Galatians 5:19-24  KJV  “¹⁹Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, ²⁰Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, ²¹Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. ²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, ²³Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. ²⁴And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.”

Matthew 16 ” From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. ²² And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord!^[e] This shall never happen to you.”²³ But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance^[f]to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”   ²⁴ Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. ²⁵ For whoever would save his life^[g]will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. ²⁶ For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?”

Jeremiah 6:10 English Standard Version (ESV) ” ¹⁰ To whom shall I speak and give warning,      that they may hear?   Behold, their ears are uncircumcised,      they cannot listen;  behold, the word of the Lord is to them an object of scorn;      they take no pleasure in it.”

Romans 8:5-7 King James Version (KJV)  ⁵ For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.  ⁶ For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.  ⁷ Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

1 Corinthians 9:27 Amplified Bible (AMP)  ²⁷ But [like a boxer] I strictly discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached [the gospel] to others, I myself will not somehow be disqualified [as unfit for service].

Romans 8:7 NIV”The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.”

James 4:4    You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God.

Matthew 10:39 English Standard Version (ESV)  ³⁹ Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

Mark 9:29 English Standard Version (ESV)  ²⁹ And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.”^[a]

Matthew 6:21-23 ” Berean Bible “21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 22The eye is the lamp of the body. If your vision is clear, your whole body will be full of light. 23But if your vision is poor, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!…”

Ezekiel 44:9 King James Version (KJV)  9 Thus saith the Lord God; No stranger, uncircumcised in heart, nor uncircumcised in flesh, shall enter into my sanctuary, of any stranger that is among the children of Israel.

1 Corinthians 3:2-4 English Standard Version (ESV)  2 I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, 3 for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way? 4 For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not being merely human?

What does denying ourselves, picking up our cross and follow Jesus really mean?    I think a lot of us have heard the expression quite often:   “Oh that is just my cross to bear” referring to any uncomfortable thing that we “believe” we have to live with over a long period of time.  I have begun to question this.   The cross was not something Jesus was indefinitely yoked with.

What is the cross after all.  An instrument that puts the death slowly but surely to death.  We follow Jesus’ example and willingly commit bearing our cross until like our Lord, our flesh is dead to itself and now we are truly free to live for Christ.    I am so encouraged that Jesus is not still carrying around the cross.   Nope, once his flesh died, the cross had fulfilled its purpose.   This gives me hope that carrying our cross is something we do for a season and that I will get to the point where my fleshly mind is truly dead.

Denying SELF is essential.   The image that pops to mind are the African slaves being walked across the plains with the neck and hand and feet shakles on.  Even if the slave trader disappears, those shackles will limit them until every single one is removed.   I believe that a fleshly wordly mind shackles the Kingdom in us.   The flesh shackles us with entitlement, fear, unbelief, anxiousness, doubt, self-centreness etc.   Thank God the answer is always Jesus.   He empowers us to do all that He asks.    Bringing our bodies into subjection are not optional but also not possible to the natural man.   What jumped out to me this week was the verse from Galatians that scripture assumes that those who are walking with Christ HAVE ALREADY crucified their flesh and the appetites  that go along with it.   This actually encourages me immensely.  Yes, self dying is painful.  We cannot carry our cross painlessly.   It is where all that we hold dear that is not part of the Kingdom dies.  But it is purposeful and it is temporary.

Prayer and fasting, taking everythought captive, anything and everything that scripture commands us to do that is hard or impossible in the natural, is part of picking up that cross.   When we choose to do what is biblically right against all of our feelings, emotions and physical sensations, we are bearing our cross.   When the flesh screams for cheesecake and we fast or eat a carrot, we are denying ourselves.   When someone gets right up in our emotional faces and pushes our buttons HARD and we turn the other cheek and choose peace and gentleness, we are dying to self.   There are infinite ways to die to self.   For me this starts in earnest today.

For much of my christian walk, I have been fighting with my flesh.  This was a true lightbulb moment for me.

Other benefits of cutting off the fleshly, worldly bits of our lives:

Jeremiah says that it is due to an uncircumsized ear that we cannot properly hear God.   The more I cut off the worldly inputs in my life, the better I hear God in my life.   Prayer and fasting improves this even more.    Spending set apart time with him daily also makes a huge difference.     Choosing thanks giving and joy and to magnify Him and His Word even when the circumstances seem contrary.  Each one of these acts of obedience opens my ears and heart to Him more.     That other  stuff that I let into my head through my senses literally blinds me and deafens me from hearing and seeing God clearly.

Scritpure also refers to uncircumsized lips, uncircumsized hearts, uncircumsize flesh.

A couple of word studies for those who want to dive in for  deeper study

https://www.biblegateway.com/quicksearch/?quicksearch=circum&qs_version=KJV

https://www.biblegateway.com/quicksearch/?qs_version=KJV&quicksearch=uncircum&startnumber=26

Let’s look at this verse one more time:

Luke 9:23 ESV  “²³ And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”

Who is Jesus directing this invitation to?

• Anyone who wants to become His disciple.   These are Jesus’ instructions right from day 1 for anyone who wants to walk with Him.    These things are foundational to a victorious life in and for Christ.

 

 

 

Today we hit a great question.   How do you sincerely love and pray for people who are well…   Just really hard to like, love, respect etc.  Those who we see so little good in we might even think there is nothing redeeming about them…  Even those we might think are “evil personified” ????

The key is to separate, discern that when we are looking at a person, we are really seeing more than just the person.       If you go to Genesis, you will see that God created Adam and Eve and looked at His Creation and said it was very good.     Adam and Eve were actually very good at the beginning.   Pure, holy and blameless..

Picture a ball of white playdough.   This representing us at our core.  Every thing God created us to be before sin and the world have touched us.

Picture a ball of black playdough (of varying sizes) representing sin.

Conception:  Enter in the black playdough.  Now start mushing it all together.   Even the womb is not a spiritually neutral place.   That child goes through and experiences everything that their mama does.     Scripture tells us that the generational sin of our parents (going back 4 generations officially but far longer when you consider the cumulative effect) enters at conception into a child.   What you do in your lifetime will have impact on 4 generations to come.   That certainly motivates me to cut off as much sin from my life in Christ as I possibly can.      Remember, the amount of white playdough never changes, but with every sin, more black playdough is added.

Life continues to happen:   And with every year, more sin, more black playdough.  Just imagine what this ball of playdough is looking like by the age of 10, by the age of 30 by the age of 80 if we are only adding black and unable to be separate the two.    Thank God the answer is still Jesus Christ.  The Lord never loses track of what is black playdough and what is white.   He also is the only one in all of creation that can separate the two.     God can truly love us, as He can truly see what we are.  All we see is varying shades of grey.    He sees you are pure white playdough waiting to be set free and restored to His original plan.

It is almost like every single one of us was born in a trash heap of generational sin.  Some were relatively lucky and had a relatively good start.  Others were born in the very heart of the heap and with impossible amounts of trash and sin to break free from.    We are all in the same boat truly, but some also do start from a much more difficult and challenging point.   Our compassion and mercy and love can flow freely when we begin to see this reality.

Romans 5:12 “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, so also death was passed on to all men, because all sinned.”

Exodus 34:7 King James Version (KJV)7 Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.

So basically, we are made up of two parts.  (Thank God, three once we are saved and filled with the Holy Spirit).  The original white playdough (God’s perfect and good creation) and black playdough (the after market addition of sin that is passed to a child from parents at conception through this generational curse).     If you want to know why you are double minded, this would be an excellent explanation.  As the real you longs to be free to be good, pure and holy and the sin that wants to totally rule and dominate.   The tendency in the world is for most to get blacker and blacker and ratio to increasingly favour the sin nature.

None of us are really truly free, we are either a slave to sin or a servant to God and righteousness.  So we are caught in a tug of war until one side wins.     While many remain in this tug of war position, some have their conscience seared and give themselves entirely over to lasvishness, others are radically renewed and redeemed in Christ and are freed utterly from the sin nature and do awesome things for the Kingdom..   But most remain some place in the middle.   Thank God the answer is Jesus Christ.

Romans 8:3-6 English Standard Version (ESV) 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin,[a] he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.

Galatians 5:14-17 English Standard Version (ESV) 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.  16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.

 

Romans 6:19 English Standard Version (ESV) 19 I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification.

Scripture says we are not fighting against flesh and blood.    If you look at scripture, at the core of every person is this white playdough engaged/consumed by this life and death struggle with sin and death.      Some are in deep captivity and are more like puppets to evil and sin.   Can a puppet be evil at it’s core?   Or only the puppet master pulling the puppet’s strings?   When in deep captivity, there is very little they are capable of doing as they are very much like prisoners of war, trapped behind enemy lines in their own thinking and bodies.   For these, we pray for salvation, freedom from sin and for blindness and deafness to be healed, and for hardness of heart to be healed and fall away.     We can look on in compassion knowing that they are not the author of their actions but are literally compelled by the sin in them and so weakened or so seared in their conscience that they cannot/will not resist and fight for righteousness.   We are not shocked by their shortfall or stunned when they can’t see due to their blindness.   We can direct all of our hate, our warring, our negative emotions at the sin and darkness and yet cry out fervently for the prisoner of war to be released.

Ephesians 6:12 King James Version (KJV)  12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

1 Timothy 2:24-26 “A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.”

John 8:34” 34Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.”

Our hope is that Christ the morning start will burst into their lives and they will be released to be the new creation, the original person that God created them to be.  We cry out for God to transform us so utterly and for his love and kindness and protection and provision to abound so heartily in us that we become a blessing and a city on a hill, a beacon of light for that original creation to see and be encouraged by.   We cry out for mercy as we know that God will pour out vengeance for any and every act any man makes against His beloved.   There is a horrible wrath coming against those who hurt God’s beloved.   If we can separate and recognize that all the parts we hate, are not even part of the person in captivity, then our heart and mind respond differently to what they do.    We are truly free to love and pray for God’s creation and to have a godly hate for the sin and demonic enemies that our loved ones are fighting with and held captive by.

2 Peter 1:19 English Standard Version (ESV)  19 And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts,”

Romans 2:3-5 English Standard Version (ESV)  3 Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? 5 But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.

1 Corinthians 5:17 So from now on we regard no one according to the flesh. Although we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come! 18All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:”

 

 

 

 

 Scripture References for Core Beliefs

1. 1 Chronicles 28:9 “And Solomon, my son, learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the Lord sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek him, you will find him.”

 

 

2. Matthew 6:33 “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”

 

 

3. 1 Corinthians 2:9 “That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”

 

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4. Isaiah 44:22 “I have swept away your sins like a cloud. I have scattered your offenses like the morning mist. Oh, return to me, for I have paid the price to set you free.”

 

 

5. John 3:16 “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”

 

 

6. Acts 17:11-12 “And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth.”

 

7. 2 Timothy 3:16 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”

 

 

8. Proverbs 4:20-22 “My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body.”

 

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9. Matthew 4:24 “News about him spread as far as Syria, and people soon began bringing to him all who were sick. And whatever their sickness or disease, or if they were demon possessed or epileptic or paralyzed—he healed them all.”

 

 

10. Luke 6:19 “And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all.”

 

 

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11. Matthew 18:19-20 “I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”

 

 

12. 1 John 5:14-15 “And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for.”

 

 

 

13. 2 Corinthians 1:24 “But that does not mean we want to dominate you by telling you how to put your faith into practice. We want to work together with you so you will be full of joy, for it is by your own faith that you stand firm.”

 

 

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14. James 1:17-18 “Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.^”

 

 

15. Luke 9:1-2 “One day Jesus called together his twelve disciples and gave them power and authority to cast out all demons and to heal all diseases. Then he sent them out to tell everyone about the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick.”

 

 

16. Psalm 103:1-3 “Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.”

 

 

17. John 5:19 “So Jesus explained, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does.”

 

 

18. John 10:10 “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” KJV

 

 

 

19. Matthew 6:9-13 KJV “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. “

 

 

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20. James 3:17 “But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.”

 

 

21. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.”

Lisa’s response to questions about Paul’s Thorn

The first half of this post talks specifically about Paul’s Thorn. If you are short on time, focus on this.  The second half focuses on why it is so important to rightly understand Paul’s thorn, I believe this will be helpful for those wanting to go deeper but you can skip it if you are short on time or prefer the shorter more to the point answer:)

2 Corinthians 12… Questions to ask.

1. Why guess or add to scripture what is not clearly spelled out?    What answer is given in scripture as to what the thorn in Paul’s flesh was?
2. What was God’s answer word for word when Paul asked Him to take away the thorn?  Did God actually say no?
3. Why did Paul say he was given this thorn? Does that apply to you and your life?
4. Paul shares in detail the infirmities and weaknesses he experienced…. if you take these verses in context, he actually spelled them out in detail in 2 Corinthians 11 … What did these include and what did they exclude?
5. Context… Check out a timeline for Paul’s travels..  What did Paul experience right before walking to Derbe?  (this is reference to the verse in Galatians about how they would have plucked out their eyes to give them to him due to his condition)

THE SCRIPTURE ITSELF

2 Corinthians 12 (New Living Translation)

Paul’s Vision and His Thorn in the Flesh

¹ This boasting will do no good, but I must go on. I will reluctantly tell about visions and revelations from the Lord. ² I^[a] was caught up to the third heaven fourteen years ago. Whether I was in my body or out of my body, I don’t know—only God knows. ³ Yes, only God knows whether I was in my body or outside my body. But I do know ⁴ that I was caught up^[b] to paradise and heard things so astounding that they cannot be expressed in words, things no human is allowed to tell.

⁵ That experience is worth boasting about, but I’m not going to do it. I will boast only about my weaknesses. ⁶ If I wanted to boast, I would be no fool in doing so, because I would be telling the truth. But I won’t do it, because I don’t want anyone to give me credit beyond what they can see in my life or hear in my message, ⁷ even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.

⁸ Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. ⁹ Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. ¹⁰ That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses*, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles* that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak*, then I am strong.

Paul’s Concern for the Corinthians

¹¹ You have made me act like a fool—boasting like this.  You ought to be writing commendations for me, for I am not at all inferior to these “super apostles,” even though I am nothing at all. ¹² When I was with you, I certainly gave you proof that I am an apostle. For I patiently did many signs and wonders and miracles among you. ¹³ The only thing I failed to do, which I do in the other churches, was to become a financial burden to you. Please forgive me for this wrong!

