The Jewish Messiah for the Nations & The Gospel of the Kingdom of God
Links
Please visit Does Sickness Glorify God for an analysis of controversial passages regarding the subject made courtesy of Victory through the Word Ministries. Note: Victory through the Word Ministries and this webmaster are separate entities, and do not necessarily share the same views.
Healing, Deliverance, & the Gospel of the Kingdom of God.
The Gospel of the Kingdom of G-d entails Jesus coming to put his house in order on many levels, and that includes the total person created to bare the image of G-d, and identifying with Him in covenant hopes. In other words, Jesus empowers people to be a holy people of G-d, AND to be sound in their mind, body, and soul. This wholeness or soundness is included in the atonement (Isaiah 53:3; 1 Peter 2:24), and therefore, considered "the children's bread" (Matthew 15:26, Mark7:27). Other prophets predating Yeshua said, ". . . Unto you who fear My name shall the Sun of Righteousness will arise with healing in his wings" (Malachi 4:2, cf. Psalm 19:4, Rom 10:18). "Wings" also referred to the fringe of the garment. In fact, one traditional view among Jewish people living during the first century was that even the fringe of the garment of the coming Messiah would be a channel of healing based upon Malachi 4, which makes cases like the woman with the issue of blood pressing in to touch Yeshua's garment in spite of her impurity under Mosaic law that much more interesting. Those who fear His name, His children, and there are cases where those who are not his children receive supernatural healing and deliverance. Sometimes G-d chooses to use the means of grace through the family of believers in less dramatic displays. Do you not realize the same anointing that raised Yeshua from the dead resides in you?-if you indeed belong to Him. You have been blessed to be a blessing, and the persistent prayer of faith always makes a difference from varying degrees. We can have confidence it is G-d's will for one to be whole "on earth as it is in heaven." The “glad tidings” or Gospel of the Kingdom of G-d Isaiah and Yeshua proclaimed includes healing, deliverance, and/or empowering one to live above their circumstances, and are among the many ways Messiah reigns in man drawing to G-d through Him in the power of the Holy Spirit. Even Moses learned the redemptive names of G-d are indicative of Who He is as Redeemer. He is Jehovah-Shammah (redemptive present help in time of need). He is Jehovah-Shalom (redemptive peace imparted to those trusting Him through his chastisement). He is Jehovah-Raah (redemptive Shepherd laying down His life for the sheep and making us lay down in green pastures). He is Jehovah-Jireh (redeeming us from poverty and lack). He is Jehovah-Tsidkenu (redeeming us by exchanging his righteousness for our unrighteousness through atonement). And, He is Jehovah-Rapha-"THE LORD G-d THAT HEALS YOU." Is G-d "I was" Jehovah Rapha or "I am" Jehovah Rapha for you? On this page I will show you in the Word of God where healing and deliverance is considered part of the transforming Gospel of the Kingdom of G-d "on earth as it is in heaven" predicated upon Messiah's atonement. Hopefully, we will be encouraged to believe G-d, and pray for people in child like faith whenever and wherever opportunities arise.
Often when Messiah comes to put a house in order some besetting hindrances are broken off immediately out of necessity or sheer mercy. Other hindrances have to be subdued by the individual over a period of time by grace through faith. In the latter case an individual may be learning to subdue the enemies of his/her own soul by appropriating the newly available means of grace in the power of the Holy Spirit, and in preparation for Messiah to reign through them in their sphere of influence to greater extents (cf. Romans 5:1-4; Second Corinthians 12:9-10, Grace = Power to be and do, and is merrited by Yeshua). Sometimes one does not appropriate healing/deliverance for a long time, or not at all during the time coming BEFORE the total consummation of God's kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. While God does not cause sickness and disease, he can reign in all circumstances even where appropriating deliverance /healing are delayed and in spite of great faith for redemptive reasons beyond our ability to perceive (Consider John the Baptist Matthew 14:10; cf. Hebrews 11:35b-40). In each instance, though, God seeks to reign in, and through man in accordance with his redeeming the intended purposes for man in the beginning.
