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Introduction The Provision of Healing Healing in Bible Times God Heals Today |
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God is the Great Physician. His knowledge of the human mind and body is complete. He can do more for the sick and the diseased than can all earthly doctors and surgeons combined. He created us; is it not reasonable, then, to believe that He can heal us when we are sick? Christ's suffering and death purchased healing for us-physically, mentally, and spiritually. "Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows...With his stripes we are healed" (Isaiah 53:4-5). This promise definitely includes physical healing, for the Gospel of Matthew says this passage was fulfilled by Christ's healing of people who were sick: "He cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaiah the prophet, saying, "Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses" (Matthew 8:16-17). (See also 1 Peter 2:24). The healing ministry of Christ did not end with His earthly life; it is part of His work in the church today. He promised, "These signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils . . . they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover" (Mark 16:17-18). Listed among the gifts of the Spirit for the present-day church are "the gifts of healing" (I Corinthians 12:9). James 5:14-15 presents God's plan for divine healing: "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." Laying on of hands and anointing with oil usually accompany prayer for healing, in accordance with God's Word and to focus faith. Faith in the Lord is the key to receiving healing. The Gospels record that Jesus healed people according to their faith. (See Matthew 9:29;13:58; Mark 2:5; 5:34, 36; 9:23-24;10:52.) By the power of God the Apostle Paul was able to raise up a lame man at Lystra because he perceived that the man had faith to be healed (Acts 14:8-10). Prayer for healing, like all prayer, must be offered by faith in the name of Jesus, with proper motives, from a repentant heart, and in submission to the will of God (Acts 3:16; James 4:3; I John 3:21-22; 5:14-15). God does not always answer in the manner and time that we expect, but we must always keep our trust in Him, even when we do not understand circumstances. Moreover, whatever healing or release from handicaps and weaknesses that Christians do not receive in this life, they will obtain in the resurrection, for their mortal bodies will be glorified and given immortality, and death itself shall be destroyed (1 Corinthians 15:26, 49-57). God gave the first recorded promise of divine healing soon after He brought the Israelites out of Egypt. He told them, "I am the LORD that healeth thee" (Exodus 15:26). Psalm 103:3 describes God as One "who healeth all thy diseases". The Old Testament records a number of miracles of healing and even raising of the dead. For example, God used the prophet Elijah to restore a dead child to life (1 Kings 17:22). Through the prophet Elisha He raised a child to life and brought cleansing to Namaan the leper (2 Kings 4:32-35; 5:1-14). God healed King Hezekiah in reponse to his prayer and added fifteen years to his life (2 Kings 20:5). The New Testament records many healings in the earthly ministry of Jesus, and He performed many that are not individually recorded. "Jesus went about all Galilee...healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people" (Matthew 4:23). He gave sight to the blind, unstopped deaf ears, cleansed lepers, made the lame to walk, and raised the dead (Matthew 11:4-5). After Christ's ascension, He continued His ministry of healing through His apostles and otehr disciples. Working through Peter and John, He healed a lame man who had never walked (Acts 3:6-8). Many miracles occurred in Stephen's ministry, and many people were healed during Philip's revival in Samaria (Acts 6:8; 8:7). Through God's power, Peter raised Dorcas from the dead (Acts 9:36-42). And God worked special miracles of healing in the ministry of Paul (Acts 19:11-12). Comparatively few healings of tha titme were recored, for Acts 5:16 states, "There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one." God still heals today. Many contemporary instances are documented in two books published by Word Aflame Press: Miracles in our Day and God Answers Prayer. These examples demonstrate that God's promise of healing is still being fulfilled. The good that medical doctors and medicines do is to be appreciated, for God is the ultimate source of all healing. It is He who has given doctors skill and intelligence, and it is He who created the substances from which medicines are extracted or manufactured. Doctors and medicines, however, can only assist the human body in renewing the natural healing power invested in it by the Creator. Even when a person receives medical assistance, he can still look to God for divine healing. God can heal with medical help, but He also can and often does heal miraculously without any human assistance. Many people in our churches can testify to beingmiraculously healed by God. And what God has done for others, He will do for you. Whatever your sickness or disease, He can make you whole. Look to Him today for your healing. Taken from the Word Aflame Press tract "Divine Healing" - #1567220835 |
Blog
February 20, 2012, 12:06 PM
Divine Healing
Published on Wednesday, 18 May 2011 18:32 | 
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February 20, 2012, 12:05 PM
Computers and the Internet
Published on Wednesday, 18 May 2011 18:01 | |
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Excerpt: UPCI Position Papers |
