Monday, March 19, 2012

WINDOW TO THE WORLD

WINDOW TO THE WORLD

LOVE, FORGIVENESS, MERCY, GRACE, GOODNESS, COMPASSION, KINDNESS, GENEROSITY, TRUTHFULNESS


Who in the world would be against these characteristics? Who could oppose such positive forces in a person’s life, or a christian’s life for that matter?

The plain truth, MANY PEOPLE. But why? Closest answer is that the Christians they already know, do not observe all or most of these attributes. What they the christians profess vastly differs from their daily lives. When interacting with such christians, attributes other than what is proclaimed on a Sunday or in christian gatherings is evident.

Because of self serving agenda or cause, these christians prevent others from seeing the Christ in them. Instead they see hate, grudges, indifference, harshness, anger and lies.

If Christianity is about Christ, anything other than His love, forgiveness and compassionate gift of eternal life, that we display sends the wrong message.

Our lives need to be consistent with the underlining message in 1 Thessalonians 2: 1-12

What is it that stands in your way in being that channel or vessel for Christ? Spiritual dryness, double standards, defeated walk?


Just as physical drought teaches us that there is no substitute for rain, a time of spiritual dryness burns into us the truth that we cannot live without God’s renewing Spirit. He is faithful to declare, His mercies are new every morning. Lamentations 3:22-23

At times it mandates measures like identifying and dealing with an unrepentant and ungrateful heart, our past sins and hurts which constantly prevents us from a spiritual breakthrough.

Failure or delaying to address this quickly again demonstrates the adversary’s grip or influence in a believer’s life which often results in breakdown in relationships and communication. This ultimately sends the wrong message to others. What devastation christians foster by being that window of hopelessness and despair to an already lost world?

Take the necessary steps of consulting with your counselors or leaders with urgency.


Instead of being the light placed on a hilltop, we douse that light so others won’t see.


Sadly this is the honest truth. Being caught in a vicious cycle of a defeated life, and repeated sins, causes no alarm or urgency to go on the mend (damage control mode) for many believers. In such instances, nothing much can be done, except the individual concerned takes the initiative. Time to say enough is enough. Time to decide the vicious cycle of repeated sin and error riddled living is broken by the power of the cross. Its time to decide.

For the Word is clear, unless you open the door of your heart, the Savior will remain at the doorstep of one’s life. Jesus says, “Behold I stand at the door of your heart and knock, if anyone hears and opens the door, then I will come in and dine with him.” Rev 3:20


This clearly typifies a case of respecting one’s will or decision. So today decide the type of vessel you wish to be and the type of message you choose to send. Reach out in the words of the Psalmist “Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You?”Psalm 85:6

Again the Word of God declares, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippinas 4:13.


There are many such promises in the bible which is just not a book of wishful thinking; but is a book of well-founded confidence in God’s purpose and plan for believers.


Let Him shine through your life so others can see Him. Live so that others will want to know your Savior.


Stand up and be counted so that on the day of recognition you will be justly rewarded. It is only Christ who can quench the world’s spiritual thirst.



Be that window of opportunity to others.

Saturday, March 17, 2012

THE PROMISE OF HEALING by Rev SCOTT McKINNEY

THE PROMISE OF HEALING

INTRODUCTION

Jesus came to bring healing. Everything He did was toward the goal of bringing health to the people. For the spirit He brought forgiveness of sin; for the mind He brought peace; for the body He brought physical healing.

In the book that you held in your hand, you will discover the total healing that Jesus brought for you. If you are in need of healing in your spirit, mind or body or if you know someone who is, read this book with an expectancy, for God will bring healing to you.

Each chapter in this book is headed by one of the letters from the word “HEALING,” each letter standing for one of the seven major reasons why God wants you well. Remember that as you read, we are talking about healing for the total person; so, wherever you need Christ the Healer to touch you, receive from Him.

Chapter One

H
HELL THE ORIGINS OF SIN AND SICKNESS
‘Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord, and smote Job.” (Job 2:7)

In order to understand healing, we first must recognize where sickness comes from. Sickness is the opposite of health. To fight a battle and win, we must know who the opposition is. Many today are confused, thinking that they must suffer sickness because God brought it upon them. This is not so. God creates wholeness, not sickness. Sin and sickness comes from hell.

