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Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Barriers That Hinders Our Healing



Jeremiah 14:19

Hast thou utterly rejected Judah? Hath thy soul loathed Zion? Why hast thou smitten us, and there is no healing for us? We looked for peace, and there is no good, and for the time of healing; and behold trouble.

Today's message is the second in our series on Divine Healing by looking at Barriers that hinders our Healing. Please note some of our suggested barriers are taken from the KJV commentary. That said, let's look at some of the barriers that can hinder our diving healing, and they are: (a) unconfessed sins (James 5:16) for we know that once confessions are made is like a weight that is lifted from our shoulders. Sin is an extra burden that no believer/man should carry when there is a method for removing this weight. (b) Being in bondage to sin and Satan. This is because this world is currently being controlled by Satan and his immoral values. Believers, we have an assured hope that in God's own time He will destroy sin forever. (c) Carrying a past disappointment that shakes our present faith. To this I say, shake the dust off; then call on the name of Jesus ask Him to take the wheel of your life. He is faithful to answer your prayers. He is a burden barrier who will turn your mourning into dancing. (d) Unbiblical teaching on healing (Mark 3:1-5; 7:13). Jesus is still healing just as He did during the Bible days. His healing take many forms; some instantly, some over a period of time and sometimes by call the person home to be with Him (Galatians 4:13; 1 Timothy 5:13; 2 Timothy 4:20). (e) Lastly, is our faith or unbelief (Mark 6:3-6; 9:19, 23-24) plays a key role in our healing or lack of being healed whether physically or spiritually. Faith is essential to our salvation.
Allow me to close by encouraging all to remove the barriers to our healing. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is still in the healing business.
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Saturday, August 27, 2016

A Divine Healing



Matthew 8:16-17; Exodus 15:26

Today's topical discussion is A Divine Healing; the reason why healing is necessary and what provisions God has made for healing.
What is healing? Healing is the process of being cured of something, to repair or to be made whole again. There is physical, emotional and spiritual healing and sometimes one requires a healing from all three. On many occasions during Jesus' earthly ministry, He healed a physical condition to address the spiritual condition.
Let us look at the underpinnings that resulted in humanity requiring a healing. The fall of our first family Adam and Eve is the consequences of their disobedience and their fall from God's grace. Therefore, sin and death is the result of such fall and sickness and diseases is concluded to be intertwined with the two. The Bible makes a strong argument that the root of the problem stems from two causes (a) sin which affects both physical and spiritual (John 5:5;15), and (b) Satan who is the author of all lies and deceit (Acts 10:38; Mark 9:17, 20, 25; Luke 13:11; Acts 19:11-12). It was Satan and his lies that deceived Eve and since then sin and diseases has been on an upward spiral. 
We have discussed the root cause; let's explore God's redemptive provision in the matter. In God's redemptive plan for sin He provides forgiveness; for death He provides a resurrected and eternal life, and for sickness God provides healing (Psalm 103:1-5; Luke 4:18; 5:17-26; James 5:14-15). What a loving God!
The question now becomes, how does Jesus' threefold ministry tie into God's redemptive provision? Jesus' threefold earthly ministry is teaching God's Word, preaching repentance, which addresses the sin problem, while the blessings from repentance is receiving God's eternal and resurrected life; this addresses the death issue, and Christ healed every kind of sickness, diseases and infirmities that was among the people (Matthew 4:23-24) which addresses healing.
Jesus Christ is God's Son and salvation was and remains embodied in Him; He carried out the Will of God. With that being said, let us examine God's Will concerning healing, sin and death. Let's discuss it from (a) what God promised (b) Jesus ministry (c) His (Christ's) atonement and (d) the healing ministry of the church.
First, God promised health and healing to His people if they remained faithful to Him and obeyed His commandments (Exodus 15:26). It specifically states that "I will put none of these diseases upon thee (this was God's judgment) which I have brought upon the Egyptians". The verse further states, "I am the Lord that healeth thee (the Lord as their Redeemer)." God remains faithful to His promises both then and now.
Second, during Jesus' earthly ministry depicted the very nature and heart of God as Christ is the incarnated Son of God and healing was a normal part of Christ's earthly ministry. A major purpose of Christ's ministry was to heal all who were sick and oppressed by Satan and his demonic schemes to destroy man. Christ healed both individuals and groups; all who were sick and was brought to Him.
Third, Christ's atoning death was complete and sufficient within itself to redeem the whole man; his spirit, body and soul. Since sin and sickness are the two-pronged attacks used by Satan to destroy mankind it is only befitting that forgiveness and healing are the two pronged blessings designed by God to redeem man and restore wholeness once again (Psalm 103:3). What must believers do to receive the full benefit of God's blessings of healing and Christ's atonement? All believers must remain steadfast in faith and humility to receive the full provisions of Christ's atonement which includes healing of the body. It is noteworthy to say that not all healing occur on this side of Jordan (life); only if it's God's Will.
Fourth, the church plays an important part in healing. Remember Jesus sent out His 12 disciples to heal the sick as part of their preaching the gospel of Christ (Luke 9:1-26). Next, Christ commissioned and sent 70 disciples to do the same work (Luke 10:1, 9-9; 19). After the day of Pentecost, the church was commissioned to carry on Jesus' healing ministry as part of the gospel message (Acts 3:1-10; 4:30; 5:16; 8:7; 9:34; 14:8-10). New Testament scriptures outlines three specifics methods for God's healing power and faith is to occur in the church's healing ministry, and they are (a) the laying on of hands (Mark 16:15-18; Acts 9:17), (b) by confessing ones known sin, which is to be followed by anointing the sick with oil followed by the prayer of faith (James 5:14-16), and (c) exercising the spiritual gifts of healing given to the church by God (1 Corinthian 12:9).
What we can conclude from this discussion is that because of disobedience sin and death entered the human race, but because of God and His love we have forgiveness, eternal life and His healing.
In the coming week we conclude our discussion on healing by discussing what hinders our healing and what steps can we take to be made whole again?