¹⁴ Now I am coming to you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you. I don’t want what you have—I want you. After all, children don’t provide for their parents. Rather, parents provide for their children. ¹⁵ I will gladly spend myself and all I have for you, even though it seems that the more I love you, the less you love me.

¹⁶ Some of you admit I was not a burden to you. But others still think I was sneaky and took advantage of you by trickery. ¹⁷ But how? Did any of the men I sent to you take advantage of you? ¹⁸ When I urged Titus to visit you and sent our other brother with him, did Titus take advantage of you? No! For we have the same spirit and walk in each other’s steps, doing things the same way.

¹⁹ Perhaps you think we’re saying these things just to defend ourselves. No, we tell you this as Christ’s servants, and with God as our witness. Everything we do, dear friends, is to strengthen you. ²⁰ For I am afraid that when I come I won’t like what I find, and you won’t like my response. I am afraid that I will find quarreling, jealousy, anger, selfishness, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorderly behavior. ²¹ Yes, I am afraid that when I come again, God will humble me in your presence. And I will be grieved because many of you have not given up your old sins. You have not repented of your impurity, sexual immorality, and eagerness for lustful pleasure.

 

2 Corinthians 11

^“23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.²⁴ Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.   ²⁵ Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;   ²⁶ In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;  ²⁷ In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.⁸ Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.   ⁹ Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?³⁰ If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.”

What stands out about all that Paul suffered?    Various forms of persecution are described in detail.

Acts 9:13-18 (KJV)^“13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:   ¹⁴ And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.   ¹⁵ But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:   ¹⁶ For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.  ¹⁷ And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. ¹⁸ And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.”

Other Biblical references to thorns

NB thorn thorn Strong’s Concordance # G4647 (this is the only spot in the Bible that the original greek work is used, so all other references have a different Greek or Hebrew word)

Joshua 23:12-14 (New Living Translation)

¹² “But if you turn away from him and cling to the customs of the survivors of these nations remaining among you, and if you intermarry with them, ¹³ then know for certain that the Lord your God will no longer drive them out of your land. Instead, they will be a snare and a trap to you, a whip for your backs and thorny brambles in your eyes, and you will vanish from this good land the Lord your God has given you.

Judges 2:2-3

“For your part, you were not to make any covenants with the people living in this land; instead, you were to destroy their altars. But you disobeyed my command. Why did you do this? ³ So now I declare that I will no longer drive out the people living in your land. They will be thorns in your sides,^[a] and their gods will be a constant temptation to you.”

 

Matthew 13:22
The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced.

Even in today’s language, a thorn in the flesh, usually indicates a person or a people group.

If this passage does refer to Paul having a sickness or disease, then this  passage is rather unique in that it would be the only passage in the New Testament  giving an example of God saying no to someone who was seeking healing….

God’s answer to Paul

2 Cor 7:9 “Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.”

from the Strong’s Concordance Grace=G5485. 2nd definition is that grace is an empowering force in the life of a christian to live in a godly way.

2) good will, loving-kindness, favour

1. a) of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues

 

My Thoughts: God’s answer “My grace is sufficient for you”  does this actually  mean “no”.  God’s grace is sufficient to overcome the grave, sickness,  sin, Satan, well everything…  God’s Grace doesn’t give us the ability just to tolerate, survive, subsist, God’s grace gives us the ability to overcome.  We are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus.   Jesus came in fact to destroy all the works of the devil.  Sickness, disease, infirmity etc, were non-existent in Eden before the fall and non-existent in heaven… they are fruit/consequence of the fall and are included among the works that Jesus came to destroy.    Scripture also tells us that the disciples were given the authority to heal all diseases and cast out all demons… So Paul had been abundantly equipped to deal with any disease he might have been suffering from.

James 4:6 (AMP)

⁶But He gives us more and more grace (^[a]power of the Holy Spirit, to meet this evil tendency and all others fully). That is why He says, God sets Himself against the proud and haughty, but gives grace [continually] to the lowly (those who are humble enough to receive it).

1 John 3:8
“But when people keep on sinning, it shows that they belong to the devil, who has been sinning since the beginning. But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil.”

Luke 9:1 “One day Jesus called together his twelve disciples and gave them power and authority to cast out all demons and to heal all diseases.”

What if Paul’s thorn really was a person/persecution, and not a sickness?

Mark 10:29-31  (ESV)

²⁹ Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, ³⁰ who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. ³¹ But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

2 Timothy 3:10-13  (ESV)  “ You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, ¹¹ my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. ¹² Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, ¹³ while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.”

2 Timothy 3:12 “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,”

Paul plainly tells us not to read between the lines.   What he has said is plain and simply spoken.     Bottom line, is that we are NOT told the exact and specific nature of Paul’s thorn.      What we can plainly see is that Paul calls it a messenger from Satan.

2 Corinthians 1:12-14 New Living Translation (NLT)

¹² We can say with confidence and a clear conscience that we have lived with a God-given holiness^[a] and sincerity in all our dealings. We have depended on God’s grace, not on our own human wisdom. That is how we have conducted ourselves before the world, and especially toward you. ¹³ Our letters have been straightforward, and there is nothing written between the lines and nothing you can’t understand. I hope someday you will fully understand us, ¹⁴ even if you don’t understand us now. Then on the day when the Lord Jesus^[b] returns, you will be proud of us in the same way we are proud of you.

Luke 10:19 New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁹ Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

Yet Paul had authority over all the power of the enemy given to him directly fro the Lord.  He actually had the CAPACITY to deal with any messenger of Satan from a position of absolute authority.

This is further confirmed by these verses confirming Paul was set free from the power of darkness (other translations say dominion):

Colossians 1:12-14 New King James Version (NKJV)

¹² giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. ¹³ He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, ¹⁴ in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.

So then why did Paul not use this authority?

Well, if the thorn was in fact persecution, yes, God promised him that was something he would have to face in great measure and he was not given authority to stop the persecution that came at him through man.

If this were the case, Paul was asking God to remove something that God had promised him he would experience as part of the cost of being his apostle.   In this case, God’s answer makes perfect sense.  My grace is sufficient for you to stand in spite of these constant afflictions brought on by man.

If the oppression was spiritual in nature, did Paul have authority to stop it.  I believe scripture says yes!!!   Are there any other examples of Paul having authority but not using it. YES!!!!

Acts 16 (Berean Study Bible) “One day as we were going to the place of prayer, we were met 0by a slave girl with a spirit of clairvoyance, who earned a large income for her masters by fortune-telling. 17This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation.” 18She continued this for many days. Eventually Paul grew so aggravated that he turned and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” And the spirit left her at that very moment…”

What stood out to me was that Paul had the authority the entire time this girl was following him but it took him a few days to actually get frustrated enough to act.   In this case it was not praying to God and having God remove the thorn, it was Paul using the authority he had.  Scripture clearly tells us that the thorn was a messenger from SATAN…   scripture also tells us that Paul was annointed by God to cast out all demons.  So Paul already had from God what he needed to deal with any messenger from Satan

What about Paul’s bodily dailment mentioned in the book of Galatians?

If you track this on a map, you will plainly see that Paul was stoned, got up and went to the town of Derbe in Galatia.  If you follow this on a timeline of his travels, you will discover that the letter to the Galatians was a follow up to this visit.

Galatians 4:13-16 (ESV)

^“13 You know it was because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you at first, ¹⁴ and though my condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or despise me, but received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus. ¹⁵ What then has become of your blessedness? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have gouged out your eyes and given them to me. ¹⁶ Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth?”

When Paul first arrived, think about this, he had the day before been stoned to what the people believed was dead.  Scripture simply records that he rose up and went back to the city and then on to Derbe.    We have a very clear biblical explanation here for why Paul arrived in a woeful and distressing state and that the condition he would have been in distressing.

 

Bottom line:   Is what we believe about Paul’s thorn actually plainly spelled out in scripture?    At worst, what Paul’s thorn is remains ambiguous…   but I believe that we consider the full counsel of God, even this picture becomes much more clear.    As always, be Berean, ask God for eyes to see and ears to hear and the ability to understand what is really in His Word without the human additions and traditions clouding the truth.   And go back to the verses and discover for yourself the PURE truth found in the Word itself.  BLESSINGS.

 

Why is it so important to rightly understand Paul’s thorn?

A common block to healing in the church today

It is used as an argument to say that it is not always God’s will to heal.   IF Paul’s thorn was a sickness and IF God said no I will not heal you. THEN we could say there is a scriptural example of God saying no to a sick person which might mean it is not always God’s will to heal everyone.

Consider this:

Matthew 13:53-58

When Jesus had finished telling these stories and illustrations, he left that part of the country. ⁵⁴ He returned to Nazareth, his hometown. When he taught there in the synagogue, everyone was amazed and said, “Where does he get this wisdom and the power to do miracles?” ⁵⁵ Then they scoffed, “He’s just the carpenter’s son, and we know Mary, his mother, and his brothers—James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas. ⁵⁶ All his sisters live right here among us. Where did he learn all these things?” ⁵⁷ And they were deeply offended and refused to believe in him.     Then Jesus told them, “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his own family.” ⁵⁸ And so he did only a few miracles there because of their unbelief.

I also believe that scripture specifically calls us to the work of routing all unbelief out and being full on committed to the work of believing in Christ and His Word.  Note here also that the fact that they were “deeply offended” motivated them to shut themselves down to even hearing Jesus.   So many are offended today and shut down and refuse to listen to anything that has to do with the scriptural healing.   This just jumped out to me for the very first time.   WOW.   Stirring up offense is an intentional and effect way to harden a person’s heart towards God.

John 6:29
“Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.”

Can we believe bigger  “more good” better than what God wants to give?

What is the potential negative of believing 100% that it is God’s will to heal?

What is the potential negative of believing that if might not be God’s will to heal?

Paul was like this (tight I mean really close to God) and heard him very clearly.  Do we have the ability to hear from God this clearly?     Even if we have heard clearly, can our prayers and actions change things?

Consider this verse about King Hezekiah:

2 Kings 20:1-5

“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.”   ² When Hezekiah heard this, he turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, ³ “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.   ⁴ But before Isaiah had left the middle courtyard, this message came to him from the Lord: ⁵ “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.”

Consistently, the Lord encourages us to persist, keep knocking, keep asking until we receive…. Knock and the door will be open.  The story of the persistent widow.   Scriptures on waiting confidently for the Word and promise of God to be fulfilled.

So in our lack of being able to clearly hear from the Lord, and knowing that it is possible to change the outcome through our persistence, I have landed in the camp that it’s better persist even until the day we or those we are praying for die.       

Of course, all of creation points to God, all suffering directs us back to Him and realizing our need for Him in our lives in greater and greater measure.   Every place of groaning and pain drives us to our knees in prayer that he would return soon and His Kingdom established on earth as it is in heaven.    God longs to be merciful and spare us from pain and hardship, even when we fully deserve it based on our rebellions and sin issues.    If you click on this link, it will take you to a bunch of Proverbs that direct us to value and seek out instruction.  https://www.biblegateway.com/quicksearch/?qs_version=KJV&quicksearch=instruction&begin=24&end=24   God would much rather we learn as the wise do, by instruction, rather than as the fools do, with a rod to their back.    Our God is a God of deep compassion.   There are so many verses about His compassion. We must never lose sight of His kindness and goodness.  Here are two verses to illustrate this point:

Matthew 15:31-35 King James Version (KJV)” ³¹ Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel.  ³² Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.  ³³ And his disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude?  ³⁴ And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes.   ³⁵ And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground.”

Luke 13:11-20 King James Version (KJV)  “¹¹ And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself.  ¹² And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity.  ¹³ And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.  ¹⁴ And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day.  ¹⁵ The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering?  ¹⁶ And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?  ¹⁷ And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him.”

If I believe that it isn’t God’s will to heal me, when in fact it is his will to do so instantly,  or even if He could have been swayed by intercession or persistence, than by not believing I actually block God by my unbelief from receiving what he wanted to give me.  The scriptures further warn that the unbelief and misdirected ways of  those ministering to  others can prevent the healing from happening.

Matthew 17:14-20  KJV ¹⁴And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying, ¹⁵LORD, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water. ¹⁶And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him. ¹⁷Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me. ¹⁸And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour. ¹⁹Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? ²⁰And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.”

If on the other hand, I believe it is God’s will and that I am confident that if I keep searching for him, drawing closer to him and learning to hear his voice etc better, what is the downside?    After all the point of God being able to use suffering to develop things in us is ultimately that he uses it to show us where things aren’t quite hitting his mark in our lives and renew our thoughts, spirits and attitudes to walk in closer and closer relationship with him and to become servants who can serve powerfully, joyfully and according to God’s will and ways.

James 1:5-7 (New Living Translation)

“ If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. ⁶ But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. ⁷ Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.”

I love this next scripture, it reflects my own heart, limitations, understanding of the Lord so perfectly….  In this verse we actually see the presence of both belief and unbelief.    I want to believe the Lord, but part of me struggles to really believe it 100%…  His provision is just so beautiful, so perfect…

Mark 9:23-27

What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.” ²⁴ The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”   ²⁵ When Jesus saw that the crowd of onlookers was growing, he rebuked the evil^[a] spirit. “Listen, you spirit that makes this boy unable to hear and speak,” he said. “I command you to come out of this child and never enter him again!” ²⁶ Then the spirit screamed and threw the boy into another violent convulsion and left him. The boy appeared to be dead. A murmur ran through the crowd as people said, “He’s dead.” ²⁷ But Jesus took him by the hand and helped him to his feet, and he stood up.

Unbelief prevented Jesus Christ himself from doing miracles in Nazareth, do we really want to so readily come into agreement with it and dismiss the promises of God on the possibility that interpreting one scripture one way  when so many other interpretations are possible, even probable?