While "all things work together for the good of those who love God to them who are the called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28) and we can indeed draw from those horrible experiences we have gone through in comforting others (2 Corinthians 1:4), does sickness glorify G-d in the fatalistic sense that He causes it? The passages listed in the paragraphs below indicate that healing and deliverance were and are to be an important component of the Gospel of the Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven, which squares with the Biblical notion that Messiah came to put all things in order by design and reign as intended (cf. Matthew 12:28). Sickness, disease, and death resulted from the fall of man in the Garden of Eden. Jesus was sent to redeem in all ways predicated upon his redemptive death, and he demonstrated kingdom reign in his power over sickness, disease, and death. Unfortunately, a couple of passages translated from Greek into English like John 9:1-5 have been misunderstood to mean God allowed, or even caused a man's blindness for the express purpose that He would one day demonstrate his glory through it. No doubt, God's glory is demonstrated with healing, AND his sustaining grace can be demonstrated in the context of suffering thereby bringing glory to God, conviction that there is a God, and even hope to others. In other words, God at times uses it but doesn't cause it. God didn't cause the blindness in the case of John 9:1-5. In that passage Gregory Boyd correctly notes that "the Greek simply has hina with the aorist subjunctive passive of phaneroo ("to manifest")." This has led he and other interpreters to render the passage from Greek into English like Peterson who paraphrases it:
Walking down the street, Jesus saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked, 'Rabbi, who sinned: this man or his parents, causing him to be born blind?' Jesus said, 'You're asking the wrong question. You're looking for someone to blame. There is no such cause-effect here. Look instead for what God can do. We need to be energetically at work for the One who sent me here, working while the sun shines. When night falls, the workday is over. For as long as I am in the world, there is plenty of light. I am the world's Light.' (John 9:1-5; The Message by Eugene Peterson).
Could it be that Yeshua was redirecting his disciples to not waste the time making such speculations that could be otherwise used in healing one more today in that particular instance? Please visit Does Sickness Glorify God for an analysis of this and other controversial passages regarding the subject made courtesy of Victory through the Word Ministries. Note: Victory through the Word Ministries and this webmaster are separate entities, and do not necessarily share the same views.
Yeshua still meets people where they are today. He still opens physical eyes. He still opens the eyes of hearts to perceive the love of G-d the Father though Yeshua extended to all mankind in the power of the Holy Spirit to receive His kingdom rein personally. However, I am afraid the irony for the antagonists of Yeshua and those eyes he opened then, is the irony now for many professing to see in our times. Yeshua/Jesus will meet you where you are and open your eyes physically and spiritually too. It is a part of the Gospel of the Kingdom of G-d!
"If I cast out demons by the Spirit of G-d, then the Kingdom of G-d has come upon you" (Matthew 12:28, cf. Luke 11:20). The Gospel of the Kingdom of G-d included healing and deliverance.
Everywhere Jesus traveled he preached the kingdom of God (Luke 9:10, Matthew 9:35), and anywhere from a few to masses of people were delivered and healed through his ministry. Here are some references pertaining to his healing ministry. Yeshua healed Simon's mother-in-law and many from Capernaum (Matthew 8:16, Mark 1:29, Luke 4:39), those in need from Syria (Matthew 4:24), a leper by the Sea of Galilee (Matthew 8:3, Mark 1:40-45, Luke 5:12-13), a paralytic from Capernaum (Matthew 9:1-8, Mark 2:1-12, Luke 5:17-26), a cripple person in Jerusalem (John 5:9), a withered hand at a Galilean synagogue (Matthew 12:13, Mark 3:5, Luke 6:10), all needing healing following him to the Sea of Galilee (Matthew 12:15, Mark 3:10), all those touching him from "Judea and Jerusalem and the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon" (Luke 6:17-19), a Roman centurion's servant while in Capernaum (Luke 7:1-10, Matthew 8:5-13), sick female associates of Mary Magdalene in Galilee (Luke 8:2), a blind and deaf demon possessed man in Galilee on another occasion (Matthew 12:22), a blind man at Bethsaida (Mark 8:22), a woman bent over for eighteen years (Luke 13:10-12), Jairus' daughter in Galilee (Matthew 9:18-26, Luke 8:48, Mark 5:34) a woman with internal bleeding (Matthew 9:22, Luke 8:43, Mark 5:29), two blind men in Galilee (Matthew 9:29), all those needing healing in the synagogues, villages and cities during his final Galilean campaign (Matthew 9:35), all those touching the fringe of his garment at Gennesaret (Matthew 14:36, Mark 6:56), a man with dropsy while having supper (Luke 14:4), ten lepers while traveling between Samaria and Galilee (Luke 17:11-17), blind Bartimaeus from Jericho (Matthew 20:34, Mark 10:52, and Luke 18:43), the blind and lame coming to him in the temple (Matthew 21:14), a centurion that came to arrest him (Luke 22:50-52), and others. Everywhere Jesus traveled he preached the kingdom of God (Luke 9:11, Matthew 9:35), and anywhere from a few to masses of people were delivered and healed through his ministry. Jesus can heal you too!
