Friday, December 4, 2009

Knowing the "Will" of God

I grew up in a church and denomination that never prayed for healing. It was a taboo subject. Just like 1 Corinthians Chapters 12-14 were not sermon material. The motto was, "if you don't understand it, let's just not talk about it". Well maybe they prayed for "God's will to be done" concerning an illness or disease, but it never gave me any confidence that this person would ever be well.




One time in a small group ministry meeting the leader was praying for one of our team members that had a large cancerous tumor on her kidney. She was getting ready to undergo surgery to remove it. She was a young woman in her early 40's, a new Christian, and desperately needed and wanted God to step in and heal her. The leader prayed for God's "will" to be done, but in the process prayed for her to be ready to die if it was her "time to go" and peace with that prospect. After that meeting my friend came up to me and said,
"Well, cr*p, I might as well just sit here and die!"


How many times have we wanted to pray for someone that was desperately needing healing, but we were a loss for words, because we didn't really "know God's will for healing". Maybe we didn't pray, or we took the "safe" route and just said "God's will be done" with that huge spiritual question mark just hanging there. Not knowing God's will is a dangerous thing. You can die from it.

Luke 22:41-43
41. And He withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and [began] to pray, 42. saying, "Father, if Thou art willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Thine be done." 43. Now an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him.

The only time that Jesus asked for God's will to be done concerning Himself was when He was in the Garden of Gethsemene. He needed to know God's will for Him at this agonizing time before His arrest and crucifixion. The word

"Will"  in the Oxford Dictionary is stated as a strong desire or intention, premeditated purpose, and a legal document that expresses one's wishes to be carried out.


Foundation Scripture
New American Standard Version
Mark 1:40-42


40. And a leper came to Him, beseeching Him and falling on his knees before Him, and saying to Him, "If You are willing, You can make me clean." 41. And moved with compassion, He stretched out His hand, and touched him, and said to him, "I am willing; be cleansed." 42. And immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed.

I mentioned a few posts ago, that back in 2006, God gave me a Bible Study on Physical Healing, I was hoping that we would be able to study from it in this Bible Study. Today I want to share the portion I received concerning "Knowing the Will of God" for our physical healing. What follows is scripture and commentary on it.


This study is meant for a group or an individual. Looking up the scripture for yourself will be a great study tool. Now is when you may want that notebook or journal. There is a wealth of scripture and revelation to be had in the following verses. I'm encouraging you to read them and jot down thoughts and your own prayers. If you don't need physical healing or know anyone that does, then read and study knowing these scriptures pertain to more than just that element. We can use them for anything that we might be going through. We all have problems and situations in our lives that we need God to take over, for Him to touch our hearts concerning, and maybe you will feel more prepared the next time you have an opportunity to pray for someone.


Knowing the Will of God

Is it “God’s Will” that I be healed?

Our ability to pray in faith goes only as far as what we know God’s will to be for our lives.
We cannot have faith for God to heal us until we are sure that it is His will. We can believe for something if we can be sure that it is what God wants; but if we are not sure, then we are crippled with doubt. “Maybe God wants me to be sick. Maybe He heals others but not me. How can I know for certain?” Many people have been prayed for, and at the end of the prayer, as if an afterthought or excuse, we hear, “…if it by Thy will”. Let’s look at scripture and see what it says concerning God’s will for healing.

Jeremiah 29: 11-14 “I know the plans I have for you;…a plan to prosper you and not to harm you; plans to give you hope and a future.”
Does this sound as if God wants you to be sick; that it might be a good plan for you? That he might just want you or a loved one to die, or to be without hope? It says to me, that He wants you to be moving forward, doing good things, working for His kingdom. I’ve not heard of anyone who was sick or dying that wasn’t harmed in some way. I know that God can take our sickness and turn it around, bringing something beneficial out of it, as it says in Romans 8:28, but to say he caused or wanted us to be sick is not His plan.


Exodus 15:25-26 “For I am the Lord that heals you.”
God has called Himself, Jehovah-Rapha; “I Am Your Physician, Your Healer”. This is one of the names of God. If it is one of the names that God gave Himself, we should believe that healing is what He wants and intends to do.