My’s Thoughts :   Jesus Christ alone is our role model, each of the disciples carried out their anointing to the best of their ability and of course struggling with ongoing battles with sin issues.  This is why we can be so thankful and praise God for those elders and brethren in the body of Christ who minister to the sick to the best of their ability today.   The Bible is very clear that Jesus was the only one since Adam who was sin free.   Jesus Christ suffered from persecution, from physical abuse but not from sickness and disease.   God tells us we are co-heirs with Jesus Christ, that the blessings poured on him are available to us.  We know God was able to use them powerfully due to their righteousness (not because of their perfection).   If I was to use the patriarch’s and the disciples as my role models and to accept their sin issues and imperfections as the best God has for me, the list would be quite significant.  Paul shares that he struggled with pride and that God allowed this messenger from Satan to buffet him to keep him humble.   If all things are possible for God, couldn’t he have delivered Paul from this pride issue to and then the need for a thorn would fall away.   Leviticus 26 again states the blessings and curses for obedience vs disobedience.  Notice God’s attempting to get our attention through these things.

Matthew 8:12-13 (New King James Version)   ^“ But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” ¹³ Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” And his servant was healed that same hour.”

My thoughts:  The general problem in scripture is not believing God, not so much over-believing or over-expecting from God but simply unbelief.  Jesus himself was prevented from doing miracles due to the unbelief of people….  Notice that in place of belief was offense and a refusal to believe (there is perhaps a warning for us here too).    I refer fairly often to unbelief as a wet blanket that is often thrown on top of the “measure of faith/gift of faith” that is our inheritance from the Lord Jesus Christ.    You see, Satan does not have the power to extinguish our faith, all he can do is cover neutralized it by throwing something of the opposite nature on top of it.   We all have faith, we just need to get the unbelief out so that His faith in us can produce in us all that God has sent for it to do.     Remembering from Mark 6:5, that Jesus could do no mighty miracles because of the unbelief of man.

Context is so IMPORTANT:

Acts 14 ESV “Now at Iconium they entered together into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed. ² But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers.^{[a] 3} So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. ⁴ But the people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews and some with the apostles. ⁵ When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them, ⁶ they learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country, ⁷ and there they continued to preach the gospel.”  ⁸ Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked. ⁹ He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well,^{[b] 10} said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he sprang up and began walking. ¹¹ And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” ¹² Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. ¹³ And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds. ¹⁴ But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out, ¹⁵ “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. ¹⁶ In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. ¹⁷ Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” ¹⁸ Even with these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them.   But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead.  But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. ²¹ When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, ²² strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. ²³ And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

So knowing that offense can shut down our hearing, understanding that unbelief can block healing that God fully wants and wills, knowing that God can be swayed, understanding that we are generally not able to hear consistently the way Jesus did exactly what the Father wills and how He wills it to happen, are we presently in a position to say with absolutely certainty that it is not God’s will to heal this one right now?

If handled with love and grace and mercy and scriptural knowledge, I believe there is no downside to persisting and pursuing health for all who are sick and ailing

2 Corinthians 6:2 “Hear what God says: “When the time came for me to show you favor, I heard you; when the day arrived for me to save you, I helped you.” Listen! This is the hour to receive God’s favor; today is the day to be saved! .”  Good New Translation

Check out the link to see what the word saved means.  Blessings.

http://www.blbclassic.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G4991&t=KJV

 

 

This is a big question and one that weighs so heavily on those who are sick and suffering as well as those who love them.

Let’s see what scripture says about healing and what elements were in place each of these circumstances.

Mark 16:16-20 (NLT)

^“16 Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned. ¹⁷ These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new languages.^[a] 18 They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won’t hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed.  ¹⁹ When the Lord Jesus had finished talking with them, he was taken up into heaven and sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand.²⁰ And the disciples went everywhere and preached, and the Lord worked through them, confirming what they said by many miraculous signs.”

John 14:12  (KJV) “¹² Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.”

James 5:13-20  (KJV) “¹³ Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.  ¹⁴ 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:  ¹⁵ 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.  ¹⁶ 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.¹⁷ 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.¹⁸ And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.  ¹⁹ Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;  ²⁰ 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. Luke 9” ²³ And he said to them all, if any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.  ²⁴ For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.”

LUKE 9:1 “Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.”

1 Corinthians 12 (NIV) “12 Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. ² You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. ³ Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.  ⁴ There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. ⁵ There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. ⁶ There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.  ⁷ Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.⁸ To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, ⁹ to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, ¹⁰ to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,^[a] and to still another the interpretation of tongues.^[b] 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

Matthew 7:21-23 King James Version (KJV) ” 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

Romans 11:29 English Standard Version (ESV) 29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.

John 3:34  (NLT)  “³⁴ For he is sent by God. He speaks God’s words, for God gives him the Spirit without limit.”

Acts 28 ““The native people showed us unusual kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was cold. ³ When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand. ⁴ When the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.” ⁵ He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. ⁶ They were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.⁷ Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days. ⁸ It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him, healed him. ⁹ And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured. ¹⁰ They also honored us greatly,^[c] and when we were about to sail, they put on board whatever we needed.”

Acts 3:6  (KJV) “⁶ Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have given I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.”

Acts 5:14-16 New International Version (NIV) “¹⁴ Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. ¹⁵ As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. ¹⁶ Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed.”

Mark 9:20-30 (KJV) “20 And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming.  21 And he asked his father, how long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child.  22 And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.   3 Jesus said unto him, if thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.  24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.  25 When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.  26 And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead.  27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up; and he arose.  28 And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, why could not we cast him out?  29 And he said unto them, this kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.  30 And they departed thence and passed through Galilee; and he would not that any man should know it.”

1 Kings 18:41-46 (KJV) “⁴¹ And Elijah said unto Ahab, get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain.  ⁴² So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees, 43 And said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said, there is nothing. And he said, Go again seven times.   ⁴⁴ And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man’s hand. And he said, go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down that the rain stop thee not.  ⁴⁵ And it came to pass in the mean while, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode, and went to Jezreel.  ⁴⁶ And the hand of the Lord was on Elijah; and he girded up his loins and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.”

Acts 6:3-8 (ESV) “³ Therefore, brothers,^[a] pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. ⁴ But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” ⁵ And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. ⁶ These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.  ⁷ And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.  ⁸ And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people.”

Mark 6:4-6 (KJV) “⁴ But Jesus, said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.  ⁵ And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.  ⁶ And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.

Now that you have had a chance to consider some verses for yourself, here is what I personally see in scripture at this point in time.   As always, be Berean.     Look to the Word, see for yourself and hear it directly from the Word, and you can find out for yourself if what I see is really there.

Let’s explore a few common themes or elements in different stories of healing in the Bible.

1st. theme.   By the laying on of hands by any “BELIEVER”.   Mark 16:16-20. John 14:12 All believers can lay hands on the sick and the sick will recover (Awesome but requires that the one laying hands on believes and receives this ability the same way they need to believe and receive the gift of tongues).   Imagine if all believers were operating in this gift.   You would just turn to your hubby or wife, neighbour, sister or friend and be healed.   I think this is cool,  really amazing, it  would mean none of us have very far to go to get fixed:) Note that this dependent on any believer having absolute confidence in God and His Word.     This scripture tells us what our capacity is, not our present ability.

If you look at a new born child… that child has the capacity within their dna to grow into an adult.    However,  to what degree they reach the fullness of that capacity depends on the amount of nourishment, nurture and the environment they grow up in.   A child needs food and water and nurture to thrive and become a productive and fully functioning adult.

It is the same with the Word of God and the believer.   We were made, created to feed on the words of God.   Our spiritual life and fruitfulness will never abound and flourish until we are truly tapped into the vine and abiding in Christ continually.

This ties into the next verse which gives us some idea of what a believing person’s prayer and thinking look like.

2nd theme.   Through the prayer of faith of the righteous man.    (see James 5:13-18.   1 Kings 17.)   The sick are told to go to / call for the elders and be anointed with oil.   How simple our Lord has made it for the sick.    They have done all that He has commanded if they simply cry out to the elders in the church for help.    How many of those who are sick have been faithful without ever being encouraged for their faithfulness?    The burden of faith and righteousness is placed on the elders by scripture, not on the sick at all.   Again, it is the prayer of faith that heals in this case   Also this passage refers to the prayers of the righteous man availing much.     (also says sins are forgiven in this case… very powerful promise).   Clearly Jesus Christ Himself was capable of praying this kind of prayer meeting both criteria.  Praying in total faith and from a position of right standing with God.

These verses refer us to the prayer of Elijah, as a reference point and to illustrate what the prayer of faith actually looks like. We are further told that Elijah was a man with a nature just like ours.   Fully human but enabled and empowered by the presence of the Holy Spirit.  This verse communicates 2 things to us.

First, our capacity:   Our nature is the same as Elijah’s.   In the Old Testament, only a handful of prophets ever had even the capacity that is available to all Spirit filled born again believers.   James 5 tells us what a person who fully realizes their capacity can actually do for the kingdom of God.   All the sick in our congregations could be healed via obedient and righteous lifestyle of such a one.

Second, the cost of growing into the fullness of this capacity:   Only God can through His Word, birth in us these two essential qualities.    The abilty to know that we know that we know beyond any doubt, beyond any circumstance, that God and His Word are true and trustworthy and cannot fail.    The ability to know who we are in Christ and live in genuine Spirit enabled righteousness.     There is a distinct cost that a person needs to pay to grow fully into this capacity.

It costs ALL…..   Laying down everything that we hold dear and following Jesus.  (Luke 18:22-23, Luke 9:23, 57-62, Matthew 10:37, Matthew 9:29, Matthew 13:45-46, Matthew 22:37)  Becoming His disciples means making Him LORD of every aspect of our lives, giving Him all of our time, all of our means, all of our heart.   It means feeding on His Word constantly, hanging on a literally depending on everything He says in the knowledge that it IS transforming us from glory to glory into  the likeness of His Son.     There are many verses describing the fruit of such a choice (see all the verses pertaining to elders and spiritual maturity, (Luke 9:23-24, 1 Peter 5,  as one example).    Very few indeed are willing to pay such a cost.

The good news is even one such person in the body of Christ could according to these verses be the means by which God restores a whole congregation, community, massive number of believers.    Scripturally I believe we examples of this in Jesus Christ Himself who was filled with the Spirit without limit or measure.      I believe the whole book of James reveals many of the key elements that the Lord will “birth” in us through His Word if we give Him the time and heart set to let Him transform us.  I will share these through other posts.

I personally suspect that the disciples were praying from this position only  after Pentecost.   You will notice that pre-Pentecost, scripture only records Jesus healing them all.  Afterwards, you see Paul healing all on the island of Malta and Peter and the disciples seeing all healed when the people were bringing them out in the hopes of even having Peter’s shadow fall on them.

When the prayer of faith is not available and/or there are no elders living in righteousness( more correctly in revelation of their own blameless standing before God) thank God He has made more even more provision for healing .

3^rd theme:  Gifts of healing and miracles. Luke 9:1, 1 Corinthians 12:9

God heals through the gifts of healing…   Spefically through those to whom the gifts of healing and/or miracles have been given.     Per 1st Corinthians, these are distributed as the Lord wills. The maturity and the walk of  believer on which they are freely given have no bearing.

I personally believe the disciples were operating pre-Pentecost in the gifts of the Spirit mentioned in 1st Corinthians.   After Pentecost, they were filled with the Holy Spirit and granted right standing before the Lord through the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ.   I believe afterwards they were operating in the prayer of faith from the position of the prayer of a righteous man as described in James 5.

I think that the distinction between these two verses things is what is causing a lot of confusion and frustration in the church today on teh subject of healing.

When a person is operating in gifts given by the Spirit but they personally lack wisdom and maturity and knowledge of His Word, there is a clear dichotomy between the power of the gifts they are operating in and their character.      We tend to naturally assume that God only gives such gifts to those who are “worthy” etc…  This is not scripturally true.  Very immature, seemingly “carnal” or even backslidden Christians may be anointed in this way.  This causes a lot of confusion as their lifestyles can be a stumbling block to others.     I believe that God included this clause in His Word as He forknew that there would be times when none would be walking with Him in the measure that would make them worthy of such gifts…  I believe this is the means by which He reveals Himself to all even when the body of Christ at large is lukewarm and few to none are actually responding to the call to crucify their flesh, and to live blamelessly and in holiness before God and man.  This is not God’s best.

I believe that when unbelief is very high or when the church lacks the spiritually mature ones named in James, we predominantly see healing through these gifts.   If we sift through scripture, we will soon discover Jesus Himself could only heal a few sick people via laying on of hands in an atmosphere of established unbelief.   When healing is happening through these gifts, what we would expect to see if small handfuls of people getting healed via the laying on of hands or ministries of the people with the certain gifts of healing (I will expand on this point momentarily).

These verses go a long way in explaining why we see what we see today.  In countries where there is less cultural unbelief, healing is far more common.   In healing services in North America, where we are culturally trained to walk by sight and not by spiritual discernment, healing is fairly rare.   It is common for only a handful of people to be receive.   Some receive just from hearing the Word of God preached including healing.  Others receive by annointing or laying on of hands.   It is unheard of today to hear reports of ALL being healed.

Another confusion is that scripture refers to gifts of healing, not THE gift of healing.   You will find out pretty quickly if you follow healing evangelists etc, that they tend to have specialties.   One might see almost all healed who come with fertility issues, another one specializes in cancer and skeletal issues.. another one still in depression and bowel issues.   I believe that there are many different gifts of healing and when these are the “vehicle” the means of healing, the chances of actually being healed go up if one goes to someone with the gift of healing that they need and if the environment allows for the laying on of hands.   So now we have 2 other factors working against healing in most healing services today.   Generally, the atmosphere is a mixture of faith and unbelief.  Jesus sometimes took people out of town or sent people out of the room to minister to the sick.  Unbelief acts as a wet blanket when it comes to healing and miracles and can block things from happening.   Generally, the healing crusade type gathering do not allow for the prayer of faith to be prayed as Elijah prayed for rain.  The rain came just as Elijah knew it must.  BUT Elijah had to persist and pray 7 times (remember his servant was running up a hill each time) so the process took time and persistence.   At a crusade very often there are literally hundred lined up, the ministers walk around and briefly pray and lay hands on people but the time to persist and the ability to sit and wait to hear from the Lord for each one are unavailable.   YES, praise God, some are still healed but clearly this is not getting the results we see in the book of Acts.

