Showing posts with label Ephesians. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ephesians. Show all posts

8/9/16

Faith healing occurs in Biblical times

I've been listening to John Bevere of Messenger International. He believes in faith healing that occurs today, just as it did in Bible. I thought, is that really true? What about real physical problems? What support does the Bible give for this notion? The results surprised me and changed my life. Jesus made the lame walk, the blind see and even the dead rise and the Bible says Jesus is the same today, yesterday and forever. So here's what I've found regarding physical healing in the Bible.

God desires to heal us

  • James 5:14 acknowledges that believers can be sick and gives specific recommendation - let them call on the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 
  • Jesus said, "come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28). Philippians 4:19 promises that my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.



God can accomplish the impossible

  • God upholds us with and promises to be with those who acknowledge him as Lord (Isaiah 41:10)
  • Psalm 107:19-21 says when they cried to the Lord in their trouble, he saved them from their distress. He send out his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind. 
  • Worship the Lord your God and his blessings will be on your food and water. I will take away sickness from among you (Exodus 23:25). Romans 12:1-2 tells us that offering ourselves to God is our spiritual act of worship. 


Nothing can stand against God's plan for your life

  • Ephesians 1:3-8 You've been given every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because of Jesus Christ
  • Ephesians 2:1-10 You were once dead in sin, now alive in Christ Jesus. You've been given work to accomplish before time began (only for you), you can do it today or suffer 40 years and then do it - but you will do it.
  • Ephesians 2:11-22 You were out, now "in Christ" for he brought peace to us, unity joined together carefully and we have God's holy Spirit living inside us (Eph 2:22).


Healing occurs for those who have faith (and faith comes by hearing the word about Christ Romans 10:17)

  • Psalm 30:2; Lord my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me.
  • Proverbs 4:20-22, says "My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one's whole body". 
  • Way back in Exodus 15:26 "He said, "if you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you."

Pray in Spirit against the infirmity in your life

  • God has given us all we need to fight against the devil's schemes, see more here






Healing Bible Verses

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3/9/16

Christian Code of Conduct for the Church Militant

I was talking with my friend Don last night about the concepts of the "Church Militant and the Church Triumphant". We had just spent a week studying Revelation 17 where John is shown what I call the "Doom of the great prostitute and the beast fulfilling God's Word". Revelation 17:14 says they will wage war with the Lamb, but he will triumph with his chosen, called and faithful. Don had served in the U.S. armed forces and was telling me about the Code of Conduct that was to help service men remember who they are when behind enemy lines or in the event of capture. He had developed a Christian Code of Conduct and shared it with his pastor and we had a wonderful time talking about what a Christian Code of Conduct looks like with it's Biblical support. So while we Christians on earth could be described as the "Church Militant" in heaven we will be the "Church Triumphant".

(Ephesians 6:19-20) Praying God gives me (his ambassador) the right words to boldly explain his plan of salvation is for all people.

Church Militant: Christians living in the struggle against (not with) sin and spiritual forces of evil. (quick side note, some people are confused between "Irresistible sin" compared to "Sin not resisted", this is where I appreciate Paul's comparing the Christian faith to running a race and learning spiritual discipline (1 Timothy 4:7-8).


  • (Ephesians 6:12) - Not against people (flesh and blood)
    • Against evil rulers/authorities of the unseen world (powers of this dark world)
    • Against evil spirits (spiritual forces of evil)
    • For eternity (heavenly realms)
  • (Ephesians 6:13) - Therefore put on the full armor of God
    • When day of evil comes - YOU WILL BE ABLE to stand (because you have put on the armor)
    • Having done all, Stand (not fight or flight see Daniel 3)
  • (Ephesians 6:14) - Stand your ground
    • Secure in the truth (girded the belt of truth)
    • Super natural protective clothing (put on body armor of God's Righteousness)
      • Ephesians 1:1-3:13 - It comes from God
      • Ephesians 3:14-6:9 - How you know when you have it
    • (Ephesians 6:15) Prepared to preach (publicly proclaim, strongly advocate) the Gospel of Peace (John 3:16-21,33-36)
  • (Ephesians 6:16) - Additionally hold up your faith, take salvation and God's word with you
    • Faith protects against the devils attack (shield to stop/extinguish all the flaming arrows)
    • (Ephesians 6:17) Scripture memory is how we put on the helmet of Salvation
      • It protects our minds guards against false teaching
      • It reveals the truth missing in false teaching (counterfeit currency trying to buy salvation - we study the true currency found in the Gospel of Jesus 1 Cor 15:1-6; Matthew 5-7;John 3:16-21,33-36)
      • Like the military has the night vision goggles attached the their helmet, scripture memory allows us to see the enemy's movements in real time (John 8:44;2 Cor 11:3,14; Revelation 12:9; 2 Timothy 3:13; Matthew 24:24; Matthew 7:15; 2 Peter 2:1-3; 2 Corinthians 4:4), rather then waiting for the day when all will be exposed (Luke 8:17;Mark 4:22; Matthew 10:26)
    • God's word is the Spirit's sword
      • We've received the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13; 2 Corinthians 1:22)
      • Hebrews 4:12 - God's word judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart, like a scalpel for heart surgery. 
      • Be careful with the words you speak (Proverbs 13:3;15:28; Colossians 4:6; 1 Peter 4:11; Ephesians 4:25,29; James 1:26; Matthew 12:36)
  • (Ephesians 6:18) Persistently pray in the Spirit - "911 what's your emergency"
    • Connect in the Spirit (great equipment, fully charged battery, great reception, bill is paid, most importantly "someone's home",
    • Taking the metaphor further - know the purpose of the call
      • all occasions, every kind of request (supplication is the action of begging for something earnestly or humbly)
    • Learning to pray (little children repetitions to FBI - Frequent, Brief, Intense) 


Some Favorite books on these topics:
Spiritual Disciplines for Christian living, Donald Whitney
On being a servant of God, Warren Wiersbe and it's companion On Being Leader for God Warren Wiersbe

Helpful links:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_militant_and_church_triumphant
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%206%3A12-14&version=NIV;NLT;nkjv;esv
http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Satan,-As-Deceiver
http://faithseminary.edu/about-faith/biblical-code-conduct/
https://www.openbible.info/topics/speaking
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