Critical Conversations On Divine Healing
It was eerily similar. Back on the road to celebrate the passing of another family member. Six weeks ago, it was Atlanta; this time, it was Richmond. Both were beloved mothers, active in their churches, and celebrated in their communities. Both left behind grieving spouses, children, and family members.
One mother was 70, and the other reached the age of 69. The Bible speaks of our lives being 70 years or possibly 80 with reasonable strength (Psalms 90:10), but it’s not quite that simple. *
Both women loved the Lord. Both battled longstanding health issues, and both received healing prayers.
During the drive to Richmond, my wife and I tried to recall when we first signed up for Satellite Radio. That was the day we began listening to Joel Osteen Radio. En route to Atlanta on the first trip and then driving home from Richmond for the second, I heard Joel tell the story again. If you listen to Joel or watch his TV broadcast, you are probably familiar with the story.
In 1981, his mother, Dodie Osteen, was diagnosed with metastatic liver cancer with a tumor the size of an orange on her liver. Her husband, Pastor John Osteen, received news from the doctors that she only had weeks to live. Dodie refused to accept the doctor’s report.
She wrote letters asking forgiveness from anyone she might have offended. She put up pictures of herself when she was young and healthy. Dodie compiled a list of 40 healing scriptures and read through them three times a day.
Two years after her terminal diagnosis, she was cancer free. She is alive today, some 40 years later, giving her testimony of God’s healing power. Have you heard similar stories?
I have seen people supernaturally healed by God. I have prayed for people who later came back to tell me that God healed them. I suspect that like me, some of you have received a healing touch from God.
I have been meditating for several weeks on these verses: “Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases.” (Psalms 103:2-3)
Catholic and Protestant churches wholeheartedly embrace confession as the means to receive God’s cleansing and forgiveness. (1 John 1:9) The blood of Jesus covers all of our sins.
What about the healing part? The Bible says this about Jesus: “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.” (Acts 10:38)
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“Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.” (Mathew 9:35)
Faith is to healing what confession is to forgiveness. Observe the response of Jesus to the women with an “issue of blood” for 12 years: “Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. (Matthew 9:22b)
Further, after a mother begged the Lord to heal her daughter tormented by a demon, the Lord commended her, “O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole that very hour.
Aha! Faith is the key to healing, but it’s not quite that simple.
Both women celebrated in Atlanta and Richmond had faith, and received faith-filled prayers for healing. There are lots of unanswered questions, but we need to ask them for two reasons.
First of all, we need God’s healing power in the church to relieve suffering and to bring the lost to Christ. Secondly, I believe the Lord wants to flood the earth with His healing power to usher multitudes into the Kingdom of God.
The 20th Century saw the Lord raise up powerful healing ministries. That kind of healing anointing is in the air again, and its not just for preachers and evangelists.
In the coming weeks, we will explore God’s healing power toward the end that we might posture ourselves to be recipients and carriers of God’s healing power. I welcome your thoughts in the comments section of this blog.
I look forward to going on this journey with you. To God be the glory for the things He has done and is about to do! God Bless! Press On!! Kevin
*Moses was 120. Eli the priest was 98. Caleb was 85 and full of vigor and strength. The prophetess Anna in the New Testament was at least 84 years old.
God’s Generals 5 hours. Sample what you like: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcNJJZCyRT4
What a powerful message. Divine Healing. God is still willing even today. I look forward to the Blogs in the days to come.
I liked your comparison of faith is to healing as confession is to forgiveness. I wasn’t quite sure how the faith and healing went with your message. The two women whose lives you celebrated had faith but we’re not healed. I often think God’s plan comes to pass even when we have faith. I wonder if my faith was not enough to answer my healing prayers…or maybe I wasn’t worthy. 😔
You are asking the questions that I think we need to discuss. Faith is clearly a key to divine healing, but if that is the case why didn’t these family members receive healing? Your point about worthiness is a common concern, but it should not be because Christ died for us while we were yet sinners. (Romans 5:8) If He was willing to die for humanity in the miserable state we were in -absolutely unworthy- He will not withhold healing from us now. My prayer is that as we delve into the divine healing we can clear up issues that hinder us from receiving His healing power. We need reasons to believe again, and trust again because without faith we can’t access the healing that is one of God’s benefits. Thanks for taking the time to write a comment. I REALLY appreciate it!!
Thank you for sharing!