Volume I Issue               1ILWM Newsletter             February 200

A question Pat and I are asked often is, "Do You Believe in Miracles?" Is usually followed by, "and do they still happen now?" You may have been asked this question at some time, especially if you are a believer. I think one can safely say that most believers today recognize and will acknowledge that God has power to heal. This spans all denominational lines and backgrounds. The issue, however, is how and when He heals. Our background sadly, has caused predisposition's that cloud the issue and limit our belief and understanding of miracles, whether of healing or other types. In this issue, we will primarily deal with the miracle of healing.

There are those that firmly believe and will even argue the point that God does not heal today. They acknowledge that He did heal in "the day of miracles", a time when Jesus was on earth. However, with deep convictions that miracles are no longer possible because Jesus is no longer physically here to bring such miracles.

Then others admit, with reluctance however, that God may at times heal a certain needy individual. From their perspective, it is based on a hope that God's mercy will somehow randomly fall on some individual as an act of sovereign intervention to rescue them. Still others teach a devilish doctrine of "mind over matter", insisting that by maintaining a strong mental attitude, victory can be realized over sickness.

One can see in history, man has theorized about God on this subject and has attempted to implement them as Biblical doctrine. However, all of man's theories and ideas have no bearing on God or His attributes. We must view the Bible as the believer's handbook for all living, and from it has inspired pages we can discover the true nature and character of God. We can find revelation of all His benefits and blessings that belong to His family, the Church.

AND THE BIBLE SAYS

In both the Old Testament and New God has much to say about healing. "I am the God that healeth thee" (Exodus 15:26). He said, I am the God (present tense), not I was, not I will be but I AM. God is ever present, He is a NOW God.

The miracle of healing does not come through mental assent to the fact that God heals. The Bible, God's Word, does not teach or give credence to mental acceptance; it teaches that faith in the hearts of man is the basis. Mental assent is not pleasing to God, only faith pleases Him.

In the passage I gave above, Exodus 15:26, it clearly states, "I am the god that healeth thee." There are no boundaries, limitations or constraints on God's promises. "I Am" is present tense and "thee" pertains to you and me.

Because He is God, and cannot lie; there is no reason to doubt or question His promises by saying, "Lord, I think I believe that," or "Well, it happened 2000 years ago…" or "You can do it if you want to, God." This kind of thinking or speaking is not pleasing to God. What pleases God is when we come to Him and say, "Lord, I believe your Word and I accept it. I'll stand upon Your promises and I will not retreat."

FAITH PLEASE GOD

Look at Hebrews 11:6, "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."

Faith pleases God - violent faith, the kind of faith that says, "I will pursue until I receive; I'll ask until the answer comes; I'll seek until I find; I'll knock until the door opens wide; I'll not give up until God answers.

Acts 10:38 talks about "how God anointed Jesus 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."

Jesus went and healed all … all … not one, not two, not three, not even ten, but ALL! If God would heal one, He could heal two; if God would heal two, He would heal four; if God would heal four, He would heal twenty … Why? Because He is not a respecter of persons. He does not show compassion on one and withhold compassion from another. "He went about doing good, healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him." (Acts 10:38)

This is not talking about some man who walked the shores of Galilee or the streets of Jerusalem and is no more - this is not talking about One who was and is not. This is talking about the Son of the Living God who lives eternally - "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever." (Hebrews 13:8)

Numbers 23:19 says, "God is not a man that He should lie … hath he said, and shall he not do it?" In other words, you can stake your life on what is written in the Word of God. What God says, He will do.

Exodus 23:25 declares "I will bless your bread, I will bless your water, and I will take away sickness from the midst of thee."

Our God is a healing God. He meant it when He said, "I will take sickness away from the midst of thee." He is bigger than cancer, bigger than heart disease, bigger than any disease known to humankind, and when Jesus comes on the scene, sickness has to flee!

THE BELIEVER'S BENEFITS

Throughout the Bible, we find promises of blessings to the believer. There are benefits to being a child of God and they are recorded in the Word of God. Healing is just one of the many benefits promised to you and me as believers.

Psalm 103:2 states "Bless the Lord, O my soul: and forget not all his benefits:" What are those benefits?

He forgiveth all thine iniquities (Psalm 103:3)

He healeth all thy diseases (Psalm 103:3)

He redeemeth thy life from destruction (Psalm 103:4)

He crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies (Psalm 103:4)

He satisfieth thy mouth with things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's (Psalm) 103:5

These benefits are all present tense: forgiveth, healeth, redeemeth, crowneth, and satisfieth. Included is forgiveness, every type of sickness and human tragedy known to mankind, God's love and favor, and long life. Notice that the first benefits mentioned is forgiveness of sin. When our sins are pardoned, our relationship with God is restored, and good things follow.