Everywhere Jesus traveled he preached the kingdom of God, and people were delivered and healed from the influence and torments associated with the demonic realm through his ministry(Luke 9:11, Matthew 9:35). Here are some references for your information: Jesus delivered a man (Luke 4:36, Mark 1:27) and many others that were demonized from Capernaum (Matthew 8:16, Mark 1:32-34, Luke 4:41), the man from Gergesenes (Matthew 8:32, Mark 5:13, Luke 8:33) a deaf man that was demonized (Matthew 9:32), the Canaanite woman's daughter (Matthew 15:21-18, Mark 7:24-30), the demoniac boy (Matthew 17:18, Mark 9:25, Luke 9:42), healed another from dumbness caused by a demonic spirit (Luke 11:14), and others. Interestingly, many of these demonic spirits being evicted from the human temple that was intended to be a dwelling place for the Spirit of God knew Jesus was more than just a great prophet. They recognized Jesus for who He is: The Unique Son of God, or deity incarnate (cf. Mark 1:24, Luke 4:34, 42, Mark 3:11, Luke 8:2, Matthew 8:29, Mark 5:7, Luke 8:28). After all, they knew Him before Jesus took on humanity and before they were thrown down from heaven(Luke 10:18; cf. Rev 12:4). Careful study of these passages indicate that not all illnesses are caused by unclean spirits of infirmity, or demons. However, some illness in certain cases are indeed a result of people being afflicted by trafficking demons. Excellent practical resources that differentiate between psychology and Biblical deliverance are available by proven ministers that offer Biblical, balanced and practical treatment of this subject as it applies today. I have many of these in my personal library from those specializing in the area of healing and deliverance, and would be happy to refer you to them. Such resources are helpful for many reasons. On one hand, one can not "cast out" the flesh. On the other, you can not counsel a demon. In either case, we deal with people created in the image of G-d, and have to err on the side of compassion since we only perceive dimly those snapshots into the lives of others. Jesus had perfect discernment during his first century ministry. He knew what needed to be dealt with perfectly because he did what he saw the Father doing perfectly. Even so, everywhere Jesus traveled he preached the kingdom of God, and people were delivered and healed from the influence and torments associated with the demonic realm through his ministry (Luke 9:11, Matthew 9:35). Here's what is striking: Jesus said to religious experts criticizing him, "If I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you" (Matthew 12:28, cf. Luke 11:20). The Gospel of the Kingdom of God included healing and deliverance. Jesus can deliver you too!
