101 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT HEALTH AND WEALTH

Part 19

37. Since Jesus no longer walks the earth touching people, how are we healed now? When discussing issues like health and wealth, it does not take a Bible scholar to see that when Jesus left, things were not the same. I know He is the same but when He walked the earth, people could SEE Him and it was much easier to believe because He was standing right in front of them. But now without us being able to reach out and touch Him, we seem to have a more difficult time receiving from Him. We have to admit that if He would manifest Himself and help us through our situation; it would be more persuasive to believe (especially when we compare it to what we find today within the church). In the light of all this, I am reminded that not only has Jesus NOT changed but neither has faith. The Lord honored faith then and honors it NOW just the same. In fact, it seems that He is definitely moved when someone believes and has NOT seen. “Jesus said unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen Me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed” (John 20:29). Faith hears God’s Word and becomes stronger as it knows God’s Word. I do not believe we need another person to pray for us to receive our healing because the personal relationship with Jesus is all we will ever need and the greatest treasure we could ever have. However, to have others sincerely praying for us and with us, is definitely a blessing along with being a positive multiplication of energy and power. When Christ commissioned His disciples to carry on His work, His vision was for every one of His children (then to now) to realize the responsibility that they should represent Him as a proxy allowing Him to work through them (and us). “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth in me, the works I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go to my Father” (John 14:12). So, we see that the flow of miracle healing power was never intended to stop, He was just trying to demonstrate to us how He wanted us to keep it going.

It seems when Jesus went back to heaven and things returned to normal, the religious world immediately began to presume that the days of miracles were over and the demonstrations were meant to be used as a type of promotion or marketing campaign to establish Jesus as the incarnate Son of God. The true church did and still does understand the mystery of the faith but the imposter church does not walk with God neither do they embrace faith or love or any other traits or fruits of spiritual accountability. I am not sure how they explain verses like the one above but they have definitely decided they are NOT going to participate. Today, it is common to hear people say, I’ll be praying for you but one wonders just how serious they are about it. I talk with nurses and staff caregivers all the time and they seldom ever witness anyone praying for the sick. Let us look at a passage that specifically describes a way that we can receive our healing. “Is any among you afflicted? Let him pray. Is any merry? Let him sing psalms. 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: And the prayer of FAITH shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he has committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that you may be HEALED. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:13-16). Now, I am not saying this is not being practiced today, but it does seem that it is few and far between. The remnant church has always been small in number because it has always required the abandonment of the will. Do you remember when Jesus demonstrated humility, love and the heart of a servant what He washed His disciple’s feet? This was practiced in a few churches down through the years but I am afraid we have become too dignified and haughty to do such a thing. Today’s church would much rather discuss theology than actually put it into action. If you are going to a church and you become seriously ill, I hope that when you call for the elders to come and anoint you and pray they are ready to respond with fervent faith.

Is our faith the same as the faith of 2000 years ago? Does Jesus honor faith today? Does He operate the same or has He changed His plans about our covenant relationship? Were His miracles just for a few years and only for the purpose of establishing who He was? Is the “comforter” here to comfort us in our suffering or to help us overcome – or both? There are so many details about this massive subject that we can research and it seems that every day there less and less individuals that have solid answers. I personally do not believe that God wants us to walk around in this life without an understanding of truth. We are NOT to become arrogant with what we know but we can be bold and confident that we are following what is right because God IS absolute truth. Set all of your doubts aside and let’s make a new list of a few things that we can establish as TRUTH. Let me assure you that Jesus is here today just like He always has been. He is the same yesterday, today and forever and loves us now as much as He always has. His presence is in us and all around us as well as the Holy Spirit is in us and the angels are all around us. Jesus shed His blood so that we might be redeemed and live in covenant with God in this life and the one to come! We know we are abiding in Him, with Him and through Him.

We do not need to be spiritually blind – because the eyes of our heart can be opened.

We do not need to be ignorant – because the beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord.

We are not to be lost or confused – His Word is a lamp and a light unto our path.

We are not powerless – the redeemed are filled and empowered with the Holy Spirit.

We can have understanding – because we can have the mind of Christ.

We can know the way – because God SPEAKS and He has created our unique destiny.

We can be healed and prosperous – God’s covenant is a promise that His WORD will is TRUE and will never fail.

We can know our prayers are being heard – God listens, cares and responds to faith.

Above all deeds – God watches, monitors and observes our love more than anything else.

