Many vs All being healed

Exactly how many times did healing happen in the Bible?   And exactly how many times did he heal all, a few, one or many.    That is a big question and one that would likely take me months to put together into a HUGE post.

So I will invite you in to the process I use when researching and seeking our verses.  I invite you to join me and look up the verses.  Discover the ones where many is used in place of all and then seek out the context.  Did all get healed a  few verses later or in the next town they went to?

How relevent is the question?      As Jesus certainly did heal them all relatively often, anyone who kept following Him for any length of time would have been healed.   If they weren’t healed during one the passages where “only” many(abundant, plenteous, great numbers) were, and they followed Him to the next town where all were, they would have surely been healed. The punchline works out to anyone who persisted in following Jesus was healed.  This is a very very encouraging thing.

Starting with the word heal, I found at least 3 Greek words that are translated to this one English word.  Interesting that while all three have different nuances, all three do include the idea of  restoring to health, healing and curing.   Sozo and Iaomai also include the element of making whole.  Together this adds ups to approx 190x that these words are used in the NT.

therapeuō See https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G2323&t=KJV  for verses with this Greek word.    It is used 44 times in the NT

sozo seehttps://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G4982&t=KJV It is used 118 times in 103 different verses

ἰάομαι iáomai, ee-ah’-om-ahee; middle voice of apparently a primary verb; to cure (literally or figuratively):—heal, make whole.   See https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G2390&t=KJV  It is used 28 times and is similar but not identical to sozo in its meaning.

Verses that say many were healed

And great multitudes came unto him [Jesus], having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus’ feet; and he healed them:
And he [Jesus] healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him.

The Word “many” could be as easily translated as plenteous, abundant, great, numerous See https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G4183&t=KJV for the meaning of the Word many.     In other verses we read and as many as were sick were healed.  These passages that say many were healed could simply mean as many as sick were healed and those of course who were well were not.   Regardless, we do see many verses where all were healed so all being healed should still be happening the majority of the time today.    The language here is ambiguous.    So keep it in mind that there are possibly, if you translate it just so, less than a handful of verses that say Jesus healed many… 
For he [Jesus] had healed many; insomuch that they pressed upon him for to touch him, as many as had plagues.

Mark 3:9-15 King James Version (KJV) “9 And he spake to his disciples, that a small ship should wait on him because of the multitude, lest they should throng him. 10 For he had healed many; insomuch that they pressed upon him for to touch him, as many as had plagues.  11 And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God.  12 And he straitly charged them that they should not make him known.  13 And he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto him whom he would: and they came unto him.  14 And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,   15 And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:”

Jesus gave them the ability to heal “all manner” of disease so they had the capacity to do so and expected all to be healed.   We can see this in their response to the boy with epilepsy not being healed.   They asked “Why couldn’t we heal him?”.  They had fully expected him to be healed.

Matthew 10:1 King James Version (KJV)  “10 And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.”

And they  [the apostles] cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.

Luke 7:20-22 King James Version (KJV) “20 When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another? 21 And in that same hour he [Jesus] cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight.  22 Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.”

 

We are only getting a glimpse of this day… the verse says, in that same hour, Jesus healed many.   

Acts 8:7 [Philip was the one ministering]
For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.

Humility vs Hypocrisy and Pride

As we were reading the verses this week, it struck me that for many years I was confused by and perhaps potentially even offended by true humility.

True humility is the ability to totally submit to God Word and will wholy without giving our human intellect or natural appetites and desires have a vote.    This requires us to act with great boldness and confidence in God and His Word, with tenacity to His precepts, and with what can be mistaken as a “stubborn” or “know it all attitude”.

 

James 4:4-6 Amplified Bible (AMP) “4 You adulteresses [disloyal sinners—flirting with the world and breaking your vow to God]! Do you not know that being the world’s friend [that is, loving the things of the world] is being God’s enemy? So whoever chooses to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think that the Scripture says to no purpose [a]that the [human] spirit which He has made to dwell in us lusts with envy? 6 But He gives us more and more grace [through the power of the Holy Spirit to defy sin and live an obedient life that reflects both our faith and our gratitude for our salvation]. Therefore, it says, “God is opposed to the proud and haughty, but [continually] gives [the gift of] grace to the humble [who turn away from self-righteousness].”

1 Peter 5:5 Amplified Bible (AMP) “5 Likewise, you younger men [of lesser rank and experience], be subject to your elders [seek their counsel]; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another [tie on the servant’s apron], for God is opposed to the proud [the disdainful, the presumptuous, and He defeats them], but He gives grace to the humble.”

Pride can be readily spoted in these attributes:    Self-centredness, false humility, entitlement, thinking more of self than others, putting on a false face to appear better than we are in front of others, blaming others for our shortfalls/not accepting responsiblity for weaknesses, self-reliance, independence, the inability to cast our cares and worries and stresses on God (the feeling that we are the source of our salvation or the solution to situations instead of casting our cares and needs on God), inability to delegate for fear others won’t do it will well enough, desire for the praise and recognition of others, any kind of shift in our behaviours between our private (secret) life and our public face, thought like “If only I would…. then it would all be fine”.

Humility recognizes that without God’s help, we are absolutely hopeless and helpless to live in a way that pleases Him, BUT also recognizes that we can do ALL things in Christ.

Humility

HUMIL’ITYnoun [Latin humilitas.]

1. In ethics, freedom from pride and arrogance; humbleness of mind; a modest estimate of one’s own worth. In theology, humility consists in lowliness of mind; a deep sense of one’s own unworthiness in the sight of God, self-abasement, penitence for sin, and submission to the divine will.

Before honor is humility Proverbs 15:33.

Serving the Lord with all humility of mind. Acts 20:19.

2. Act of submission.

With these humilities they satisfied the young king.

http://webstersdictionary1828.com/Dictionary/humility

Andrew Wommack is a teacher who I appreciate.  He has an excellent teaching on this topic on youtube.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntMRgJdnxCo

Hypocrisy is also the antithesis of Humility.     Hypocrisy drives us to put on masks depending on who our audience is at the time, to put on a show to impress others, to give lipservice that is not backed by heart service and lifestyle etc.    Godliness and integrity call us to acting in righteousness and holiness wherever and in whatever we do.

This link will bring you to all sorts of verses about the curses and ill effects of living as a hypocrite:   https://www.biblegateway.com/quicksearch/?quicksearch=hypo&qs_version=KJV

This is important as Jesus rebuked the hypocrites more than any other group and it was His primary accusation against theJewish leaders in His day.

Here is a link to the verses about pride: https://www.biblegateway.com/quicksearch/?quicksearch=pride&qs_version=KJV

And one more for verses about being humble:  https://www.biblegateway.com/quicksearch/?qs_version=KJV&quicksearch=hum

God says to seek first the Kingdom and His righteousness.  Humility is a central character trait of every genuine follower of the Lord Jesus Christ so this Word study is one I encourage everyone to do at some point in their walk.  Blessings.

This Week September 24 and 26th

Hello Precious Brothers and Sisters,

This week we will continue our overview study on the many ways in which scripture reveals some of the unlimited in ways in which He has healed people in the past.

