Sunday, July 17, 2011
Thursday, July 7, 2011
God's Word: The Disciples Medicine
Many make the mistake of substituting belief in healing for the actual taking of God’s medicine – His Word. They say, “I believe in healing” without actually taking the medicine. What good would it do for you to believe in food if you didn’t eat it? You would starve. What good would it do for you to believe in water if you didn’t actually drink any? You would die of thirst.
God’s Word is His medicine. There are several parallels between God’s medicine and natural medicine.
First: God’s Word is a healing agent, just as natural medicine is a healing agent or catalyst. In other words, the medicine itself contains the capacity to produce healing. Inherent within God’s Word is the capacity, the energy, the ability, and the nature to effect healing in your body.
Second: We might say that medicine is no respector of persons. It will work for anyone who takes it. It is not a matter of if God is willing or not willing to heal any individual, but whether or not the individual will receive healing by taking the medicine that produces it.
Third, and most important: Medicine must be taken according to directions to be effective. Some medicine labels read, “Take internally”; others say, “Take externally.” To rub it on your body externally when the directions say to take it internally will not work. To take it after meals when the directions say take it before meals will reduce its effectiveness. To take it once in a while when the directions say three times a day will mean limited results, if any. No matter how good the medicine is, it must be taken according to the directions or it won’t work. So it is with God’s medicine. It must be taken according to directions for it to work.
We might say that attending to them, inclining your ear to them, and keeping them before your eyes causesthe Word to get into the midst of your heart. Notice this: It is only as God’s Words get in the midst of your heart and stay there that they produce healing in your body. Head knowledge won’t do. They are going to have to penetrate to your spirit through meditation – attending, hearing, looking, muttering, musing, pondering – to produce healing in your body. But once they do penetrate, they will surely bring health to all your flesh. … let them penetrate deep within your heart.
You can see again that God’s way of healing is spiritual. Power is ministered first to your spirit, then distributed to your body. God’s medicine must be taken internally. Listen, instead of wondering whether you have enough faith to be healed, just take the medicine. This handout contains Healing Scriptures. Feed on them several times a day, repeating them over and over again to yourself. The medicine itself will work if you will get it inside of you.
Fourth: Remember that it takes time for medicine to work. Most people give natural medicine a lot of time, patience, and money to work. They take the prescription back for refills and more refills. They are diligent about it. They don’t just take one dose and expect a miracle. Keep taking God’s medicine. Give it time to work.
Take your medicine. Say these Scriptures to yourself. Think on what you’re saying in your heart. Use them in praise to the Father. His Word is medicine to all your flesh.
God’s Word is His medicine. There are several parallels between God’s medicine and natural medicine.
First: God’s Word is a healing agent, just as natural medicine is a healing agent or catalyst. In other words, the medicine itself contains the capacity to produce healing. Inherent within God’s Word is the capacity, the energy, the ability, and the nature to effect healing in your body.
Second: We might say that medicine is no respector of persons. It will work for anyone who takes it. It is not a matter of if God is willing or not willing to heal any individual, but whether or not the individual will receive healing by taking the medicine that produces it.
Third, and most important: Medicine must be taken according to directions to be effective. Some medicine labels read, “Take internally”; others say, “Take externally.” To rub it on your body externally when the directions say to take it internally will not work. To take it after meals when the directions say take it before meals will reduce its effectiveness. To take it once in a while when the directions say three times a day will mean limited results, if any. No matter how good the medicine is, it must be taken according to the directions or it won’t work. So it is with God’s medicine. It must be taken according to directions for it to work.
We might say that attending to them, inclining your ear to them, and keeping them before your eyes causesthe Word to get into the midst of your heart. Notice this: It is only as God’s Words get in the midst of your heart and stay there that they produce healing in your body. Head knowledge won’t do. They are going to have to penetrate to your spirit through meditation – attending, hearing, looking, muttering, musing, pondering – to produce healing in your body. But once they do penetrate, they will surely bring health to all your flesh. … let them penetrate deep within your heart.
You can see again that God’s way of healing is spiritual. Power is ministered first to your spirit, then distributed to your body. God’s medicine must be taken internally. Listen, instead of wondering whether you have enough faith to be healed, just take the medicine. This handout contains Healing Scriptures. Feed on them several times a day, repeating them over and over again to yourself. The medicine itself will work if you will get it inside of you.
Fourth: Remember that it takes time for medicine to work. Most people give natural medicine a lot of time, patience, and money to work. They take the prescription back for refills and more refills. They are diligent about it. They don’t just take one dose and expect a miracle. Keep taking God’s medicine. Give it time to work.
Take your medicine. Say these Scriptures to yourself. Think on what you’re saying in your heart. Use them in praise to the Father. His Word is medicine to all your flesh.
Prophecy- Rev.Kenneth W. Hagin
Don't give up. Don't give up.
Put that dream back together.
Put it back together
and do what you know to do,
and it will come out all right.
Don't lay it down.