Remember, no evil comes from God! God does not send sickness or tragedy. Jesus Christ did not come to destroy humanity, He came to save humanity. God is a good God! All good gifts come from above.

Someone once said to me, "do you believe that God sometimes sends sickness to teach us a lesson?"

I said, "No, how can a loving God who sent His Son to die and take away sin and sickness, one day change His mind and say 'Jesus, you died to take away sin and sickness, but I'm going to send sickness to that young man over there because he needs to learn a lesson.' No sickness comes from God!"

They continued, "Well, I disagree. I think God sometimes sends sickness to come our way to discipline us."

I paused a moment and said, "You know, my friend, I am a parent. I have two sons, but I would never think of striking my boys with a disease so I can discipline them. Moreover, my love for my sons is not to be compared with God's love for me. When my boys had a fever, I held them in my arms and in tears prayed, 'Lord, I'd rather be sick rather than them.' How can I, an earthly father, called wicked in comparison to God, show more love and kindness to my sons than God extends to His children?"

"Well, maybe God doesn't send sickness, but I still think that sometimes He allows it, the person responded."

In answer to him is said, "Well, if you really believe that sickness is from God, if sickness ever comes your way, you should thank Him for it. If sickness is from God, why go to the doctor? If God sends you sickness, you might as well enjoy it! And do not take pills to get rid of it. Just keep it and let your body have a good time with it!"

I know this was an extreme example to use, but by carrying his mode of thinking to its logical conclusion, he saw how ridiculous his viewpoint was. "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights." (James 1:17) Every good gift is from God. Anything God gives us is good and perfect (and sickness and disease is neither good nor perfect).

I believe in medical science and I believe in doctors. I have a doctor who takes care of my wife and I both, for I believe God uses physicians. Doctors may perform surgery on someone, but when their work is finished, God takes over and heals the incision made by the doctor's scalpel. I believe God Almighty uses doctors. At times, God heals supernaturally and at other times, God brings healing through a physician.

Remember this, faith begins when ability stops. So you do all you can physically and when there is nothing else you can do, God will show up. Remember the story of the lady with the issue of blood? She had gone to doctors and physicians for 12 years and spent all her money. She had done everything she could. And then she came to Jesus and said, "If I can just touch the hem of His garment…"

Our God is a healing God. We go to Him and say, "Father, you promised to heal me. Sickness has struck my body or my family. I've come in faith believing." There will be times when God will heal you instantaneously, there will be a moment that God will heal you and you will not need to go and see a doctor. But our God is a perfect God who does all things well. He comes just on time. Remember, God is the God of timing. He is never late; He comes just on time.

The man at the Gate Beautiful sat there each day, and many passed by him each day. But one day when Peter and John saw him, they said, "Silver and gold have in none, but such as I have give I thee, In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!" It was God's time for him to be healed.

"Don't give up!" Jairus was told. "Fear not, only believe." Do not give up! You see, those who believe that God heals will not give up. They will continue to trust God for their miracle and expect to receive it.

Jesus looked at a man covered with leprosy in Matthew 8. The man came and said, "Lord if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean," and Jesus said, "I will, be thou clean. Be thou made whole." Every act of Jesus dealt with making men and women whole. Jesus Christ came to heal you, He did not come to afflict you.

In 1 Peter 2:24 we read these wonderful words, "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." 700 years before that, Isaiah the prophet declared, "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."

The Bible clearly declares in Matthew 8 that Isaiah's prophecy came to pass, "When the evening was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirit with his word, and healed all that were sick: That if might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses." (Matthew 8:16,17) and still today that same Jesus is doing what the prophets declared He would do.

Sickness is not numbered as one of God's blessings in the Bible. Sickness is no blessing, it is a curse. Therefore, we ought to resist it as we resist the devil himself. The Bible calls sickness oppression in Acts 10:38. The calls sickness captivity in Job 42:10. The Bible calls sickness bondage in Luke 13:16.

Satan is the destroyer and the tormentor. But Jesus is the source of life. Jesus cam to heal, not to afflict. He came to save, not to destroy. He came to lift you up, not to dray you down. Jesus is the healer, the deliver, and the lifesaver.

God is opening many doors for this ministry. We have receive requests and invitations to go to Europe, Australia, Philippians and many places in the United States. I would ask that you pray for us as all the plans and schedules are put into place. The vision that God has given to Pat and I is strong in our spirits and we believe that many souls are going to come into the kingdom through the anointing of Jesus and His Word.

We are seeing many lives changed as we minister in churches and crusades. We believe that God has called us to carry the Word of salvation and healing to the nations. I would like you to join with us in prayer that all the provisions necessary to do this will come. And if you feel God would have you to partner with us concerning this, Pat and I would like to hear from you. Below is our mailing address and email. Feel free to contact us at anytime.