How To Get Sick And Stay Sick

Proverbs 6:2 tells us "Thou are snared with the words of thy mouth, thou are taken with the words of thy mouth."  People will never know how true this verse really is.  We have to be careful what we say and what we confess!  If you want to get sick and stay sick then follow these points.

 Point 1:

Tell others in great detail all about your infirmities.

Point 2:

Speak like this:  “When it comes to healing, I’m a real doubting Thomas; I have to be shown before I will ever believe.” or, “It’s so hard to believe God these days.  I have such little faith.  I’ve tried trusting God, but it just doesn’t work.”

Point 3:

Believe and say your sickness is like Paul’s “thorn in the flesh.” (2 Corinthians 12:7).

Point 4:

Tune in on an actual conversation by one who stays sick much of the time and you’ll gain tips on how to have the same results in life.

Point 5:

And if you really want to stay sick, here is a list of "never’s":

Never confess, “By His stripes ye were healed” (Isaiah 53:5; 1 Peter 2:24)

Never confess, “Himself took our infirmities and bear our sicknesses’ (Matthew 8:17)

Never confess, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8)

Point 6:

Often tell others about your operations, and your afflictions and your health problems in general.

Point 7:

If you have ever received healing or a miraculous answer to prayer, don’t talk about it. 

Point 8:

If you have had a loved one or relative die of some disease, talk about it often.

Point 9:

When you hear a wonderful testimony of healing on the radio, TV, or read about one, be sure to scoff and cast doubt upon the authenticity.

Point 10: 

Always say, “I can’t get my healing, God just won’t meet my need.

Now if you want to stay sick just practice these ten steps.  But if you are “sick and tired of being sick and tired,” confess just the opposite and you’ll obtain the benefits of God’s great blessings.

What you confess is exactly what you’ll possess, whether it be sickness or health. “Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.”

Understanding Faith (Part 5)

As Christians we should all desire to be successful in what God has called us to do and be.  True success is determined by our ability to walk by faith and obedience to God.  In this post, I want to share with you five keys to having "great faith."  Following these principles will help you to live a life of faith.

1.  Have A Thorough Understanding Of Submission And Authority

The Bible is full of examples of how people received great miracles simply because they understood submission and authority.  Matthew 8:9-10 the centurions servant was healed because he understood authority and simply told Jesus that all he had to do was "speak" the word and it would be done.  Moses' obedience and submission to God's authority resulted in the children of Israel crossing the Red Sea (Genesis 14:15-16); Peter and the other disciples obeyed Jesus' command and "cast their nets" on the other side of the boat and caught a great number of fish (Luke 5:4-6).  If you want great faith, you must have a good understanding of submission and authority.

2.  Be Convinced Of Jesus' Ability To Do What He Has Promised

We must be fully convinced that God is able to do what He has promised through Jesus Christ.  Abraham was convinced of what God had spoken to him that no longer did he waver at the promise of God, but was fully convinced.  Romans 4:20-22 tells us that Abraham "staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully persuaded that what He promised He was able to perform."  Are you convinced that God is able to perform what He has promised in the New Covenant that was established through Jesus Christ?

3.  Press In Regardless Of The Obstacles

The best example of pressing in regardless of the obstacles is the woman with the issue of blood in Luke 8:43-48.  She had sought help through every means possible and finally went to see Jesus, but the throng of people were keeping her away.  But she continued to "press in" until she touched the hem of Jesus' garment and immediately Jesus knew "power" had left Him and she was healed.  There are many obstacles, disappointments, and trials that will try to cause us to lose heart and not press in.  However, don't give up just because life becomes difficult.  We must continue to press in if we want great faith!

4. Exhibit Boldness In The Midst Of Unbelief and Mockery

When we take steps of faith it sometimes seems foolish to those around us.  But we must press in with boldness regardless of how foolish it may seem or how others may mock us for our belief.

5.  Persistence

In Matthew 15:21-28 Jesus commended the Gentile woman for having great faith.  She had great faith because of her persistent attitude that got Jesus' attention.  She continued to plead her case with humility and respect even after Jesus  didn't initially respond the way she hoped he would.

6.  Act On The Word

Faith is nothing until we ACT!  James 1:22 "But be ye doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.  Are you ready to act on the Word of God?  God's ready!

Understanding Faith (Part 3)

In this third lesson in the series "Understanding Faith" I want to show the difference between faith and believing and explain exactly how it is that faith works.  But before I do that there are three important aspects of faith that we must understand.

