The River of God

On April 13, 2022   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Ezekiel 47: 9             NIV

So where the river flows everything will live.

First, let me say that this little snippet from Ezekiel 47 does the chapter, and you, a disservice. I really do think you will enjoy reading the beginning of the chapter down through at least verse nine. As you read through this story you will discover that the river of God brings health and healing to everything it touches. What an awesome reality!

When I read about water in the Bible, I always relate it right back to the Holy Spirit. In John 7: 38 – 39 Jesus told us that the river of “Living Water” is the Holy Spirit. Further, he taught that river could flow right from within us. It is actually a huge revelation, but one that has gone a bit unnoticed. Let’s be clear, though, if you believe Jesus, believe his words and teachings, then you have this river of living water flowing within you. That river brings healing. When we cooperate with Jesus and the Spirit then we, literally, have living water flowing through our veins and that flow is ministering healing to every cell it touches. Think of that! Does it bring you hope?

Everything Jesus is and has done works together for our good. You believe that, don’t you? I think we all do. How, though, do we get his goodness to work for us? When we look at the world around us, it is hard to believe. When you watch the evening news, it becomes really hard to believe. What we need is more of the “Good News,” that is, more of the Bible. Most of us read and watch more of the world news than the Word news and that is tough on our spirits. It beats us down. The Word builds us up.

If you haven’t done anything with these Bible verses up until now, maybe today offers a fresh opportunity to think about writing them out on your own piece of paper or creating a deck of 3 X 5 cards.

There is a river of life, and it heals and blesses everything it touches. Jump in it. Dangle your feet in the water. Let’s get immersed and in immersion find healing and blessing. Let the river of life, the river of God, flow over you and anoint you with Christ’s goodness. Amen.

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Truth about Words

On April 12, 2022   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Proverb 16: 24             GW

Pleasant words are like honey from a honeycomb – sweet to the spirit and healthy for the body.

Early in this series we discussed the enormous impact words have on our health. This verse teaches us that there is a direct correlation between pleasant words and healthy bodies. I do not think this truth can be overstated or repeated too often. Today, I present you with proof of the influence words have over us, our bodies and our health.

Masaru Emoto conducted experiments with water and language. He spoke kind words over some water samples and unkind words over others. Then he looked at the ice crystals under a microscope. The results are astounding! Look at the pictures below and the associated word.

I know the captions are a bit difficult to read.  The first one is “Eternal.”  Beside it is “Peace.”  The second row is “Love and Gratitude” and “You disgust me.”

Emoto conducted his experiments with many different words, but the result was uniform. Nice words yielded pretty crystals. Ugly words, well, they produced ugly crystals.  Observe how much the “You disgust Me” crystal looks like sickness.

I think there are at least two implications for us. First, our bodies are composed primarily of water. Therefore, what we say in the presence of our bodies is having a profound impact on the water within us. We are creating our own Eden within, or a cesspool. This is such a substantial truth that  we all need to grasp this with vigor. What are you saying about yourself? Your body hears it AND responds. You may think not, but just look at the pictures again. It really is profound.

Second, are you praying over your food? Are you speaking kindnesses as you partake of your meals? Does your family squabble and fuss at the table? Or, are you going to lunch with someone and complaining about your boss the whole time? Guess who is harmed by those harsh words.

This is the real deal. You can create what you desire. Pray over your food with words of grace and thanksgiving. Speak kindly over the water you drink. Would it hurt to pray over your water? Why shouldn’t we thank God for providing it? And when you talk about your body, speak kindness. Even if all is not working perfectly, the kind words are more likely to breed the result you wish than the negative ones.

One finally thought. We certainly preach to mind what you say because we believe words are power containers and that they matter. Some people think the “word” preachers go too far and that what you say doesn’t have that great an impact. Here is my retort. Your body and the water in your body does not know if you are serious or just using a stupid idiom like, “I was scared to death,” or “I am sick and tired of such and such.” Negative words are negative words. Period. They do you no good and they can cause you great harm. Let’s speak kindly about ourselves, our bodies and others. Okay?