Psalm 23:4 “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.”
This verse is saying that we are not to be fearful as we walk through the valley. Even if “death” is hanging over us casting a big shadow, we are supposed to walk through it. Not give up or camp there. We are to keep moving, knowing God is with us.


Psalm 103:1-5 “…forget not all His benefits, who forgives all your sin and heals all your diseases.”
It is a benefit we have in Christ that He not only has forgiven all our sins which brings us salvation, but He also has made provision for our health and healing.


Isaiah 53:4-5 “Surely He took up our infirmities (sickness) and carried our sorrows…He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed”.

I have found many people who automatically believe that salvation is for them, but they have not been told or taught that healing is part of our salvation “package”. If we are not teaching this in our churches is it no surprise that God is not thought of as our Healer?


Matthew 8:16-17 “…He healed all the sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah; ‘He took our infirmities and carried our diseases’.”
These two scriptures together tell us that when Jesus died on the cross He paid the price for our sins and gave us salvation of our souls, but he also endured the wounding of His body (the beatings and whippings) so that we might be made well in our physical bodies. Many people argue with the idea that Jesus gives us healing in our body with His death and resurrection, because they do not see this happening in the church today, but when you see these two verses together, there it is. He healed people so that He would fulfill prophecy concerning Himself.

2 Corinthians 1:22 " ... He put His Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is  to come."
God gave us the Holy Spirit as a “deposit”; a guarantee, of what is to come, meaning salvation and eternal life. In a time of seeking the Lord for a scriptural basis for healing, the Lord spoke to me that just as we receive a new heart and are transformed from death into life, (at the time of our salvation) by the Holy Spirit, our healing has also been given as a “firstfruits” (a “deposit”) of our glorified body that we will live in for eternity. I believe that being healed and walking in divine health is a “deposit” or, “firstfruit” of what is to come in our glorified bodies that we will live in for eternity.



Hebrews 4:14-16
14. Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as [we are, yet] without sin. 16. Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need.
Be confident of God's will in healing or any other prayer request. Ask God to confirm His will to you. He will do it.

 Matthew 8:3 “Jesus reached out His hand… I am willing, he said”.
This statement shows us what His will is. It is today, as it was 2000 years ago. “I Am willing”.
Malachi 3: 6 "I the Lord, do not change."


Hebrews 13:8 "Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, and today and forever."
Jesus doesn't change. We change, mankind has changed, but Jesus never will. What He did for us 2000 years ago, still stands.

1 Corinthians 13: 8-13 “…when perfection comes”
If you have been taught that this scripture refers to the completion of “the canon”, let me testify that the Lord is still speaking today. He still asks us to pray in tongues, heal the sick and cast out devils. (Mark 16:17-18, Luke 9:1-2) If you believe that all God has to say has already been said, then I will ask you to ask the Holy Spirit right now to reveal truth to you, because you have heard this taught by someone who does not believe it is still possible to hear the Lord (except through the scriptures) . God speaks to His children every day and gives miracles. God has not changed, we have. Let us not let go of scripture, but let us also know He is still speaking and moving mightily in our day as in the days of Moses and Daniel and of the original apostles. Jesus has not changed.
_______________________________________________


And my friend with the kidney cancer? We sat down and prayed together. I asked God to reveal Himself to her through not only His Word, the Bible, but I asked God to give her confidence before Him, that He would speak to her personally and give her assurance of His great love and His awesome will for her life. She had her surgery, and was cancer free.

There is a lot of scripture here to look over. I know this is a busy time, but there is a purpose for us starting this subject of "Healing" at this time. Spend as much time as you feel comfortable with. I'm not trying to place a load on you. Just know God has a plan and purpose for this to be "out there" now.

Please leave any questions or start a line of commentary. I'll do my best to answer. (I'll answer back here on the comment page) I will have this post up for several days, that way you will have time to read and reflect.
I'm restudying this subject and scripture for my own benefit. As many of you know, God healed my life threatening, impending problem, but I still have some physical things I am walking through. But, God is with me, so I trust and have faith in Him.

Blessings and love to you all,
Debra
UPDATE:
The following is a comment I left on this post on Dec. 6 at 9:35 pm. I thought about putting this in a new post, but I just added my comment for you to read first.