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One of the new technologies that has been introduced to society in recent years is known as the Internet. This innovation literally brings the entire spectrum of information available in the world into any computer screen. While much of this information is wholesome and useful, a great amount is lewd, pornographic or dangerous. In addition, the Internet provides a forum for direct interpersonal relationships via “chat rooms” and “e-mail.” Many people have been unwittingly snared into corruption by participating in these forums. The UPCI recognizes that the widespread use of the Internet among our people in the workplace and in the home may not be reversed. At the same time, the very real dangers presented must not be ignored. We, therefore, submit the following guidelines to monitor the access and use of the Internet: 1. Placement of the computer. Any computer used for Internet access should be located in an area of the home that is used by the entire family. This discourages the wrong use by the operator because he or she knows that others will have knowledge of all sites visited on the Internet and what files or pictures are downloaded. 2. Blocking software. A number of programs may now be purchased which prevent vulgar or sexually explicit material from appearing on the computer screen. We urge our people to protect themselves and their families by placing one or more of these programs on each computer used for Internet access. 3. Shared passwords. Unauthorized or unsupervised use of a computer by a minor or a person who is not a family member may be easily stopped by passwords. It is also possible for two people to compose the password with each knowing only a part, thus insuring that two are required to access or unlock a program or Internet site. 4. Log of visited sites. Nearly all Internet browsers include a function that records all sites a user accesses. This log may be reviewed at any time. We recommend that all users be apprised of this feature and a regular evaluation of sites visited be made. 5. Time-Consuming. The interactive nature of the Internet lures many users into spending inordinate amounts of time exploring it. Not only does it waste time, it is addictive as well. We urge our people to exercise great caution and restraint in their use of this medium. The word that best enables us to regulate the use of the Internet is accountability. Anyone who makes use of this technology ought to recognize the insidious nature of the Internet, and that it especially affects users who access the sites secretly or without the knowledge of others. There are few other areas where the biblical principle of accountability means more than Internet usage. We believe that every effort to establish and maintain accountability is vital to our people who are involved in the Internet. |
February 12, 2012, 12:39 PM
Computers and the Internet
Published on Wednesday, 18 May 2011 18:01 | |
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Excerpt: UPCI Position Papers |
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One of the new technologies that has been introduced to society in recent years is known as the Internet. This innovation literally brings the entire spectrum of information available in the world into any computer screen. While much of this information is wholesome and useful, a great amount is lewd, pornographic or dangerous. In addition, the Internet provides a forum for direct interpersonal relationships via “chat rooms” and “e-mail.” Many people have been unwittingly snared into corruption by participating in these forums. The UPCI recognizes that the widespread use of the Internet among our people in the workplace and in the home may not be reversed. At the same time, the very real dangers presented must not be ignored. We, therefore, submit the following guidelines to monitor the access and use of the Internet: 1. Placement of the computer. Any computer used for Internet access should be located in an area of the home that is used by the entire family. This discourages the wrong use by the operator because he or she knows that others will have knowledge of all sites visited on the Internet and what files or pictures are downloaded. 2. Blocking software. A number of programs may now be purchased which prevent vulgar or sexually explicit material from appearing on the computer screen. We urge our people to protect themselves and their families by placing one or more of these programs on each computer used for Internet access. 3. Shared passwords. Unauthorized or unsupervised use of a computer by a minor or a person who is not a family member may be easily stopped by passwords. It is also possible for two people to compose the password with each knowing only a part, thus insuring that two are required to access or unlock a program or Internet site. 4. Log of visited sites. Nearly all Internet browsers include a function that records all sites a user accesses. This log may be reviewed at any time. We recommend that all users be apprised of this feature and a regular evaluation of sites visited be made. 5. Time-Consuming. The interactive nature of the Internet lures many users into spending inordinate amounts of time exploring it. Not only does it waste time, it is addictive as well. We urge our people to exercise great caution and restraint in their use of this medium. The word that best enables us to regulate the use of the Internet is accountability. Anyone who makes use of this technology ought to recognize the insidious nature of the Internet, and that it especially affects users who access the sites secretly or without the knowledge of others. There are few other areas where the biblical principle of accountability means more than Internet usage. We believe that every effort to establish and maintain accountability is vital to our people who are involved in the Internet. |
February 12, 2012, 12:38 PM
Children’s Ministry: An Investment With Eternal Returns
Published on Thursday, 28 April 2011 11:14 | |
| Children’s Ministry: An Investment With Eternal Returns
By: Shay & Bridgette Mann
Wordcount: 996
Children’s ministry is our life! Yes, I know that may sound like an odd and peculiar thing to say given that we have spent the past 14 years of our lives serving as youth minister’s. Don’t misunderstand what we are saying, our ministerial calling is to the youth of this generation and currently this organization; however, due to the fact that we are the proud parents of two precious little girls, the orbit of our universe revolves around nurturing and ministering to them.