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Tuesday, August 23, 2016

"Baptism In The Holy Spirit"



Acts 1:5

For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
           
Today's focus discussion is the transformation and faith walk each believer begins upon being baptized in the Holy Spirit. Allow me to highlight a few points of being baptized in the Holy Spirit and they are:
a)     Being baptized in the Holy Spirit is for all who have professed faith in Jesus Christ as all believers have been born again and is now being indwelt with the Holy Spirit. This is so Christ's ministry of saving souls will continue as believers are to witness Christ the world over in obedience to the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20).
b)     Being baptized in the Holy Spirit believers can and will boldly witness Christ with power given by the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8; 2:14-41). Believers have committed themselves to a lifetime of witnessing Christ.
c)     Being baptized in the Holy Spirit believers live a life that brings glory to Jesus Christ (John 16:13-14; Acts 4:33). Living the life of faith Christians develop a greater desire for prayer as it is our communication with God (Acts 2:41-42; 3:1; 4:23-31; 6:4; 10:9) and in doing so we establish an intimate relationship with God.
d)     Being baptized in the Holy Spirit manifestation of the different gifts given by the Holy Spirit for the edification of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:4-10).
Believers, Jesus Christ baptize us in the Holy Spirit who is God and He lives in us.

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Tuesday, August 16, 2016

The Power Of Prayer

James 5:16

....The effectual prayer of the righteous availeth much.

Prayers have been part of man's life since the beginning of time; therefore, we are encouraged to always pray in faith, honesty and with a sincere heart.

We know there is power in prayer, because prayer draws the prayer close to God and it opens the way to a Spirit-filled life in the prayer's life. The power of prayer also aids in ministry for the person who is working in ministry. Prayer brings a deeper devotion to Christ as well as giving the prayer insight into God's provision while giving unwavering faith into His provisional care.

In our warfare with Satan, prayer gives us the power to defeat him at every turn. This is because when Satan sees us in prayer he knows there is a strong bond between the prayer and God. Prayers of one righteous person will cause one thousand of Satan's demons to flee; just think of the collective power we have; power to Satan's defeat.

It is noteworthy to say there are different kinds of prayer such as prayers of thanksgiving, intercessory, and supplication. Whatever the kind prayer we are praying let's always give adoration to God; simple because of who He is and His sovereign powers.

Let me close by encouraging all to pray! Pray! Pray all in the name of Jesus;  there is wonder working power in prayer.

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Tuesday, August 9, 2016

Favor



Esther 2:15; Luke 1:30; 2:52

Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king's chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favor in the sight of all them that looked upon her.

The story of Esther's courage and kindness describes how she was able to save her people from destruction as the king had issued a decree that all Jews be destroyed. It can also be determined that Esther possessed a humble spirit one where she had respect for God, self and others and in doing so she found favor in the eyes of the king and God as He used her as His instrument of deliverance.
Esther like Mary the mother of Jesus our Lord found favor in the eyesight of God because of her humble spirit and godly lifestyle (Luke 1:28, 30). What does this say for all believers both then and now? It says godliness and having a humble heart for doing things God's way and living according to His laws has its rewards. That being said, favor can be determined as goodness, approval, which is God's grace for we know God grants His favor each day as we rise to the dawning of a new day and all through the day God's favor is upon us.
Thank God for favor.
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Thursday, August 4, 2016

A Servant's Plea



Ephesians 6:18; I Kings 8:28

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saint; yet gave thou respect unto the prayer of thy servants, and to his supplication, O Lord my God, to hearken unto the cry and to the prayer, which thy servant prayeth before thee today.

Just as the Old Testament prophets appealed to the children of Israel to repent and turn back to God; this plea was made during the New Testament time as it is today. Why the plea for repentance is an ongoing call? This is because it is God's desire for all to be saved and spend eternity with Him. The appeal for repentance is necessary for salvation which is man's freedom from sin. Repentance begins with a transformed heart when the person hears the word of God, then admits, confesses, and turns from his/her sins.
Therefore, all believers are called and chosen by God and as part of our calling we are to witness Christ to the entire world. That being said, we as believers are to pray for self, others and the unsaved as we remain in constant prayer. This is because prayers of the righteous are heard and answered by God. God looks at the heart of the prayer and knows the sincerity of the prayer.
Another component of the servant's plea is love for others and God for He is love. We are to come together in peace and harmony; then this world will be a better place to live.
A servant's plea is genuine and in love emulating God's love.
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Wednesday, August 3, 2016

A Willing Servant



1 Samuel 3:19

And Samuel grew, and the lord was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground.

Today's' message is taken from this month's focus discussions Living Life God's Way; the best way to do this is to be a Willing Servant. The story of Samuel is that he was called by God at an early, but even then he was willing to serve the Lord.
There are other notables recorded in scripture that showed their willingness to serve God, and serve they did. These questions come to mind, how willing are you to serve when the Lord calls you to service? Are we willing to serve regardless of age and or social status? Are we willing to serve in unknown places or situations? Regardless of your answer, remember God is with you through His Spirit. God is true to His word when He says He will never leave nor forsake His own.
A willing servant has a committed heart, which is essential to our service. In our service to God, what is our motive? Is it to the glory of God or for self-aggrandizement? If for selfish reasons, then only earthly rewards is what we receive because our focus is on position instead of the service we have been called to render. Remember Jesus’ philosophy on servant, He came “to serve not to be served.” He is our perfect example of being a willing servant.
A willing servant has a heart for God and seeks to please Him with our service.
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