Let us look at the four main divisions concerning the cause of sickness. Firstly, we see in Job 2:7, that the devil himself causes sickness. This scripture says,

“Then satan went out from the presence of the Lord and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head.”

It was satan himself who, having accused Job, went forth from the presence of God and brought severe sickness and discomfort to Job. Some people believe that God brought sickness and calamity on Job; this is not so, for James 1:13 states,

“Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘ I am being tempted by God;’ for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust.”

Job was carried away by fear. Job 3:25 says,

 “ What  I fear comes upon me.”

This fear opened the door to satan who then brought severe sickness on Job.

John 10:10 says, “The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy; I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly.”

The thief spoken of by John is satan himself who comes for only one purpose: to steal, kill and destroy. The devil mean business; he’s not fooling around; he brings complete destruction to all those who follow him or allow him a place in their lives.

The second source of sickness comes from demonic activity. Luke 13:11 states, “Behold there was a woman who for eighteen years had a sickness caused by a spirit; and she was bent double, and could not straighten up at all. And when Jesus saw her, He called her over and said to her, ‘Woman, you are freed from your sickness’.”

Here we find that her sickness was caused by a spirit. As a result of this spirit, she was bent double and was unable to straighten up. Many times today when we see people with crippling diseases we too quickly relegate the cause only to the physical realm. Even in the 21st
century sickness can be caused by a demonic spirit. This is not to say that all sickness is caused by demons, but certainly some sickness is.

The third source of sickness is sin. In John chapter 5, we have the story of the man a the pool of Bethesda. The bible says that he had been sick for thirty eight years. As Jesus came upon the scene, He said to him, “Do you wish to get well?” The sick man answered him and said, “Sir, I have no man to put me into to pool.” There had been a tradition that said, when the waters of the this pool were stirred, the first person to get into the water would be healed. Jesus said to this man who had waited years to be healed, “Arise, take up your pallet, and walk.” Later, the bible says that Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “Behold, you have become well; do not sin anymore, so that nothing worse may befall you.” In other words, it was sin that had caused this sickness, and Jesus said go and sin no more so that you will stay free from this sickness.

Sin can open the door into a person’s life that then can lead to  sickness. Unforgiveness can manifest itself in ulcers, a troubled mind, or other physical disabilities. Many sins have a direct result ending in sickness in the body.

A fourth reason for sickness is the fact that we live in a world that is fallen. Our environment contains within it causes for sickness, such as viruses and germs. This is a result of the original fall of man due to sin which opened the way for sickness. Because of living in this environment, we are constantly exposed to elements that can bring sickness.

So whether sickness comes as a result of direct intervention by the devil, demon powers, sin or living in a fallen world, they all stem from hell. Often during crusade meetings we have seen people healed and set free by the power of God as evil forces were rebuked or sin was confessed, freeing that person to receive healing from the Lord. Thus, we identified the opposition , the enemy, and realize where sin and sickness comes from. This puts us in a position to look to God from whom comes real blessing, healing and wholeness. Sickness comes from hell and healing comes from heaven.

Chapter Two

E
END
“The Son of God appeared for this purpose, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” 1 John 3:8

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth, man and woman. He created a universe, earth the human race in divine harmony. Sin entered in as Adam and Eve rebelled against God and were disobedient. As a result disharmony came, not only to the human beings but to the earth. The history of man from that point to now is filled with highs and lows, the highs of human achievements and the lows of the degradation of sin and sickness.

The devil, the bible says, “prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” 1 Peter 5:8

He tries to bring destruction and sickness, but the bible says that Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil. Glory to God in the Highest! We have a Deliverer in Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God. He was manifest, that He might destroy the works of the devil.

I am blest when I realize that Jesus is the great deliverer of the people, that Jesus is your deliverer, that comes with “healing in His wings, as Malachi gives us a picture of Christ bringing healing for all mankind, the Son of righteousness rising with healing in His wings. Jesus becomes to us the healing balm of Gilead. Jesus becomes to us the warrior who fights for our freedom.