On Earth as it is in Heaven, healing/deliverance and the Gospel of the Kingdom of G-d
It is noteworthy that people do not need to be liberated from sin, demonic influence or be healed "by his stripes" in heaven- In other words, the Bible indicates there is no sin, sickness, or disease, and therefore no death, in heaven. This is why, in part, Jesus instructed those following him to pray for G-d's kingdom to come "on earth as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10)-to loose/bind on earth what is already loosed/bound in heaven. We become partners bringing his kingdom life. Some other kingdom, agenda, or platform is not what we need to bring kingdom life found exclusively in G-d in Messiah Yeshua. If ever in doubt about how things SHOULD be here in terms of being and doing (especially for those already redeemed in Yeshua), consider the description of the Kingdom of G-d in heaven in the Bible. Moreover, the Lord Yeshua instructed those following him to pray to receive "our daily bread" and for G-d's perfect will to be done "on earth as it is in heaven" among other things. Jesus is the true Manna, or bread from heaven. In fact, the root "hkubz" for "bread" in Arabic/Aramaic means "life" in this very prayer Yeshua taught his disciples to pray interestingly. Yeshua is the antithesis of sin and death, and his physical body never experienced decay; nor will it. Elsewhere healing and deliverance was considered "the children's bread" in this life. Granted sewing and reaping is a principle where good stewardship reaps more wholeness. The present atmosphere, present earth, and our present bodies are passing away unto decay in accordance with his permissive will presented elsewhere in this site. Yet, the Lord takes the sting out of inevitable physical death of those belonging to Him. Moreover, one can not help but sense the Lord's strong desire to put an end to sin and death altogether and ultimately by ushering in the final consummation of the kingdom of G-d on earth as it is in heaven after thoughtfully reading through the Tenachk & New Testament. However, doing so would mean forever closing the window of opportunity for the unredeemed not obeying the Gospel of the Kingdom of G-d to receive salvation exclusively found in Yeshua.
G-d wants all who will be redeemed to be saved, and that is why He has delayed the second advent of Yeshua's Messianic reign on earth as it is in heaven. This is the reason why two concurrent kingdom systems are permitted to coexist in the present age-one bringing the life and blessings of the kingdom and one diabolically opposed to it. The blind man Yeshua healed experienced, in part, the life and blessings of the Kingdom of G-d on earth as it is in heaven, but he eventually died physically in accordance with the permitted system in opposition to G-d's expressed will anyway. In light of this, it is ridiculous to think it is God's expressed will for his children to be ravaged with sickness and disease on one hand. Cancer, for example, is from hell. It is also ridiculous to think people lack faith whose bodies are effected by a system permitted to exist while the harvest of all those who will be saved in accordance G-d's foreknowledge are gathered unto Him through Yeshua on the other. In fact, one might even conclude those believers in Yeshua suffering from sickness, disease, and ongoing decay unto physical death on earth should be considered suffering that is even redemptive in a sense. After all, the Bible indicates those in Yeshua put on the incorruptible in the end of things, but are presently delayed on earth being confined to a body of death that decays only because of this season of redemptive harvest. I wouldn't be surprised if those faithfully abiding in Yeshua, and who do not receive healing here are rewarded in some special way in heaven. In any case, the Bible teaches that G-d does not cause sickness, and takes the sting out of inevitable physical death for those belonging to Him through Yeshua.
It also teaches that all things are already under the feet of Jesus in heaven in reality and all things are being brought under the feet of Yeshua on earth. In other words, all things have "not yet" been totally brought under his feet on earth practically as it actually is in heaven (cf. Genesis 3:15, Psalm 110:1-4, Ephesians 1:22, Hebrews 2:8, Acts 2:34-35, 1 Corinthians 15:25-26, Romans 16:20). While only Yeshua will ultimately bring all things that remain in opposition under his feet on earth as it is in heaven with his second coming, currently physical and spiritual descendants of Abraham as God followers in Yeshua are to represent the Gospel of the Kingdom of God in their sphere of influence by being ambassadors for Christ abiding in Him. This is also an important reason why understanding the Kingdom in heaven as disclosed without adding to or diminishing what Jesus teaches us about it in the context of these two coexisting kingdoms concurrently operating in the earth now is an important component of appropriating its dynamics in, through, and with us here. Yeshua was sent to redeem us from the curse, and all that entails ultimately on earth as it is in heaven. Currently, we already experience some, but not yet all of the coming life and blessings of G-d's kingdom on earth as it is in heaven predicated exclusively upon the redemptive life, death, resurrection, and ongoing intercession of Yeshua the Messiah.