Debra @ Common Ground said...
I know this last post has a lot to think about and pray over. That has been my intent. I didn't grow up with this understanding (of healing), and had never heard it taught. I'm not asking that you believe it because I said so, I'm just asking that you be open to think and pray about it. This is a time when God is revealing Himself to His Church and in doing so He is revealing "mysteries". This is not a "new" teaching, but one that defines who Jesus is. So don't feel threatened (or be offended) or think that I am some sort of "religious" kook. Hang in there and be open to this concept of healing. Take the scripture and pray about what I've said. Open dialogue and discussion is a good way to investigate.
I know this has probably taken some of you by surprise. It's one thing to have a miracle happen to ourselves or someone we love, but I needed to know why. I wanted to know the doctrine and the theology of miracles and I prayed for the understanding concerning them. I feel that God has shown me a little of it.
I don't claim to "know it all", not by any stretch of the imagination. I have had people linger in illness and death in my family that was so devastating. This is a deep subject and it is not black or white. I'm just hoping you will be open to listen, to think, and then to pray about it.
So don't walk away, there's more to come.
Debra
December 6, 2009 9:35 PM

21 comments:

  1. I just found you and can't wait to read this blog. I think it's what I've been praying for even though I didn't really know I was praying for it.. does that make sense? :O) I was raised in the Church of Christ. Still am church of christ, but lately I've realized that too much emphasis was put on the attending of church and going through the motions instead of really KNOWING God. My parents taught me to love God, but I'm just now feeling like I really KNOW him and that he is answering my prayers. I have several issues that I am struggling with right now, but I'm okay because I know God is right there with me!

    ...so glad I found you!

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  2. Debra,
    Thank you for such an awesome Bible Study.
    Knowing what the Word says about a subject is key, isn't it? Faith begins when the will of God is known and we can rest assured that His Word is His will.
    Thank you for your obedience and for all the scripture references. Let the miracles begin!
    Lisa

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  3. Awesome Bible study as always. I grew up in a church like that. But I know now that I stand firmly on his word that "all sickness is not unto death." I carry James 5:15 in my heart. So I stand on his promises.. Our Lord and savior healed many. Gave sight to the blind, made the lame man walk, and many more. I know that I know that I KNOW he is a divine healer and a doctor who has never lost a case.

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  4. Thank you for this. I know it took courage and that if you're like me - you might suffer a bit of repercussion from it, but I am blessed to know a sister who stands on the word of God and lives in the authority and faith that Jesus lived, died and rose-again to give to us.
    God has not changed - nor has He become silent with the canonization of Scripture. He didn't just 'write' the Word - He IS the Word. And He is every present and with us still today.
    I can't help but think that even Jesus 'could not do any miracles' in his hometown because of their lack of faith. It doesn't say that He didn't still 'try'. Doubt is the opposite of 'faith' and a group of doubters will not receive anything that God has for them.
    I am enjoying this and know that I know that the 'faith' of many will be strengthened by your teaching here.
    May God grant you wisdom and clarity of words with which to share this important Truth.

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  5. I do agree that healing is most certainly God's will, but I know that, as I've said before, it doesn't always take the form we might be expecting.

    Of course physical healing is usually our most immediate need, but having been healed of both physical and emotional/spiritual maladies, I have experienced the tremendous healing power of redemptive suffering.

    Granted, to many who are not Catholic, this (redemptive suffering) might sound like a new concept, but it's been a constant teaching of the Church since biblical times.

    From Pope Benedict XVIs latest encyclical, he states that in the end, the pagan can only suffer patiently, without understanding the reason for suffering. But Christians look at pain and suffering in a completely different way: They believe firmly in a life beyond death and in the positive value of suffering. "For those who love God, all things work together for the good," Paul of Tarsus wrote (Rom. 8:28). Suffering, rejection, sickness, even death has meaning for them, since all of these connected them with the suffering and victory of Christ crucified.

    Now having said all of that, I know that God can and does heal physically in an instant! And for those believing God for physical healing, I stand with you in prayer and believe, too!

    Bear with me, Debra...I guess I'm assuming that I'm the only practicing Catholic here, and therefore feel called to share my take on these lessons. Essentially I agree with all you have said and taught here, I'm just sharing how it's all processed through the lens of a Roman Catholic.