Jesus is a type of the serpent on a pole lifted up, that as the people look to Him they can be healed. This example is seen in the old testament, where after the children of Israel were bitten by snakes, God instructed Moses to make a replica of a serpent on a pole, and as the people looked to that, they were healed. Jesus becomes to us not only the symbol of healing but the very door of healing. He becomes to us our own personal healing. He came into your life to be your deliverer and to set  you free from sickness, because 1 John 3:8 tells us, “Jesus came to destroy (end) the works of the devil.”

Do not think again that your loving heavenly Father brings disease or sickness upon you. God hates sickness, and He sent Jesus to do something about it. He sent the healing Christ to destroy the devil’s work on earth. The bible says that the devil roams about like a roaring lion but that he is really defenseless against you as you allow Jesus to be your healer and to set you free from the jaws of destruction. Let the words of the beloved apostle John set you free: “The Son of God appeared for this purpose, that He might destroy the works of the devil.”

During a crusade in the country of New Guinea, there was a small girl brought to the meeting. Her small legs were so thin and withered that she was unable to walk. She was carried to the meeting in the arms of her father. After the preaching of the Word, prayer was offered for all who were sick and diseased in the meeting.

After the prayer I encouraged  those who were in the meeting to begin to do what they could not do before. To believe Jesus to heal them. Many people were healed and set free that night, including this little girl, for she began to walk for the very first time in her life. Her parents were overcome with joy, and the other people from that town who knew this little girl and her story began to glorify God. Again Jesus destroyed the works of the devil and set a little girl free in this island country of New Guinea.

You may have been told that your problem is incurable, that there’s nothing that anyone can do for you. I want to tell you of One who can heal you. Who can set you free, for He came for the purpose of destroying (end) the works of the devil. His name is Jesus!

Chapter Three

A
ATONEMENT
“Surely our  griefs He Himself bore, and our sorrows He carried; Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scorging we are healed.” Isaiah 53:4&5

Jesus came to put an end to the works of the devil by making atonement for the sins and sicknesses of the people upon the cross. The prophetic passage from the old testament prophet Isaiah speaks of the atoning work of Jesus Christ for us. Verse 4 of Isaiah 53 says our griefs Jesus bore. The Hebrew word for bore is ‘nasa’, meaning, “remove to a distance.” This verse goes on to say that our sorrows Jesus carried. The Hebrew word for carried is ‘sabal” which means, “as a scapegoat would carry the sins of the people.”

In the old testament law, the priest would symbolically put the sons of the people onto a goat and chase that goat from the camp. This is what Jesus did for us; He became our scapegoat, taking our sins and sicknesses. Verse 5 says that Jesus was pierced for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities. In other words, Jesus became a substitute for you and me. His blood was shed on the cross; He became our sacrifice.

In the old testament, the priests would offer animal sacrifices and spread the blood on the altar. This covered the people’s sin. Jesus’ blood does this for us. No further sacrifice need be made. Jesus’ blood is all sufficient; covering and cleansing sin. This is the Atonement – that covering and cleansing for sin and sickness purchased by Jesus.

The word atonement also means “at one-ment”. Jesus made it possible for us to be at one with the Father because He became a substitute for us. He bore our griefs; He carried our sorrows; He was pierced for our sins. And finally, in verse 5, the Word of god says that by His scorging we are healed. Jesus was crucified not only for our sins but for our sickness. He made atonement for both.

God makes covenants or agreements with His people. One of the covenants that God has instituted for believers is the covenant of healing.  Exodus chapter 15:22-26 says,

“Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness and found no water. And when they came to Marah, thy could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter; therefore it was named Marah. So the people grumbled at Moses saying, ‘What shall we drink?’ Then he cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a tree; and he threw it into the waters, and the water became sweet. There He made for them statute and a regulation, and there He tested them. And he said, ‘If you will give earnest heed to the voice of the Lord your God, and do what is right in His sight, and give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will pit none of the diseases on you which I put on the Egyptians; for I, the Lord, am you healer’,”

In this passage God gives to the people OF Israel statutes that if they will heed His voice and do what is right and give ear to His commandments, then, as a result of that, He will be their healer. This is the covenant of God; this is the is the agreement of God, and it stands today that if we will do right in His sight, obey His voice and give ear to to His commandments, then the Lord becomes our healer; the atoning work of Jesus becomes ours, for God is a covenant keeping God.