Back to a scriptural example of this.   I believe the reason the disciples failed to heal the boy with epilepsy was that they were operating in the gifts (they had all) of healing.  They came to the conclusion that it wasn’t working and so stopped ministering.   We can see this in their question to Jesus.  Why didn’t this work?   Scripture records that Jesus rebuked them for their faithlessness and for their unbelief.    The block was not in the boy or the father but in those praying.   They had not crucified their flesh and their unbelief via prayer and fasting.    They were walking by sight and not by faith and so when things didn’t instantly or readily happened they assumed it wouldn’t work and gave up.    I have another post on why it is essential to crucify our flesh via prayer and fasting and other forms of disclining our flesh if we are going to be truly prayer the kind of prayer of faith that heals all the sick.   The flesh needs to see results, the Spirit knows the results even before the first word of prayer is uttered and will persist until the guaranteed results happen.

Jesus has given us THE measure of faith.   So we all have faith.   Faith and unbelief are actually not on a spectrum with us falling somewhere in the middle.  Faith is a free gift given from God.  Satan cannot steal it or put it out.   What he can do is bombard us without doubt, fear and unbelief to neutralize our ability to act on that faith.    The father in these verses echoes this reality.   “I believe but help me with my unbelief”.   The disciples had enough faith to pray and expect the boy to be healed, but their unbelief prevented the healing from actually happening.  I think of unbelief as a wet blanket over top of the hot fire of faith that God has given us.   I also believe Jesus answered the question as to how to get rid of the unbelief.  Through prayer and fasting.     Unbelief is really nothing more than us believing the witness our senses (the input of our 5 physical senses) over the witnes of the Word of God.   It really means we are walking by sight instead of by faith.   Scripture calls us to walk by faith and not by sight.    Jesus rebuked his disciples for their shortfall.     Our part includes learning to deny ourselves, pick up our cross and follow Jesus.      Unbelief is literally like a dripping wet blanket that is thrown on top of a fire.    Now thankfully the fire that God has put in us cannot be easily put out so mostly what happens is that unbelief does not put out our fire altogether but it certainly effectively blocks us from fully operating in what God has put into us.  So we just sit there smoldering…  The blanket of unbelief is not strong enough to fully put our faith our and yet our faith is not hot enough to dry out and burn up the fire.

The cross is an interesting symbol.    Scripturally, I think it means that just like Jesus’ flesh was crucified, ours must also be to follow Him truly.  Remember to be spiritually minded is life and carnally minded is death.      Have a look below at Galatians 5:24.   Do note that it is a foregone conclusion that follower of Jesus have already, past tense, done this.    I also believe that the father in this case showed great faith in his persistance.    So again, prayer and fasting (denying their body all food regularly for a set period of time was how they fasted scripturally)  was Jesus’ prescription to rectify their unbelief issue.   This is also echoed in the wilderness temptation of Jesus.   He also was tempted to eat food and break his fast prematurely.   His rejection was telling.   We must not feed on bread alone but on every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.   (see Matthew 4:4)

Romans 12:3 King James Version (KJV)
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.

2 Corinthians 5:7 King James Version (KJV) “7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)”

Galatians 5:24 (KJV)24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

Matthew 4:4 King James Version (KJV) ⁴ But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

There are several verses where Jesus or the disciples either took a person out of a town or commanded everyone else out of the room or building before ministering.   I think there is great wisdom in getting as much unbelief out of a place before ministering to the sick.

One last well known example of this struggle between faith and unbelief that we can perhaps learn much from  is the 40 years in the wilderness.    The Israelites believed God enough (entirely due to the plagues and miracles he wrought in Egypt) to follow Him out into the desert.   But their fear, doubt and unbelief  prevented them from entering into His full promise, the promised land.   Their hearts had magnified the giants and the people of the new land over the Word and promise of God,  so they remained stuck, wandering around the wilderness between Egypt, their old lives of slavery and the promised land, their new life of freedom and plenty as they had enough faith to leave one but too much unbelief to enter the other.  Is it possible we are getting stuck in this same place too.    Entering the new land means needing to evict the resident giants.

4^th theme.  through revelation “rhema” of God Word.   Correct and full understanding of God’s Word promises healing to anyone who “gets” what the Word actually says.    This means of healing takes time and commitment and the help of the Holy Spirit who has promised to lead us into all truth.     Proverbs 4:20-22. The Word of God which is quick and powerful and holds the keys to every person’s healing.    The Word is so readily available, and yes, this one requires a process, a time of meditating and growing in knowledge, wisdom, discipline etc.  But it is available to all who can get their hands on a copy of the Bible and promises radiant health to all who can understand.   Time is a clear factor here… not all will have the time or ability to be in the Word.   I believe this is why scripture, the New Testament specifically puts the full burden of ministering to the sick on the elders and the spiritually mature ones.    The only thing the sick person was required to do was to show up.

Here is what’s awesome about this one, is it provides the missing link for all three of the first means of healing.   It is so so easy for us to seek what God can give us and not just seek God for Himself.   God wants restored and abiding relationship with us.   We were made to fellowship with Him.   Humanly, our natural bend is to seek out the easiest, lowest cost formula, least commitment means to the end that we want.      Jesus is THE way, THE truth,  and THE life.    Abiding relationship is THE central thing.    Everything else is an added benefit, but there is no way to bypass a sincere and thriving relationship with God.  Then and only then will we experience the full measure of His benefits.   We can all do this, it is a making reading the Word and having a relationship with God our top priority (which should be our top priority regardless).

Sickness, bondage to sin etc., are at least in varying degrees really just symptoms of separation /deficiency of God in our lives(lack of relationship, lack of knowledge, lack of understanding, lack of abiding).     We get it, that there is more than a lifetime’s worth of knowledge and understanding to be gained, but every gain in our understanding and every increase in our intimacy with the Lord is worth the effort.

Romans 8:6-7 King James Version (KJV) “6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.”

^“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. ” 3 John 2:2 (KJV)

5th theme… John 5:1-10 when someone is isolated and has no way of hearing the Good News or being taught or touched by one of the above. There is always God’s grace, compassion and mercy,   This reminds of the man crippled for 38 years waiting on the waters to bubble up.   He wasn’t seeking, wasn’t looking, had no reason to hope and yet Jesus met him where he was.     These examples in scripture are few and far between.  This is not common, but it is possible.

Someone asked last night why Jesus didn’t heal all who were waiting there and chose just to heal the one.   Two things were jumping out to me by this morning.   1st.  None of them were seeking Jesus for lack of knowledge or hope or understanding…  He healed all who sought him, so to not seek him was a block to healing.   I think that first part is important, seeking God for healing, crying out to him.   In showing up and healing this one man, Jesus revealed to all who were there that God now had a new plan for healing.   So, each one there was able to witness or hear of the miracle that had happened and now, in spite of their circumstances and being cloistered away from the world, they had now witnessed first or second hand the healing power of Jesus Christ.   In healing the one, he revealed himself to them all.   At that point, each person had a choice to make, to believe and seek the one who healed, or to keep fixated on the bubbling water for their healing.

6th theme…. by great personal faith…Matthew 8:5-11.  Actually, scripturally, we don’t even have one example of a person being healed by great personal faith.   We have examples of people we know personally, but not a scriptural record of this.  what we do have is a scriptural record of the great faith of one person being the “means” of another person getting healed.   Now depending on your present level of faith, this one is either one of the most encouraging or can feel like one of the most discouraging.   Keep in mind that it is your guarantee that even if all you ever have is a copy of the Bible yourself, you have what you need to receive from God…   The faith that God will develop in you and His Word are in themselves sufficient to heal you and restore you to wholeness.   While it is true, it is the least common means we read about in scripture.     I cannot stress enough that scripture always places the burden of ministering to the sick on someone other than the sick.

Even regarding healing by great personal faith, the only example really cited in the Bible was that of others who brought the sick or who sought out Jesus on behaf of the sick.  For example, we have the example of the centurion.  How did Jesus respond to the centurion’s faith?     Is it reasonable to put this kind of crushing burden on those who are sick or those who are caring for the sick.   Even the disciples themselves at times lacked this kind of faith.   If Jesus and scripture don’t put this burden on the sick, why should we?   I personally know several people who were crushed and so discouraged by these types of comments that they would literally flee the room when someone mentioned God and healing in the same breath.   I believe this is why scripture assigns the ministry of the sick to the elders, the spiritually mature ones and not the average believer.

We are not going to in any way discount scripture.  Yes, great faith can accomplish awesome thing.   We also know the scripture about faith the size of mustard seed being able to move mountains…  Jesus clearly didn’t expect this kind of faith as it amazed even him.    Too often the church puts this additional crushing burden on the sick, I believe this to be cruel and unbiblical.

God is almighty, and these are just some of the ways expressed in the Bible.   Praise God, He is infinite in His loving kindness, His faithfulness, His compassion, His Mercy and His Grace.    His ways are higher than ours and words will never be sufficient to express the limitless ways in which He meets us each one in our place and times of need.   Scripture records that if every act Jesus ever did was written down, the word could not contain the books.  Let us forever praise Him for His goodness, love and faithfulness.

 

 

 

  PURPLE – God’s Part = His Promise / very often conditional on us abiding in Him (having intimate relationship with him) and/or us being obedient to our small/doable part

Mauve- My prayers asking for God’s help with my part, so relying fully on God even with my part.

GREEN- Our Part (note even our part sometimes requires us seeking God’s help and asking Him to give us the desire and ability to do what pleases Him)

Philippians 2:13 (AMP)”For it is [not your strength, but it is] God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure.”

PINK – Digging deeper into Historical context or original language to shed light on the English translation,  including links to internet resources.

TURQUOISE = Identity = Our capacity/Our citizenship/Who we are in Christ/ Characteristics of a Spiritually Minded Person

ORANGE= Words that indicate/imply conditional promise

RED = WARNING  (where sin, disobedience,  , ignorance of God and His Word,  carnal and worldy thinking, our own understanding will inevitably lead us)

Romans 8:6  (KJV) “⁶ For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”

 Scripture References for Core Beliefs

1. 1 Chronicles 28:9 “And Solomon, my son, learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the Lord sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek him, you will find him.”

• Our part:
  • Learn to know God INTIMATELY (See Jeremiah 13 for the story of God using a girdle to demonstrate how intimate he needs us to live in fellowship with Him and how useful we are when we do not live in contact with him in the most intimate of ways)
  • Worship him
  • Serve him
  • Give him your whole heart (God sees all your thoughts, knows all your emotions and all your plans).   This will be a constant prayer of mine now.  Lord help me, wash my heart fully clean, set me free from impure thoughts and help me, empower me to give you all and serve you with all   my heart accordingly in submission to His wisdom, His will and His ways
  • Make SEEKING HIS FACE the top priority of your life.   Eternal life is knowing GOD.   There is nothing more important to our lives than this.

John 17:3 King James Version (KJV)
3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

His Part = WE WILL FIND HIM

2. Matthew 6:33 “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”

• conditional on us seeking His Kingdom First (in other words, His agenda and Will above all else, to know these, we must KNOW Him intimately)
• HIS promise here is to give us EVERYTHING as His Part.  WOW!!!    That little word need though pops too as He sees what we needs and provides that, not necessarily what we perceive as a need (which is often a want or even something that can bring us or others to harm or in other ways interfere with God’s big picture will and plan for our lives and the others)
• My prayer/response “Heavenly Father, Jehovah Jireh, the Lord who provides my every need, forgive me for putting my hope in man, my expectation in man and for not seeking you above all else.   I need your help.   Please change my desires and my ability so that I can faithfully seek you.  You are worthy of all my praise and my full attention.   Thank you that you are so patient and faithful with me.  In the name of the lord Jesus Christ.”

3.  1 Corinthians 2:9 “That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.

• We are incapable (meaning completely unable with the natural mind) to even think big enough or good enough to truly imagine the goodness of God and what it has the potential to pour do in and through our lives.  Therefore we will automatically limit God if base our expectations on our human thinking.
• Romans 1 ”  19 They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. 20 For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.21 Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. 22 Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. 23 And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles.  24 So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies. 25 They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen.”  By nature, we want to reduce God down to our mind’s ability to imagine Him, we must therefore resist the temptation to let our mind’s shape our image of God but must keep our eyes and minds fixed on the WORD so that He can continually renew our minds and restore and correct and pure image of Himself and His nature in our minds so that our human nature does not draw us away from the reality of GOD and His GOODNESS, and beyond awesomeness.
• My Prayer/response back to God after reading this passage ” Heavenly Father, Please set all the crooked areas in my mind straight as I read your Word, Help me to see you as you are, empower me through your Holy Spirit to be able to perceive your will, YOUR plans and YOUR AWESOMENESS truly.  In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ”

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4. Isaiah 44:22 “I have swept away your sins like a cloud. I have scattered your offenses like the morning mist. Oh, return to me, for I have paid the price to set you free.”

• wsotm (what stands out to me) GOD paid the price in full and made available to me complete freedom from sins, but me receiving this freedom hands on whether or not I am willing to return to GOD.    Adam and Eve stepped away from God by putting their will before God’s.   God said, don’t, this will kill you.  They listened to a voice other than God’s (first mistake as they were told to take dominion over all the creatures, as soon as the serpent implied God was holding good back or tempted them to break go against his will, they should have booted the serpent from the garden as they had been commanded by God to do), 2nd they let the desire of their bodies (their lust for the fruit which looked appetizing to their senses) diret their choice over God’s Word (we must train and teach our bodies to submit to God) (Matthew 26:41 spirit willing but body is weak,   Romans 6:13, (do not let your body parts be ruled by evil desires, 1 Corinthians 9:27 must discipline and train our bodies)

  • Romans 8:7 “The mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace, 7because the mind of the flesh is hostile to God: It does not submit to God’s Law, nor can it do so. 8Those controlled by the flesh cannot please God.…” Berean Study Bible.

• Our bodies do in fact have a mind/ a will of their own and it is not neutral , BUT HOSTILE to God.   

5. John 3:16 “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”

   • John 3:17 “ ¹⁷For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” NIV

• from http://www.blbclassic.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G4982&t=KJV
  • 1. 1. 1. to save a suffering one (from perishing), i.e. one suffering from disease, to make well, heal, restore to health
          2. to preserve one who is in danger of destruction, to save or rescue
       2. to save in the technical biblical sense
          1. negatively
             1. to deliver from the penalties of the Messianic judgment
             2. to save from the evils which obstruct the reception of the Messianic deliverance
    Authorized Version (KJV) Translation Count — Total: 110
    AV — save 93, make whole 9, heal 3, be whole 2, misc 3
    Strong’s Definition (Help) (Legend)
    †σώζω sṓzō, sode’-zo; from a primary σῶς sōs (contraction for obsolete σάος sáos, “safe”); to save, i.e. deliver or protect (literally or figuratively):—heal, preserve, save (self), do well, be (make) whole.