We still battle sin of/in the world, flesh, and the devel. Some things are directly caused by the devil while others are not-although the devil always enjoys the fruits of destruction, direct or indirect, coming upon the lives of those G-d loves to the point of dying for. Towers fall on the good and bad (Luke 13:1-4), and accidents happen in an imperfect world in accordance with G-d's permissive will that is allowed for a season for the purpose of reaping an eternal harvest of life being saved exclusively in Yeshua alone. Yet, Jesus always has a way of grieving with us out of his intense love and concern while at the same time redirecting us to the real tragedy-living and dying without Him. Some of you reading this had the wind knocked out of you so hard in recent events you are speechless. Our momentary light afflictions in this world are storing up for us an eternal weight of glory, which is difficult to perceive without viewing life here from a heavenly perspective. It may be more difficult to have such a perspective during intense suffering by one who merely believes heaven exists as opposed to one experiencing heaven due to NDE, or appropriating for yourself by faith other unusual experiences we read about in the life of the Apostles Paul or John as revealed in G-d's Holy Book-The Holy Bible. Even so, those who belong to G-d the Father in the New Covenant blood of Yeshua are destined to ongoing life and not ongoing death after our physical bodies die because of what Yeshua did on the cross (Cf. Daniel 12:2). He is the ultimate fulfillment of Daniel 9:25-6, Isaiah 53, Yom Kippur and many others. Your sin, and my sin was placed upon Him that we could stand before a Holy G-d blameless in His sight forever as sons/daughters, and forever experience Him as G-d the Father intimately. The time we live in our current physical body is but a puff of vapor relative to eternity. One day towers will not fall on people. One day there will be no more bruised heels, and the serpent and all identified with his system will be crushed altogether (1 Corinthians 15:25-26 cf. previous paragraph). One day you will enjoy an eternity in the absence of sin and death under the G-d of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the Jewish Messiah for the nations-Yeshua.
The Great Commission, healing/deliverance and the Gospel of the Kingdom of G-d
Yeshua sent his followers out with the "already/not yet" gospel of the kingdom message/demonstration before (Luke 9:1-2), and after his death, his resurrection from the dead and his ascension into the heavenly Holy of Holies where he still functions in His everlasting role as Melchizadek (Matthew 28:19; cf. Mark 16:15-20). Jesus was not just referring to the apostles following him during his first century ministry when he said, “As My Father sent me, even so send I you” (Yeshua, John 20:21). After Yeshua's death and resurrection, but before his ascension he instructed his followers to teach "them" (those who would embrace the gospel message through their witness) "everything I have commanded you" (those Jesus personally discipled)-(Matthew 28:20). Does "everything" leave anything out? (cf. Mark 16:15-20). After Yeshua's ascension Peter affirms this, among other things, in a preaching teaching context citing the prophet Joel at the time God's empowering presence was sent (Acts 2:33-39, cf. Joel 2:28). This illustrates a current gospel of the kingdom dynamic to be appropriated by faith on earth as it is in heaven prior to the final consummation of God's kingdom associated with the second coming of Jesus (Cf. Daniel 7:27; Matthew 24). The Gospel of the Kingdom of God includes Jesus touching others through you in powerful ways too!
G-d is no respecter of persons, and He is happy to work through you to bring the life and blessings of His Kingdom in your sphere of influence as it is in heaven. However, some things will be "not yet" no matter what we do while two concurrent systems remain in effect (light and darkness). For example, Jesus' second coming will not occur in the next minute no matter how hard I pray because the Bible reveals a time set apart by G-d The Father. Even so, many things pertaining to the life and blessings associated with the Gospel of the kingdom of God are "already" being appropriated on Earth as it is in Heaven though. G-d in Yeshua is still opening eyes today, and amazingly He is still using common folk to assist Him as the Lord of the harvest. I want to be in the "already" camp while we eagerly look forward to Messiah Yeshua's return, and that comes with a price. Even appropriating abundant life in this present world system where we will indeed have troubles now can only be realized when prioritizing first the pursuit of the kingdom of God (Cf. Matthew 6:33), in which has been shown to be directly connected with the gospel throughout this site.