We are page 3 for both days and will be starting with Numbers 12-9-13.   If you have the chance, please pre-read to the end of page 5 and highlight, circle etc what God reveals to you.

John 9:1-32 is a very long passage about the healing of the man born blind.   It is one I did not include in the original passage but I think one that is an interesting read as well.

Praise God that we are truly sitting down to a feast every week.     Keep in mind, His table is so complete and so lavish that no one can “eat” everything in one sitting.   Listen for the one or two gems that He wants to bless you with this week.   Be so encouraged knowing that even though it often doesn’t feel like much is changing,  He is faithfully washing you clean, He is equipping you, He is renewing your mind and healing your body and thinking every time you sit down and devote time to reading and chewing on His Word.   He is leading us little by little into the fulness of the Kingdom.  Praise Our Heavenly Father!!!

Catching a glimpse of the Ministry of the Holy Spirit

 

It is so wonderful to see a growing sense of community and love and compassion in our group! I realized this week how deep the desire to help and encourage one another is.

As we go forward and explore a veritable treasure trove of the most wonderful and amazing truths laid out for us in the Word, it is likely that we will all bump into truths and or areas of our hearts, minds and bodies that need extra healing. What we read may sound so impossible, so utterly too good to be true, or so foreign to our way of thinking, or potentially so contradictory to what we presently know, that our emotions and hearts may respond strongly at times. All of these things are indications that God is revealing new things to us, is at work in us, healing us, building us up, growing us up, equipping us for His work, and establishing us in His Word, so that we will not be easily swayed or shaken away from His Kingdom.

We are seeing some measure of this in our group times already which affords us precious and wonderful opportunities to encourage and build one another up. I have been blessed to see such love and compassion from each one in the group.

A group setting is very tricky in the sense that it is very nearly impossible for a person who is struggling (physically, spiritually or emotionally) to do so without someone else in the group noticing. As caring group members, we naturally offer anyone who seems to be in distress encouragement/ministry while we are in the group setting. As we do not want to put anyone on the spot, we must strive to protect everyone who is struggling or vulnerable, establishing a better protocol is important.

I think this best falls to myself, or at times Angie during a group time. We will likely take a brief time to pray for and acknowledge the situation in a group appropriate way. I am almost always able to stay afterwards for further ministry and prayer if this brief ministry is not sufficient.

I also recognize, though that the need for encouragement or prayer might not wait until the end of a meeting. I have asked Angie, Andrea and Helen to watch for these situations  and respond to this need by gently tapping someone in this position on the shoulder and discreetly asking them if they are ok. If not, they will be available to leave the room quietly and spend a bit of time encouraging and praying with anyone who has this need.

Now after our meeting wraps up, I absolutely encourage you to go up to the person privately, if you believe Holy Spirit has led you, to encourage and ask them gently if they would appreciate prayer or encouragement and if so, by all means follow through. We want to encourage one another to take steps to make sure that this attention is welcome before sharing.

The reality is, we may not see someone “feel better” during our times together even when we do our uttermost to help. This is ok too. Just agape-ing (God-style-loving), on one another and caring for one another sincerely, speaks volumes.

The other part of the equation is that these strong responses are often tied into challenging and very impactful questions. God cares about every thought, every tear and is more than happy to answer all your questions in full. It is very likely that we will hit questions that we simply won’t hear a “satisfying” answer to. This is just fine. God heard it and He has promised to answer.

Keep in mind, sometimes the group in general may not be quite ready to explore a certain topic, in which case I may ask if it is ok for me to defer it for a time when I can collect the appropriate scriptures and prepare a group appropriate answer, or I might offer to be available to discuss it with someone one on one or in a smaller group setting. We have 12 more topics to explore in depth so we will have lots of opportunities to explore many different verses and discover our answers.

Most of us will have to wrestle some things out privately with God. Y’all know my primary heart in these things is to point back to the Word and say, go read it for yourself, figure out what it really says and then live accordingly.

At the end of day, my own place of rest is knowing that all the answers we are looking for are in His book and that He has promised to lead us, each one, into all truth. This is in part what the Holy Spirit is doing for each one of us. It is so wonderful to think about the fact that He who began the good work in each one of us is fully committed to finishing it!

The Importance of Community: Ponderings about The Book of Acts through the Lens of Pilgrim’s Road

Acts 2:40-47 New King James Version (NKJV)
A Vital Church Grows
“40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this [a]perverse generation.” 41 Then those who [b]gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. 42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ [c]doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and [d]sold their possessions and goods, and divided[e] them among all, as anyone had need.46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added [f]to the church daily those who were being saved.”

I encourage you to take the time to read this verse a few times and circle or underline the key things that the people in the book of Acts did in response to the hearing the Gospel.  I personally believe passages like these reveal the key differences between the church today vs the community of believers then.    My own heart’s prayer is to see the church as it was in the book of Acts here and now.   

This week we were blessed to hear a testimony of the transformative power and the life altering effects of purposefully leaving the daily grind before and walking a new and different road.  I have been chewing on the lessons learned on that road and I am even more fired up to follow Jesus down the road He reveals in His Word.  

My ponderings regarding our time together and  the verses that it brought to mind:

 

Some Potential Benefits of Walking as the Disciples and/or Pilgrims Walk

  1.  Freedom from stuff is well, freeing:

James 5 KJV “Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten.  Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.”

Confession:  The stuff in our home demands far too much of time, my thinking and my energy.  This verse in James takes it a step further and warns us that the things that we take on as stewards but don’t care for actually accuse us before God.   This reminds me to make sure that I recognize that whatever comes into my home (my jurisdiction) is really me saying “yes, I will care for this child, this relationship, this item etc.  Less stuff often means more freedom.   Some verses below that came to my heart as I was thinking of the power that stuff can have in my own life.

Luke 9:2-5 King James Version (KJV)  “2 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.  3 And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece.  4 And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart.  5 And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them.”

Matthew 4:18-20 King James Version (KJV) “18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.  20 And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.”

Exodus 23:29-31 King James Version (KJV) “29 I will not drive them out from before thee in one year; lest the land become desolate, and the beast of the field multiply against thee.  30 By little and little I will drive them out from before thee, until thou be increased, and inherit the land.  31 And I will set thy bounds from the Red sea even unto the sea of the Philistines, and from the desert unto the river: for I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your hand; and thou shalt drive them out before thee.”

Genesis 1:28 King James Version (KJV) “28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.”

James 5:12 English Standard Version (ESV) “12 But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.”

Matthew 6:33 King James Version (KJV) “”33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

2. Walking in the spirit of Acceptance

Romans 14:10-18 King James Version (KJV)
“10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.  11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.  12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.  13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.  14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.   15 But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.  16 Let not then your good be evil spoken of:  17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.   18 For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.”