6. Acts 17:11-12 “And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth.”

   • wsotm: day after day they kept going back to the scriptures.   They did not become reliant on the human teachers but persisted in confirming directly with God all that they heard.  It is so easy to take a teacher we trust at face value and grow complacent in our own time along with God to verify all that we hear.
   • Our part:
     • remaining receptive to the new things God wants to show us even in the verses we have seen and know very well.
     • Listening eagerly, kind of implies that they are looking for and expecting to receive things from the Lord by their listening.

7. 2 Timothy 3:16 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”

   • The whole Bible, every sentence, every word has benefits for us and is essential for our walk and wellbeing.    It is so easy to have favourite passages or books and to never read some parts as they seem dry or dull or boring to our natural selves.     Reminding ourselves that our carnal minds and sense driven bodies are actually hostile to the things of God, we need to willfully choose to eat  our peas and spinach portions of scripture because they are good for us, not because our enjoyment or positive feelings about those passages motivate us to do so.
   • If we are faithful to eagerly and attentively reading the WORD, than God establishes sound doctrine, prepares us to share the Word with others and be equipped to handle their rebutals, corrects us where we have erred in our choices or understanding, and instructs us, equips us for living in righteousness.

8. Proverbs 4:20-22 “My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body.”

• Love that God starts by tenderly calling us His child.
• Our part really boils down to setting aside time to read and meditate on, chew on what God’s Word says.  This is doable but takes a conscious choice to carve out time to prioritize God and His Word and then to give it our full attention.   That little word let suggests that we have to actively receive what he says.
• His promise:  If we have truly understood His words, our bodies will be filled with radiant health, all of our flesh will be healthy as a result of correctly understanding His Word in our hearts.

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9. Matthew 4:24 “News about him spread as far as Syria, and people soon began bringing to him all who were sick. And whatever their sickness or disease, or if they were demon possessed or epileptic or paralyzed—he healed them all.”

• Our part:  Spread the news about Jesus, come ourselves and bring the sick to Him.
• My thoughts.   He healed then ALL.    He did not turn anyone back.  There was no condition or infirmity too tough for him, there was no bitterness, no sin issue, no generational sin issue, no cause of sickness that He did not oblirate or overcome to heal all.   Today we are tempted to say, Ya, but, they didn’t have the issues that we have today.     The reality, is they did have a lot of things we don’t think about.  We understand hygiene etc and have refrigeration.    There were people who worked with toxic substances, ingested poisonous substances, were immersed in an environment that made them sick.   Jesus healed them.  There were people who were sick because of the poor choices they made or sin issues.. Jesus healed them.  There were people injured by others.. Jesus healed them. That little word “whatever” means any and every sickness was healed regardless of the others details.   Jesus is the same today. He hasn’t changed.   Our minds are constantly trying to rationalize and make God fit a mold that we understand, effectively bringing Him down to an image that we can grasp.    Jesus healed them all.  If God’s will was for certain conditions to be met by the sick for them to receive healing or limitations on what he was willing to heal, Jesus was working in rebellion against the Father.  Scripture tells us if we have seen Jesus, we have seen the Father and that He only did what He saw the Father doing.  If Jesus was healing all the sick, it was because that is exactly what God willed.

John 14:6-9 King James Version (KJV)
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.  7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.   8 Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us.   9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?

John 5:19 “19 Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.”

Acts 10:38 King James Version (KJV)  “38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.”

10. Luke 6:19 “And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all.”

    • This is interesting as this indicates something (power or virtue as the different translations describe).   I have included a verse to consider below.  Jesus had the spirit and power without limit.   Is this one of the reasons why he could heal them all?
    • Something important to note.   While Jesus was on the earth, people were sick and dying all around Him.  Scripture records that those who sought Him were healed.  Scripture also records that those who stayed at home remained sick even though they were in the sames towns and villages where He travelled.   Jairus came and sought out Jesus to come to his sick daughter at home.    Jesus did not heal them all.  He did heal all who were brought and all who sought Him.   There is only one exception in scripture recorded otherwise.   In His home community, only a few were healed because He could do no mighty words due to their unbelief.   This is something to chew on and consider.    Their unbelief changed the result from all to only a few sick getting healed.    If human unbelief can block the will of God, then we must do all to purge all unbelief.

John 3:34 New International Version (NIV)
34 For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God[a] gives the Spirit without limit.

Mark 6:5 King James Version (KJV)5 And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.

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11. Matthew 18:19-20 “I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”

    • this promise conditional on us being Jesus’ disciples (following Him and His way faithfully) .  What I am hearing here personally, if we gather together with a unified desire to do His will, then He is with us and backs all that we ask for.   It’s not just about getting together, but getting together to focus on His agenda and to follow Him???

• James 4:3 New International Version (NIV)  3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

12. 1 John 5:14-15 “And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for.”

• I have not yet been in a group of followers where when they gathered togetehr and prayed, they knew and were confident that God would give them what they asked for.  This remains a question mark for me and a prayer request.   
• Our part: knowing what is pleasing to him and asking for it, seeking it as a community is part of God’s plan for our lives.

13. 2 Corinthians 1:24 “But that does not mean we want to dominate you by telling you how to put your faith into practice. We want to work together with you so you will be full of joy, for it is by your own faith that you stand firm.”

• wsotm: it is so easy to overstep God’s plan and to start thinking we know best.  It is a common temptation to desire to tell others or be told by others or to want other people to tell us what and how to do it for Christ.    God is continually inviting us to a personal and DIRECT relationship with Him.  Teachers, pastors,, prophets etc are all gifts.   But we must establish our own faith in Jesus and the Word and cannot rely on the prayers and faithfulness /godliness of others.

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14. James 1:17-18 “Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.^”

    • What really jumps out to me is that “He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word.”    I love this.    I can plainly see in my own life that every good thing, every godly gain in my life has been birthed through the Word.   Jesus really is THE way, THE truth and THE life.     I am increasingly learning to rest in the knowledge that the WORD itself is alive and powerful and when I am faithful to spend time regularly and with attention to scripture, the Word itself is transforming me into the image of Christ.    Actually changing the substance of my body, the thoughts of my mind and my ability to resist sin (Psalm 119:11)and obey my God.   Do you know, that an untrue word about God will not beget kingdom life in us?   The picture that popped into my mind was water and vinegar.     I can mix vinegar into water and not be able to see the difference.  Smell it yes, see it no.   Vinegar is actually a pretty powerful herbicide.  You can spray it on your weeds and they will die.   The enemy loves to mix in just enough of a lie to God’s Word to make it of no effect in our lives.    This is why being in the Word is so essential.   We are not able to discern these additions and omissions without the help of the Word and the Holy Spirit setting us straight through regular communion and reading time in the Word. 
      •  Psalm 119:11 King James Version (KJV) 11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”
    • Also what jumps out that we are His prized possesion, some translations say we are His first fruits…  We are his first choice, not the dregs, not the second class citizens, not the rabble or the unlovables.  We are His first choice our of all of creation.  Every time you marvel at the beauty of a flower or the complexicity of any thing in creation, know that above all things, you are His dearest and most beloved.  That is AWESOME!   Knowing our identity will come up over and over again as a theme to unlocking all of our potential and the Kingdom of God in and through us.

• James 1 (NIV) “12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.  13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.   16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters.”

• Context here is so important.    God is the source of all things good and perfect.   Scripture here tells us clearly we will face trials.   It also tells us that God is never the source of temptation and even in testing never tempts us.   That line “don’t be deceived” tells me that there is a common temptation in the body of Christ to be deceived on this point.   God tells us clearly here what the source of temptation is sin is.    When I consider the garden of Eden, it was the lust of the flesh, the desire of the five senses, that the serpent tempted Eve with.   Enforcing dominion over the body over our flesh is an essential part of the victorious christian walk.  Discerning good from evil and corretly diserning the source of both of these is also essential.  We will explore the topic of God’s sovereignty later, when we can have the verses before our eyes and see what is there and what is not there that has perhaps been added.

• Luke 11:11-13 King James Version (KJV) 11 If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?  12 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?  13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

• I have heard it said, “oh be so careful about what you pray for.  If you ask for patience, God will send you a trial to develop that patience in you” and other similar things.    How do comments like this line up with what the scriptures say above?  A question we will explore later.

15. Luke 9:1-2 (NLT) “One day Jesus called together his twelve disciples and gave them power and authority to cast out all demons and to heal all diseases. Then he sent them out to tell everyone about the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick.”

    • Luke 9:6 New Living Translation (NLT)  6 So they began their circuit of the villages, preaching the Good News and healing the sick.”

• What stands out to me.   He gave these  as  a free gift to them according to his plans and purposes these abilities.   He equipped them, an then sent them
• We see from scriptural accounts, that the disciples themselves still had some issues like fear (they all dispersed when Jesus was arrested, like unbelief when the boy with seizures was not healed and doubt, like Thomas needing to see with his own eyes instead of believing the reports of others).   Jesus gave these to men who still had at least some areas of being fleshly or carnally minded.    Actually they returned and reported being amazed that the demons actually did flee etc..   So they were not men operating in monumental faith.  They were in fact astonished by what they could now do thanks to Jesus.      My main spiritual gift is teaching.    I am very very often astonished by the things that come out of my mouth as a result of this gifting.   I have from the very beginning sounded far wiser than the fruit of my life bears witness to. That is because my ear was by spiritual gifting tuned to hear the Word and understand, far beyong my own personal ability to live it out faithfully.  Slowly but surely, my fruitfulness and spiritual maturity are catching up.
• The disciples understood plainly that Jesus commanded them to both preach the  Good News and Heal the sick.    So this is a question I would love a scriptural answer to.   How can we tell all believers that God has commissioned them to preach the gospel but not to heal the sick?  When did Jesus tell us to separate these and focus purely on preaching the gospel?  From my own study, I can see that this commission was given to His disciples in every case.    
• That word “everyone” stands out too.   It is easy to be highly selective about who we share the gospel with

16. Psalm 103:1-3 “Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.”

• let us never forget…  this suggests that we easily do forget 
• He forgives all and heals all.  Nothing is left out.   How often will the accuser of the brethren come around and tell us why what we are dealing with is the exception?  Scripture settles the matter plainly here.

17. John 5:19 “So Jesus explained, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does.”

    • Jesus did ONLY AND whatevre he saw the Father doing.   Jesus reflected the Father’s will perfectly without exception.  He said to Phillip, if you  have seen me, you have seen the Father.
    • Jesus COULD do nothing by Himself.  He relied entirely on the Father.   Oh, how this motivates me to learn to hear the Father, see the Father in my heart and mind’s eye, and learn to follow Him with this same attentiveness.    I believe in part Jesus was able to heal all because He did all exactly according to the Father’s ways and will.
    • Scripture tells us that Moses fit the rock with his stick and water gushed out but the second time, he hit it again instead of talking to it as the Lord commanded.   This one act of disobedience resulted in him not entering the promised land.     We will be exploring some biblical reasons why for some our ears cannot see and our eyes cannot hear God this way.  Thankfully, God can restore these things to us if we ask for them sincerely with the desire to “want to want what he wants”(I first heard this from a dear friend May Harrott)

18. John 10:10 “I  am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” KJV

    • John 10:9-11 King James Version (KJV) “⁹ I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.   ¹⁰ The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.   ¹¹ I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.”

    • We see in this verse a side by side comparison of God vs the enemy.   We can readily see who is the source of anything in our lives by seeing which category it falls into.   If it is giving us life and life more abundantly = God is the source.   If it is stealing from us, killing us or destroying us = the enemy is the source.   God does not cast a shifting shadow.  As we saw, he is the source of all goodness and every perfect gift.   (James 3:9-10) tells us that blessings and curses ought not to proceed our of the same mouth.
    • Jesus rebuked hypcrisy above anything else.     In Ezekiel, we see plainly spelled out what God calls the shepherds to do.  This includes binding up the broken and healing the sick.  Jesus is THE GOOD SHEPHERD.

• Ezekiel 34 King James Version (KJV) “34 And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,  2 Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks?   3 Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock.   4 The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them.   5 And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered.   6 My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them.   7 Therefore, ye shepherds, hear the word of the Lord;   8 As I live, saith the Lord God, surely because my flock became a prey, and my flock became meat to every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my flock;   9 Therefore, O ye shepherds, hear the word of the Lord;   10 Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them.   11 For thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out.

19. Matthew 6:9-13 KJV “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is THE kingdom, and THE power, and THE glory, for ever. Amen. “

    • You can almost break this down word for word and get a greater revelation of God
    • Keep in mind, this was a pre death and resurrection of Christ prayer.   There are some things that shifted after Pentecost.  God’s Word is true and never changes but Jesus radically changed the landscape and the nature of His believers through His death, resurrection and ascension.
    • Not a rote prayer but infused with how and why and what to pray.   More of a pattern to follow, a heartset/mindset to pray from
      1. Our Father – this can so deeply minister to us.   These little words are so significant.  At no other time in history has man ever had the right or ability to approach God with an unveiled face and to go boldly into the holy of holies to be in His presence.    There are too many verses to explore regarding Him being our Father and us His children but this is really the first element is that we need to learn to approach Him according to our Father / child relationship with Him. So studying out these verses can reveal this to us.
      2. Hallowed be thy name – Coming in to His presence with the right posture and attitude are essential.   Scripture says that “fear of the Lord” is the beginning of all wisdom and  knowledge.   When we come to Him, he is telling us to do so with reverence, understanding and speaking to Him as the Holy One who deserves all of our reverence and praise.   A study and understanding of His holiness and fear of the Lord will lay the foundations in our heart for this.
      3. Thy Kingdom Come –  We are to pray for the full manifestation of His Kingdom to come.   Again, we need a revelation of His Kingdom before we can pray for it to be made manifest here.  I am presently working on this in my own study time.
      4. Thy will be done.   Jesus did only what He saw the Father doing.   Without intimate knowledge of the Lord and His Word, we can easily pray our of our will and our desires instead of according to His.   Scripture tells us the Jews are prone to demanding a sign and the gentiles to relying to heavily on reasoning
         • 1 Corinthians 1:21-23 New Living Translation (NLT)  “21 Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe. 22 It is foolish to the Jews, who ask for signs from heaven. And it is foolish to the Greeks, who seek human wisdom. 23 So when we preach that Christ was , the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense.”
      5. On earth as it is in heaven.  If we were to take a scriptural snapshot of what is happening in heaven and compare it with what is going down here, we can be confident that whatever does not perfectly reflect the utter perfection of heaven here, is God’s will to eradicate.    Things like sickness and sin and death entirely absent from heaven.   Praise, Thanksgiving, Peace, Joy etc are always the case in heaven.   Scripture tells us that Satan is the present ruler of this world.
         • John 12:31 New Living Translation (NLT) “31 The time for judging this world has come, when Satan, the ruler of this world, will be cast out. ”  Ephesians 6:12 also refers to other spiritual beings that have impact on what is happening on earth.
      6. Give Us this day our daily bread.   Feed us with your Word, and meet our practical needs for the day.     Jesus is the Bread from Heaven.  Healing an deliverance are also called the bread of God’s children.
         • John 6:57-59 King James Version (KJV)  57 As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.  58 This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.