If you lay it down,
I don't have anybody else to pick
it up, saith the Lord.
You've got to do the job.
I gave it to you to do.
Don't transfer it to somebody else.
You do it.
Many have I called.
Many have I spoken to.
Many have I showed the dream
but they have rejected;
they have turned Me aside.
To you I have given
what they would not take.
To you I have given
because you said,
"Lord, here am I; send me."
When others turned aside
because it wasn't big enough.
When others said,
"Lord,I want the big ministry."
You did what I told you to do.
Relax in ME, and quit comparing
yourself with your fellow
ministers and your peers.
Quit comparing your ministry
with their ministry.
Compare your ministry
with what I told you to do,
and you'll rejoice,
because you'll see that it already
has surpassed what I told you to do
and you have gone on to a bigger dream.
You have advanced to another dream.
Keep moving with My Spirit,
and I will show you
the greatest victory of all.
Put that dream back together.
Put it back together
and do what you know to do,
and it will come out all right.
Don't lay it down.
If you lay it down,
I don't have anybody else to pick
it up, saith the Lord.
You've got to do the job.
I gave it to you to do.
Don't transfer it to somebody else.
You do it.
Many have I called.
Many have I spoken to.
Many have I showed the dream
but they have rejected;
they have turned Me aside.
To you I have given
what they would not take.
To you I have given
because you said,
"Lord, here am I; send me."
When others turned aside
because it wasn't big enough.
When others said,
"Lord,I want the big ministry."
You did what I told you to do.
Relax in ME, and quit comparing
yourself with your fellow
ministers and your peers.
Quit comparing your ministry
with their ministry.
Compare your ministry
with what I told you to do,
and you'll rejoice,
because you'll see that it already
has surpassed what I told you to do
and you have gone on to a bigger dream.
You have advanced to another dream.
Keep moving with My Spirit,
and I will show you
the greatest victory of all.
Petition For A Heavenly Grant
Wonderful and gracious Father God, Almighty Jehova Jireh, my provider, I humbly and boldly come to you to present to you my formal prayer of petition.
Be it known this day, _____________, at _________(A.M./P.M.), I request and based on your Holy Word, receive, a heavenly grant in the amount of $_____.__.
Father, in the Name of Jesus, I come boldly to the Throne of Grace, and present Your Word.
According to John 16:23 (Amplified), Jesus said, "I assure you most solemnly I tell you, that My Father will grant you whatever you ask in My Name."
Jesus, You said in Mark 11:24, "Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe, trust, and be confident that it is granted you, and you will get it."
Father, Your Word states in Luke 6:38, "Give and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give unto your bosom." In accordance to Your Word, I give, I sow seed, in order to set this Spiritual Law to work in my behalf.
According to Matthew 18:18, I bind Satan and all his forces and I render them helpless and unable to operate. They will not hinder my grant.
According to Hebrews 1:13 and 14, I loose the ministering spirits, and I charge them to go forth and cause my grant to come into my hands.
Father also according to your Holy Word in I John 5: 14-15 assures me, "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desire of him."
The amount of this grant is for the following:
_______________, $______,__;
_______________- $______,__;
_______________- $______,__;
_______________- $______,__.
Jesus, You said in Matthew 18:19, "Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of My Father which is in heaven."
Therefore, _____________________ set ourselves in agreement, and we believe we receive now, and we praise You for it Lord, In Jesus’ name and by His precious Blood, the divine currency.
Be it known this day, _____________, at _________(A.M./P.M.), I request and based on your Holy Word, receive, a heavenly grant in the amount of $_____.__.
Father, in the Name of Jesus, I come boldly to the Throne of Grace, and present Your Word.
According to John 16:23 (Amplified), Jesus said, "I assure you most solemnly I tell you, that My Father will grant you whatever you ask in My Name."
Jesus, You said in Mark 11:24, "Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe, trust, and be confident that it is granted you, and you will get it."
Father, Your Word states in Luke 6:38, "Give and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give unto your bosom." In accordance to Your Word, I give, I sow seed, in order to set this Spiritual Law to work in my behalf.
According to Matthew 18:18, I bind Satan and all his forces and I render them helpless and unable to operate. They will not hinder my grant.
According to Hebrews 1:13 and 14, I loose the ministering spirits, and I charge them to go forth and cause my grant to come into my hands.
Father also according to your Holy Word in I John 5: 14-15 assures me, "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desire of him."
The amount of this grant is for the following:
_______________, $______,__;
_______________- $______,__;
_______________- $______,__;
_______________- $______,__.
Jesus, You said in Matthew 18:19, "Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of My Father which is in heaven."
Therefore, _____________________ set ourselves in agreement, and we believe we receive now, and we praise You for it Lord, In Jesus’ name and by His precious Blood, the divine currency.
Sunday, July 3, 2011
The Disciples List of Confessions
Here is a list of confessions that remind us of God's love and power.
I love all people, and I am loved by all people.
I prosper in everything I put my hand to. I have prosperity in all areas of my life – spiritually, financially, mentally, and socially.