Like you, we have heard the scripture imploring us to “train up a child in the way he should go” at least a thousand times. Recently, the importance of this Old Testament instruction has become wildly alive to us by a couple of instances that we have experienced with our daughters:
Breleigh, our oldest, attends the local public elementary school just up the road from our neighborhood. While attending a school function, a grandmother of one of our daughter’s classmates approached me (Bridgette) and told me that her grandson had informed her that Breleigh was a Christian. She asked him how he knew that this was the case. So, he proceeded to tell his grandmother that Breleigh always asks the teacher if they can say a blessing before eating lunch. Of course, the teacher is mandated to respond by saying that she can pray quietly if she would like to, but that they cannot pray together as a class. Initially, this appeared to be a negative development and no doubt it is a shame that children are no longer allowed to pray corporately at school. But we tried to take advantage of this teachable moment to talk to Breleigh about who she is as a child of God and what it means to be called a Christian. Another benefit of this situation was that it created an inroad to be able to talk with this family about our relationship with God and invite them to our church.
The second experience occurred during one of our visits to story time at the local library. The librarian opened the session by asking if any of the children would like to request a special song to sing. Blair, our three year old, eagerly raised her little hand and asked if the group could sing “Jesus Loves Me”. The librarian, in an effort to brush her off, told her that they had to sing songs that everyone knew and then quickly moved on to the next request. This happened not just this once, but on three different occasions and she was refused all three times. Before our next visit I thought maybe I should protect Blair and spare her any further disappointment by suggesting that she request a different song, but then I reminded myself, “this is what she has been taught and if she wants to let her little light shine, why not let her?”
Both of these encounters, along with others that occur frequently with our daughters being in non-Christian settings, reinforce the important role that we as parents have to proactively teach and instruct our children in the ways of the Lord. The fact of the matter is that if we aren’t purposeful in instilling Biblical truths in them, there is a village of people who are willing to raise them in a contrary and politically correct fashion. Another related observation is that any investment that we make in the lives of our children will not only have an affect on them, but they can impact other children and their families as well.
One of the highlights of our ministry came while we were serving as Youth Pastors in Atlanta, Georgia. Bro. Darrell Johns, our pastor, challenged us with the responsibility of creating a vibrant children’s ministry to complement the youth ministry that was already in place. Looking back, that investment in the lives of children has resulted in hundreds of them receiving the Holy Ghost and being baptized in Jesus Name! When we launched this ministry, it was not created with our own children in mind. As a matter of fact, Breleigh, our oldest was just an infant at the time. However, last year God rewarded us greatly when on a visit to our home church in Atlanta she was filled with God’s Spirit during the children’s church service. That’s what we call a serious return on investment!
Prior to establishing a children’s ministry, we had also begun a pre-teen ministry at Atlanta West. The existence of these two vital efforts were eventually an enormous blessing to the youth ministry because a far greater percentage of young people entering the youth group at age twelve were already filled with the Holy Ghost and knew what it meant to pray and worship God in an age-specific setting.
So as you can see just from our experience, any investment in ministering to children is one that will yield a significant return on many different fronts. While Youth Ministry is what we have given a huge portion of our lives to and is what continues to consume us to this day, our commitment to training up children will always be a matter of great importance to us. When our children are grown and others that we have had the opportunity to minister to, our goal is to be able to look back and be filled with the kind of joy mentioned in III John 4, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.”