    Peace, love and healing to each and every one of you!
    Anne

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  6. Dear Anne, you made a huge point here, which I can personally identify with. For the last almost seven years I have been daily looking through that same lens you spoke of. Some people would say that there are several reasons why I am not totally healed:
    1. God doesn't heal today.
    2. God doesn't heal everyone.
    3. I must be in some sort of sin, since I am still having physical issues.
    4. I don't have enough faith.
    5. I'm not "doing" everything I should be doing to "get" healed.
    The list goes on and on. I cannot deny that what I have been walking through these last years has changed me and brought me closer to God. It has given me a new level of understanding, empathy and compassion for others who are ill. Now do I believe in healing? Yes... Am I in perfect health? No... But daily I have learned to trust God and have faith that I am on a journey, I am "walking through the valley". I am learning as I go. I have been called to share the "good news" of Jesus Christ. It's part of who I am. So that's what I do. I move forward proclaiming God's great love and compassion.
    Thank you Anne, for your meaningful comment. As I said before, our belief systems are so much alike as Protestants and Catholics. I'm grateful that you will share with us the Catholic viewpoint!

    To Lora, I'm so glad you're here. "Knowing" God surely is the "key". Knowing Him and the Word. That has to be the foundation of our belief system.Glad you found us!

    To Lisa, I was lukewarm for so many years because I didn't know God's Word. I didn't read or study the Bible on a regular basis. If we don't know what God says we have no concept of what He has for us. Only when I found out what the Scripture said, did I start to see my faith soar!

    To Misty, Girl, you are right. Find a Bible verse that God specifically gives you. That is your "point of contact". Hang on to it.
    Romans 10:17 says "...faith comes from hearing the message and the message is heard through the Word of Christ."

    And thank you Deb, I need your prayers. I go out on a limb regularly. I do sincerely need "wisdom and clarity of words." I'm praying people will be open to seeing God maybe in a new light. I know so many of us have been taught something for their whole lives. I want to open dialogue and ideas. After all, I was a huge skeptic and openly admitted it to God.
    Thank you each and every one of you for stepping out and speaking what's on your heart. We are all "sisters" and for that I am so grateful. No matter what our background, we are sisters in Christ!
    I can't do this alone. You being there gives a testimony and encouragement to so many others.
    love,
    Debra

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  7. I have just had an epiphany- after reading this:
    'ask the Holy Spirit to reveal truth to you'.
    I have so many questions, but I sometimes feel like a child constantly tugging on Jesus's apron hem.

    I don't know the meaning of everything that has been shared today, but I am honored and blessed by the sharing.

    In my life God has always spoken through others- probably because my ears were too clogged to hear what he was saying directly.

    A simple strategy- as a teacher I can relate to that.

    Me: Holy Spirit show me the truth about my eating/weight/health.I am so tired of seeking worldly answers.

    Me: Holy Spirit show me the truth today that I need to see- whatever it might be.

    Anne - I want to know more about redemptive suffering.

    Can you explain it further?

    Thank you Debra, my friend.

    Laura

    Also-

    I am soooo tired of winging the book report, as my students sometimes did.

    How can I expect to understand something that I have not fully read?

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  8. At one point in my life, I know if it had not been for God, his word, and God's people in my life I could have died. I went to bed with God's word playing in my ear at night and just consumed myself in it. It works I'm a testament to it. Thanks for this Debra!

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  9. I just received this comment from Tracy Suzanne. She left it on the last post, but I copied and pasted it here so you all would get a chance to read it. We all love you Tracy, thank you for sharing your heart and your testimony of answered prayer.


    Dear Debra & all of Debra's Angel here.

    I'm sorry I haven't gotten back soon. But I'm so glad I came back by because everyones stories of the Lords amazing love and amazing blessings have be a joy to read. Don't you all feel strengthen by the bond we've found here. I know for a fact that God lead me to Debra and that the time was pre-destined.

    My life and/or heart is in turmoil right now but you all make it better. It seems that this sight and the friends I've been blogging with are all the good and kindness I can see and feel right now.