One thing that stood out to me was the acceptance that people experienced while walking in this way.  Now I have never walked 20-30 km per day, but I am guessing that it comes with several temptations and challenges and clearly demands a huge portion of ones time and energy for that day.   What a blessing it must be to look at those walking next to you, near you, ahead of you and behind  you, knowing that in some measure they are all facing the same trials, the same challenges and yet in their minds and bodies are processing and experiencing this same road uniquely.    I think I will learn much just chewing on this one piece of the puzzle.  The narrow road is a hard road.  Each one walking it deserves my love, my encouragement, my respect and as needed, whatever help I can offer.   For whatever reason, walking this type of road alone and yet together seems to breed camaraderie on a whole other level

3.Inability to turn back

Luke 9:61-62 King James Version (KJV)  “61 And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.  62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

There are somethings in life, some roads we walk that are so impactful that our hearts and minds, our priorities etc are forever shifted.  Being born again is only the beginning.  Many are born again and yet go right back to their old lives.   In some cases, the outward evidence of the change is imperceptible.    But that is not all we are called to.   Jesus said “Deny yourself, pick up your cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24).   Once we start sincerely following Jesus and walking as He walked, going back is almost impossible.    Jesus wasn’t so much walking to arrive at a physical destination, but He was walking with Kingdom Destination in His mind always.  A pilgrim’s walk is purposeful, set on accomplishing or visiting certain things along the way.  There is a greater destination but the journey itself is equal in value to reaching the end point.

So interesting that many who do this find that when they return to their “old life” they no longer feel comfortable or like they fit there and how deeply etched the desire to be back on the road is.

Ephesians 2:18-22 King James Version (KJV)
“18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.  19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;  20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;  21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:  22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”

1 Peter 2 [Amplified]”9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a consecrated nation, a [special] people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies [the wonderful deeds and virtues and perfections] of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people [at all], but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.11 Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers [in this world] to abstain from the sensual urges [those dishonorable desires] that wage war against the soul. 12 Keep your behavior excellent among the [unsaved] Gentiles [conduct yourself honorably, with graciousness and integrity], so that [c]for whatever reason they may slander you as evildoers, yet by observing your good deeds they may [instead come to] glorify God [d]in the day of visitation [when He looks upon them with mercy].”

Hebrews 11 KJV”13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.  14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.  15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.  16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.”

 

4.The Road Requires Discipline

The core of being a disciple to be disciplined… both in that one is following a teacher’s lead and in that one must be disciplined in their routines and thinking.   We have x number of years here on earth to accomplish the fullness of God’s plans and purposes for our lives.  He has plotted out a road before us and each of the stops along the way is essential in for our own walk.  I can only guess that there are things that way lay pilgrims along their way.  Whether it is lack of conditioning, injury to things like their feet, bunny trails that they hit along the way, finances etc, life happenings etc.    Preparation and prayer, both mentally and physically were the two keys mentioned on Thursday to walking the way of the pilgrim successfully.  Again, potentially much for me to learn and apply to my own walk.

5.Do not Worry…

Matthew 6:27-32 King James Version (KJV)  “27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? 28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:  29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.  30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?  31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?  32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.”

It struct me that those on the walk, walked with confidence knowing that all along the route were eating establishments that catered specifically to the pilgrims, hostels and other inns to provide places to sleep, and other comforts (the ability to send one’s bags on ahead to lighten the load of the walk).   Our Heavenly Father has equally reliable sources of provision for us all along the road He has called us to walk.  If I could only walk in the same confidence these pilgrims what, how many of my own stresses/fears/worries/thoughts would be free to focus on and enjoy the journey?

6.Eating and Walking Together

Going right back to the top verse, the book of Acts Church made it a priority to do life together daily.  They gathered daily and broke bread together from house to house.  They made room for doing life but incorporating together into it often.   In life, I have been blessed with several close sister that I walk with daily.  We talk often, we meet regularly, we pray together, we do retreats together as often as our lives presently allow.  We listen for one another’s needs and help one anothere where we can.  We encourage one another.  Others, I have had the privilege of walking with only for a short season and yet my life is changed and blessed for having known them.  On the pilgrim’s road, there are some that we see more of and some less, but the feeling of community still pervades because even before they meet, they have much in common.   How extraordinary, to have such a sense of brotherly love for all who are walking in the way.   Dear Brothers and Sisters, I long for this community and hope to reach out for walks with you, for meals with you, for deeper friendships with you but also recognize that each one is walking at their own pace.  I am always thankful for the parts of my journey that I get to share with each one but also thankful that when our roads part, it is because God faithful in leading each one along the unique roads of His purposes and callings on their lives.

I am so thankful for your grace, mercy, generosity, encouragement and forbearance each week.   This week what stood out to me was that one or even two windows of time each week is simply not enough time to do all that these verses call us to together.    As I listened on Thursday, it struct me that having time to talk with other believers is potentially a far more essential element of the christian walk than perhaps we realize.   I am so thankful for this glimpse.    

I would like to add the caveats of if,  when, however this looks like to you, in whatever measure you feel personally called (from none to much more)…  I would like to encourage you as our sense of community and family grows to reach out to one another, to plan to eat meals together, take up activities together, and invest in one another.   We are all walking in different shoes, with different demands on our lives and we are in different seasons so nothing in this post is intended to communicate you MUST do such and such etc.  This is a hopefully an encouragement to tune your heart, head and potential time to see and respond to God’s call to deeper community (whatever that looks like in your life) when it comes.   Seek to find out what others needs are and if you have the means to meet these godly needs, do what you can to meet them.  

I sincerely take delight to see you all connecting with one another and realized that this too is an essential part of the gathering of the saints.  I was thinking perhaps we should have some more social gatherings, perhaps one at the end of each session for people to have the opportunity to chat with one another.   As I do need to keep us focussed during our meeting times on the materials AND I also realize the necessity of life together daily.    Perhaps one thing that would be easy to do would be to encourage anyone who really wants this fellowship time to come half an hour before our start time.  The course description can be changed to incorporate this.   

6:30 to 7 pm Optional Tea/Coffee and snacks social time

7 to 8:30pm Verse study time

8:35 to 9pm Going Deeper study time

9 to 9:15 clean up and godly connection time (if someone says something and you feel you would like to connect with them further on that topic, please take this window to ask if they are willing and if so, exchange contact information to make the appropriate arrangements)

 

Here is how we try to incorporate life together daily in our home.   We delight in inviting dear ones to join us for a meal…  This is a time of day where we hit the pause button and sit down and have the time to really connect with one another.   It is always more fun to prep a meal with another and definitely more enjoyable to clean up after one with help.   I have felt intimidated to invite people into our “not quiet” and “real” home (remember 4 kids) which is clean up impossible to keep tidy.    I need to be more transparent about the realities of my days.   We cannot sincerely help one another if we don’t know one anothers needs.  This impedes the sharing in all things portion of the verse above.  So many have the capacity or giftings to fill the needs we each have.   

I was reminded on Tuesday by the voice of wisdom (hopefully you know who you are) that we need one another to measure up to the fullness of Christ.

I will take some time here to share what I have been chewing on and the scriptures that have come to my mind thanks to our discussions this week.  

 

 

 

 

This Week’s Bible Study

Hello and welcome back!!!