All my children have lots of Christian friends, and God has set aside a Christian wife or husband for each of them.
All my household are blessed in their deeds: we’re blessed when we come in and when we go out.
I take good care of my body. I eat right, I look good, I feel good, and I weigh what God wants me to weigh.
I operate in all the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which are tongues and interpretation of tongues, the working of miracles, discerning of spirits, the word of faith, the word of knowledge, the word of wisdom, healings, and prophecy.
I know God’s voice, and I always obey what He tells me.
The love of God has been shed abroad in my heart by the Holy Ghost.
I do all my work excellently and with great prudence – making the most of all of my time.
I am creative because the Holy Spirit lives in me.
I love to pray. I love to praise and worship God.
I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress. I will speak forth the righteousness of God all the day long.
I have humbled myself, and God has exalted me.
I am a giver. It is more blessed to give than to receive. I love to give! I have plenty of money to give away all the time.
I cast all my care on the Lord for He cares for me.
I don’t give the devil a foothold in my life. I resist the devil, and he has to flee from me.
I don’t have a spirit of fear, but of power and love and a sound mind.
I am not afraid of the faces of man. I am not afraid of the anger of man.
I am a new creature in Christ: old things have passed away, behold, all things are new.
I have died and have been raised with Christ and am now seated in heavenly places.
I am dead to sin and alive unto righteousness.
I am a doer of the Word. I meditate on the Word all the day long.
I am not passive about anything, but I deal with all things in my life immediately.
I do not judge my brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus after the flesh. I am a spiritual man and am judged by no one.
I take every thought captive unto the obedience of Jesus Christ, casting down every imagination, and every high and lofty thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God.
I am a responsible person. I enjoy responsibility, and I rise to every responsibility in Jesus.
I have been set free. I am free to love, to worship, to trust with no fear of rejection or of being hurt.
I have compassion and understanding for all people.
I catch the devil in all of his deceitful lies. I cast them down and choose rather to believe the Word of God.
I am anointed of God for ministry. Hallelujah!
Work is good. I enjoy work. Glory!
I have a teachable spirit.
I do not think more highly of myself than I ought to in the flesh.
Pain cannot successfully come against my body because Jesus bore all my pain.
I am a teacher of the Word.
I lay hands on the sick, and they recover.
I do what I say I will do, and I get where I am going on time.
I don’t hurry and rush; I do one thing at a time.
God opens my mouth, and no man can shut it. God shuts my mouth, and no man can open it.
The law of kindness is in my tongue. Gentleness is in my touch. Mercy and compassion is in my hearing.
As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he; therefore, all of my thoughts are positive.
I do not allow the devil to use my spirit as a garbage dump by meditating on negative things that he offers me.
I am a believer not a doubter.
No weapon that is formed against me shall prosper, but every tongue that rises against me in judgment, I shall show to be in the wrong.
I am slow to speak, quick to hear, and slow to anger.
I cast out devils and demons; nothing deadly can hurt me.
I never bind a sister or brother with the words of my mouth.
I am always a positive encouragement. I edify and build up; I never tear down or destroy.
I will cry to God Most High Who performs on my behalf and rewards me.
My son has a sweet personality, and he is not rebellious.
I don’t speak negative things.
My children love to pray and study the Word. They openly and boldly praise God.
My children make right choices according to the Word of God.
I am an obedient wife, and no rebellion operates in me.
My husband is wise. He is the king and priest of our home. He makes Godly decisions.
I use my time wisely. All of my prayer and study time is wisely spent.
I walk in the spirit all of the time.
All that I own is paid for. I owe no man anything except to love him in Christ.
I love to bless people and spread the Gospel.
I am an intercessor.
I receive speaking engagements in person, by phone, and/or by mail every day.
My daughter operates in Godly wisdom and discipline, and she is full of energy.
I never get tired or grow weary when I study the Word, pray, minister, or praise God; but I am alert and full of energy. And as I study, I become more alert and more energized.
I will study the Word of God. I will pray.
I do not hate or walk in unforgiveness.
I do not fear. I am not guilty.
I love all people, and I am loved by all people.
I prosper in everything I put my hand to. I have prosperity in all areas of my life – spiritually, financially, mentally, and socially.
All my children have lots of Christian friends, and God has set aside a Christian wife or husband for each of them.
All my household are blessed in their deeds: we’re blessed when we come in and when we go out.
I take good care of my body. I eat right, I look good, I feel good, and I weigh what God wants me to weigh.
I operate in all the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which are tongues and interpretation of tongues, the working of miracles, discerning of spirits, the word of faith, the word of knowledge, the word of wisdom, healings, and prophecy.
I know God’s voice, and I always obey what He tells me.
The love of God has been shed abroad in my heart by the Holy Ghost.
I do all my work excellently and with great prudence – making the most of all of my time.
I am creative because the Holy Spirit lives in me.
I love to pray. I love to praise and worship God.