Jesus became the seal of the covenant of healing. As we saw in the book of Isaiah, Jesus became a substitute for us. He was pierced for our transgressions, and by His scorging we are healed. Jesus is the seal for our healing because He was a substitute for us. 1 Peter 2:24 says, “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, that we might doe to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.” Here we see the New Testament complementing  the prophecy in Isaiah, that Jesus bore our sins in His body on the cross and that by His wounds we are healed. This is the atoning works of Jesus. He bore our sins and sicknesses in His body that we might be free of these things.

I have ministered in many parts of Asia. In that part of the world today, animals are sacrificed and their blood is offered on the altars to heathen gods as the people attempt to make atonement for their sins. They attempt to appease the gods so that sickness will not come into their homes. These are futile attempts of men to bring deliverance to themselves. Jesus is the only one who can bring real healing to the people. His blood was shed for all mankind, a sacrifice made once for all so that no other sacrifice is needed.


The atoning work of Jesus Christ on the cross is that sacrifice that made it possible for us to live at peace with God, experiencing His never-ending covenant of healing, seen in Exodus 15: The atonement of Jesus made it possible for us to be one with the Father and enjoy His healing.

Chapter Four

L
LOVE
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through Him.” John 3:17 & 17

This all-encompassing love of God was the compelling force that sent Jesus to earth to bring redemption to mankind. The bible says that God is love, and that it was this love looked upon a hurting, dying and sick human race, that compelled Him to do something about that condition. Jesus was love in human form.

The letter “L” is the middle letter of the word “healing.” It is the pivotal point and the mid-section that the other letters are built around. In the same way, Love is the pivot point and the mid-section around which God builds everything.

In John 3:16 the Bible says that God so loved the world that He gave Jesus. When we read this passage, we realize that God so loved us that He gave Jesus that we might have forgiveness of sin. In verse 17 John says that God sent His Son into the world “that the world should be saved through Him.” The word “saved” used in verse 17 is the Greek word “sozo” which means to save or to make whole. Therefore, we realize that the love of God expressed in John 3:16 and verse 17 pertains to a spiritual salvation forgiveness of sin. The word “sozo’ encompasses more than just spiritual salvation, however.

In Luke 18:35-43, we have the story of blind Bartimaeus. And as Jesus was approaching Jericho, this blind man was sitting by the side of the road. Although Bartimaeus could not see, he used his ears and realized that it was Jesus of Nazareth who was passing by. He therefore, began to call out and he said, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” But the crowd began to tell Bartimaeus to be quiet; however, Bartimaeus continued to cry out to Jesus. The Lord heard Him and stopped and told the people to bring Bartimaeus. When Bartimaeus approached the Lord, Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” and Bartimaeus said, “Lord, I want to regain my sight!” Jesus responded and said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.”

The word, in verse 42 translated “well” is the same Greek word used in John chapter 3, verse 17, and is translated “saved.” Here we see the word “sozo” used in relation to physical healing. The love of God when extended to you and me through Jesus Christ, was for our spiritual healing as seen in John 3:17, and for our physical healing as seen in Luke 18:42.

The same word was used by Luke and by John for two different types of healing. The word “sozo” meaning, “to save, make well or heal” was used by John when speaking of spiritual healing and by Luke when speaking of physical healing. We realize as a result of this that the cross was for the purpose of bringing spiritual healing as well as physical healing.

God loves you so much that He not only wants you to receive forgiveness of sin but that you might be healed and walk in health. 1 John 4:7-8 states, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” John tells us that God is love; let His love surround you. Let the healing virtue of Jesus heal you in your spirit, mind and body.

Chapter 5
I
IN MY NAME
“ Whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.” John 14:13 & 14.

The name of Jesus is the most powerful name, for His name represents all that God the Father invested in Him and all that He accomplished while He was here on earth.
He established the kingdom of heaven; He took upon Himself the sins and the sickness of the world and allowed Himself to be crucified on the cross. The bible tells us that Jesus died, but that He rose again, and that He sits at the right hand of the Father ever making intercession for us.

Names are representations of the objects to which they are attached. When we use the word “car”, we picture a metal body resting on four wheels that is able to propel itself along the road. When we use the word “tree,” we see a living plant growing from the soil with a trunk, branches, and green leaves. So it is with the name of Jesus. His name represents who He is, all that He did and is doing. The bible tells us that Jesus sets the captives free, that He opened the gates of hell and set the prisoners free, that through His work here on earth you and I can be set free.