    I will share a mircle that to me was a sure sign of Gods love and grace at the time (and even now) though it is not life saving medically, but was mentally. This happened years ago at least 10. I have been dealing with depression for years now. I'd lost my parents 14 months apart years before this and truely felt orphaned even though I had a son of my own. I started spending alot ALOT of time reading the bible and spending time in church. I noticed the more I read the bible the more I desired to read it, the more I truly enjoyed it and received a message from it. At the time I was working my own hours and was available to go to the beach for a couple of hours every morning. I've always been a water baby and found it to be very comforting and soothing. Just the sound of the waves, the calmness of the water brought me such peace and relaxation. I would take my bible and go to a pretty slow area of the beach. I loved this time. It brought me incredible comfort and I actually felt joyful. One day when praying I told the Lord how much peace the water was to me. It's such a spiritually soothing place to spend time in his word. As I praise him and thanked him for his beauty and majesty, I did the craziest thing. I asked the Lord if somehow, someway, someday he could help me to be able to live on the water where I felt so comforted. Now even then when I was saying this it sounded so crazy in my head. I've never believe in selfish praying but here I was and now it was out. I told him, I know this is crazy I in no way could afford to live near the water, renting and definately not owning. I said I don't know how or when but one day I pray that this will come to me even if it was littlest cottage on a postage stamp piece of land. I kept thinking in my head this is so crazy why does it seem so possible. That was it, I didn't dwell on it or pray over and over for it.

    I know, this is getting long, sorry. I can't fit it all in this post so please continue on the next.

    Tracy

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  10. This is the rest of Tracy's comment.

    December 4, 2009 9:41 PM
    Tracy Suzanne said...
    Sorry about that. It's shows how long winded I'm being. Anyway to continue....Well I got a call from an apt community wanting to hire me as asst mgr. I took the job for a few days. In the meantime I had set up and appt to see the the maintance mgr of another community to hang wall paper as an extra side job. I stopped by there and he immediately asked if I'd be interested in the asst mgr job at this community. Much nicer one at that. The next day I met with the manager who hired me immediately. I was given an apt free because the manager lived off property. This was not any old apt. This was a 3 bdrm apt, 1650 sq ft apt and wait, here it is...Riverfront! Free, each and every month. No rent, no cable bill, I did pay electric, earned a pretty darn good salary with bonus'. No only that but they told me to pick out new carpet for the entire apt and new tile for the baths, tub and all. Another employee told me they had never given a waterfront apt to anyone before. This was their most expensive. And believe me I didn't have to beg for it. It just was handed to me. When I left that job I moved in with Neil who was selling one house (not on the water) and living in a condo on the beach while it was being rented and sold. So straight from the river to the beach. Within 8 months we moved into a house on the river that he had owned for years and rented out, we were waiting for these renters lease to end. We moved back to this 1920 cottage and began a tremendous remodel which is not and I doubt ever will be finished. This is a beautiful older area with tons of graceful oaks draped with moss on a nice quite 2 arce piece of land. So the point of this is that since probably 2 weeks after that prayer I have never not lived on the water. Now I'm not one to think that you can say I want a Lexus and it will be there next week but God knew my heart, my suffering, and the mental anguish I dealt with. He knew that my heart was sincerely searching for him, loving him and needing him. He graciously blessed me beyond measure. This was life saving for someone who felt no one cared or listened.

    Though my life may be in turmoil again and I have good and bad days when my heart and mind feel like they are breaking I know God listens to me and continues to love me (even when I don't love myself). Don't I sound pathethic? I may not be here tomorrow or forever but I will always know that God listened to me heard my prayer and graced me with the knowledge that he was with me. Being apart of this group is so very comforting.

    Thank you all.
    With love and hugs...Tracy

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  11. Isn't is great to see the fruit...I like that Deb gal.

    Abundance...Life...and above all His Presence,
    Lee

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  12. Debra, I wanted you to know I've been studying this post and am trying to wrap my mind around all of it. I do believe in miracles and answered prayers. I'm trying to formulate my thoughts before commenting any further because I don't want to say the wrong thing. Your commenters are so well voiced that I feel just a bit timid. Have patience (which I know you have in abundance) with me. I'm still learning.
    Debbie

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  13. I know this last post has a lot to think about and pray over. That has been my intent. I didn't grow up with this understanding, and had never heard it taught. I'm not asking that you believe it because I said so, I'm just asking that you be open to think and pray about it. This is a time when God is revealing Himself to His Church and in doing so He is revealing "mysteries". This is not a "new" teaching, but one that defines who Jesus is. So don't feel threatened or that I am some sort of "religious" kook. Hang in there and be open to this concept of healing. Take the scripture and pray about what I've said. Open dialogue and discussion is a good way to investigate.
    I know this has probably taken some of you by surprise. It's one thing to have a miracle happen to ourselves or someone we love, but I needed to know why. I wanted to know the doctrine and the theology of miracles and I prayed for the understanding concerning them.
    So don't walk away, there's more to come.
    Debra