1.  There are three kinds of faith:

• Natural Faith
• Bible Faith
• The Gift of Faith

Natural faith is a faith that we operate in everyday, where someone tells us something and we believe it and act on it.  For example, your friend tells you that gas is $2.99 per gallon at the gas station on the corner.  You believe it and then act on it and fill your car up.

Bible faith comes by hearing the Word of God.  Again, it is information we receive from God's Word, we believe it and act on it.  For example, the Bible tells us that if we "confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins."  We believe it, and then we confess our sins to God and believe He forgives us.

Then there is the "gift of faith."  It is one of the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit.  This gift of faith is given to men as the Spirit wills and is used to edify and encourage the Body of Christ.

2.  Bible faith takes effort on our part.  A common mistake many people make is they think that Bible faith is something that God gives to them with no effort on their part and this simply isn't true.  The gift of salvation is free and requires nothing of us, but having Biblical faith requires our involvement and effort.

3.  Faith and believing are not the same thing.  I will explain that further in the next point.

The Difference Between Faith And Believing

Visualize if you will a man staggering through the church door and collapsing on the floor when several people rush to his side.  One of them is a doctor and he says "This man is in the final stages of starvation.  He is suffering from malnutrition.  If he doesn't eat in the next 30 minutes he will die!"

The people bring the man food and ask the man "Do you believe that if you eat this food it will keep you from starving to death?"  The man replies "yes" he believes that, but then never eats the food.  This continues for 30 minutes and the man continues to make the statement that he believes if he eats the food it will save his life but never eats it and ultimately dies!

Even though the man's belief was correct, he ultimately died, because he never acted in faith on what he believed!  He never ate the food!  That's the difference between believing and faith.  Until you start doing something about what you believe, it's not faith, it's only belief!  James 2:20 says, "...that faith without works is dead."  Faith must have action to be faith.  Faith is acting on the Word of God.

Faith Is Being A Doer Of The Word

James 1:22 says, "But be ye doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves."  We must be doers of the Word, and not hearers only.  Faith is not faith until is has been acted upon.  This is where most believers miss it.  They hear the Word, they believe the Word, but never become a doer of the Word.

How Faith Works

Faith works on the same principle in the spirit realm as it does in the natural realm.  Faith in both realms is based upon something which you believe.

Here's how faith works in the spiritual realm as well as in the natural realm.  (1) You are given information. (2) You believe that information. (3) You act on the information you believe.

Faith Is Acting On The Word Of God

There are several examples in the Bible of men acting on the Word of God.  Peter in Luke 5:4-7 had fished all night and didn't catch a thing.  But when Jesus told them to "Push out into the deep water and let down the nets for a catch," Peter responded "nevertheless at thy Word I will let down the net." As a result there was a great catch all because Peter acted on the Word of God.

Joshua also acted on the Word of God in Joshua 6:1-20.  He followed the instruction of the Lord completely and the city of Jericho was overtaken.

Faith is more than just believing!  It is acting on the truth of God's Word!  Won't you start believing on and acting on the Word of God today?

Understanding Faith (Part 2)

Jesus commanded us to "have faith in God."  But not only did He command it, He made it possible.  Without faith, it is impossible to please God.  Man's part is to ask in faith and refuse doubt.  God's part is to answer!  In this post I want to cover four aspects of faith.

1.  What Faith Means

Faith is to "confide in, or have confidence in."  Faith means that we are secure without fear.  It means to rely on the promise of another (in this case God).  Faith is to believe or to take one at his word.  When we have faith, we will put absolute trust in a person without questioning or doubting their faithfulness.

2.  How Do We Get Faith

Romans 10:17 tells us that "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God!"  It is through hearing God's word that we get faith.  Faith also comes by studying the Word of God (2 Timothy 2:15).  And finally, Faith comes by meditating on the Word of God (Psalm 1:2 and Proverbs 4:20-22).  God has made it possible though His Word for us to have faith, we just need to take advantage of it by reading, hearing, studying, and meditating up it.

3.  What Faith Is

Hebrews 11:1 gives us an accurate understanding of exactly what faith is.  It is counting or reckoning a thing done as though it were already done.  Faith does not have to see before it believes.  Faith laughs at the impossible and all circumstances that may be contrary to what the Word of God says and counts the thing done.  Faith is not feeling that our prayers are answered; it is know that they are answered based upon what the Word says.