I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress. I will speak forth the righteousness of God all the day long.
I have humbled myself, and God has exalted me.
I am a giver. It is more blessed to give than to receive. I love to give! I have plenty of money to give away all the time.
I cast all my care on the Lord for He cares for me.
I don’t give the devil a foothold in my life. I resist the devil, and he has to flee from me.
I don’t have a spirit of fear, but of power and love and a sound mind.
I am not afraid of the faces of man. I am not afraid of the anger of man.
I am a new creature in Christ: old things have passed away, behold, all things are new.
I have died and have been raised with Christ and am now seated in heavenly places.
I am dead to sin and alive unto righteousness.
I am a doer of the Word. I meditate on the Word all the day long.
I am not passive about anything, but I deal with all things in my life immediately.
I do not judge my brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus after the flesh. I am a spiritual man and am judged by no one.
I take every thought captive unto the obedience of Jesus Christ, casting down every imagination, and every high and lofty thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God.
I am a responsible person. I enjoy responsibility, and I rise to every responsibility in Jesus.
I have been set free. I am free to love, to worship, to trust with no fear of rejection or of being hurt.
I have compassion and understanding for all people.
I catch the devil in all of his deceitful lies. I cast them down and choose rather to believe the Word of God.
I am anointed of God for ministry. Hallelujah!
Work is good. I enjoy work. Glory!
I have a teachable spirit.
I do not think more highly of myself than I ought to in the flesh.
Pain cannot successfully come against my body because Jesus bore all my pain.
I am a teacher of the Word.
I lay hands on the sick, and they recover.
I do what I say I will do, and I get where I am going on time.
I don’t hurry and rush; I do one thing at a time.
God opens my mouth, and no man can shut it. God shuts my mouth, and no man can open it.
The law of kindness is in my tongue. Gentleness is in my touch. Mercy and compassion is in my hearing.
As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he; therefore, all of my thoughts are positive.
I do not allow the devil to use my spirit as a garbage dump by meditating on negative things that he offers me.
I am a believer not a doubter.
No weapon that is formed against me shall prosper, but every tongue that rises against me in judgment, I shall show to be in the wrong.
I am slow to speak, quick to hear, and slow to anger.
I cast out devils and demons; nothing deadly can hurt me.
I never bind a sister or brother with the words of my mouth.
I am always a positive encouragement. I edify and build up; I never tear down or destroy.
I will cry to God Most High Who performs on my behalf and rewards me.
My son has a sweet personality, and he is not rebellious.
I don’t speak negative things.
My children love to pray and study the Word. They openly and boldly praise God.
My children make right choices according to the Word of God.
I am an obedient wife, and no rebellion operates in me.
My husband is wise. He is the king and priest of our home. He makes Godly decisions.
I use my time wisely. All of my prayer and study time is wisely spent.
I walk in the spirit all of the time.
All that I own is paid for. I owe no man anything except to love him in Christ.
I love to bless people and spread the Gospel.
I am an intercessor.
I receive speaking engagements in person, by phone, and/or by mail every day.
My daughter operates in Godly wisdom and discipline, and she is full of energy.
I never get tired or grow weary when I study the Word, pray, minister, or praise God; but I am alert and full of energy. And as I study, I become more alert and more energized.
I will study the Word of God. I will pray.
I do not hate or walk in unforgiveness.
I do not fear. I am not guilty.
Jesus Christ Makes You Whole
We have the anointing or power of God. And with that power, we can take what God says in His Word, believe it, act on it, and receive it for ourselves.
And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda. And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy. And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately. And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord. —Acts 9:32–35
This portion of Scripture tells the story of a helpless paralytic named Aeneas, who was healed when Peter told him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ cures you . . .” (Acts 9:34 Weymouth). As the story opens, we see a man named Peter who has been scurrying from town to town, village to village, synagogue to synagogue, and anywhere else he could find to preach.
Peter is telling people everywhere about Jesus Christ, the Man with whom he walked; the Man whom he saw die on the Cross for them; the Man whom he saw ascend from the Mount of Olives on a cloud of glory after telling His disciples, “…tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:49).
And now Peter has come to Lydda. Can’t you just see him as he finishes his first service and one of the brethren runs up to him and says, “Oh, Peter, we’ve got a sad case—a man by the name of Aeneas. He has been paralyzed for eight years. Will you go see him? He can’t make it out to the services”?
In my mind’s eye, I go down to Aeneas’ house with Peter. I see Peter approach Aeneas’ sickbed, and I see Aeneas look up sadly.
I can imagine him saying to Peter, “I’m glad you’ve come. I’ve tried all the doc tors: I’ve done everything I know to do, and I’m still not any better. They say it’s incurable. Do you have any ideas?”
I see a smile break across Peter’s face, and I know immediately that his mind is racing back to a certain day just after the Holy Spirit had been poured out—a day recounted in the third chapter of Acts.