This week we are starting a new Topic so you will all be receiving a new bunch of scriptures to read, meditate on and ponder.   If you want to preview these at home, here is the link:

https://healinganddiscipleship.com/2019/09/02/topic-2-healing-an-overview-of-different-types-of-healings-in-scripture-by-grace-by-mercy-by-miracles/

We typically cover 9 to 12 verses each week, so if you pre-read the first 12 verses, writing down your notes etc, you will be well prepared.

Tuesday morning, doors open for 9:15 although on most mornings I will be there at 9am should you have any questions etc.  We will start at 9:30 and go to 11:30.  The last half hour is fully optional and will as always be reserved for the more “hot topic” type discussions etc.

Thursday, we meet from 7 to 9pm… again that last half hour between 8:30 and 9pm is fully optional.   Doors open for 6:45 so you all can come in and get settled for 7pm.

Guests are always welcome and of course if you are delayed, do slip in quietly even if you are arriving late.   With so many verses to explore it is possible to jump in at any time.

Blessings,  I have missed our times together and look forward to seeing you all.

 

 

 

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Topic 2 Healing: An Overview of Different types of healings in Scripture (By Grace, By Mercy, By Miracles)

 

 

Overview:  This is an overview lesson to understand how God is known to have healed in the past and present.    We can only hope to get a glimpse based on John 21:25 as Jesus did far too much for any book to contain or any man to record.

 

Prayer: Father God, I pray that you would help us each one to meditate on your majestic, glorious splendour and your wonderful miracles. Help us to get the power and awesomeness and your willingness to pour them out over lives right here in our hearts.  In Jesus Christ’s name. [Psalm 145:5]

 

 

Micah 7:15 “Yes,” says the Lord, “I will do mighty miracles for you, like those I did when I rescued you from slavery in Egypt.”

 

1.__________________________________________________________________

 

John 21:25 “And there are also many other things which Jesus did. If they should be all recorded one by one [in detail], I suppose that even the world itself could not contain (have room for) the books that would be written.”

 

 

2.____________________________________________________________________

 

Mark 10:46-52 “Then they reached Jericho, and as Jesus and his disciples left town, a large crowd followed him. A blind beggar named Bartimaeus (son of Timaeus) was sitting beside the road.  When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus of Nazareth was nearby, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”  “Be quiet!” many of the people yelled at him.  But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”  When Jesus heard him, he stopped and said, “Tell him to come here.” So they called the blind man. “Cheer up,” they said. “Come on, he’s calling you!”  Bartimaeus threw aside his coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus. “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked. “My rabbi,” the blind man said, “I want to see!” And Jesus said to him, “Go, for your faith has healed you.” Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus down the road.”

 

 

 

Matthew 9:20-22 and Mark 5:28-30 and Luke 8:43-48 “A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding, and she could find no cure.  Coming up behind Jesus, she touched the fringe of his robe. Immediately, the bleeding stopped.  “Who touched me?” Jesus asked.    Everyone denied it, and Peter said, “Master, this whole crowd is pressing up against you.”  But Jesus said, “Someone deliberately touched me, for I felt healing power go out from me.”  When the woman realized that she could not stay hidden, she began to tremble and fell to her knees in front of him. The whole crowd heard her explain why she had touched him and that she had been immediately healed.  “Daughter,” he said to her, “your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”

 

 

 

Matthew 9:27-29 “After Jesus left the girl’s home, two blind men followed along behind him, shouting, “Son of David, have mercy on us!”  They went right into the house where he was staying, and Jesus asked them, “Do you believe I can make you see?” “Yes, Lord,” they told him, “we do.”  Then he touched their eyes and said, “Because of your faith, it will happen.”  Then their eyes were opened, and they could see!”

3._____________________________________________________________

 

Acts 20:9-12 “As Paul spoke on and on, a young man named Eutychus, sitting on the windowsill, became very drowsy. Finally, he fell sound asleep and dropped three stories to his death below.  Paul went down, bent over him, and took him into his arms. “Don’t worry,” he said, “he’s alive!”  Then they all went back upstairs, shared in the Lord’s Supper, and ate together. Paul continued talking to them until dawn, and then he left. Meanwhile, the young man was taken home unhurt, and everyone was greatly relieved.”

 

 

 

Luke 22:50-51 “And one of them struck at the high priest’s slave, slashing off his right ear.  But Jesus said, “No more of this.” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him.”

 

 

 

4_________________________________________________________________________

James 5:14-18 “Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven. Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.  Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years! Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield its crops.”

 

 

 

Mark 6:12-13 “So the disciples went out, telling everyone they met to repent of their sins and turn to God.  And they cast out many demons and healed many sick people, anointing them with olive oil.”

 

 

 

 

5.________________________________________________________________________

 

Acts 19:11-13 “God gave Paul the power to perform unusual miracles.  When handkerchiefs or aprons that had merely touched his skin were placed on sick people, they were healed of their diseases, and evil spirits were expelled.”

 

 

 

Matthew 14:33-36 “Then the disciples worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed.  After they had crossed the lake, they landed at Gennesaret.  When the people recognized Jesus, the news of his arrival spread quickly throughout the whole area, and soon people were bringing all their sick to be healed.  They begged him to let the sick touch at least the fringe of his robe, and all who touched him were healed.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.___________________________________________________________________________________

 

Numbers 12:9-13 “The Lord was very angry with them, and he departed.  As the cloud moved from above the Tabernacle, there stood Miriam, her skin as white as snow from leprosy. When Aaron saw what had happened to her,  he cried out to Moses, “Oh, my master! Please don’t punish us for this sin we have so foolishly committed.  Don’t let her be like a stillborn baby, already decayed at birth.”  So Moses cried out to the Lord, “O God, I beg you, please heal her!” But the Lord said to Moses, “If her father had done nothing more than spit in her face, wouldn’t she be defiled for seven days? So keep her outside the camp for seven days, and after that she may be accepted back.”

 

 

 

2 Kings 15:9-15  “Then Naaman went with his horses and chariot, and he stood at the door of Elisha’s house.  And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored to you, and you shall be clean.” But Naaman became furious, and went away and said, “Indeed, I said to myself, ‘He will surely come out to me, and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, and wave his hand over the place, and heal the leprosy.’ Are not the Abanah[and the Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?” So he turned and went away in a rage.  And his servants came near and spoke to him, and said, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do something great, would you not have done it? How much more then, when he says to you, ‘Wash, and be clean’?” So he went down and dipped seven times in the Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God; and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.”

 

 

 

1 Kings 17:17-30 (context 8-30) “Some time later the woman’s son became sick. He grew worse and worse, and finally he died.  Then she said to Elijah, “O man of God, what have you done to me? Have you come here to point out my sins and kill my son?”  But Elijah replied, “Give me your son.” And he took the child’s body from her arms, carried him up the stairs to the room where he was staying, and laid the body on his bed.  Then Elijah cried out to the Lord, “O Lord my God, why have you brought tragedy to this widow who has opened her home to me, causing her son to die?”  And he stretched himself out over the child three times and cried out to the Lord, “O Lord my God, please let this child’s life return to him.”  The Lord heard Elijah’s prayer, and the life of the child returned, and he revived!  Then Elijah brought him down from the upper room and gave him to his mother. “Look!” he said. “Your son is alive!”  Then the woman told Elijah, “Now I know for sure that you are a man of God, and that the Lord truly speaks through you.”