Over the years people have been criticized for tacking "If it be Your [G-d's] will" on the end of every prayer, an in particular at the end of those supplications for healing. I am familiar with the rationale, and agree with much of it after giving it a fair hearing. After all, a true Bible believer in the New Covenant blood of Messiah Yeshua would never ask G-d to save a person "if it be Your will" as if I were asking Him what city to move to, or which job to take next for the Bible reveals G-d's expressed will in the matter of salvation, namely that all would be saved (1 Tim 2:4-5, John 6:37, John 12:32) . However, it must be kept in view that G-d honors man's free will choice to receive Him in accordance with his expressed will, or not receive him in accordance with His permissive will without compromising either (Rev 20:15; Daniel 12:2, cf. Hell Page). Likewise, it is G-d's expressed will for His children to be sound in their mind, body, as well as their souls. Wholeness is G-d's expressed will for his children. What I just shared, however, is a general principle in a progress of ultimate redemption taking place that is already but not yet fully realized on earth as it is in heaven in a context of two co-existing kingdoms in our present experience-death in Adam and life in Yeshua the Messiah. That is why I personally, and I am speaking for myself at this point, believe there is nothing wrong with praying "if it be Your will" for one's self or in situations where there is a strong sense one being prayed for has completed their course so long as the distinction of G-d's expressed will and permissive will as it pertains to the matter of healing and deliverance is understood. Unfortunately, some have been conditioned in unbelief to the extent of confusing G-d's permissive will as his expressed will in the matter of healing and deliverance based on a false extra Biblical presupposition that the supernatural passed away with the first generation of G-d followers in Yeshua the Messiah. This has people placing more faith in the medical community than G-d. I'm all for praying that G-d guide the hands of any physician who is going to cut into me, and I have even seen some really cool graphics depicting Yeshua standing behind an operating physician. Why don't we see as many graphics of a doctor looking at an X-ray scratching his head with Jesus who is unseen in their view standing behind the patient communicating major surgery was cancelled by the Great Physician? How about believing G-d in advance, asking G-d to make a doctor's scalpel unnecessary and following with medical confirmation? I'm all for the medical profession, but I am afraid people realize G-d as the Great Physician only after learning the medical profession can not help them. Perhaps this, at least in part, is why so many in underdeveloped nations such as Mozambique are experiencing and have documented cases of dramatic healings following the Gospel of the Kingdom of God proclamation.
There are times for "if it by Your will" prayers, and there are times for positive confession prayers. Many dear people of proven faith I personally knew on earth and maintaining a positive confession have gone on to be with the Lord. In fact, they were classic Word Faith people in my estimation. They did not lack faith, and they hung on to the healing promises of G-d. Yet, for reasons beyond me, they received needed healing only after being liberated from their bodies in passing while others having no faith confession, nor believing that G-d still heals people today were confirmed inexplicably healed. I don't know. . . Let G-d be G-d. In any case, the Bible does encourage a positive, but not a dishonest, confession. Denying one has a headache if they have one is not a positive, but a dishonest confession. "But, brother," you say, "The Word says., 'By His stripes I WASZZZ healed.' I am only agreeing with the Word" (1 Peter 2:25). Agree with the word in the context of honesty as you press in to appropriate the promises of G-d in your experience. Whether it is a headache, or someone who is asleep as Yeshua would say: It is not a lack of faith to embrace the reality while believing Yeshua is the same, yesterday, today and forever-that He is YOUR Jehovah Rapha, and you are pressing in to your "redemptive G-d Who Heals You." On the other hand, we need to be careful to not be judgemental of others; nor assume a posture that accuses one of being presumpteous for striving to appropriate mountain moving faith Yeshua clearly makes available to you and me.
Hopefully we will maintain a positive confession that is honest and continue to believe for the miraculous until the last nail in the coffin is flush. And, even then, I hope we have the faith in the awesome wonders of our G-d to keep one eye open during the final benediction. On the other hand, understanding the full Gospel of the Kingdom of God, and where we are historically in the progress of ultimate redemption of all things is not a lack of faith. It is maturity. Unfortunately, some have been conditioned to think that true faith is to deny G-d's permissive will in the context of two co-existing kingdoms. One can obey the Great Commission in terms of proclaiming the one way to the Father through Messiah Yeshua, praying for the afflicted to be restored, and being a light in various spheres of our influences in faith without denying context. G-d will touch some through us and in spite of us; people we never thought. Yet, some will not receive in the way we hope, would like, or expect-at least not now and/or until the Lord Yeshua Himself descends with a shout ushering in the final consummation on earth as it is in heaven. Keep believing, though, for even though it is appointed for man to physically die once, we have the promise of His providence, His prayer, and His presence in any storms we or the afflicted find ourselves/themselves until Messiah Yeshua returns in power and great glory. He is coming very, very soon.