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Were Therefore, Are

On April 11, 2022   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

1 Peter 2: 24

For by His wounds you were healed.

Does this sound familiar to you? The great prophet Isaiah foresaw the wounds Jesus would bear on his body that would redeem our every sickness and disease. We looked at Isaiah 53: 4 – 5 on March 2nd. If you would like to review, click here.

It seems obvious that Peter understood the prophecy from Isaiah and just as clear that it was fulfilled in Jesus. Isn’t it interesting that Peter wrote that our wounds were healed? Isaiah, many years before Jesus came to earth, wrote, “we are healed.” So here is an interesting question, do you think Isaiah, relying on the wounds of Jesus, could receive his healing then, hundreds of years before the scourging that paid for our healing? I would love to hear your thoughts.

It’s clear that by the time we get to Peter, we are talking about past events and that we were healed. Neither author wrote that we “will” be healed. Isaiah wrote that we are healed, Peter that we were. There is no bargain in either’s proclamation. Neither one made our healing conditional. If we were to take Peter at his word, it would mean our healing is a done deal. It was a past tense event when he wrote 2000 years ago. It is certainly a past event now. We were healed so we are healed.

“But I have this malady and that disease.” I understand that, but between “You were healed” & “I feel sick” which represents the truth? Are you sick or are you healed? The two statements are contradictory. You cannot be both. So, which is it? Is your experience bigger than your belief? This is not judgmental. It’s about growing into this reality.

We all read these healing verses, agree with them and get excited but then, when faced with a cut, bruise or more serious situation, the healing truth does not spring to our minds. It is a matter of habit, right? You have experience with getting sick, going to the doctor, getting a prescription and then getting better. You likely have less experience with hurting yourself, praying and being healed in that moment; and then, even less experience with getting sick, praying and manifesting healing. So, because we have not been taught, trained and then experienced the healing power of Jesus, it really is not within the realm of our belief system. How do we change that? How does God get His healing to be your reality? We will continue to seek this answer as we begin to wrap up this series.

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Poisoned Stew

On April 8, 2022   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

2 Kings 4: 38 – 41         NLV

Elisha now returned to Gilgal, and there was a famine in the land. One day as the group of prophets was seated before him, he said to his servant, “Put a large pot on the fire, and make some stew for the rest of the group.” One of the young men went out into the field to gather herbs and came back with a pocketful of wild gourds. He shredded them and put them into the pot without realizing they were poisonous. Some of the stew was served to the men. But after they had eaten a bite or two they cried out, “Man of God, there’s poison in this stew!” So they would not eat it. Elisha said, “Bring me some flour.” Then he threw it into the pot and said, “Now it’s all right; go ahead and eat.” And then it did not harm them.

How can one not love this story? When I read this story is when I decided to pray over my food. It seems the blessing of God can take poisoned food and turn it into something nutritious and delicious.

How many toxins and poisons are in and on our food these days. Frankly, we have a bigger problem than those guys did because much of our food has been sprayed with poison and we can’t always get it all off simply by washing. So, we sure better be praying over our food.

It would be great if we could all afford to buy everything from the organic food section. It would be even better if all our food just was organic, but we live in an age where that is not always possible. Sometimes there isn’t even an organic option. So, we all do the best we can to get food that is clean and made as God intended it.

One thing that intrigues me about this story is Elisha’s response. He didn’t just pray over the stew which is what I would have expected. Why did he throw flour in the pot? What would you have done? I wouldn’t have thought about adding flour. Do you think, as I do, that Elisha heard from God? Did he inquire of God and flour was the answer God gave him? I think so. It does not seem that Elisha panicked, and he didn’t overreact. I would have turned the pot over and started over, but that’s me thinking in my own wisdom instead of God’s.