 

 

 

2 Kings 20:1-10 “About that time Hezekiah became deathly ill, and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to visit him. He gave the king this message: “This is what the Lord says: Set your affairs in order, for you are going to die. You will not recover from this illness.” When Hezekiah heard this, he turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, “Remember, O Lord, how I have always been faithful to you and have served you single-mindedly, always doing what pleases you.” Then he broke down and wept bitterly. But before Isaiah had left the middle courtyard, this message came to him from the Lord:  “Go back to Hezekiah, the leader of my people. Tell him, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of your ancestor David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears. I will heal you, and three days from now you will get out of bed and go to the Temple of the Lord.  I will add fifteen years to your life, and I will rescue you and this city from the king of Assyria. I will defend this city for my own honor and for the sake of my servant David.’”  Then Isaiah said, “Make an ointment from figs.” So Hezekiah’s servants spread the ointment over the boil, and Hezekiah recovered!  Meanwhile, Hezekiah had said to Isaiah, “What sign will the Lord give to prove that he will heal me and that I will go to the Temple of the Lord three days from now?”  Isaiah replied, “This is the sign from the Lord to prove that he will do as he promised. Would you like the shadow on the sundial to go forward ten steps or backward ten steps?” “The shadow always moves forward,” Hezekiah replied, “so that would be easy. Make it go ten steps backward instead.”  So Isaiah the prophet asked the Lord to do this, and he caused the shadow to move ten steps backward on the sundial of Ahaz!”

 

 

 

2 Kings 4:17-37 “But sure enough, the woman soon became pregnant. And at that time the following year she had a son, just as Elisha had said. One day when her child was older, he went out to help his father, who was working with the harvesters.  Suddenly he cried out, “My head hurts! My head hurts!”   His father said to one of the servants, “Carry him home to his mother.” So the servant took him home, and his mother held him on her lap. But around noontime he died.  She carried him up and laid him on the bed of the man of God, then shut the door and left him there.  She sent a message to her husband: “Send one of the servants and a donkey so that I can hurry to the man of God and come right back.”  “Why go today?” he asked. “It is neither a new moon festival nor a Sabbath.”    But she said, “It will be all right.”  So she saddled the donkey and said to the servant, “Hurry! Don’t slow down unless I tell you to.”  As she approached the man of God at Mount Carmel, Elisha saw her in the distance. He said to Gehazi, “Look, the woman from Shunem is coming.  Run out to meet her and ask her, ‘Is everything all right with you, your husband, and your child?’”  “Yes,” the woman told Gehazi, “everything is fine.”  But when she came to the man of God at the mountain, she fell to the ground before him and caught hold of his feet. Gehazi began to push her away, but the man of God said, “Leave her alone. She is deeply troubled, but the Lord has not told me what it is.”  Then she said, “Did I ask you for a son, my lord? And didn’t I say, ‘Don’t deceive me and get my hopes up’?”  Then Elisha said to Gehazi, “Get ready to travel; take my staff and go! Don’t talk to anyone along the way. Go quickly and lay the staff on the child’s face.” But the boy’s mother said, “As surely as the Lord lives and you yourself live, I won’t go home unless you go with me.” So Elisha returned with her.  Gehazi hurried on ahead and laid the staff on the child’s face, but nothing happened. There was no sign of life. He returned to meet Elisha and told him, “The child is still dead.”  When Elisha arrived, the child was indeed dead, lying there on the prophet’s bed.  He went in alone and shut the door behind him and prayed to the Lord.  Then he lay down on the child’s body, placing his mouth on the child’s mouth, his eyes on the child’s eyes, and his hands on the child’s hands. And as he stretched out on him, the child’s body began to grow warm again!  Elisha got up, walked back and forth across the room once, and then stretched himself out again on the child. This time the boy sneezed seven times and opened his eyes! Then Elisha summoned Gehazi. “Call the child’s mother!” he said. And when she came in, Elisha said, “Here, take your son!” She fell at his feet and bowed before him, overwhelmed with gratitude. Then she took her son in her arms and carried him downstairs.”

 

 

 

7.____________________________________________________________________________________

2 Kings 13:21 “Once when some Israelites were burying a man, they spied a band of these raiders. So they hastily threw the corpse into the tomb of Elisha and fled. But as soon as the body touched Elisha’s bones, the dead man revived and jumped to his feet!”

 

 

 

 

 

 

8._____________________________________________________________________

 

1 Samuel 16:14-23 “Now the Spirit of the Lord had left Saul, and the Lord sent a tormenting spirit that filled him with depression and fear.  Some of Saul’s servants said to him, “A tormenting spirit from God is troubling you.  Let us find a good musician to play the harp whenever the tormenting spirit troubles you. He will play soothing music, and you will soon be well again.” “All right,” Saul said. “Find me someone who plays well, and bring him here.” One of the servants said to Saul, “One of Jesse’s sons from Bethlehem is a talented harp player. Not only that—he is a brave warrior, a man of war, and has good judgment. He is also a fine-looking young man, and the Lord is with him.”  So Saul sent messengers to Jesse to say, “Send me your son David, the shepherd.”  Jesse responded by sending David to Saul, along with a young goat, a donkey loaded with bread, and a wineskin full of wine.  So David went to Saul and began serving him. Saul loved David very much, and David became his armor bearer.  Then Saul sent word to Jesse asking, “Please let David remain in my service, for I am very pleased with him.” And whenever the tormenting spirit from God troubled Saul, David would play the harp. Then Saul would feel better, and the tormenting spirit would go away”

 

 

 

9.__________________________________________________________________________

 

Deuteronomy 34:7  “Moses was 120 years old when he died, yet his eyesight was clear, and he was as strong as ever.”

 

 

 

Genesis 5:22-24  “After the birth of Methuselah, Enoch lived in close fellowship with God for another 300 years, and he had other sons and daughters.  Enoch lived 365 years,  walking in close fellowship with God. Then one day he disappeared, because God took him.”

 

 

 

Hebrews 11:5 “It was by faith that Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying—“he disappeared, because God took him.” For before he was taken up, he was known as a person who pleased God.”

 

 

 

Psalm 92:12-14 “But the godly will flourish like palm trees and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon.  For they are transplanted to the Lord’s own house. They flourish in the courts of our God. Even in old age they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital and green.”

 

 

 

2 Kings 2:11 “As they were walking along and talking, suddenly a chariot of fire appeared, drawn by horses of fire. It drove between the two men, separating them, and Elijah was carried by a whirlwind into heaven.”

 

 

 

Hebrews 9:27 “And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment,”

 

 

 

Genesis 25:7-8 “Abraham lived for 175 years, and he died at a ripe old age, having lived a long and satisfying life. He breathed his last and joined his ancestors in death.”