In his memory, I’m sure Peter is walking up once again to the Gate called Beautiful. A wretched beggar sits beside the gate. He stinks from the stench of all the animals around him and of dirt as people walking by kick dust on his hunched-over frame. There this lowly figure sits, shaking that little tin cup, rattling those coins in the bottom of it.
I see Peter as he walks up to that beggar and says, “I don’t have any silver, and I don’t have any gold. But such as I have, give I you!” (Acts 3:1–8).
Peter witnessed that beggar leap and walk that day, healed by the power of God. And now, as he looks down at Aeneas, he says, “Aeneas, I can help you too!”
I’m sure Peter also told Aeneas, “Now, Aeneas, Jesus Christ is the Son of the Living God. And not only is He the Son of the Living God, He has com missioned me to preach the Gospel, the Good News, of which I am a witness.” Then I’m sure Peter proceeded to tell Aeneas, “I was there when a group of us disciples were crossing the Sea of Galilee and the storm came. Jesus came up to us walking on the water! I said, ‘If that be You, Lord, bid me come.’ Then I crawled out of the boat, and I walked on the water! It wasn’t until I took my eyes off Jesus and started looking at circumstances, Aeneas, that I began to sink. But He reached out and grabbed hold of me! And we walked back to the boat together” (Matt. 14:28–32).
“After we landed on the other side, Aeneas, I saw Jesus set free the demoniac of the Gadarenes [Mark 5:1–19]. I was also walking down the road with Him when the 10 lepers met Him—and they were healed as they went” (Luke 17:12–19).
“Aeneas, I was with Jesus when the ruler Jairus came requesting prayer for his daughter. We were on our way to Jairus’ house when messengers came and told him, ‘Don’t bother the Master any longer; your daughter is dead.’ I was there, and I saw it. Jesus turned to Jairus and said, ‘Only believe.’
“And, oh, Aeneas, I was there in Jairus’ house when Jesus took the damsel by the hand and raised her from the dead [Mark 5:35–43]!
“Let me tell you some thing else about Jesus, Aeneas. We were walking down the road one day and saw a funeral procession in Nain. And Jesus went over and raised the young man who was dead back to life again [Luke 7:11–15]!
“And, Aeneas, let me tell you something else: Jesus Christ now cures you! Arise and walk!”
I’m sure that Aeneas’ faith was so high at that point that he leaped out of that bed. Jesus Christ, the One he believed in, had healed him too! And the Word of God says that all of Lydda and Saron saw his healing and turned to the Lord (Acts 9:35).
Notice that the miracle of Aeneas’ healing occurred after the Day of Pentecost. That puts his healing within this present dispensation of the Holy Spirit, for we are living in the same dispensation as the Early Church. Anyone who studies the Word in depth knows it’s true. As long as we’re liv ing in the same dispensation, all of the spiritual and scriptural laws pertaining to that dispensation are still in effect. Healing is still in effect for us today!
Realize the impact of the words Peter spoke to Aeneas: “Jesus Christ cures you!” Grasp in your spirit the magnitude of the power contained in those words.
The Word of God says, “…with his stripes we ARE healed” (Isa. 53:5). Since Jesus Christ has cured us by His stripes (1 Peter 2:24), we have a right to be well! Then why do some people remain sick? Why doesn’t everyone get healed? The answer can be found in Luke chapter 4.
We read here that Jesus Christ has been traveling throughout Galilee preaching and teaching, and healing all who were oppressed of the devil. The Bible says that He became well known throughout the region. Returning to His hometown of Nazareth, however, He encountered only hostility and unbelief when He visited the synagogue.
Jesus began to read to them from the scroll of Isaiah: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the broken hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord” (Luke 4:18–19).
Then Jesus closed the scroll and sat down. All eyes were fixed on Him. He said, “. . . This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears” (v. 21).
Oh, what a revival they could have had that day in Nazareth! There was no need for anyone in Nazareth to let the sun set that day on their sin, sickness, disease, or anything else that held them captive and bound. There was no need for anyone to go to bed that night with any pain left in his or her body. Jesus had just told them that He had come to set them free!
What a celebration they could have had! Why didn’t they receive their healing? It is very simple: They refused to believe.
I want you to notice some thing. Peter said to Aeneas, “Jesus Christ cures you. Arise!” and Aeneas arose because Aeneas believed.
And if we today will only believe what the Word of God says with out pulling back from it, we will receive blessing after blessing. It is when we refuse to believe that we do not receive.
Therefore, it is up to you to believe and receive from God. In His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension and seating on High, Jesus Christ already has purchased everything you’ll ever need. We talk about Jesus’ blood being shed for the redemption of sin. Yes, it was, but that blood also was shed to obtain our healing. Jesus Christ has healed you. It’s now time for you to arise and receive.
We have the anointing or power of God. And with that power, we can take what God says in His Word, believe it, act on it, and receive it for ourselves. That is why it is now up to you to receive whatever you want from God.