         • Matthew 15:25-28 King James Version (KJV)  ²⁵ Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.²⁶ But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs.  ²⁷ And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.²⁸ Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

      7.   Forgive us as we forgive others.   Scripture also tells us that we will be held to the full account of our sins if we do not forgive others and that we will receive mercy in the same measure that we are merciful to others.   We must carefully approach God letting Him wash us clean of all bitterness towards any man and of all hardness of heart that prevents us from being merciful as we ought to be.   Approaching God and expecting from Him when we are caught up in harshness and judgementalism will not be fruitful.
         • Matthew 5:7 King James Version (KJV)
           7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
         • James 2:13 New Living Translation (NLT)
           13 There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you.”
         • Matthew 6:14-15 New Living Translation (NLT)
           14 “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. 15 But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.
      8. Lead us not into temptation.  Per James 1 above, we saw that God never leads people into temptation.   It is always evil desires spring from our own fleshly lusts that draw us into sin, sometimes with the help of Satan etc.    So really this is more of a prayer of being fortified against temptation.   Help us to submit to you and resist the devil and sin.
      9. Deliver us from evil.  We will explore this topic abundantly but later on that God has since answered this portion and empowered us in Him to live as more than conquerors.
         • James 4:7 King James Version (KJV)  “7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
         • Luke 9:23 King James Version (KJV)  “23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”
         • 1 Corinthians 9:27 Berean Study Bible”But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”

         • Galatians 5:24 English Standard Version (ESV) ²⁴ And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”

         • Romans 8:34-39 English Standard Version (ESV)
           34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.[a] 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written,  “For your sake we are being killed all the day long;  we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”  37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
         • Luke 10:19 English Standard Version (ESV)
           19 Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.
      10. for thine is THE KINGDOM=  We are now subject to His Kingdom and have been, past tense, delivered from the kingdom of darkness therefore we must learn to yield our lives to this new Kingdom which requires us to submit to its’ ordinances and now resist the kingdom of darkness
          • Colossians 1:13 King James Version (KJV)  “13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:”
          • Romans 6:13-20 King James Version (KJV)  13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.   14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.    15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.   16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?  17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.   18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.    19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.   20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.”
          • Matthew 6:24 King James Version (KJV)   “24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”
      11. THE POWER = Greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world  (1 John 4:4).   God is supreme.  He has commanded us from the very beginning to take dominion over all other creatures upon the earth.  He is the greatest power, the supreme Being, Above all Creation and His Kingdom comes with POWER.
          • 1 Chronicles 29:11 King James Version (KJV)   11 Thine, O Lord is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all.”
          • 1 Corinthians 4:18-20 King James Version (KJV)   18 Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you.   19 But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power.   20 For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.
          • Luke 6:19 New Living Translation (NLT)   “19 Everyone tried to touch him, because healing power went out from him, and he healed everyone.”
      12. THE GLORY = we are called to do all things in a way that glorifies God.
          • 1 Corinthians 10:31 “31 So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
          • Hosea 4:6-8 New Living Translation (NLT)
            6 My people are being destroyed
            because they don’t know me.
            Since you priests refuse to know me,
            I refuse to recognize you as my priests.
            Since you have forgotten the laws of your God,
            I will forget to bless your children.
            7 The more priests there are,
            the more they sin against me.
            They have exchanged the glory of God
            for the shame of idols.[a]
          • Romans 1 “But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness.[i] 19 They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. 20 For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.21 Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. 22 Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. 23 And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles. 24 So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. 
      13. SIN = Self IN charge.      Sin is nothing more and nothing less than letting self rule and run our lives instead of submitting to God’s will and ways in every detail of our lives.    It is so easy and natural to live by our impulses and reasoning instead of by feeding and living according to every word of God)
    • We saw in James it is the evil desires and lusts from within us that cause us to sin, not the Father at all.   Adam and Eve were tempted by their desire to eat the fruit that looked appetizing to their five senses and by the offer that they would gain in their personally from doing so.

____________________________________________

20. James 3:17 “But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.”

21. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.”

 

Core Beliefs

We believe that if you seek God you will find Him

God does the big and impossible, He will never ask you for more than you can do and He wants to shape your character and priorities into the image of Jesus Christ.
1 Chronicles 28:9, Matthew 6:33, Romans 8:29, 1 Corinthians 2:9

We believe that the Good News: the life, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ, and the gift of the Holy Spirit is the most important message

Isaiah 44:22, John 3:16, Acts 2

We believe the Bible is inspired by God and therefore we test everything against scripture

We also believe the Bible reveals God’s will to bring about healing and health.
Proverbs 4:20-22, Acts 17:11, 2 Timothy 3:16

Jesus never said No. In a variety of ways, He healed all who came to him, overcoming all obstacles.

Our hope and goal is to help you connect you with Him so that He can heal you in His perfect way. We do this by immersing ourselves in scripture and exploring the many ways God healed throughout the scriptures, by accepting God’s promises and putting these things into practice. Matthew 4:24, Luke 6:19

We believe in the power of prayer and will be praying with you.

Matthew 18:19-20, 1 John 5:14-15 , 2 Corinthians 1:24

We believe it is and has always been God’s will to heal bodies, minds, spirits, and relationships.

We believe that God’s perfect will is not always accomplished  here “on earth as it is in heaven”. We do not know the nature of the blessings that He will give, but we believe that by seeking out God, His will, His way and His truth that He will meet you in wonderful, miraculous and amazing ways. James 1:17-18, Luke 9:1-2, Psalm 103:1-3, John 5:19, John 10:10, Matthew 6:9-13

We believe God meets us where we are with His mercy and grace and that is what we want to do too. 

So many people have been hurt by those who want to help. I will expand on this point in a moment. We believe that God respects our No’s, that His wisdom always yields and that it is His and His job alone to convict and judge people. James 3:17, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continue reading →

Topic 1 (The Word)

 

Overview:  To understand the power of the scriptures themselves to heal, and the wisdom, faith, understanding, hope, etc that studying the Bible ushers into our lives.

 

 

Psalm 119:18  “Uncover my eyes so that I may see the miraculous things in your teaching” [God’s Word Translation GWT]

 

1 Corinthians 8:1-3 “Now regarding your question about food that has been offered to idols. Yes, we know that “we all have knowledge” about this issue. But while knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church. Anyone who claims to know all the answers doesn’t really know very much. But the person who loves God is the one whom God recognizes.”

 

1.____________________________________________________________________________________

Psalm 107:20  (KJV) “He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.”

 

 

Proverbs 4:20-23  (KJV) ^“20 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.  ²¹ Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.   ²² For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.   ²³ Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”

 

2._____________________________________________________________________________________

1 Peter 1:22-25 (KJV) “22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:  23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.  24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.”

 

 

James 1:18 “Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.”

 

 

3._____________________________________________________________________________________

Deuteronomy 8:3 “Yes, he humbled you by letting you go hungry and then feeding you with manna, a food previously unknown to you and your ancestors. He did it to teach you that people do not live by bread alone; rather, we live by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.”

 

 

Matthew 4:4  (KJV)  “4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”

 

 

Matthew 22:1-10 (ESV) “And again Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying, 2 “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son, 3 and sent his servants[a] to call those who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come. 4 Again he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “See, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast.”’ 5 But they paid no attention and went off, one to his farm, another to his business, 6 while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them. 7 The king was angry, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. 8 Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, but those invited were not worthy. 9 Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.’ 10 And those servants went out into the roads and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good. So the wedding hall was filled with guests.”

 

 

 

20 Revelation 3:20 (KJV) “ I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

 

 

 

 

John 6:35  (KJV)  “35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.”

 

 

Psalm 23:5  (KJV) “5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.”

 

 

Matthew 7:8-12  (KJV)  “8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.  9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? 10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?  11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?   12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.”

 

 

Matthew 15:25-30  (KJV) “25 Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.  26 But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs.  27 And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.29 And Jesus departed from thence, and came nigh unto the sea of Galilee; and went up into a mountain, and sat down there.  30 And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus’ feet; and he healed them:”

 

 

 

Luke 11:2-4  (KJV) “2 And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.   3 Give us day by day our daily bread.  4 And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.”

 

 

 

John 6:32-37  (KJV) “32 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.33 For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.  34 Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.  35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.  6 But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not.  37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”

 

 

John 6:48-54  (KJV) “48 I am that bread of life.   49 Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead.  50 This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.  51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.  52 The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat?  53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.  54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”

 

 1 Corinthians 10:15-17  (KJV) “15 I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.   16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?  17 For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.”

 

 

 

Deuteronomy 32:47  “These instructions are not empty words—they are your life! By obeying them you will enjoy a long life in the land you will occupy when you cross the Jordan River.”

 

 

 

 

John 6:63  “The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.”

 

 

 

 

Psalm 81:10 “For it was I, the Lord your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it with good things.”

 

 

 

 

Psalm 119:93”I will never forget your commandments, for by them you give me life.”

 

 

 

 

4.____________________________________________________________________________________

James 1:22-25 KJV “22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:  24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.  25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”

 

 

 

2 Corinthians 5:6-8  (KJV) “6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:  7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)  8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.”

 

 

5._____________________________________________________________________________________

John 1:1-5 + 14 “In the beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself. He was present originally with God. All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him was not even one thing made that has come into being. In Him was Life, and the Life was the Light of men. And the Light shines on in the darkness, for the darkness has never overpowered it [put it out or absorbed it or appropriated it, and is unreceptive to it].”  +  “And the Word (Christ) became flesh (human, incarnate) and tabernacled (fixed His tent of flesh, lived awhile) among us; and we [actually] saw His glory (His honor, His majesty), such glory as an only begotten son receives from his father, full of grace (favor, loving-kindness) and truth.” [Amplified Bible]

 

 

 

6.______________________________________________________________________________________

Isaiah 55:10-11  ““The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow,  producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit.  It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.”

 

 

 

 

1 Thessalonians 2:13 “Therefore, we never stop thanking God that when you received his message from us, you didn’t think of our words as mere human ideas. You accepted what we said as the very word of God—which, of course, it is. And this word continues to work in you who believe.”

 

 

 

2 Timothy 2:9 “And because I preach this Good News, I am suffering and have been chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained.”

 

 

 

7._________________________________________________________________________________

Isaiah 45:23 “I have sworn by my own name; I have spoken the truth, and I will never go back on my word: Every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will confess allegiance to me”

 

 

 

Psalm 12:6  (KJV) “6 The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.”

 

 

Psalm 18:30  (KJV) “30 As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.”

 

 

Isaiah 45:22-23  (ESV) 22 “Turn to me and be saved,     all the ends of the earth!    For I am God, and there is no other. 23 By myself I have sworn;   from my mouth has gone out in righteousness a word that shall not return:  ‘To me every knee shall bow,    every tongue shall swear allegiance.’”

 

 

Psalm 89:34 “My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.”

 

 

 

Psalm 119:160  “The sum of Your word is truth [the total of the full meaning of all Your individual precepts]; and every one of Your righteous decrees endures forever.” [The Amplified]

“The very essence of your words is truth; all your just regulations will stand forever.” [NLT]

 

 

 

Psalm 148:6 “He set them in place forever and ever. His decree will never be revoked.”

 

 

Isaiah 40:8  (ESV) “8 The grass withers, the flower fades,     but the word of our God will stand forever.”

 

 

2 Samuel 7:28 “For you are God, O Sovereign Lord. Your words are truth, and you have promised these good things to your servant.”

 

 

 

8._______________________________________________________________________________

Matthew 4:1-11 “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry.  During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.”  But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”  Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order his angels to protect you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’”  Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’” Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.  “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.”  “Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’”  Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.”

 

 

Proverbs 30:5 “Every word of God proves true.  He is a shield to all who come to him for protection.”

 

 

 

Psalm 149:6 “Let the praises of God be in their mouths, and a sharp sword in their hands”

 

 

 

9.___________________________________________________________________________

Ezekiel 3:10 “Then he added, “Son of man, let all my words sink deep into your own heart first. Listen to them carefully for yourself.”

 

 

 

John 15:7  “But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!”

 

 

 

John 8:31-32  “So Jesus said to those Jews who had believed in Him, If you abide in My word [hold fast to My teachings and live in accordance with them], you are truly My disciples. And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.”

 

 

 

Joshua 1:8-9 “Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.  This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

 

 

 

Luke 1:20  “For my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper time.”

 

 

 

1 Chronicles 16:14-16  (KJV) “14 He is the Lord our God; his judgments are in all the earth.  15 Be ye mindful always of his covenant; the word which he commanded to a thousand generations;  16 Even of the covenant which he made with Abraham, and of his oath unto Isaac;” 

 

 

Ezekiel 3:1-3  (ESV)”   And he said to me, “Son of man, eat whatever you find here. Eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel.” 2 So I opened my mouth, and he gave me this scroll to eat. 3 And he said to me, “Son of man, feed your belly with this scroll that I give you and fill your stomach with it.” Then I ate it, and it was in my mouth as sweet as honey.”

 

 

10.____________________________________________________________

Proverbs 1:2-4 “Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline, to help them understand the insights of the wise. Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives,  to help them do what is right, just, and fair. These proverbs will give insight to the simple,  knowledge and discernment to the young.