Before Jesus ascended to be with the Father, He encouraged the disciples, saying to them, I must go away but do not let your hearts be troubled; I’m going to prepare a place for you so that where I am you may be also. In the meantime, Jesus has left us His Name. John 14:13 says, whatever we ask in His Name, He will do it.”

The name of Jesus is not some mystical term to be used in an unknown way; rather, the name of Jesus is a powerful name representing the triumph that Jesus purchased for you. Therefore, as we pray, we do not just tag the name of Jesus at the end of our prayer, but from a heartfelt faith calling upon the name of the Lord, we ask in Jesus’ name, realizing that He will accomplish the request that we ask of Him.

After Jesus was crucified and then rose from the dead, He appeared to His disciples before He ascended to the Father. Mark 16:15-18 states, “He said to them, go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who have believed; In My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it shall not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

In this passage we hear Jesus giving His final orders to the disciples. First of all, He says go into all the world.

He then tells us that those who have believed will be saved. He goes on to say that if we believe and do works, “in His name,” then we will be able to cast out demons, speak with new tongues, and lay hands on the sick and they will recover. Notice here in verse 17 that Jesus said it will be a result of doing works in His name.

I have travelled to every continent, and we have held crusades in many nations of the world. Whether a meeting was conducted in a large city such as Sydney, Australia, or in a small island of Indonesia in the Indian Ocean, we have seen miracles take place because of the name of Jesus.

Wherever we have preached the gospel of Jesus Christ and prayed for the suffering and sick, it has been the name of Jesus that has brought relief and deliverance to the captives. It is the name of Jesus that is above every name that causes results to take place. Philippians 2:9-11 states, “Therefore also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, of those who are in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and that every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

In verse 9, we see that God the Father highly exalted Jesus, and the bible says that God bestowed on Him a name that is above every name. Verse 10 says that because of the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, that those who are in heaven, those who are on earth, and those under the earth will confess Jesus as Lord because of the position that God has given Him.

Both the physical world and the spiritual world must recognize the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Therefore, as we pray and believe, spiritual forces are broken and physical elements MUST align themselves with the will of God which brings harmony, wholeness and healing. This brings glory to God the Father and is made possible because of the name which is above every name, the name of Jesus.

As you reach to God for healing, realize the power that is in the name of Jesus; realize that the miracle that you need is possible because God has supplied the answer through Jesus Christ.

Chapter Six

N
NO ONE EXCLUDED
“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” John 1:12&13

In these two verses, the apostle John tells us that becoming a child of God and receiving forgiveness of sin is not an exclusive club but open to as many as receive Jesus.

In other words, no one is excluded if they chose to follow Jesus.

These two verses relate to our spiritual rebirth; as many as receive Jesus become children of God. This same principle is seen for physical healing in Mark 6:56, “ And wherever He entered village, or cities, or the countryside, they were laying the sick in the marketplaces and entreating Him that they might just touch the fringe of His cloak; and as many touched it, were cured.”

Just as John wrote that as many as received Jesus can be born again, so Mark writes that as many as touched Jesus were healed. The promise of healing is for everyone; no one is excluded. The only requirement is coming in contact with Jesus Christ the Healer. Whoever does that can be made whole by the power of God.

During a crusade there was in attendance a young man who had leprosy. He did not know much about Jesus. From the outward appearance, he did not look like one who had ever received a miracle from God, but the Lord is no respector of persons;  this lad’s only requirement is touching Jesus, for He has excluded no one. When it came time in the crusade meeting to pray for the sick, this young man raised his hand to receive prayer and, as he called upon the name of Jesus, the leprosy was healed and he was set free. He was not exclude from the healing of Jesus. NO ONE IS EXCLUDED. The healing touch of Jesus is available to all who call upon His name.

Not only is every person able to receive healing from Jesus but every sickness and disease is able to be healed by Jesus. Matthew 9:35 says, “Jesus was going about all the cities and the villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness.” Notice in this verse that Matthew says Jesus was healing every kind of ‘disease’ and every kind of ‘sickness.’ He left no disease or sickness out. He is able to conquer every situation that is out of harmony with God’s will.