Peter said, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ cures you. Arise!” That same Jesus is still walk ing up and down the face of the earth by His Holy Spirit—and that same Jesus will cure you! Take that verse of Scripture and put your own name on it—for example: “John, Jesus Christ cures you.” “Barbara, Jesus Christ cures you.” “Ruth, Jesus Christ cures you.” Or, “Ken, Jesus Christ cures you.”
Based on God’s Word, I can confidently say to you—whoever you are, wherever you are, and whatever your situation: “Jesus Christ cures you! Arise and receive your healing—right now!”
And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda. And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy. And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately. And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord. —Acts 9:32–35
This portion of Scripture tells the story of a helpless paralytic named Aeneas, who was healed when Peter told him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ cures you . . .” (Acts 9:34 Weymouth). As the story opens, we see a man named Peter who has been scurrying from town to town, village to village, synagogue to synagogue, and anywhere else he could find to preach.
Peter is telling people everywhere about Jesus Christ, the Man with whom he walked; the Man whom he saw die on the Cross for them; the Man whom he saw ascend from the Mount of Olives on a cloud of glory after telling His disciples, “…tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:49).
And now Peter has come to Lydda. Can’t you just see him as he finishes his first service and one of the brethren runs up to him and says, “Oh, Peter, we’ve got a sad case—a man by the name of Aeneas. He has been paralyzed for eight years. Will you go see him? He can’t make it out to the services”?
In my mind’s eye, I go down to Aeneas’ house with Peter. I see Peter approach Aeneas’ sickbed, and I see Aeneas look up sadly.
I can imagine him saying to Peter, “I’m glad you’ve come. I’ve tried all the doc tors: I’ve done everything I know to do, and I’m still not any better. They say it’s incurable. Do you have any ideas?”
I see a smile break across Peter’s face, and I know immediately that his mind is racing back to a certain day just after the Holy Spirit had been poured out—a day recounted in the third chapter of Acts.
In his memory, I’m sure Peter is walking up once again to the Gate called Beautiful. A wretched beggar sits beside the gate. He stinks from the stench of all the animals around him and of dirt as people walking by kick dust on his hunched-over frame. There this lowly figure sits, shaking that little tin cup, rattling those coins in the bottom of it.
I see Peter as he walks up to that beggar and says, “I don’t have any silver, and I don’t have any gold. But such as I have, give I you!” (Acts 3:1–8).
Peter witnessed that beggar leap and walk that day, healed by the power of God. And now, as he looks down at Aeneas, he says, “Aeneas, I can help you too!”
I’m sure Peter also told Aeneas, “Now, Aeneas, Jesus Christ is the Son of the Living God. And not only is He the Son of the Living God, He has com missioned me to preach the Gospel, the Good News, of which I am a witness.” Then I’m sure Peter proceeded to tell Aeneas, “I was there when a group of us disciples were crossing the Sea of Galilee and the storm came. Jesus came up to us walking on the water! I said, ‘If that be You, Lord, bid me come.’ Then I crawled out of the boat, and I walked on the water! It wasn’t until I took my eyes off Jesus and started looking at circumstances, Aeneas, that I began to sink. But He reached out and grabbed hold of me! And we walked back to the boat together” (Matt. 14:28–32).
“After we landed on the other side, Aeneas, I saw Jesus set free the demoniac of the Gadarenes [Mark 5:1–19]. I was also walking down the road with Him when the 10 lepers met Him—and they were healed as they went” (Luke 17:12–19).
“Aeneas, I was with Jesus when the ruler Jairus came requesting prayer for his daughter. We were on our way to Jairus’ house when messengers came and told him, ‘Don’t bother the Master any longer; your daughter is dead.’ I was there, and I saw it. Jesus turned to Jairus and said, ‘Only believe.’
“And, oh, Aeneas, I was there in Jairus’ house when Jesus took the damsel by the hand and raised her from the dead [Mark 5:35–43]!
“Let me tell you some thing else about Jesus, Aeneas. We were walking down the road one day and saw a funeral procession in Nain. And Jesus went over and raised the young man who was dead back to life again [Luke 7:11–15]!
“And, Aeneas, let me tell you something else: Jesus Christ now cures you! Arise and walk!”
I’m sure that Aeneas’ faith was so high at that point that he leaped out of that bed. Jesus Christ, the One he believed in, had healed him too! And the Word of God says that all of Lydda and Saron saw his healing and turned to the Lord (Acts 9:35).
Notice that the miracle of Aeneas’ healing occurred after the Day of Pentecost. That puts his healing within this present dispensation of the Holy Spirit, for we are living in the same dispensation as the Early Church. Anyone who studies the Word in depth knows it’s true. As long as we’re liv ing in the same dispensation, all of the spiritual and scriptural laws pertaining to that dispensation are still in effect. Healing is still in effect for us today!
Realize the impact of the words Peter spoke to Aeneas: “Jesus Christ cures you!” Grasp in your spirit the magnitude of the power contained in those words.