Health and wealth is ours and we will receive these promises in certain degrees here on earth and in completion in the next life. If God did not think that health and wealth was not important He would not have CLEARLY established that our eternal life will include a perfect, glorified, beautiful and pain free body along with being an heir to riches beyond comprehension. I believe there is NOTHING impossible when God’s people are saturated with God’s Word, they confess His Word in faith and obey His Word with determination! Why in the world would I choose to believe anything else? There is no way that we have been given this wonderful opportunity to walk with God and accomplish His mission while being plagued with doubt, confusion, fear and defeat. If we have accepted the blood covenant theology into our belief system then we must break out of the negative mentality that it is God’s will that we live defeated. Number 1: If we are to die a horrible martyr death for the glory of God and fulfill His will (like Jesus did) then that is one thing! Number 2: If there is such a thing as being predestined and elected to live a life of poverty and sickness then we certainly would not want to disobey God and be healed. Number 3: But if we are suffering only because we refuse to learn what His perfect destiny is or because of a lack of knowledge, faith or obedience – then we are missing the mark and disappointing Him. We can come up with every excuse under the sun but we cannot find any examples where Jesus refused to release miracles if someone was sincerely putting their faith in Him! What we need to settle is whether or not this applies to everyone.

I understand we cannot learn a lifetime of spiritual development in a week, but we can at least begin to KNOW why we believe the way we do. If we have solid EVIDENCE that proves God wants to keep His people in poverty and stricken with disease then we have every right to build our case and fulfill His desires. However, if we have nothing to base our opinions and worldviews on except to “throw our hands up and tell everyone we don’t know” then it would seem that we could at least be interested in learning more about the subject. Job said in chapter 1, verse 21,”Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” We must assume that God gives and takes and that His sovereignty gives Him every right to do HIS will at whatever it may cost us. Our spiritual maturity is crucial for trusting God’s decisions but our emotions have a very difficult time accepting our losses and pain. Much of this is because we can only see today and are not able to see the big picture clearly. Since we have mentioned the story of Job, let us observe that Job was living a wonderful life and was also a much hated target for Satan. To the natural man it seems that God allowed great pain and agony to someone that was living a dedicated life unto the Lord. It also appears that Job did not deserve to be hammered out of the clear blue, but through his sufferings God revealed many valuable lessons of spiritual wisdom to millions of truth seekers through the ages. Yes, Job had to walk through some very difficult trials but it was a classroom for him (and us) to learn much about the wisdom and sovereignty of the Almighty. If we could develop an attitude of humility and brokenness as a lifestyle we would not be thrown into shock when the bottom falls out. We could stay on the path of balance, contentment, peace and joy. Even though this was before Jesus shedding His blood and establishing His blood covenant with His children, we still see that the devil attacks – man suffers – and God intervenes. God honors faith and no matter what we are going through we can know that God LOVES for a person to stay strong and to NOT compromise what he knows to be true and just. Did God restore Job because He loved him more than someone else? No. Actually God responded to Job’s love! Love gives us the BURDEN to pray for others. This is why the Lord said that we can do everything under the sun but without love it is nothing. “Yea, a man may say, thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works” (James 2: 18). Love is the tree and faith is one of the branches. The answer to the question is that people can be healed and are healed today just like they always have been. Study closely the faith of those in God’s Word that received.

38. Do you believe that God can speak to us about someone’s situation and then use us to reveal to them why they are sick or struggling in poverty and what they need to do to be healed and delivered? Actually yes. God has always used prophets and the spiritual gifts of prophecy and being able to speak into others people’s lives as a way to communicate His messages. This has much to do with our belief system and theology because if we do not believe this happens today, then we will not even consider it as a possibility. If we do accept this ability as a way for the Lord to use US, we can begin to develop a spiritual sensitivity and to become aware of possible divine appointments. Even if many people are suffering because of their own sin, then we must also take into consideration that God wants to see His people forgiven and restored. I realize that the curse of the fall has DNA imperfections within our genetic makeup and there is an active devil and hordes of demons that are trying to destroy us; however I also firmly believe that God and His angels are all around us protecting and helping us fulfill the perfect blueprints He has drawn. A huge part of working in God’s Kingdom is allowing God to get us into position to RELAY His love. The role of a messenger is NOT easy. If we do not love people and have a burden for their soul – shame on us for thinking that we have been called to be a minister of the gospel. Do you believe you have been called to preach the gospel? Do you really believe you are called to be a minister for God? Why not? How can God use anyone that is afraid of offending someone and who refuses to personally get involved with other people? Jesus always knew what to say and always knew what to do. This same Jesus that has never failed and is always perfect is trying to guide us and desires to use our hands, feet and mouth. So many people are living in denial and NEED to be awakened about their responsibility. The old revivals were led by individuals that were NOT afraid to speak the penetrating truth that pierced hearts and souls. Speaking into someone’s life is NOT for the lukewarm or fearful. Holy boldness is given to those who are broken, compassionate, on fire, and filled with love and humility from the Holy Spirit. “Unto me who am less than the least of all saints, is the grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; and to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God who created all things by Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 3:8-9).