In this passage the word “disease’ is translated from the Greek word “nosos” which means “disease or illness in the physical realm. Secondly, Matthew says that Jesus healed ever kind of “sickness’, which is translated from the Greek word “malakia”. Which means “weak of spirit, faint-hearted or despondent.”

We therefore see in this verse that Jesus heeals physical infirmity as well as mental infirmity. His healing touch covers all areas including spirit, mind and body. Mark 10:27 says, “All things are possible with God.” There is no disease (nosos) or sickness (malakia) that Jesus cannot heal (to the reader, include your own condition now as you pray and believe).

The Word teaches that nothing is impossible with God; everyone is included in the healing covenant of God, whether it be for spiritual rebirth, physical healing, or mental illness; nothing is impossible for Jesus, and no one is excluded from being made whole by the power of God.

This means that you can receive healing from Jesus. Let your spirit begin to grasp gold of the principle of God, realizing that He loves you and wants to make you well and cause you to be an instrument of healing, praying for the needs of others, for NO ONE IS EXCLUDED.

Chapter Seven

G
GOD’S WILL
“A leper came to Him, beseeching Him and falling on his knees before Him and saying to Him, ‘if you are willing, you can make me clean.’ And moved with compassion, He stretched out His hand, and touched him, and said to him, ‘I am willing; be cleansed.’ And immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed.” Mark 1:40-42

The leper in this story is like many people today. He was unsure in his mind if it was the will of God for himself to be healed. As he came to Jesus, he came with a question mark in his request. He said, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” Many people today know that God can do a miracle but have the question in their mind: “Is it God’s will?”

In the story of the leper, we see that it is the will of God to bring healing. In verse 41, the Bible says that Jesus stretched out His hand and touched the leper and said, “I am willing; be cleansed.” We can see the answer to the question, “Is it God’s will to heal me?” in His reply to the man suffering from leprosy. Jesus said to him, “I am willing.”

Jesus does not change; therefore, His will does not change. Hebrews 13:8 states, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes and forever.” Since Jesus is the same yesterday as He is today and will be forever we realize that if it was His will to heal while He walked on earth, it is still His will to heal today.

In order to receive from the Lord, we not only have to pray but believe. Mark 11:22-24 says, “Jesus answered saying to them, “Have faith in God. Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, Be taken up and cast into the sea, and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it shall be granted him. Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they shall be granted you’.”

In order to receive healing from the Lord, we must believe that He wants to heal us when we pray, for Jesus said that all things for which we pray that we must believe that we have received them. The Word tells us that a double-minded man is unstable in all his ways; therefore, we must have a singleness of mind, knowing what the will of God is, so that when we pray there will be a strong belief that we will receive from the Lord.

I have often heard the prayer offered up, “Lord, if it be your will, heal this person.” It is impossible for a prayer like that to be filled with faith and belief. It is our responsibility to know what the will of God is so that when we pray, we can pray with confidence. Jesus said to the leper, “I am willing.” He says to you, “I am willing.”

1 John 5:14-15 says, “this is the confidence which we have before Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask,  we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.” There is a great confidence spoken of by John in this passage that comes to the believer when we pray according to His will. The way to know His will is to know His Word. As you know His Word and find God’s will, you will then be praying according to His will and have great boldness and confidence concerning the things about which you are praying.

John also says in this passage that if we pray in His will we will know that He hears us and if we know that God hears us we can rest in the fact that God will bring the results. It’s not up to my ability, it’s up to God’s ability, a God who is unlimited in His love and power. Therefore, as I settle in my mind the will of God to bring healing in myself and to others, I, with confidence, am able to pray and see God touch lives and bring healing as I rest in the fact He hears a prayer offered in His will.

The apostle John continues to write in his third letter, verse 2: “Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.” John is praying here that those to whom he is writing may prosper and be in good health. John was writing according to God’s will, and the same prayer can be applied today, that we may prosper and be in good health, even as our soul prospers.

Let the Word of God settle this question, “Is it God’s will to bring healing?” Jesus answered the question with His response to the leper,I am willing.” John points out that his prayer is for health. The writer of the book of Hebrews says that Jesus never changes. It is still God’s will that you experience His covenant agreement of healing for you.