The Word of God says, “…with his stripes we ARE healed” (Isa. 53:5). Since Jesus Christ has cured us by His stripes (1 Peter 2:24), we have a right to be well! Then why do some people remain sick? Why doesn’t everyone get healed? The answer can be found in Luke chapter 4.
We read here that Jesus Christ has been traveling throughout Galilee preaching and teaching, and healing all who were oppressed of the devil. The Bible says that He became well known throughout the region. Returning to His hometown of Nazareth, however, He encountered only hostility and unbelief when He visited the synagogue.
Jesus began to read to them from the scroll of Isaiah: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the broken hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord” (Luke 4:18–19).
Then Jesus closed the scroll and sat down. All eyes were fixed on Him. He said, “. . . This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears” (v. 21).
Oh, what a revival they could have had that day in Nazareth! There was no need for anyone in Nazareth to let the sun set that day on their sin, sickness, disease, or anything else that held them captive and bound. There was no need for anyone to go to bed that night with any pain left in his or her body. Jesus had just told them that He had come to set them free!
What a celebration they could have had! Why didn’t they receive their healing? It is very simple: They refused to believe.
I want you to notice some thing. Peter said to Aeneas, “Jesus Christ cures you. Arise!” and Aeneas arose because Aeneas believed.
And if we today will only believe what the Word of God says with out pulling back from it, we will receive blessing after blessing. It is when we refuse to believe that we do not receive.
Therefore, it is up to you to believe and receive from God. In His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension and seating on High, Jesus Christ already has purchased everything you’ll ever need. We talk about Jesus’ blood being shed for the redemption of sin. Yes, it was, but that blood also was shed to obtain our healing. Jesus Christ has healed you. It’s now time for you to arise and receive.
We have the anointing or power of God. And with that power, we can take what God says in His Word, believe it, act on it, and receive it for ourselves. That is why it is now up to you to receive whatever you want from God.
Peter said, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ cures you. Arise!” That same Jesus is still walk ing up and down the face of the earth by His Holy Spirit—and that same Jesus will cure you! Take that verse of Scripture and put your own name on it—for example: “John, Jesus Christ cures you.” “Barbara, Jesus Christ cures you.” “Ruth, Jesus Christ cures you.” Or, “Ken, Jesus Christ cures you.”
Based on God’s Word, I can confidently say to you—whoever you are, wherever you are, and whatever your situation: “Jesus Christ cures you! Arise and receive your healing—right now!”
Following God's Plan
Sometimes when God says something to believers about His plans for their lives, they try to make them come to pass by their own efforts. When they do that, they can muddy the waters, so to speak. In other words, they can hinder God’s plan for them so God isn’t free to do what He wants to do. They need to just stay in faith regarding God’s plan and let God bring to pass what He has told them. To fulfill their part, they need to prepare themselves according to the Word and the Holy Spirit’s leading.
I muddied the waters of God’s plan for me more than once when I was young in the Lord. Sometimes when the Lord said something to me about my ministry, I would try to jump out immediately and do it. Every single time I did that, what the Lord told me to do didn’t work out right.
Now someone might think, Well, that just shows that the Lord didn’t really speak to you. But the Lord did speak to me; I just didn’t get the timing right, so I hindered God’s plan.
As I grew in the Lord, I learned not to jump out ahead of Him, but to just allow Him to bring to pass His purposes for me as I stayed faithful to prepare myself. I also learned to get not only the what of God’s plan, but to continue to pray until I also received the when and the how.
Over the years I’ve learned to operate that way in every area of my life. I don’t move until I get the signal from the Holy Spirit to move. When I get that signal and act on what God has told me, I have found that God’s plan always works smoothly.
I learned long ago not to try to figure out with my own natural understanding how and when God’s plan will come to pass. And as I’ve been faithful to obey Him step by step, in His own time, He has brought to pass what He revealed to me.
God has prepared a plan for your life, but you aren’t always ready to fulfill the next step of that plan. So God will take whatever time is needed to develop and train you before He brings to pass what He has spoken to your heart.
Days of preparation are never lost time. There may be important lessons or truths that you still need to learn in order to successfully fulfill God’s plan for you. And it takes time to prepare and establish yourself in God’s Word (2 Tim. 2:15).
I muddied the waters of God’s plan for me more than once when I was young in the Lord. Sometimes when the Lord said something to me about my ministry, I would try to jump out immediately and do it. Every single time I did that, what the Lord told me to do didn’t work out right.
Now someone might think, Well, that just shows that the Lord didn’t really speak to you. But the Lord did speak to me; I just didn’t get the timing right, so I hindered God’s plan.
As I grew in the Lord, I learned not to jump out ahead of Him, but to just allow Him to bring to pass His purposes for me as I stayed faithful to prepare myself. I also learned to get not only the what of God’s plan, but to continue to pray until I also received the when and the how.
Over the years I’ve learned to operate that way in every area of my life. I don’t move until I get the signal from the Holy Spirit to move. When I get that signal and act on what God has told me, I have found that God’s plan always works smoothly.