Look, there is a lot we don’t know about our food supply these days. We trust our grocery store to sell us good products but guess what. There is a lot they don’t know. It’s best we place our trust in the Lord and follow His advice. Now you might understand why I pray as I grocery shop. It’s a mine field in there.

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Healing Shepherd

On April 7, 2022   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

This verse may surprise you. Yes, we are still talking about divine health and healing here. Please, go back and read it again. What part of this psalm is not about divine health? This is the perfect picture of God with us. In other words, it is the exact image of Immanuel, Jesus. He is the shepherd. If we follow him, we shall have no want, nor any need. He leads us to the perfect food (pasture) and perfect water. He leads his sheep to the very best so that they may be in perfect health.

He restores our soul which means that he heals our emotions, redeems our thoughts and beliefs and transforms our minds. Is that not absolutely about healing? Of course, it relates to emotional healing but guess what, much of our physical health and well-being is tied to the stress and emotional discomfort in our lives. And, of course, the “paths of righteousness” are as simple as his footprints. In other words, he leads us in “his way” so that we avoid stress, trouble and live in the blessing.

The next stanza talks about walking through the valley of the shadow of death. How is that not about health and healing. We talk through that stinking valley every day. Sometimes it feels like death is trying to get its steely fingers on us. The thing is, though, if we will mind Jesus and listen to his counsel, he will navigate the mine field for us. It really is that simple. I am not suggesting blind courage where we profess our faith and then run through the shadows of death. I am talking about following the shepherd because he knows the way and he will protect us every step of the way. His rod and his staff guide us. My faith is anchored in following him and yours can be too.

He prepares a table for us. Surely by now we understand that an enormous amount of our health is tied to our diet which also includes our drinks. When he prepares my table, he doesn’t put soft drinks on it. That is my doing and even though I enjoy sodas, they do not serve my health. Who is your enemy? That is a pretty simple question, but also think about who his agents are. Who is putting food on your table? Is it the food and drink which will encourage health and healing in your body?

The last stanza, I shall dwell with the Lord all the days of my life and even through eternity. When we dwell with the Lord, when we have that revelation of God with us every moment, then, we constantly are in the path of healing. God with me means He is constantly teaching me, leading me to new technologies, new products and even new ways to think about health and medicine. I think I told you that my good friend has introduced what I call Eden water. It is new to me, but it is helping my health. What if I had not been in the flow of God and had not received His blessing. What if I had not been listening or was closed minded. I would have missed the blessing. I have also been doing physical therapy for my knees. Is this divine healing? Absolutely! My Father provided that for me and, again, it is helping my knees. I want health, so I am inspired to seek the Father and listen to Him. The fact that He lives with me, makes it a bunch easier.

So, there you are. The 23rd psalm. You’ve known it all your life, but did you know it? That dear shepherd is leading you to paths of his own wisdom and knowledge for your health and well-being. I have to think that is some really great news.

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Healing Faith

On April 6, 2022   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Yesterday, we saw that faith affects healing. What, though, is faith? We talk about it a lot, but do we assume too much, that everyone understands, truly, what faith is? It is a nebulous term in the mouth of many, but the Bible has a definitive explanation of what it is.

Here is another reading of today’s verse, “Now faith is the certainty of things hoped for, a proof of things not seen.” It is the certainty of the things we pray for. It is the proof. The Amplified has this language, “Faith is . . . the conviction of their reality—faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses.” It is a fact, not to be argued. Let me give you an example.

Do you believe in Jesus, that he is the Christ, that he came from the Father, that he is alive? Prove it to me. What if I try to talk you out of it? Is there anything I can say to dissuade you? Even though you have no tangible facts, no verifiable evidence, you believe with all your heart that he is alive and that he is the Christ. There is nothing I can do or say to talk you out of it. That is faith. Jesus is unseen but you are 100% convinced. What if you felt the same way about your healing?

Your healing is assured by the blessing of Abraham. It is every bit as certain as your salvation. It was made absolute at the cross. It is real and it is done. So, why is our healing less sure in our hearts than our salvation? Do you have any doubt about your salvation? Do you feel just as strongly about healing?