 

 

 

See also Genesis 27:1, Genesis 48:10- interesting that both Isaac and Jacob were going blind in old age

 

 

 

Psalm 71:9 “ And now, in my old age, don’t set me aside. Don’t abandon me when my strength is failing.”

 

 

 

Psalm 90:10-12 “The days of our lives are seventy years; and if by reason of strength they are eighty years, Yet their boast is only labour and sorrow; For it is soon cut off, and we fly away. Who knows the power of Your anger?  For as the fear of You, so is Your wrath. So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

 

 

 

1 Kings 1:1 “King David was now very old, and no matter how many blankets covered him, he could not keep warm.”

 

 

 

10._______________________________________________________

 

Acts 3:2-8  “As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in. Each day he was put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he could beg from the people going into the Temple. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money.  Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!”  The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money.  But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!” Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened.  He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them.”

 

 

 

Acts 5:14-16  “Yet more and more people believed and were brought to the Lord—crowds of both men and women.  As a result of the apostles’ work, sick people were brought out into the streets on beds and mats so that Peter’s shadow might fall across some of them as he went by.  Crowds came from the villages around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those possessed by evil spirits, and they were all healed.”

 

 

Acts 8:5-8 “Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ there. When the crowds heard Philip and saw the miraculous signs he did, they all paid close attention to what he said. With shrieks, evil spirits came out of many, and many paralytics and cripples were healed. So there was great joy in that city.”

 

Acts9:33-35  “There he met a man named Aeneas, who had been paralyzed and bedridden for eight years.  Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you! Get up, and roll up your sleeping mat!” And he was healed instantly.  Then the whole population of Lydda and Sharon saw Aeneas walking around, and they turned to the Lord.”

 

 

 

Acts 9:36-41 “There was a believer in Joppa named Tabitha (which in Greek is Dorcas). She was always doing kind things for others and helping the poor.  About this time she became ill and died. Her body was washed for burial and laid in an upstairs room.  But the believers had heard that Peter was nearby at Lydda, so they sent two men to beg him, “Please come as soon as possible!”  So Peter returned with them; and as soon as he arrived, they took him to the upstairs room. The room was filled with widows who were weeping and showing him the coats and other clothes Dorcas had made for them.  But Peter asked them all to leave the room; then he knelt and prayed. Turning to the body he said, “Get up, Tabitha.” And she opened her eyes! “When she saw Peter, she sat up!  He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then he called in the widows and all the believers, and he presented her to them alive.”

 

 

 

John 11:1-44 “A man named Lazarus was sick. He lived in Bethany with his sisters, Mary and Martha.  This is the Mary who later poured the expensive perfume on the Lord’s feet and wiped them with her hair. Her brother, Lazarus, was sick. So the two sisters sent a message to Jesus telling him, “Lord, your dear friend is very sick.”  But when Jesus heard about it he said, “Lazarus’s sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this.”  So although Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus,  he stayed where he was for the next two days.  Finally, he said to his disciples, “Let’s go back to Judea.”  But his disciples objected. “Rabbi,” they said, “only a few days ago the people in Judea were trying to stone you. Are you going there again?”   Jesus replied, “There are twelve hours of daylight every day. During the day people can walk safely. They can see because they have the light of this world.  But at night there is danger of stumbling because they have no light.”  Then he said, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but now I will go and wake him up.” The disciples said, “Lord, if he is sleeping, he will soon get better!” They thought Jesus meant Lazarus was simply sleeping, but Jesus meant Lazarus had died. So he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead.  And for your sakes, I’m glad I wasn’t there, for now you will really believe. Come, let’s go see him.”   Thomas, nicknamed the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let’s go, too—and die with Jesus.” When Jesus arrived at Bethany, he was told that Lazarus had already been in his grave for four days.  Bethany was only a few miles down the road from Jerusalem, and many of the people had come to console Martha and Mary in their loss. When Martha got word that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him. But Mary stayed in the house.  Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.  But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask.”  Jesus told her, “Your brother will rise again.”  “Yes,” Martha said, “he will rise when everyone else rises, at the last day.” Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?”  “Yes, Lord,” she told him. “I have always believed you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who has come into the world from God.”  Then she returned to Mary. She called Mary aside from the mourners and told her, “The Teacher is here and wants to see you.”  So Mary immediately went to him.  Jesus had stayed outside the village, at the place where Martha met him. When the people who were at the house consoling Mary saw her leave so hastily, they assumed she was going to Lazarus’s grave to weep. So they followed her there. When Mary arrived and saw Jesus, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.”  When Jesus saw her weeping and saw the other people wailing with her, a deep anger welled up within him, and he was deeply troubled. “Where have you put him?” he asked them.    They told him, “Lord, come and see.”  Then Jesus wept.  The people who were standing nearby said, “See how much he loved him!”  But some said, “This man healed a blind man. Couldn’t he have kept Lazarus from dying?”  Jesus was still angry as he arrived at the tomb, a cave with a stone rolled across its entrance.  “Roll the stone aside,” Jesus told them.    But Martha, the dead man’s sister, protested, “Lord, he has been dead for four days. The smell will be terrible.” Jesus responded, “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?”  So they rolled the stone aside. Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, thank you for hearing me. You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so that they will believe you sent me.”  Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!”  And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in graveclothes, his face wrapped in a headcloth. Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him go!”

 

 

 

Luke 4:33-35 “Once when he was in the synagogue, a man possessed by a demon—an evil spirit—began shouting at Jesus, “Go away! Why are you interfering with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One sent from God!” Jesus cut him short. “Be quiet! Come out of the man,” he ordered. At that, the demon threw the man to the floor as the crowd watched; then it came out of him without hurting him further.”

 

 

 

Mark 1:23-26 “Suddenly, a man in the synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit began shouting,  “Why are you interfering with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One sent from God!” Jesus cut him short. “Be quiet! Come out of the man,” he ordered. At that, the evil spirit screamed, threw the man into a convulsion, and then came out of him.”

 

 

 

Luke 7:20-22 and Matthew 11:2-5 “So the men came to Jesus and said, John the Baptist sent us to You to ask, Are You the One Who is to come, or shall we [continue to] look for another? In that very hour Jesus was healing many [people] of sicknesses and distressing bodily plagues and evil spirits, and to many who were blind He gave [a free, gracious, joy-giving gift of] sight. So He replied to them, Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the good news (the Gospel) preached to them.”

 

 

 

Luke 8:40-56 “But when Jesus heard what had happened, he said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid. Just have faith, and she will be healed.”  When they arrived at the house, Jesus wouldn’t let anyone go in with him except Peter, John, James, and the little girl’s father and mother.  The house was filled with people weeping and wailing, but he said, “Stop the weeping! She isn’t dead; she’s only asleep.”  But the crowd laughed at him because they all knew she had died.  Then Jesus took her by the hand and said in a loud voice, “My child, get up!”  And at that moment her life returned, and she immediately stood up! Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat.  Her parents were overwhelmed, but Jesus insisted that they not tell anyone what had happened.”

 

 

 

Luke 9:11 “But the crowds found out where he was going, and they followed him. He welcomed them and taught them about the Kingdom of God, and he healed those who were sick.”