 

 

 

Psalm 19:9-11 “The [reverent] fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the ordinances of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even than much fine gold; they are sweeter also than honey and drippings from the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is Your servant warned (reminded, illuminated, and instructed); and in keeping them there is great reward.” [The Amplified]

 

 

 

Psalm 69:32-33 “The humble will see their God at work and be glad.  Let all who seek God’s help be encouraged. For the Lord hears the cries of the needy;   he does not despise his imprisoned people.”

 

 

 

1 Timothy 4:13-15 “Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them.  Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecy spoken over you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you.  Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress. “

 

 

 

2 Timothy 3:16-17  “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.  God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work..”

 

 

 

Romans 7:7-12 “Well then, am I suggesting that the law of God is sinful? Of course not! In fact, it was the law that showed me my sin. I would never have known that coveting is wrong if the law had not said, “You must not covet.” But sin used this command to arouse all kinds of covetous desires within me! If there were no law, sin would not have that power.  At one time I lived without understanding the law. But when I learned the command not to covet, for instance, the power of sin came to life, and I died. So I discovered that the law’s commands, which were supposed to bring life, brought spiritual death instead. Sin took advantage of those commands and deceived me; it used the commands to kill me.  But still, the law itself is holy, and its commands are holy and right and good.”)

 

 

 

11.______________________________________________________________________________

Ephesians 5:26-27 “For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word. He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault.”

 

 

Psalm 119:11 Context all of Psalm 119 “I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”

 

 

 

1 John 3:9 “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.”

 

 

 

1 John 5:18 “We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.”

 

 

 

 

Nehemiah 8:1-17 New Living Translation (NLT) “… all the people assembled with a unified purpose at the square just inside the Water Gate. They asked Ezra the scribe to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had given for Israel to obey. 2 So on October 8[a] Ezra the priest brought the Book of the Law before the assembly, which included the men and women and all the children old enough to understand. 3 He faced the square just inside the Water Gate from early morning until noon and read aloud to everyone who could understand. All the people listened closely to the Book of the Law.  4 Ezra the scribe stood on a high wooden platform that had been made for the occasion. To his right stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah. To his left stood Pedaiah, Mishael, Malkijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam. 5 Ezra stood on the platform in full view of all the people. When they saw him open the book, they all rose to their feet.6 Then Ezra praised the Lord, the great God, and all the people chanted, “Amen! Amen!” as they lifted their hands. Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.  7 The Levites—Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, and Pelaiah—then instructed the people in the Law while everyone remained in their places. 8 They read from the Book of the Law of God and clearly explained the meaning of what was being read, helping the people understand each passage.  9 Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were interpreting for the people said to them, “Don’t mourn or weep on such a day as this! For today is a sacred day before the Lordyour God.” For the people had all been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.  10 And Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!”  11 And the Levites, too, quieted the people, telling them, “Hush! Don’t weep! For this is a sacred day.” 12 So the people went away to eat and drink at a festive meal, to share gifts of food, and to celebrate with great joy because they had heard God’s words and understood them.

13 On October 9[c] the family leaders of all the people, together with the priests and Levites, met with Ezra the scribe to go over the Law in greater detail. 14 As they studied the Law, they discovered that the Lordhad commanded through Moses that the Israelites should live in shelters during the festival to be held that month.[d] 15 He had said that a proclamation should be made throughout their towns and in Jerusalem, telling the people to go to the hills to get branches from olive, wild olive,[e] myrtle, palm, and other leafy trees. They were to use these branches to make shelters in which they would live during the festival, as prescribed in the Law.  16 So the people went out and cut branches and used them to build shelters on the roofs of their houses, in their courtyards, in the courtyards of God’s Temple, or in the squares just inside the Water Gate and the Ephraim Gate. 17 So everyone who had returned from captivity lived in these shelters during the festival, and they were all filled with great joy! The Israelites had not celebrated like this since the days of Joshua[f] son of Nun.”

 

 

 

2 Chronicles 34 (about Josiah finding the Law)

 

 

12._________________________________________________________________________

Psalm 119:50 “This is my comfort in my affliction, For Your word has given me life.”

 

 

 

Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.”

 

 

 

Psalm 119:114 “You are my refuge and my shield; your word is my source of hope.”

 

 

 

Psalm 119:133 “Guide my steps by your word,  so I will not be overcome by evil.”

 

 

 

Romans 15:4 “Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.”

 

2 Peter 1:3-9  (KJV) “3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;  6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.”

 

 

2 Peter 1 :19-21 “Because of that experience, we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets. You must pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words are like a lamp shining in a dark place—until the Day dawns, and Christ the Morning Star shines in your hearts. Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding,  or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God.” 

 

 

 

13.___________________________________________________________________________________

Hebrews  4:12 “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. “

 

 

 

 

James 1:21 “So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for.” it has the power to save your souls

 

 

 

Psalm 33:4-6  (KJV) “4 For the word of the Lord is right; and all his works are done in truth.5 He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.  6 By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.

 

 

Psalm 107:17-20 “Some were fools; they rebelled and suffered for their sins.  They couldn’t stand the thought of food, and they were knocking on death’s door. “Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He sent out his word and healed them, snatching them from the door of death.”

 

 

 

 

Genesis 1:1-31 – God spoke all of creation into being.

 

 

 

Psalm 33:4-7 “For the word of the Lord is right; and all His work is done in faithfulness. He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the loving-kindness of the Lord. By the word of the Lord were the heavens made, and all their host by the breath of His mouth. He gathers the waters of the sea as in a bottle; He puts the deeps in storage places”

 

 

 

 

 

Jeremiah 1:11-19  (ESV) “11 And the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Jeremiah, what do you see?” And I said, “I see an almond branch.” 12 Then the Lord said to me, “You have seen well, for I am watching over my word to perform it.  13 The word of the Lord came to me a second time, saying, “What do you see?” And I said, “I see a boiling pot, facing away from the north.”14 Then the Lord said to me, “Out of the north disaster shall be let loose upon all the inhabitants of the land. 15 For behold, I am calling all the tribes of the kingdoms of the north, declares the Lord, and they shall come, and every one shall set his throne at the entrance of the gates of Jerusalem, against all its walls all around and against all the cities of Judah. 16 And I will declare my judgments against them, for all their evil in forsaking me. They have made offerings to other gods and worshiped the works of their own hands. 17 But you, dress yourself for work; arise, and say to them everything that I command you. Do not be dismayed by them, lest I dismay you before them. 18 And I, behold, I make you this day a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls, against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests, and the people of the land. 19 They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, declares the Lord, to deliver you.”

  

 

Jeremiah 15:19-21  (ESV) “19 Therefore thus says the Lord: “If you return, I will restore you,  and you shall stand before me.  If you utter what is precious, and not what is worthless,   you shall be as my mouth.  They shall turn to you,  but you shall not turn to them.  20 And I will make you to this people  a fortified wall of bronze;  they will fight against you,   but they shall not prevail over you,  for I am with you to save you and deliver you,  declares the Lord.  21 I will deliver you out of the hand of the wicked,  and redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless.”

 

14.___________________________________________________________________

Psalm 78:1-10  (KJV)  “78 Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth.  2 I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old:  3 Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us.  4 We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.  5 For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children:  6 That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children:  7 That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments:  8 And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.”

 

 

 

 

 

Luke 11:27-28  “27 As he said these things, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed!” 28 But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”

 

 

Deuteronomy 12:28  (KJV)  “²⁸ Observe and hear all these words which I command thee, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee for ever, when thou doest that which is good and right in the sight of the Lord thy God.”

 

15.______________________________________________________________________

 Deuteronomy 30:14  ^“But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your mind and in your heart, so that you can do it.” [the Amplified]

 

 

 

Isaiah 28:9-20 “Who does the Lord think we are?” they ask. “Why does he speak to us like this? Are we little children, just recently weaned? He tells us everything over and over— one line at a time, one line at a time, a little here, and a little there!”  So now God will have to speak to his people through foreign oppressors who speak a strange language! God has told his people, “Here is a place of rest; let the weary rest here. This is a place of quiet rest.” But they would not listen. So the Lord will spell out his message for them again, one line at a time, one line at a time, a little here, and a little there, so that they will stumble and fall.  They will be injured, trapped, and captured.  Therefore, listen to this message from the Lord, you scoffing rulers in Jerusalem. You boast, “We have struck a bargain to cheat death and have made a deal to dodge the grave. The coming destruction can never touch us, for we have built a strong refuge made of lies and deception.”  Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “Look! I am placing a foundation stone in Jerusalem, a firm and tested stone.   It is a precious cornerstone that is safe to build on. Whoever believes need never be shaken. I will test you with the measuring line of justice and the plumb line of righteousness.  Since your refuge is made of lies, a hailstorm will knock it down. Since it is made of deception, a flood will sweep it away. I will cancel the bargain you made to cheat death, and I will overturn your deal to dodge the grave. When the terrible enemy sweeps through, you will be trampled into the ground Again and again that flood will come, morning after morning, day and night, until you are carried away.”

 

 

 

Matthew 11:25 “At that time Jesus prayed this prayer: “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike.  Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way!”

 

 

 

Proverbs 8:9-10 “My words are plain to anyone with understanding,  clear to those with knowledge. Choose my instruction rather than silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold.”

 

 

 

Psalm 119:130 “The teaching of your word gives light, so even the simple can understand.”

 

 

 

2 Corinthians 1:13-14 ”Our letters have been straightforward, and there is nothing written between the lines and nothing you can’t understand. I hope someday you will fully understand us, ¹⁴ even if you don’t understand us now. Then on the day when the Lord Jesus returns, you will be proud of us in the same way we are proud of you.”

 

 

16.____________________________________________________________________

Psalm 138:2  (KJV) “2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.”

 

 

 

Psalm 119:89  “Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven.”

 

 

 

1 John 4:1 “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

 

 

 

2 Corinthians 11:4  “For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.”

  

 

 

1 Corinthians 3:9-11  (KJV) “9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.  10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.  11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” 

 

 

Matthew 7:24  (KJV) 24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:”

 

 

 

 

POTENTIAL BLOCKS

 

 

1.____________________________________________________________________________________

 Deuteronomy 4:1-2 “And now, Israel, listen carefully to these decrees and regulations that I am about to teach you. Obey them so that you may live, so you may enter and occupy the land that the Lord, the God of your ancestors, is giving you.  Do not add to or subtract from these commands I am giving you. Just obey the commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you.”

 

 

 

Galatians 1:7 “I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ.”

 

 

 

Revelation 22:17-19  “I [personally solemnly] warn everyone who listens to the statements of the prophecy [the predictions and the consolations and admonitions pertaining to them] in this book: If anyone shall add anything to them, God will add and lay upon him the plagues (the afflictions and the calamities) that are recorded and described in this book. And if anyone cancels or takes away from the statements of the book of this prophecy [these predictions relating to Christ’s kingdom and its speedy triumph, together with the consolations and admonitions or warnings pertaining to them], God will cancel and take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the city of holiness (purity and hallowedness), which are described and promised in this book.”[the Amplified Bible]

 

 

 

2._______________________________________________________________________

Deuteronomy 5:1 “Moses called all the people of Israel together and said, “Listen carefully, Israel. Hear the decrees and regulations I am giving you today, so you may learn them and obey them!”

 

 

(see Word Study Shema)

 

3._________________________________________________________________________

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 “Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.  And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.  And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.  Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders.  Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”

 

 

 

 

Deuteronomy 29:29 “The Lord our God has secrets known to no one. We are not accountable for them, but we and our children are accountable forever for all that he has revealed to us, so that we may obey all the terms of these instructions.”

 

 

 

4._______________________________________________________________________________

Hosea 4:6 “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.”

 

 

 

 

Isaiah  5:13-14  KJV “Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge: and their honourable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst.  Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it.”

The Amplified Bible“Therefore My people go into captivity [to their enemies] without knowing it and because they have no knowledge [of God]. And their honorable men [their glory] are famished, and their common people are parched with thirst.     Therefore Sheol (the unseen state, the realm of the dead) has enlarged its appetite and opened its mouth without measure; and [Jerusalem’s] nobility and her multitude and her pomp and tumult and [the drunken reveler] who exults in her descend into it.” 

 

 

 

 

1 Samuel 3:1  (ESV)  “Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord in the presence of Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision.”

 

 

 

Isaiah 52:7  (KJV) “7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!”

 

 

Romans 10:15  (KJV) “15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!:”

 

 

Acts 20:25-27  (KJV) “25 And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.  26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.  27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.”

  

  

Jeremiah 5:12-14  (ESV) “12 They have spoken falsely of the Lord and have said, ‘He will do nothing; no disaster will come upon us,  nor shall we see sword or famine.  13 The prophets will become wind;   the word is not in them.  Thus shall it be done to them!’”  The Lord Proclaims Judgment 14 Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of hosts:  “Because you have spoken this word, behold, I am making my words in your mouth a fire,     and this people wood, and the fire shall consume them.”

 

5.___________________________________________________________________________

Jeremiah 6:10 “To whom can I give warning? Who will listen when I speak? Their ears are closed, and they cannot hear. They scorn the word of the Lord.  They don’t want to listen at all.”

 

 

 

John 8:47 (KJV)“He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.”

 

 

 

John 9:39-41 “Jesus then said, “I came into the world to bring everything into the clear light of day, making all the distinctions clear, so that those who have never seen will see, and those who have made a great pretense of seeing will be exposed as blind.”   Some Pharisees overheard him and said, “Does that mean you’re calling us blind?” Jesus said, “If you were really blind, you would be blameless, but since you claim to see everything so well, you’re accountable for every fault and failure.”  (the Message)

Matthew 13:8-16  [The Amplified Bible] “He who has ears [to hear], let him be listening and let him consider and perceive and comprehend by hearing.     Then the disciples came to Him and said, Why do You speak to them in parables?  And He replied to them, To you it has been given to know the secrets and mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.    For whoever has [spiritual knowledge], to him will more be given and he will be furnished richly so that he will have abundance; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away. This is the reason that I speak to them in parables: because having the power of seeing, they do not see; and having the power of hearing, they do not hear, nor do they grasp and understand. In them indeed is the process of fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah, which says:

 ‘You shall indeed hear and hear but never grasp and understand; and you shall indeed look and look but never see and perceive. For this nation’s heart has grown gross (fat and dull), and their ears heavy and difficult of hearing, and their eyes they have tightly closed, lest they see and perceive with their eyes, and hear and comprehend the sense with their ears, and grasp and understand with their heart, and turn and I should heal them.’ But blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied) are your eyes because they do see, and your ears because they do hear.  Truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous men [men who were upright and in right standing with God] yearned to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.”