Chapter Eight

BEGIN YOUR HEALING

Realizing that sin and sickness come from HELL and that Jesus came to put an END to the works of the devil, gives us our start on the road to healing. The purpose of Jesus coming to earth was to make ATONEMENT for the sins and sickness of mankind. The LOVE of God was expressed in this very act of sending Jesus to bring wholeness to mankind. Jesus, knowing that He would ascend once more to be with the Father, said that IN His Name we could ask anything and it would be done for us. The encouragement from God’s Word is that NO ONE is excluded from the promise of healing, and Jesus settled forever the question of whether it be GOD’S WILL when He answered the leper, “I am willing; be made whole.”

I encourage you today, let the Word of God build faith and belief in your heart to reach out to God at this very moment and receive your miracle. Jesus the HEALER is passing your way right now; reach out and touch the hem of His garment and as you do, the healing virtue of Jesus Christ will set you free.

About the Author



“Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation” keynotes the ministry of Scott McKinney. He firmly believes in the Great Commission and that in Jesus’ Name, miracles will accompany the preaching of the Word, according to Mark 16:15-18.

Prior to his conversion he attended Arizona State University, majoring in Business Administration. After receiving Christ as his Savior, he graduated from seminary with his degree in theology.

In 1977, the Scott McKinney Evangelistic Association was formed. Rev Scott McKinney has travelled to all continents and is actively involved in crusades and missionary evangelism in many nations of the world. As a result, great numbers of people are experiencing salvation and healing through the ministry.

As well as conducting crusades, he has pastured and planted churches both overseas and in America.

The seven-fold outreach of the ministry includes Crusades, Media, AV Ministry, Literature, Seminars, International Evangelism and Church Planting.

Scott McKinney World Evangelism
USA:
P.O. Box 27147 San Diego, CA 92128


(distributed with permission)



Thursday, March 8, 2012

ADVERSITY REDIFINED

ADVERSITY REDIFINED

April 20, 1999 was just another day for me warming up to the norms of daily routine. All that changed, when  I read the front page of  just about every daily  that day, of the tragic shootings at the Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado. This was treading new grounds and was the prelude of things to come.


http://history1900s.about.com/od/famouscrimesscandals/a/columbine.htm

What triggered such violence by two hate-filled students is still a mystery till this day, but it did redefine or shall I say CHANGE the meaning of the word normal for me, and I am sure for many others that fateful day.

Evil has a way of hanging a shroud of despair over any word in our lives, does it not? To some it may be the mention of someone’s name who has hurt them deeply, a place reminiscent of  past  failures, an experience or ordeal so terrifying, or a time when we were rejected.


Personally I can recollect with sadness, the moments when relationships are lowered to such depths of unimportance and is dismissed rather cheaply to the lowest echelon of priorities  in a meagre dispute or misunderstanding.

To think one would disown a child over lack of respect, or for some wrongdoing is unimaginable. Worse still if  for some reason our failure has caused the Almighty God to severe ties.


Thankfully, the dynamics of God’s love has the ability to redefine the most painful words, moments or experience.

Romans 12  provides that antidote for the poison of evil so prevalent in our hearts and the world around us:

“Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good” (v9).
“Repay  no one  evil for evil” (v17). “Do  not  avenge yourselves” (v19).
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;  if he is thirsty,  give him a drink” (v20). “Do not be  overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (v21).

The way I see it, everything in our lives that is underlined, challenged  or defined by evil is an opportunity to seek God’s power to overcome with good. The more the better, after all practice makes perfect.

Agree with me, its an OPPORTUNITY? How else would we be trained or equipped? Without this, no amount of  prayer, fasting, preaching or church activities;  guarantees us a life of  an overcomer.

There are  no  painful words, bad experiences, failures or ordeals that cannot be redefined by the everlasting goodness of the Almighty God, whom we are able to call ABBA Father. Dare we make Him a liar, should we challenge this?


Quote:  “THE ABUNDANCE OF HEAVEN’S  GRACE IS ALL WE NEED TO PRAY FOR THOSE WHO SEEK OUR HARM,
TO FILL US SO WE CAN SHOWER THEM WITH LOVE IN WAYS THAT WILL BE UNDERSTOOD” jason t