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  14. I must make this comment to all you Dear Friends. I believe it is the enemy's greatest stategy to get God's family to think that He, our Heavenly Father , is the author of sickness and disease. Of course,if we think God sent it we can not resist it and the enemy has struck a victorious blow.
    God never sends sickness and disease. The Great Physician even programmed our bodies to heal themselves. Think of the last cut or cold you had. You don't have it anymore...even in this fallen world. I know that God will make sickness and disease work for our good-in some way, but I also know that He is not its originator. I have not won every battle. But I can assure you that when the enemy leaves my house, he is limping. I have used the Sword of the Spirit-The Word of God to beat the enemy off of my children, my marriage,my finances and my health. And should he strike a fatal blow to me, I will go to my grave knowing that God is good, there is no shadow of turning in Him, He is altogether lovely, I find no fault in Him. Please let us embrace God's Word as truth and every man or circumstance a liar.
    I love each and every one of you.
    Lisa
    PS I want ya'll to know that I grew up Catholic. Went to Catholic schools. I get it.:)

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  15. Hi Deb
    Thank you so much for your faithfulness in these bible studies. I have to tell you that everything you have posted so far is also what I have been taught and understand in my heart of hearts. God has been good and blessed me with such a wonderful foundation but I do not have that fellowship any longer around me on a daily basis as I do not belong to a church at this time. Your healing message I say a loud AMEN! Healing is a touchy subject because of the times we all have not been healed or know of someone that was trusting the Lord but was not healed. I do not know why...but I do know that sickness is not the will of the Lord for us. This last year I have been plaqued with vertigo, if you have ever experienced it you know it will stop you in your tracks and can become severe... the episodes were coming more often until I would be laying on the floor in the back of the shop - praying for it not to get worse. I have had trouble with vertigo since college but maybe once a year at that, now I was getting them once a month. Last Thanksgiving I spent it traveling with vertigo and laying on the couch at my daughters - miserable. Anyway at Christmas I was turning channels on the radio and heard the word vertigo and there was a women talking about some excercise you can do to help it. With the next vertigo episode I tried it...it helped but the next day I was getting ready for work and the Lord told me in a very loud voice in my head...you will not have verigo anymore. That was a year ago and I have not had it since. The point to my ramblings is that the Lord can use many things for healing and sometimes He can help us with our faith by using something tangible also. I have had instant healings in my life when I was annointed by oil and by the laying on of hands also. I almost died when I was 9 and the Lord healed me...I have had miracles in my life but the Lord works in different ways according to what He is doing at the time in my life.
    Thanks Deb for taking on this difficult subject.
    Bless you sista
    Rebecca

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  16. Amen to God's healing power. I am looking for it to manifest in Andrew's body. So is he, saying he "fully expects to completely recover." Let it be done, Oh Lord.
    Melanie@Bella~Mella

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  17. Isn't it so sad that one of the biggest things that we in the christian circle struggle to get past is the fact that we serve a faithful merciful God? For some reason we have this picture of God more like Santa...You better watch out you better not cry...If you are good then God gives you gifts if not then well sorry punishment is all that you are in for. Sometimes people look at Christianity as Loto Jesus and not the word of God that is always true. God is always willing to heal ALWAYS the only reason why it doesn't take place is because we get in the way. Either the word is true or it isn't. For some reason people thing there are stipulations on those scriptures that you listed above. The only stipulation is that we believe them. Girl you are rocking it out here in blog land! Keep preaching the Jesus that it is the same yesterday and forever! Deb at Talking Trash sent me your way & I am so glad she did! You have me all kinds of fired up! Love it when I find other Chiks that love the Lord passionatly! Look forward to stopping by again soon! Blessings and favor on you and your family.
    Crystal Sparks