Sometimes we might be afraid to admit that we don't know the reason why when a loved one is sick or going through adversity. There were times in Jesus' first century ministry when people did not receive healing because of their unbelief, and other times in spite of it (see references above). Sometimes it appears G-d heals people having very little if any faith at all (cf. Romans 2:4). Other times people are drawn to G-d through someone else's supernatural ability to walk above their adverse circumstances with the peace of G-d. I do know this much-While G-d does not cause sickness and disease, he can reign in all circumstances even where appropriating deliverance /healing are delayed and in spite of great faith for redemptive reasons beyond our ability to perceive (Consider John the Baptist Matthew 14:10; cf. Hebrews 11:35b-40). One pastor pointed out the kind of faith that pleases G-d according to the WHOLE context of Hebrews 11 is a mind set and/or confession that says, "G-d is able, and G-d will deliver me. But even if He doesn't I will still only believe and serve the Lord." (Compare with Daniel 3:17 ff). Sometimes one is delivered from adversity, sometimes one is delivered in adversity, and sometimes one is not delivered until after adversity. In each instance G-d does seek to reign in, and through man in accordance with his Genesis 3:15 promise that, in part, redeems the intended purposes for man in the beginning. During the interim period between the already but not yet fully realized kingdom of G-d on Earth as it is in heaven I think we need to be careful not to be judgmental of the sick and afflicted, and love one another as we prayerfully look forward to Kingdom of G-d being manifested on earth as it is in heaven in the lives of those we're standing with in times of need. That means cultivating our hearts and atmosphere for the virtue of G-d to flow. When we do this we will not completely "miss it" even when we miss it in terms of what the Father is doing or not doing. On the other hand, we miss it totally when we rightly percive what the Father is doing, but do not walk in agape love (1 Corinthins 13).
If we are going to be judgmental about anyone's faith level, we ought to judge ourselves personally for it is written these signs and wonders will follow those who believe (Mark 16:15ff ). This is good news for a hurting and unbelieving world in accordance with the Gospel of the Kingdom because the Word actually teaches, in part, that the faith of the believer who is praying on G-d's terms can trump the unbelief of the sick and afflicted. Friend, that is part of the good news. Unbelievers do not believe. What do you expect? Children of the King who are full of faith are charged with bringing the love and blessings of the King to them. Moreover, faith works by love (Galatians 5:6), and not hate (1 John). We want to be channels of healing to unbelievers when we can't even really be that in spirit and in truth for each other in the family of faith. The person praying can be the stumbling block when harboring offence or hatred from G-d's perspective, and I have been guilty at times too (cf. Pslam 66:18 and 1 John 5:14). Rightly loving G-d and one another has a lot to do with flowing in the healing nature of the Gospel of the Kingdom of God as a general rule of thumb, but there are exceptions where G-d was trying to make a point to one of His children. I can not speak for another person, and far be it from me to chop the wing off the tallit of another servant of G-d when I hardy understand my own heart (Psalm 105:15, 1 Samuel 24:5, Jeremiah 17:9). I can only speak for myself in hopes that it will help some of you move further along. I have certainly not arrived and am encouraged to avoid senseless contradictions as the Lord impressed upon me recently, to lay aside all the petty things that so easily offend, or beset for our posture, attitude, and decisions impact others, even generations. So, it is not about our rights, and that includes our right, as you and I may see it, to be offended (Matthew 18:1-35, Matthew 6:15). Unfortunately, many would rather die a thousand deaths than confess their sins to one another, and be healed. However, there is an inverse relationship between the Word/Spirit and the flesh.
