I can tell you from years of experience, when a crisis comes into the life of a child of God – fear follows. Dick will tell you that the laws of the universe demand that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. The opposite of fear is faith!  If somewhere within the first few minutes of fear, we can react in faith (speak faith – think faith – believe faith) fear will bow down and allow us to climb up in the lap of our Father, accept His promises and watch Him change the crisis on our behalf.

I hope these words will give you something to hang on to as you await the outcome of the tests.