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  18. To Laura, When God speaks to us and we get it, it truly is an epiphany. When we don't know how to proceed, if we will just admit it through prayer, then He can give us direction. I love the part about winging the book report, reminds me of using Cliff Notes. We need to read the whole book and "experience" all that the Bible can give us. Otherwise we are just "cheating" ourselves.
    To Debbie, You made me really reflect on this last post. The above comment and update were the result of your comment. Thank you for reminding me that this concept of healing is something that some people may not have had opportunity to hear and think about.
    To Lisa, Right on girl! I SO agree with everything you have said. We first have to understand that our Father does not put sickness and disease on us. That is something that "happens", the devil is the one that comes to "kill, steal and destroy". We need to be diligent to cover our children, our spouses and ourselves in prayer and be ready to do spiritual battle for our loved ones. At some point we'll discuss this.
    To Rebecca, thank you for sharing your testimony with us, I'm so glad you're joining in. It IS so hard sometimes when we see others that do not have the victory. I love hearing how God spoke to you about the vertigo you were having. Awesome testimony!
    To Melanie, we are praying and believing with you for Andrew's full recovery. I'm so glad you are with us. You are an example of a faith-filled woman, that we can all learn something from. God made mothers to take the sword of the Spirit and go to battle for our children. You are doing that.
    to Crystal, SO GLAD YOU'RE HERE! I love your enthusiasm, and love your comments. "Loto Jesus". so true! That's why I wanted to do this Bible Study on healing. When we start seeing all the scripture concerning healing, and then we try to find scripture that backs up the "well, you just never know" theory, we can't find it.
    Then, we start to get the whole picture!
    Thank you everyone that left a comment, see how much more we can get out of this if everyone pitches in?
    I'm working on a new post as I speak. Should be posted later today.
    Love you all,
    Debra

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  19. Hello Deb - I am new here and dont have an active blog but am a regular reader of many. I found your study on healing helpful and to be the same as I have learned in the past few years. I was raised in a Bible believing family, came to know the Lord as a young child and have had the priviledge of continual learning of Him as I am now in my 50's. My family and I are petitioning the Lord right now for my sweet little baby niece. My sisters daughter Lisa was 26 weeks pregnant and delivered a baby girl prematurely. She wasnt due until the end of January but had the baby on Oct. 20th. Annelise weighed just 2.4 lbs at birth. My neice and her husband are Believers and trust God with their lives and now the life of their baby. There have been many problems since her birth. The most pressing right now is the baby has 2 cysts on the frontal lobe of her brain - actual holes in her brain that are filled with blood and fluid. She will have these removed next week in 2 seperate surgeries. The doctors are telling us that Annelise has severe brain damage. Based upon the location, she should be able to learn to walk, talk, etc. but will have cognitive problems. We believe strongly that we should be praying for complete healing. We believe that God is good and kind, He is a loving father and wants us to ask Him for our needs. He is also merciful. We also believe that if He chooses NOT to heal Annelise, then we accept that knowing that He has a plan for her life that is outside of our current understanding. She belongs ultimately to Him. We are not wavering though. I believe He is going to heal her. I am not a fanatic or in denial. And I am not dictating to God what He should do. As a family we are humbly but boldly asking the Lord to heal this precious little baby. My husband, who is a strong, rugged guy, cries each time he thinks about her and prays for her. Its as though God wants to show us His Grace if we will just trust Him. Would you be so kind as to pray with us for Annelise? She has gained weight and grown in length. She is now 3.9 lbs. and 16" long. I call her my little cherub.

    Bless you Dear Sister and thank you for sharing Gods Word. They are indeed words of life.

    Rebecca S.

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  20. Thanks for joining my blog!

    Wow....I am so glad you are on fire for the truth! Encourage you to continue to speak this truth of God's will and goodness. I am doing this with my blog. So many people (worldly and Christians alike) want to say that "you never know what God's going to do". I don't believe this statement.

    I believe He does reveal what we are asking. He does reveal His mysteries. He is Good!

    I am a BIG believer that God does Heals today. When we fall into believing the lies of "your will be done" we are being spiritually lazy and not wanting to seek out the truths. Those who have a heart to seek and find.....will find!

    Bless you for sharing!

    FREE IN CHRIST

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  21. Praise God for the healing power of Jesus Christ. Truth in and of itself has no power in our life until it becomes TRUTH to us. It is faith in the truth that activates it in our life.

    M't:10:8: Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

    Wow....the world would be a different place!

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