(Sidebar – Though the Mann’s devote most of their time to efforts involving Teens and Young Adults, when there was a vacancy within the children’s ministry at the church they attend in St. Louis (The Sanctuary pastored by Tim Dugas and Scott Graham) they eagerly stepped in and directed the Wednesday evening Children’s Church services for several weeks. They have also made it known that if needed they will be glad to do so again in the future.)
January 28, 2012, 11:52 AM
After Death: What?
Published on Wednesday, 18 May 2011 18:31 | |
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Introduction Beyond Life...What? Final Reward to the Righteous The Fate of the Wicked The Present Determines the Future |
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Can anyone think of a more relevant question? All of us pass through the narrow passageway leading from this life to the next-the passageway we call death. We shall all experience the transition into a new realm, another existence beyond this life and world we know today. Let us for a moment consider the personal experience we shall have with death. One day our hands will be folded across our lifeless breast and our eyes will be closed as our body takes its last ride to the cemetery. The purple curtains will be drawn. "The black camel of death," said one, "will kneel for each of us at our door, and we shall have no choice but to mount and ride off into the desert of darkness." Death is no respector of persons. We may only speculate on certain aspects of the future, not knowing much that it holds, but we do know the One who holds the future in His hands. And it is He who has revealed much of the future to us. He who knows the end from the beginning, the future as well as the past, reveals in His Word that at death the body returns to the earth, while the soul goes to a temporary destination to await final judgment. Each of us determines in this life what our destiny will be; it will depend upon our response to the redemptive plan that God designed for the sinner's deliverance from eternal doom. We may ascend to a place of peace in the presence of God, as Paul declared in II Corinthians 5:8. It is possible for us to dwell eternally in a place of happiness, bliss, and contentment, knowing that our redemption has been completed, that we have finished our course in faith, and that we are being rewarded. Or we may descend into a place of suffering, there to be detained until the final judgment and then to be sentenced to the everlasting punishment of the lake of fire. (See Matthew 25:46; Luke 16:22-26; Revelation 20:11-15.) Both places are, in a sense, temporary, for we shall wait until our souls are reunited with our bodies in the resurrection. Jesus described the resurrection in John 5:28?29, and Paul spoke in detail of the first resurrection in I Thessalonians 4:16-17. The resurrection of the just and the resurrection of the ungodly are separated by one thousand years of peace on earth (Revelation 20:2-7). The just of the present age will be those who have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb-baptized in His name and filled with His Spirit; the ungodly will be those who have refused to surrender to the terms of the gospel. For those who are saved, there will be the city not made with hands-the New Jerusalem. This city is described in Revelation 21 as the eternal home of the redeemed. Missing in this city will be the evil things that are found in every large earthly city. Gone will be all crime and violence. God's people will walk the golden streets without fear of molestation. Revelation 21:18 describes the wall of this city as jasper and the city itself as pure gold. There will be no need for the sun or moon there, for the Lamb will be the light of the city (Revelation 21:23). And, wonder of wonders, the redeemed will enjoy the blessings of this city eternally. The poet exulted: When we've been there ten thousand years, Bright shining as the sun, We've no less days to sing God's praise Than when we'd first begun. In contradistinction, for unbelievers there is "the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone" (Revelation 21:8). The only emotions there will be agony and regret, and from that place there will be no escape. The Present Determines the Future Eternity-never-ending ages! A person's state there is totally dependent upon the present-what he does during time. His eternal destiny will be decided by whether or not he trusts m the redeeming blood of Christ and avails himself of its merits through faith and obedience. Let us consider today the nearness of our souls to the rendezvous with death. David solemnly declared, "There is but a step between me and death" (I Samuel 20:3). Death is a certain step, and yet it is an uncertain step as to time, place, and manner. It is, further, a solitary step so far as other human beings are concerned. Only Christ can go with us through that dark valley. Are you ready for that moment and for the eternity to follow? The Bible proclaims how to prepare for eternity and enjoy eternal life with Christ: "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost" (Acts 2:38). JRE Taken from the Word Aflame Press tract "After Death...What?" - #15672220738 |