I learned long ago not to try to figure out with my own natural understanding how and when God’s plan will come to pass. And as I’ve been faithful to obey Him step by step, in His own time, He has brought to pass what He revealed to me.
God has prepared a plan for your life, but you aren’t always ready to fulfill the next step of that plan. So God will take whatever time is needed to develop and train you before He brings to pass what He has spoken to your heart.
Days of preparation are never lost time. There may be important lessons or truths that you still need to learn in order to successfully fulfill God’s plan for you. And it takes time to prepare and establish yourself in God’s Word (2 Tim. 2:15).
Friday, July 1, 2011
Understanding Redemption
God is able to establish us in the faith according to the plan of redemption which had been hidden over the ages. After the Fall in the Garden of Eden, God spoke and outlined that plan. What He laid down put Satan out of business completely. Praise God! He has commanded that the plan of redemption be revealed to His people by His Word. This outline will help you, step by step, understand the reality of it and prevent Satan from lording over you.
1. The Plan of Redemption Called for an Incarnation (The Union of Divinity With
Humanity in Jesus Christ)
Man was the key figure in the Fall. Therefore, it took a man, Jesus, to be the key figure in the redemption of man. When we were born into this world, ruled by Satan, we did not naturally know God. Therefore, the objective of the incarnation is that men may be given the right to become children of God by receiving the nature of God (John 1:12-13; II Peter 1:3-4).
2. Redemption Comes From Knowledge
God's divine power has already provided everything that pertains to life and godliness. You can escape from the corruption in the world and partake of the divine nature of God. And you can have peace and grace multiplied to you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord (II Peter 1:1-4). It's there for you!
But this revelation knowledge is not sense knowledge - doctrine, philosophies and creeds - it is the reality and full truth of the Word of God revealed by the Holy Spirit (James 3:13-18). Revelation knowledge is literally knowledge brought to you by revelation!
3. Satan's Lordship Has Been Broken
Revelation 12:11 tells us that the believers overcame Satan by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, or confession. Confession brings possession. Boldly confess, "I am an overcomer by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of my testimony. I am redeemed from the lordship of Satan. I can stop his assignments every time" (II Corinthians 10:4; James 4:7). Satan is not the head of the Church. Jesus is the Head of the Church (Ephesians 4:15-16, 5:23; Colossians 1:18, 2:10). Satan has no rule over you. Hallelujah!
4. You Are Bought With a Price
I Corinthians 6:19-20 tells us we are the temple of the Holy Spirit which is received from God. This means that we don't own ourselves. We were bought with the price paid through the plan of redemption. Because of that, we should glorify God in our bodies and spirits.
5. God's Response
When you begin to take your place and assume your rights and privileges in Christ, then God begins to respond to you. The Word gives us our inheritance (Acts 20:32; Colossians 1:12). As you study the scriptures in this outline, our prayer is that you come to the full knowledge of who you are in Christ, especially in light of the redemption plan. God will bless you! Amen!
1. The Plan of Redemption Called for an Incarnation (The Union of Divinity With
Humanity in Jesus Christ)
Man was the key figure in the Fall. Therefore, it took a man, Jesus, to be the key figure in the redemption of man. When we were born into this world, ruled by Satan, we did not naturally know God. Therefore, the objective of the incarnation is that men may be given the right to become children of God by receiving the nature of God (John 1:12-13; II Peter 1:3-4).
2. Redemption Comes From Knowledge
God's divine power has already provided everything that pertains to life and godliness. You can escape from the corruption in the world and partake of the divine nature of God. And you can have peace and grace multiplied to you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord (II Peter 1:1-4). It's there for you!
But this revelation knowledge is not sense knowledge - doctrine, philosophies and creeds - it is the reality and full truth of the Word of God revealed by the Holy Spirit (James 3:13-18). Revelation knowledge is literally knowledge brought to you by revelation!
3. Satan's Lordship Has Been Broken
Revelation 12:11 tells us that the believers overcame Satan by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, or confession. Confession brings possession. Boldly confess, "I am an overcomer by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of my testimony. I am redeemed from the lordship of Satan. I can stop his assignments every time" (II Corinthians 10:4; James 4:7). Satan is not the head of the Church. Jesus is the Head of the Church (Ephesians 4:15-16, 5:23; Colossians 1:18, 2:10). Satan has no rule over you. Hallelujah!
4. You Are Bought With a Price
I Corinthians 6:19-20 tells us we are the temple of the Holy Spirit which is received from God. This means that we don't own ourselves. We were bought with the price paid through the plan of redemption. Because of that, we should glorify God in our bodies and spirits.
5. God's Response
When you begin to take your place and assume your rights and privileges in Christ, then God begins to respond to you. The Word gives us our inheritance (Acts 20:32; Colossians 1:12). As you study the scriptures in this outline, our prayer is that you come to the full knowledge of who you are in Christ, especially in light of the redemption plan. God will bless you! Amen!
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