 

Mark 1:30-34 also see Matthew 8:14-15 “Now Simon’s mother-in-law was sick in bed with a high fever. They told Jesus about her right away. So he went to her bedside, took her by the hand, and helped her sit up. Then the fever left her, and she prepared a meal for them.  That evening after sunset, many sick and demon-possessed people were brought to Jesus. The whole town gathered at the door to watch.  So Jesus healed many people who were sick with various diseases, and he cast out many demons. But because the demons knew who he was, he did not allow them to speak.”

 

 

 

Mark 3:1-5,  Matthew 12:13  and Luke 6: 6-11 “Jesus went into the synagogue again and noticed a man with a deformed hand.  Since it was the Sabbath, Jesus’ enemies watched him closely. If he healed the man’s hand, they planned to accuse him of working on the Sabbath. Jesus said to the man with the deformed hand, “Come and stand in front of everyone.”  Then he turned to his critics and asked, “Does the law permit good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing evil? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?” But they wouldn’t answer him. He looked around at them angrily and was deeply saddened by their hard hearts. Then he said to the man, “Hold out your hand.” So the man held out his hand, and it was restored!”

 

 

 

Matthew 8:2-3 “2Suddenly a leper came and knelt before Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” 3Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” He said. “Be clean!” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.…”

 

 

 

Matthew 8:35-36 “Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness.  When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”

 

 

 

Matthew 9:32-33 and Mark 5:32-42 “When they left, a demon-possessed man who couldn’t speak was brought to Jesus.  So Jesus cast out the demon, and then the man began to speak. The crowds were amazed. “Nothing like this has ever happened in Israel!” they exclaimed.”

 

 

 

Matthew 12:15-16 “But Jesus knew what they were planning. So he left that area, and many people followed him. He healed all the sick among them, but he warned them not to reveal who he was.”

 

 

 

Matthew 12:22-32 “Then a demon-possessed man, who was blind and couldn’t speak, was brought to Jesus. He healed the man so that he could both speak and see.  The crowd was amazed and asked, “Could it be that Jesus is the Son of David, the Messiah?” But when the Pharisees heard about the miracle, they said, “No wonder he can cast out demons. He gets his power from Satan, the prince of demons.”  Jesus knew their thoughts and replied, “Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed. A town or family splintered by feuding will fall apart.  And if Satan is casting out Satan, he is divided and fighting against himself. His own kingdom will not survive.  And if I am empowered by Satan, what about your own exorcists? They cast out demons, too, so they will condemn you for what you have said. But if I am casting out demons by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you.  For who is powerful enough to enter the house of a strong man like Satan and plunder his goods? Only someone even stronger—someone who could tie him up and then plunder his house.  “Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me.  “So I tell you, every sin and blasphemy can be forgiven—except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which will never be forgiven.  Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, either in this world or in the world to come.”

 

 

 

Matthew 15:30-31 “A vast crowd brought to him people who were lame, blind, crippled, those who couldn’t speak, and many others. They laid them before Jesus, and he healed them all.  The crowd was amazed! Those who hadn’t been able to speak were talking, the crippled were made well, the lame were walking, and the blind could see again! And they praised the God of Israel.”

 

 

 

Matthew 19:2 “Large crowds followed him there, and he healed their sick.”

 

 

 

Matthew 21:14 “The blind and the lame came to him in the Temple, and he healed them.

 

.

 

11._____________________________________________________________________________

 

Luke 5:18-25, Mark 2:3-11 and Matthew 9:2-8  “Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a sleeping mat. They tried to take him inside to Jesus, but they couldn’t reach him because of the crowd. So they went up to the roof and took off some tiles. Then they lowered the sick man on his mat down into the crowd, right in front of Jesus.  Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the man, “Young man, your sins are forgiven.” But the Pharisees and teachers of religious law said to themselves, “Who does he think he is? That’s blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins!”  Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you question this in your hearts?  Is it easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up and walk’?  So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!”  And immediately, as everyone watched, the man jumped up, picked up his mat, and went home praising God.”

 

 

 

Luke 7:6-10  (Matthew 8:5-13)“So Jesus went with them. But just before they arrived at the house, the officer sent some friends to say, “Lord, don’t trouble yourself by coming to my home, for I am not worthy of such an honour. I am not even worthy to come and meet you. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed.  I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, ‘Go,’ and they go, or ‘Come,’ and they come. And if I say to my slaves, ‘Do this,’ they do it.” When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to the crowd that was following him, he said, “I tell you, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel!” And when the officer’s friends returned to his house, they found the slave completely healed”

 

 

Matthew 9:18-26 also see Luke 8: 40-56. “As Jesus was saying this, the leader of a synagogue came and knelt before him. “My daughter has just died,” he said, “but you can bring her back to life again if you just come and lay your hand on her.” So Jesus and his disciples got up and went with him. Just then a woman who had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding came up behind him. She touched the fringe of his robe,  for she thought, “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.” Jesus turned around, and when he saw her he said, “Daughter, be encouraged! Your faith has made you well.” And the woman was healed at that moment.  When Jesus arrived at the official’s home, he saw the noisy crowd and heard the funeral music.  “Get out!” he told them. “The girl isn’t dead; she’s only asleep.” But the crowd laughed at him. After the crowd was put outside, however, Jesus went in and took the girl by the hand, and she stood up! The report of this miracle swept through the entire countryside.”

 

 

 

Mark 7:25-30 see also Matthew 15:26-28  “Right away a woman who had heard about him came and fell at his feet. Her little girl was possessed by an evil spirit,  and she begged him to cast out the demon from her daughter.  Since she was a Gentile, born in Syrian Phoenicia, Jesus told her, “First I should feed the children—my own family, the Jews. It isn’t right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs.”  She replied, “That’s true, Lord, but even the dogs under the table are allowed to eat the scraps from the children’s plates.”  “Good answer!” he said. “Now go home, for the demon has left your daughter.”  And when she arrived home, she found her little girl lying quietly in bed, and the demon was gone. “

 

 

12.___________________________________________________________________________

Hebrews 4:16 “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.”

 

 

 

Romans 9:14-23  “Are we saying, then, that God was unfair? Of course not! For God said to Moses, “I will show mercy to anyone I choose, and I will show compassion to anyone I choose.” So it is God who decides to show mercy. We can neither choose it nor work for it.  For the Scriptures say that God told Pharaoh, “I have appointed you for the very purpose of displaying my power in you and to spread my fame throughout the earth.” So you see, God chooses to show mercy to some, and he chooses to harden the hearts of others so they refuse to listen.  Well then, you might say, “Why does God blame people for not responding? Haven’t they simply done what he makes them do?”  No, don’t say that. Who are you, a mere human being, to argue with God? Should the thing that was created say to the one who created it, “Why have you made me like this?” When a potter makes jars out of clay, doesn’t he have a right to use the same lump of clay to make one jar for decoration and another to throw garbage into? In the same way, even though God has the right to show his anger and his power, he is very patient with those on whom his anger falls, who are destined for destruction.  He does this to make the riches of his glory shine even brighter on those to whom he shows mercy, who were prepared in advance for glory. “

 

 

 

Psalm 86:13-17  “for your love for me is very great.  You have rescued me from the depths of death. O God, insolent people rise up against me; a violent gang is trying to kill me.     You mean nothing to them. But you, O Lord, are a God of compassion and mercy,  slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. Look down and have mercy on me.    Give your strength to your servant; save me, the son of your servant. Send me a sign of your favour.  Then those who hate me will be put to shame,  for you, O Lord, help and comfort me.”