4.  How To Determine How Much Faith You Have

To accurately determine how much faith you have, simply ask yourself this question: "What can I believe God for?"  Not what you believe God can do, but what can you believe God for.  There is a big difference.  Can you believe God for $5 or $500?    You might believe God can provide $500, but can you believe Him for it?  When we believe God for something, we have no worries, anxieties, fear or second thoughts about it.  Stop believe what God can do, and believe what God will do!

It's time for us to turn our little faith into great faith, our dead faith into active growing faith.  But you must start now.  Start doing something with the faith you have now if you want it to grow and develop.  Where are you in your faith?  God's ready are you?

Understanding Faith (Part 1)

Faith is probably one of the most misunderstood subjects in the Bible.  It's misunderstood from the stand point that many believe either you "have it, or don't" and if you don't, it's no big deal.  But we have to understand that to have faith is a command and not an option.  Faith isn't something we pick up when we need it, it is a way of life and something we should live out every day of our life!  In the first part of this series on "Understanding Faith," I want to build a foundation to help us understand, grasp, and live this very important part of our life.

Scriptural Basis For Faith

Habakkuk 2:4 -- "Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith."  If the just shall live by faith, then faith must be a way of life!  This is the way you and I are to live everyday for Jesus.  Faith is more than just a "emergency parachute" to get us out of problems.  It is how we should live.  This scripture is also carried over in to the New Testament in Romans 1:17 -- "For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, the just shall live by faith." 

Galatians 3:11 -- "But no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, the just shall live by faith."  The word "just" means, one who has been justified by the blood of Jesus Christ, or one who has been declared righteous.  If you are in Christ, you have been declared "righteous."

Hebrews 10:38 -- "Now the just shall live by faith: but is any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him."  The word "faith" has been so misused and misapplied.  People will ask "What faith are you?" seeking to know to what denomination do you belong.  But faith doesn't mean a denomination, church, or religion.  Faith is more than a religion, it is a way of living!  Our Christian faith isn't a religion.  Christianity is a man, Jesus Christ!

2 Corinthians 5:7 -- "For we walk by faith, not by sight."  When I talk about sight, I am talking about the "sense realm."  Those in Christ should be walking by faith and not by what we perceive with our senses.  Too often, people have a relationship with God that is based strictly on emotions, feelings, and sense knowledge.  True Christian faith, doesn't rely on the senses, but on the Word of God.

Romans 12:3 -- "For I say, through the grace given unto me, to everyman that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith."  Every person who accepts Christ as his or her personal Savior has faith.

Ephesians 2:8 -- "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God."  This scripture show you why anyone who comes to Christ has to have faith.  If you are saved, you have faith.  And if your are saved, you have that measure of faith.

Romans 10:17 -- "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God."  Faith comes by hearing the Word of God, not by prayer, not by fasting, not by any other Christian discipline!  These Christian disciplines can "enhance" and "grow" our faith, but the faith itself comes by hearing the Word of God.  If you aren't hearing the Word, then you can't have faith.

2 Peter 1:1-4 -- "Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Savior Jesus Christ: grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord.  According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that called us to glory and virtue.  Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might by partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust."  Look at this verse carefully and notice all that we have been given!  Everything we need for life and godliness has been made available to us.  All we need to do is walk and live by faith.  These aren't just great promises, but they are exceeding great and precious promises.

Are you living your faith?  If not, you can begin to live it today!  Our faith is manifested in our works!  Get busy working for God and let others see your faith in action!

We Serve A Risen Savior

Jesus is ALIVE!  The very fact that people call themselves Christians is evident enough to support that statement.  Jesus was and is a "real" person.  He isn't some myth and He isn't still in the tomb.  He is alive and healing the sick, saving the lost, touching the oppressed and despondent, and lifting up those who need spiritual help.  And He is doing much of this through the Body of Christ, those who call themselves "Christians."  I want to share with you five important facts about Christ and His crucifixion.

1.  Jesus Was God And Man

For many, the teaching that Jesus was both God and man is very difficult to comprehend.  Isaiah, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, penned the words "Behold a virgin shall conceive and bare a Son, and shall call his name Emmanuel (God with us)".  Jesus was a man and He was God, He was the "God/man."  He became man to take our place for sin.  He became a human so He could suffer and die for you and me.  But yet He was also divine so that He could be free from the fall of sinful man.  To understand this, we have to grasp that He was as human as His mother (Mary) and as divine as His Heavenly Father (God Almighty).