 

 

 

Proverbs 19:27″ If you stop listening to instruction, my child, you will turn your back on knowledge”

 

 

 

 

Proverbs 4:5-6 “Get wisdom; develop good judgment.  Don’t forget my words or turn away from them. Don’t turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you.  Love her, and she will guard you.”

 

 

 

Proverbs 28:9 NLT “God detests the prayers of a person who ignores the law.”

KJV  “He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.”

 

 

 

Isaiah 5:24  (NLT) “24 Therefore, just as fire licks up stubble and dry grass shrivels in the flame, so their roots will rot and their flowers wither.  For they have rejected the law of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies;  they have despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.”

 

 

Jeremiah 8:9  (ESV) “9 The wise men shall be put to shame;  they shall be dismayed and taken;  behold, they have rejected the word of the Lord, so what wisdom is in them?”

 

 

Jeremiah 11:3-8  (ESV) “3 You shall say to them, Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Cursed be the man who does not hear the words of this covenant 4 that I commanded your fathers when I brought them out of the land of Egypt, from the iron furnace, saying, Listen to my voice, and do all that I command you. So shall you be my people, and I will be your God, 5 that I may confirm the oath that I swore to your fathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey, as at this day.” Then I answered, “So be it, Lord.”   6 And the Lord said to me, “Proclaim all these words in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem: Hear the words of this covenant and do them. 7 For I solemnly warned your fathers when I brought them up out of the land of Egypt, warning them persistently, even to this day, saying, Obey my voice. 8 Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but everyone walked in the stubbornness of his evil heart. Therefore I brought upon them all the words of this covenant, which I commanded them to do, but they did not.”

 

 

 

Jeremiah 23:36 “ Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you, filling you with vain hopes. They speak visions of their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord. 17 They say continually to those who despise the word of the Lord, ‘It shall be well with you’; and to everyone who stubbornly follows his own heart, they say, ‘No disaster shall come upon you.’”

 

 

 

6.____________________________________________________________________

Jeremiah 4:3 “This is what the Lord says to the people of Judah and Jerusalem:   “Plow up the hard ground of your hearts! Do not waste your good seed among thorns.”

 

 

 

 

Jerimiah 6:10-11 “10 To whom shall I speak, and give warning, that they may hear? behold, their ear is uncircumcised, and they cannot hearken: behold, the word of the Lord is unto them a reproach; they have no delight in it.  11 Therefore I am full of the fury of the Lord; I am weary with holding in: I will pour it out upon the children abroad, and upon the assembly of young men together: for even the husband with the wife shall be taken, the aged with him that is full of days.”

 

 

 

Luke 8:4-15 “One day Jesus told a story in the form of a parable to a large crowd that had gathered from many towns to hear him: “A farmer went out to plant his seed. As he scattered it across his field, some seed fell on a footpath, where it was stepped on, and the birds ate it. Other seed fell among rocks. It began to grow, but the plant soon wilted and died for lack of moisture. Other seed fell among thorns that grew up with it and choked out the tender plants.  Still other seed fell on fertile soil. This seed grew and produced a crop that was a hundred times as much as had been planted!” When he had said this, he called out, “Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”  His disciples asked him what this parable meant.  He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of God. But I use parables to teach the others so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled:   ‘When they look, they won’t really see. When they hear, they won’t understand.’ “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is God’s word. The seeds that fell on the footpath represent those who hear the message, only to have the devil come and take it away from their hearts and prevent them from believing and being saved.  The seeds on the rocky soil represent those who hear the message and receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they believe for a while, then they fall away when they face temptation. The seeds that fell among the thorns represent those who hear the message, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life. And so they never grow into maturity.  And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest.”

 

 

7.____________________________________________________________________________________

Matthew 15:1-9 “Some Pharisees and teachers of religious law now arrived from Jerusalem to see Jesus. They asked him, “Why do your disciples disobey our age-old tradition?  For they ignore our tradition of ceremonial hand washing before they eat.”  Jesus replied, “And why do you, by your traditions, violate the direct commandments of God? For instance, God says, ‘Honour your father and mother,’ and ‘Anyone who speaks disrespectfully of father or mother must be put to death.’  But you say it is all right for people to say to their parents, ‘Sorry, I can’t help you.  For I have vowed to give to God what I would have given to you.’  In this way, you say they don’t need to honour their parents. And so you cancel the word of God for the sake of your own tradition.  You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you, for he wrote, ‘These people honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God.’

 

 

 

Mark 7:10-13  (KJV)  “10 For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death:  11 But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free.  12 And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother;  13 Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.”

 

 

 

1 Corinthians 1:15-24  (KJV) “15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.  16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.  17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.  18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.  19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.  20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?  21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.  22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:  23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;  24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.”

 

 

 

Mark 6:4-6  (KJV) “4 But Jesus, said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.  5 And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.  6 And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.”

 

 

 

Romans 4:19-21  CONTEXT (KJV) “19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah’s womb:

20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.”

 

 

8.______________________________________________________________________________

1 Samuel 9:27  (ESV) “27 As they were going down to the outskirts of the city, Samuel said to Saul, “Tell the servant to pass on before us, and when he has passed on, stop here yourself for a while, that I may make known to you the word of God.”

 

 

Luke 14:12-24  (ESV)  “12 He said also to the man who had invited him, “When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid. 13 But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.  15 When one of those who reclined at table with him heard these things, he said to him, “Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!” 16 But he said to him, “A man once gave a great banquet and invited many. 17 And at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ 18 But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. Please have me excused.’ 19 And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them. Please have me excused.’ 20 And another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’ 21 So the servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house became angry and said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame.’ 22 And the servant said, ‘Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.’ 23 And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. 24 For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet.’”

 

 

 

 

Luke 10:38-42  (NKJV) “38 Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.”  41 And [b]Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. 42 But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” 

 

 

 

James 1:11  (ESV) “11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.”

 

 

Matthew 13:15-23  (ESV) “15 For this people’s heart has grown dull,  and with their ears they can barely hear,  and their eyes they have closed,  lest they should see with their eyes     and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’  16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear.17 For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.18 “Hear then the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. 20 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away.[a]22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. 23 As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”  

 

 

Proverbs 23:11-13  (NLT) “11 For their Redeemer is strong;  he himself will bring their charges against you. 12 Commit yourself to instruction;    listen carefully to words of knowledge. 13 Don’t fail to discipline your children.    The rod of punishment won’t kill them.”

Acts 14:6-10

“⁶ They were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about:

⁷ And there they preached the gospel.

⁸ And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother’s womb, who never had walked:

⁹ The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,

¹⁰ Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked.

 

Isaiah 52:6-8 English Standard Version (ESV)

⁶ Therefore my people shall know my name. Therefore in that day they shall know that it is I who speak; here I am.”

⁷ How beautiful upon the mountains
    are the feet of him who brings good news,
who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness,
    who publishes salvation,
    who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”
⁸ The voice of your watchmen—they lift up their voice;
    together they sing for joy;
for eye to eye they see
    the return of the Lord to Zion.

at Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.”

Romans 10:14-17 English Standard Version (ESV)

¹⁴ How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard?^[a] And how are they to hear without someone preaching? ¹⁵ And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” ¹⁶ But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” ¹⁷ So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

Acts 28:26-28 King James Version (KJV)

²⁶ Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive:

²⁷ For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

²⁸ Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.

Acts 28:7-10

⁷ Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days. ⁸ It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him, healed him. ⁹ And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured.

Are we preaching the same gospel that Paul preached?  “Faith comes from hearing”   Are we sharing the full message so that people can receive the fullness of what our Lord paid for them to have?    Something to think about…..

Acts 28:27 says that if they have ears to hear and eyes to see and the ability to understand, they will be “converted” and He will heal them.

From the Strong’s Concordance http://www.blbclassic.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G2390&t=KJV

ἰάομαι iáomai, ee-ah’-om-ahee; middle voice of apparently a primary verb; to cure (literally or figuratively):—heal, make whole.

Proverbs 4:20-22 King James Version (KJV)

²⁰ My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.

²¹ Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.

²² For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.

 

Luke 10:25-38 King James Version (KJV)

²⁵ And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

²⁶ He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?

²⁷ And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

²⁸ And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.

²⁹ But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?

³⁰ And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.

³¹ And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

³² And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.

³³ But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,

³⁴ And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

³⁵ And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.

³⁶ Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?

³⁷ And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

Please consider this passage carefully.

In the story of the good Samaritan, he labels the one who stops and binds up and heals as the good neighbour.    The Samaritan gave that which he had to the one who was afflicted.   Consider carefully what the Word says you have as a believer in Christ.   Whether you feel like you have it or not scripture says you have the capacity.      It is no more kind to encourage a baby to remain in infancy because their present ability does not live up to their full grown capacity, than it is to encourage believers to remain in spiritual infancy and not grow up into the fruitfulness and full capacity of a spiritually mature follower of the Lord Jesus Christ.   “It is written” he who believes will lay hands on the sick and they will recover (if you believe) Mark 16:16-20 and that if you believe you can do the word Jesus did and greater works (John 14:12).   Friends, let us grow up and be and do as His Word says we can.   Let us not cross the to other side of the road but follow the example of the good Samaritan and be the good neighbour that Jesus calls us to.

Especially if you lead or shepherd or act as an elder or mentor for any others, please pay close attention to Ezekiel.   The Word draws your attention especially to these verses. Please take note of  how God judges us when we hold back what He has commanded us to share.

 

Ezekiel 34 King James Version (KJV)

34 And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,

² Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks?

³ Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock.

⁴ The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them.

⁵ And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered.

⁶ My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them.

⁷ Therefore, ye shepherds, hear the word of the Lord;

⁸ As I live, saith the Lord God, surely because my flock became a prey, and my flock became meat to every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my flock;

⁹ Therefore, O ye shepherds, hear the word of the Lord;

¹⁰ Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them.

Consider the ministry of our Lord Jesus, the Good Shepherd in contrast:

2 Corinthians 5:1 New Living Translation (NLT)

New Bodies

5 For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands.

2 Corinthians 5:1 English Standard Version (ESV)

Our Heavenly Dwelling

5 For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

Scripture tells us we will get a new body, an incorruptible body, one that is not at all subject to sickness and disease.  The one we presently live in returns to dust.

1 Corinthians 11:28-30 King James Version (KJV)

²⁸ But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.

²⁹ For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.

³⁰ For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.

Let’s see what scripture says about what Jesus paid for and the value He placed on it.  Everything Jesus went through in the “passion” time has significance for us.  He was beaten, spit upon, ripped open.  Psalm 22 is likely the most graphic description of the crucifixion in the Bible.   His bones were laid bare by the scourging, and he no longer looked human by the time he got to the cross.    The price he paid was way bigger than “just” being crucified.

We see in the Lord’s supper passage that many are weak and sickly and have died why?

“not discerning the Lord’s body”.  For whatever reason we can easily receive the blood as atonement/propitiation for our sins.   But somehow, blindness to the Lord’s body is common enough that our attention is drawn to this in 1st Corinthians.

1 Peter 2:24 King James Version (KJV)

²⁴ Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

1 Corinthians 15:52 King James Version (KJV)

⁵² In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

Healing is redundant to an incorruptible body.   Jesus did not say by my stripes, you will be given a new incorruptible body.  He said through His Word 2 times:

Matthew 27:26 King James Version (KJV)

²⁶ Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.

Isaiah 53:5 King James Version (KJV)

⁵ But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Let’s read about the outlook, the expectation, the perspective that scripture tells us results in people being healed.

James 1:5-8

⁵ If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

⁶ But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

⁷ For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

⁸ A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

James 5:17:18

¹⁷ 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.

¹⁸ And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.

Matthew 8:9-18 (KJV) 

For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.

¹⁰ When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

¹¹ And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.

¹² But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

¹³ And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.

¹⁴ And when Jesus was come into Peter’s house, he saw his wife’s mother laid, and sick of a fever.

¹⁵ And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them.

¹⁶ When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:

¹⁷ That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.

¹⁸ Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he gave commandment to depart unto the other side.

Imagine the boldness, the presumption even, the gaul that the multitudes had, that Jairus had, that the woman with the issue of blood, the centurion etc had to come to Jesus expecting to be healed.  One man alone is recorded as having approached him with this mental state of “if it be your will, you can make me well”  and we disregard the testimony of the thousands of others who came expecting to be healed without this little addendum.     If we understood this lepers position in society and under the law, we would know why.   He understood from Deuteronomy 28 that he was under a curse for some sin he had committed.   His whole time of affliction, he would have been treated as an absolute outcast and one who warranted the condition from which he suffered.  All that this verse tells us is that he personally did not know God’s will on the matter.   This is not modelling a forever doctrine that all should now practice according to.  It demonstrates Jesus’ compassion and mercy and willingness to heal in spite of doubt and unbelief of the sick.

Paul’s Thorn is such a common one I have a whole post on that one.   But it is enough to say that scripture plainly says that his thorn was a “messenger sent from Satan to buffet him” due to the vastness of the revelation given to him.    Paul expounds on it in the same letter and scripture as a whole witnesses to Paul’s thorn.   Persecution followed him everywhere he went.  It was prophesied over him at the very beginning of his calling to Christ.

.Even the Syrian Phonecian woman came expectant that her daughter would be set free (see Matthew 15:21-29).     In many of these cases, Jesus commended them for their faith.   He never rebuked even one for having this expectation that He would heal if they sought Him out .

James 1:13-15

¹³ Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:

¹⁴ But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

¹⁵ Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

¹⁶ Do not err, my beloved brethren.

¹⁷ Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

That “do not err” stands out to me.   It is sandwiched between “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God”   and “Every good gift and every perfet gift is from above”.

John 10:10 spells it out clearly.   Sickness steals our time, steals our resources, steals our energy and can even steal our God given fruitfulness and purpose.

John 10:10 King James Version (KJV)

¹⁰ The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

“Not discerning the Lord’s body” IS a biblical reason why many are weak and sick and even dead.