Mark 16:17-18 NLT
These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new languages. They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won't hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed.
When I was praying and walking my dog, Tuffy the other morning I was still talking to God about Dianne passing away earlier this month. The result was this message:
It has been said that signs and wonders are for the unbeliever. Jesus healed many and many became believers and followed Him. He gave the disciples power and authority to go out and heal the sick. After Jesus was crucified and risen He sent the Holy Spirit to live in them. When that baptism happened they had that same power and authority; the power to do all Jesus did and more. We have that same power and authority do the miraculous while we walk the earth every day. In Jesus name He will touch the multitudes through our hands. And others will come to know Jesus and have a relationship with Him.
Does He heal believers, too? Matthew 12:15 NLT say that He healed all the sick among them. I have to believe that many were unbelievers and others had already believed. So, yes, we are to lay hands on all the sick and see them recover. We are to call forth that which is not and command in Jesus name for body parts to be healed and for satan to be bound and his demons to be gone. And yet there is a time when we all will pass away to be with Him forever.
Some will pass on to eternity without sickness; others will pass fighting through sickness. Only God knows the time and place. Only God knows the circumstances. It is not for us to question why. So we praise God when He heals through our hands and we thank Him even when the healing does not occur.
Monday, April 28, 2014
Monday, April 21, 2014
Saving is Simple
Romans 10:9-10 NLT
If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.
In order to get a diploma from school you have to go through a number of hoops. You have to attend classes for one. And of course you have to pass all the courses to earn the appropriate credits to get that diploma and graduate.
What does it take to be saved? Well for one we know that unless you are saved or born again you cannot see the Kingdom of Heaven. (John 3:3 Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.")
Over the years man has concocted what is referred to as the "sinners prayer". And now many believe you have to say those words to become born again or to receive God's saving grace. Yet this verse in Romans breaks it down into simple terms:
1. Believe in your heart and you are made right with God
2. Confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and you are saved
The first happens without any prompting from another. It is between us and God. The second is our outward confession in front of others that Jesus is our Lord and that seals the deal.
If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.
In order to get a diploma from school you have to go through a number of hoops. You have to attend classes for one. And of course you have to pass all the courses to earn the appropriate credits to get that diploma and graduate.
What does it take to be saved? Well for one we know that unless you are saved or born again you cannot see the Kingdom of Heaven. (John 3:3 Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.")
Over the years man has concocted what is referred to as the "sinners prayer". And now many believe you have to say those words to become born again or to receive God's saving grace. Yet this verse in Romans breaks it down into simple terms:
1. Believe in your heart and you are made right with God
2. Confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and you are saved
The first happens without any prompting from another. It is between us and God. The second is our outward confession in front of others that Jesus is our Lord and that seals the deal.
Monday, April 14, 2014
Our Thinking
Romans 12:2 NLT Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Most have learned to copy the behavior of others in their quest for success. We read all kinds of self help books with steps to becoming the success the writer had become. As we follow their paths mimicking their techniques we find they work well and we are on our way.
However, what we mimick may work for us but it does not change who we really are. It justs create a facade or a mask that others see. They never get to see the real us. We have copied the behavior and customs of others in this world.
When we are born again, the result of asking Jesus into our heart and accepting Him as our Lord and Savior, God begins a transformation process in us. We do not mimic other believers. We become the person God created us to be as we allow the Holy Spirit to work in us and through us.
Does this just happen all at once? No, it happens as we walk out our walk with Him. As we go and stumble along the path, He grows us. He begins to change the way we think and act so we can be in His will
Most have learned to copy the behavior of others in their quest for success. We read all kinds of self help books with steps to becoming the success the writer had become. As we follow their paths mimicking their techniques we find they work well and we are on our way.
However, what we mimick may work for us but it does not change who we really are. It justs create a facade or a mask that others see. They never get to see the real us. We have copied the behavior and customs of others in this world.
When we are born again, the result of asking Jesus into our heart and accepting Him as our Lord and Savior, God begins a transformation process in us. We do not mimic other believers. We become the person God created us to be as we allow the Holy Spirit to work in us and through us.
Does this just happen all at once? No, it happens as we walk out our walk with Him. As we go and stumble along the path, He grows us. He begins to change the way we think and act so we can be in His will
Monday, April 07, 2014
Eternal Life
John 5:24 ESV
Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
We make our plans for the future and yet only God knows the number of days we have on this earth. Our time does not run out when our 401k does. No, it runs out when He calls us home.
But does God call everyone home to heaven for eternity with Him. As this verse tells us, He gives eternal life to all who hear the words of Jesus and believes.
John 3:16 NIV
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Yes, Father God sent Jesus as assurance of a life in eternity with Jesus. A passing without coming into judgment. Without His saving grace, without being born again we would be judged for all we have done in this life.
John 3:3 NIV
Jesus replied, "Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again."
Are you willing to take that kind of a chance on your eternity? Perhaps today is a good day to ask Jesus into your heart and to forgive your sins. Today is a good day to become born again.
Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
We make our plans for the future and yet only God knows the number of days we have on this earth. Our time does not run out when our 401k does. No, it runs out when He calls us home.
But does God call everyone home to heaven for eternity with Him. As this verse tells us, He gives eternal life to all who hear the words of Jesus and believes.
John 3:16 NIV
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Yes, Father God sent Jesus as assurance of a life in eternity with Jesus. A passing without coming into judgment. Without His saving grace, without being born again we would be judged for all we have done in this life.
John 3:3 NIV
Jesus replied, "Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again."
Are you willing to take that kind of a chance on your eternity? Perhaps today is a good day to ask Jesus into your heart and to forgive your sins. Today is a good day to become born again.
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