2.  Jesus Christ Was Crucified

Jesus was nailed to a cross and crucified.  This to isn't a myth or legend.  He did die!  The soldiers saw Him die, the on-looking crowd, Pharisees, and Scribes, all saw Him crucified.  His own mother, brothers, and disciples all witnessed His death.  Jesus did die for our sins and hundreds were witness to it.

3.  Jesus Is Not Dead

The good news is that Jesus didn't "stay dead" and in the tomb!  He is alive!  It wasn't a dead Christ that lit the fires of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost.  It wasn't a dead Christ that Stephen saw standing at the right hand of God when He was being stoned.  It wasn't a dead Christ that John saw walking in the midst of the Seven Golden Candle Sticks when he was caught up in the spirit while on the isle of Patmos. It wasn't a dead Christ that John saw riding out of the heavens on a white horse with ten thousands of His saints behind Him. And it wasn't a dead Christ that the disciples saw leave the mount of ascension and go to set at the right hand of the Father to make intercession for you and for me.  No, Jesus isn't dead, He is alive!

4.  Jesus Is A Central Figure In The World

No matter how much impact great men of the world have had, past or present, none can compare to the impact and influence Jesus Christ has had on the world scene!  He never wrote a book, yet libraries are filled with books written about Him.  He never held an office here on earth, yet He holds the highest of all offices as the "King of Kings" and "Lord of Lords."

5.  Jesus Is The Master Of Every Situation

When Jesus was here on earth, He healed the sick, cast out demons, cleansed the lepers, walked on water, calmed the storm, fed the multitudes and gave strength to the weak!  He was the Master of every situation, even the Master over death!  He is still the Master of every situation you will face, if only you will allow Him to be.  Jesus Christ is here today to seek and save the lost and yes, He is alive and living today!

Inherent Power

The lack of a "demonstration" of the power of God in the believer's life and in the church has resulted in most people "discounting" God's power.  People try to build their lives on philosophy, theology, or "man's opinion" rather than the Word of God and through the power of the Holy Spirit.  Without the power of the Holy Spirit we are helpless to do what we should.  The early Church in the book of Acts was only able to accomplish what it did, through the power of the Holy Spirit.  In this post I want to share with you four facts about the inherent power of the Believer.

1.  We Have Been Given Inherent Power

The Greek word for power in Acts 1:8 is "dunamis," which means "inherent power capable of reproducing itself like a dynamo."  This is the type of power that was promised to the disciples in Luke 24:49 when Jesus told them: "And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high."  This promise wasn't just for the disciples, it is for every believer in Christ!  It isn't just any power, it is a power that is sent "from on high!"  It is a heavenly power!  And it's purpose is to enable the believer to be a witness of God's power to the world.  The same way Peter and John demonstrated the power of God when the lame man was healed outside the temple gate.  "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you.  In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." And the man was instantly healed!  What they had was the "power of God and the Holy Spirit!"

2.  Our Faith Is To Stand In The Power Of God

Paul told the people in 1Corinthians 2:4-5 that he didn't come with "enticing words" of man's wisdom, but in the "demonstration and power" of God.  We have tried too long to operate in "man's wisdom" and have found it simply doesn't work.  If we expect to reach the world, it has to be through the power of God and the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit can do more in five minutes than you and I can do in a lifetime!  Our faith is not to stand in man's wisdom, but in the power of God!

3.  Ways To Present The Gospel

 There are many ways that people choose to present the Gospel.  I Thessalonians 1:5 gives four specific ways:

• In Word -- The Gospel is presented by preaching the Word of God!
• In Power -- When the Gospel is presented with power and anointing, it destroys any yoke of bondage. (Isaiah 10:27)
• In the Holy Spirit -- We are helpless in presenting the Gospel unless it is in the power of the Holy Spirit.
• In much Assurance -- Through the assurance of faith the Gospel is brought to others.  It is a conviction that we have the truth!

4.  What The Power Of The Holy Spirit Will Do For You

Make no mistake about it, the power of the Holy Spirit will change your life!   It will empower you as it did the disciples.  The power will also give you a new perspective for life and ministry.  It is when we are enabled with the Holy Spirit's power that we will have a new desire to work toward spreading of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  This power will also give you the confidence you need for the ministry.  When you have the Holy Spirit working in your life you have inherent power.  And you can use that power for the glory of God to reach the lost and heal the sick.