 

 

13.__________________________________________________________________________

 

Mark 8:22-25  “When they arrived at Bethsaida, some people brought a blind man to Jesus, and they begged him to touch the man and heal him.  Jesus took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village. Then, spitting on the man’s eyes, he laid his hands on him and asked, “Can you see anything now?”  The man looked around. “Yes,” he said, “I see people, but I can’t see them very clearly. They look like trees walking around.” Then Jesus placed his hands on the man’s eyes again, and his eyes were opened. His sight was completely restored, and he could see everything clearly.”

 

 

 

14.___________________________________________________________________________

 

Acts 14:8-10 “While they were at Lystra, Paul and Barnabas came upon a man with crippled feet. He had been that way from birth, so he had never walked. He was sitting  and listening as Paul preached. Looking straight at him, Paul realized he had faith to be healed.  So Paul called to him in a loud voice, “Stand up!” And the man jumped to his feet and started walking.”

 

 

 

Romans 10:17

NLT “So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.”

KJV “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

 

 

 

Romans 12:3  “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” KJV

 

 

 

15._____________________________________________________________________________

 

Luke 17:14-19  “He looked at them and said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy.  One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God!”  He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, “Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?”  And Jesus said to the man, “Stand up and go. Your faith has healed you.”

 

 

 

16._______________________________________________________________________

 

Matthew 20:29-34 “As Jesus and the disciples left the town of Jericho, a large crowd followed behind.  Two blind men were sitting beside the road. When they heard that Jesus was coming that way, they began shouting, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”  “Be quiet!” the crowd yelled at them.   But they only shouted louder, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”  When Jesus heard them, he stopped and called, “What do you want me to do for you?”  “Lord,” they said, “we want to see!”  Jesus felt sorry for them and touched their eyes. Instantly they could see! Then they followed him.”

 

 

 

17._______________________________________________________________________

 

Matthew 9:35 “Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness.”

 

 

18.__________________________________________________________________________

Mark 5:1-12 and Luke 8:26-33 “So they arrived in the region of the Gerasenes, across the lake from Galilee. As Jesus was climbing out of the boat, a man who was possessed by demons came out to meet him. For a long time he had been homeless and naked, living in a cemetery outside the town.  As soon as he saw Jesus, he shrieked and fell down in front of him. Then he screamed, “Why are you interfering with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Please, I beg you, don’t torture me!” For Jesus had already commanded the evil spirit to come out of him. This spirit had often taken control of the man. Even when he was placed under guard and put in chains and shackles, he simply broke them and rushed out into the wilderness, completely under the demon’s power.  Jesus demanded, “What is your name?”    “Legion,” he replied, for he was filled with many demons. The demons kept begging Jesus not to send them into the bottomless pit  There happened to be a large herd of pigs feeding on the hillside nearby, and the demons begged him to let them enter into the pigs.    So Jesus gave them permission. Then the demons came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the entire herd plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned. “

 

 

 

19._____________________________________________________________

 

Matthew 8:16-17 “That evening many demon-possessed people were brought to Jesus. He cast out the evil spirits with a simple command, and he healed all the sick. “He took our sicknesses  and removed our diseases.”

 

 

 

20._______________________________________________________________________________

 

John 4:46-52 “As he traveled through Galilee, he came to Cana, where he had turned the water into wine. There was a government official in nearby Capernaum whose son was very sick.  When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went and begged Jesus to come to Capernaum to heal his son, who was about to die.  Jesus asked, “Will you never believe in me unless you see miraculous signs and wonders?”  The official pleaded, “Lord, please come now before my little boy dies.”  Then Jesus told him, “Go back home. Your son will live!” And the man believed what Jesus said and started home.  While the man was on his way, some of his servants met him with the news that his son was alive and well.  He asked them when the boy had begun to get better, and they replied, “Yesterday afternoon at one o’clock his fever suddenly disappeared!”

 

 

 

21.______________________________________________________________________

 

Mark 1:35-45 “Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray. Later Simon and the others went out to find him. When they found him, they said, “Everyone is looking for you.”  But Jesus replied, “We must go on to other towns as well, and I will preach to them, too. That is why I came.”  So he traveled throughout the region of Galilee, preaching in the synagogues and casting out demons. A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed. “If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean,” he said.  Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!”  Instantly the leprosy disappeared, and the man was healed.  Then Jesus sent him on his way with a stern warning:  “Don’t tell anyone about this. Instead, go to the priest and let him examine you. Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy. This will be a public testimony that you have been cleansed.”  But the man went and spread the word, proclaiming to everyone what had happened. As a result, large crowds soon surrounded Jesus, and he couldn’t publicly enter a town anywhere. He had to stay out in the secluded places, but people from everywhere kept coming to him.

 

 

 

Teachers that I have listened to and would generally recommend (do be Berean, each one has strengths and blind spots)

Resources:

“God’s Generals” by Roberts Liardon

“Azusa Street: They Told Me Their Stories” by Tom Welchel

“A More Excellent Way” by Reverend Henry Wright (a focus on the spiritual roots of disease, )

“John G. Lake: The Complete Collection of His Life Teachings” Roberts Llardon compiler

“Kathryn Kuhlman: A Spiritual Biography of God’s Miracle Worker” by Roberts Liardon

Others I have been blessed by (keeping in mind that I take everything back to scripture and am content to sift everything and set aside any “bones”):   Dan Mohler, Todd White, Andrew Wommack, Smith Wigglesworth, Andrew Murray, E.W.  Kenyon, FF Bosworth, Nerida Walker

Galatians 1 (Exploring the Books of the Bible)

Entirely Optional extra series of post for those interested in a systematic Bible study of each book of the Bible.

I will add commentary as I go.  I am feeling pulled to meditate on Galatians and Jeremiah for the next couple of months.   If you would like to join me, I would love to hear what God reveals to you.

I am starting a new series of post exploring each book of the Bible in turn.   These are an optional extra, so do feel free to skip.    While we often focus on topical studies in our group, these posts will encourage one to see every verse in the context of the whole book or letter in which they were originally written.   The book of Romans is a very good example of a book that is commonly quoted out of context.   Reading in context AND topically is a balanced and rich approach to understanding what the verses say.  I will share my commentary at the bottom including word studies, other translations, things that jump out to etc.  I will colour code the text and put an asterisk next to anything I have made commentary on.

Galatians 1 King James Version (KJV)

“1 Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)

And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:

Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,

Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:

To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.

12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:

14 And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.

15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace,

16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:

17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.

18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.

19 But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord’s brother.

20 Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not.

21 Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia;

22 And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ:

23 But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.

24 And they glorified God in me.”