Some people may simply not understand the purpose or power of confession. Confession is a step up, and not a step down in the kingdom of God (James 5:16, 1 Jn 1:9). More important, it makes the Lord Jesus happy. I know and have known many ministers, and I believe G-d is sending the worst one in the bunch right now to tell you its about time we quit using a soft hermeneutic to justify our sin, and instead simply do things that make the Lord Jesus happy for its own sake because you and I really love him (John 14:15, cf 1 John). That should be enough. I want to make the Lord happy, be a channel of healing, but I cannot be that if I am a poluted stream. All healing streams flow out of agape love (1 Cor 13:4-7), and arguably obedience flowing out of agape love (1 John 3:22, 1 John 5:14, James 5:16). G-d is love, and there is not no darkness in Him (double negative intentional). May we not deny His power by walking in darkness. Anyone dealing with electrical circuits knows there is an inverse relationship between the flow of electrons and resistance. Resistance drops the electromotive pulling force that pulls electrons from atom to atom through a direct circuit. So adding resistance to a circuit with a light bulb in it will cause the emitted light to become dimmer when voltage is applied. On the other hand, the less resistance the more electron flow. The more electron flow in a simple circuit with a light bulb the brighter the light. We celebrate and sing songs like "This little light of mine I'm gonna let it shine!" but persist in resisting the Holy Ghost in our lives in the various ways we grieve Him, and then conclude someone else's faith is deficient. This is not always the case. It is only one possibility, which is clear in the context of this entire page.
People in professional communities invest quite a bit of time trying to figure out the likes and dislikes of someone new who becomes boss or supervisor. It is prudent. How does he or she like it done? What are the protocols? One way to prepare yourself to be useful in the Hand of G-d is to study the Bible to find out more about what G-d reveals about Himself. As you meditate upon what you are reading in the Bible the Holy Spirit will talk to you, and your resistance will drop by following His lead and doing what He says. He will help you if you want to be! You will flow more and more in His love His way. Then, He will begin talking to you about others with greater frequency, and you will sense what He is doing in your sphere of influence because you are walking with Him in light. A flury of scriptures are coming to mind as I prayerfully meditate and confess my own short comings. May He help us remove the log to see things from His perspective!
You do not have to be a scholar or theologian to be used by the Lord. Simply cultivate a relationship with Him, and let Him lead you in your life. One prayer meeting I had outside of a church context occurred in the market place during an official break. The person I prayed with walked away saying something to the effect that it was very powerful and he was ready to attack the rest of his day with newness of life. I was blessed too. The thing is I hardly said anything at all. I mostly listened. Then, we prayed a very quick prayer minus the lofty religious jargon. I don't say this to present myself as a super spiritual person because I am not. Actually, I'm just a regular joe out there who belongs to G-d because of the Jewish Messiah for the nations-Yeshua. My point is that the healing and delivering power of the gospel in this life is not something some misled albeit sincere people have convinced themselves exists. It exists, and it is available for all those identified with Yeshuah, the Jewish Messiah for the nations. Two of us were gathered in Yeshuah's name, and it was G-d's Presence that makes the difference (Matthew 18:20, cf. the anointing principle Isaiah 10:27 & Zech 4:6).
Believers in Yeshua become carriers of a measure of G-d's Presence meaning we simply allow G-d to live his supernatural kingdom life through us to touch others. That is why there is even power in just being available for people and listening. It is simply an issue of choosing/not choosing to allow G-d to have reign. Moreover, the kingdom life that heals and delivers is the same life that empowers us to be holy in the present age on earth, which is something to think about these days as we go about our business encountering people in our spheres of influence. In either case, pray we do not deny his wonder working power in, with, and through us, touching us to touch others in partnership with Him in the Gospel of the Kingdom of God on earth as it really is in heaven.
Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess [your] faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit. Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
Apostle & Pastor, James
Note that James did not say the oil applied makes one recover as if it contained medicinal qualities that resulted with healing in the passage above, which is a popular view among those with an anti supernatural bent. Instead, the immediate context indicates the anointing of oil that is symbolic of the kingdom of G-d coming upon one in the power of Holy Spirit on earth as it is in heaven, and that follows the prayer of faith from those rightly relating with one another and G-d in sincere agape love in purity. Do you realize this passage is in a preaching teaching context, applies today, and deals with all levels of redemption? We all have to work on this when taken in its Biblical context. Thankfully, G-d promised to empower us to be and do all he intends in the New Covenant cut in His blood as first revealed in the TaNaCH, later in the New Testament, and appropriated by grace through faith exclusively in Messiah Yeshua-The Jewish Messiah for the nations.
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