The point I am trying to make is that most of us are not absolutely convinced that God will heal us. Frankly, most people are a little afraid even as they pray. We are afraid Father won’t heal us and look, there is some legitimacy to that. How many people do you know who are living testimonies of God’s healing? More of our Christian buddies are hurting than healed. We have, as a body, fallen into a place where it is harder to believe that God still heals. If we ask people to answer, intellectually, about what they think, most will say they think God still heals people today. If, however, we were able to dig down in their hearts, we would find that few have experience with God’s healing power, so they don’t have much belief. The people at church are not experiencing healing; the pastor has stopped talking about much less preaching about healing so as a body, we have descended into this place of doubt. It’s not that we are bad people. It’s just that the actuality of God’s healing is not being manifested in our near environment and that is a problem. It is harder for each of us to believe because we don’t have any nearby examples. So, what do we do?

I am attempting to raise your belief by showing you what God’s word says. The thing is, though, that you have to rehearse it over and over before your heart believes it. Your mind will accept God’s word on the surface, at least most people will. Getting the belief built up so that our faith can call that healing into manifestation is different and for most people, more challenging.

Faith is that ability and the substance down in our hearts that knows that it knows. You do have some experience with that kind of faith as I have shown you. There are other things that you know beyond doubt. My goal here is to get your faith for healing to that point. So, think about it for a moment. What do you believe about healing? Is this a doctrine for past times or does Jesus still heal today? I can give you the scriptural answer, but the answer of your heart is the one that matters. Your healing may be very close at hand. Please go back to these verses and continue to meditate on them. Our Father is faithful and wants to do many great and wonderful things for each of us. Let’s agree with him for great things! Do you want to?

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Faith in the Blessing

On April 5, 2022   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Galatians 3:13 – 14

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us-for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree” – in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

By now, you know about the curse. Hopefully you know about the blessing too since I have been teaching on it for a while. You understand the curse entered the earth through disobedience. However, we see plainly that Jesus has redeemed us from the curse. We no longer live under the law, but rather under faith and faith is how we inherit the blessing.

What does this have to do with healing? Well, literally, everything. Father God told me recently that my health, healing and prosperity were paid for on that cross right along with salvation. When Jesus said, “It is finished,” he meant everything is done. He didn’t leave healing for later. He didn’t make a plan to work out our financial provision later. Everything pertaining to life, the curse and the blessing was accomplished. Jesus arose with no more work to do. It is done. Finished.

So, Father asked me, “Why are you trying to earn what Jesus has already done?” What? That is a revelation each of us could use. Whatever we need today, it has already been done. Now, we appropriate those things by faith and there is the rub. It’s not necessarily that we don’t have faith, but we don’t always know how to use it.

So, let me ask you, if Jesus has already purchased everything you need, including health, and you accept that you claim it by faith, what does that look like? What would you tell another person about acquiring all of God’s good blessing? I wish the answer was, “Lie on a chaise until the blessing falls upon you.”

Jesus said, “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer,” (Matthew 21: 22). The answer, then, is that we must believe. Sometimes we have to talk ourselves into believing. We have to chase out the doubt. That is why I have you write on 3 X 5 index cards. If you read God’s Word and keep reminding yourself of His promises, you whittle away at the doubt. You’ve gotta preach to yourself, keep reminding yourself of God’s promises until your heart is convinced. We all have doubt. We all have to put down fear. But we make the Word of God bigger in our minds and hearts than the fear and doubt until the faith rises up and eradicates the doubt.

You have been redeemed from the curse. You are under the blessing. You are an heir to the promise. Those sound like just a bunch of nice words, but they are more than that, they are the gospel. It’s what Jesus did for you. Your healing is right there in verse 14, in the blessing of Abraham which you receive by faith.  Own it.  Don’t let anyone take away your healing anymore than you would let them take your salvation.

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