A NEW YOU IN A NEW YEAR!

It’s a new year. Thank God you made it. The year is going already, before you realize, it has come to an end. But it will not go just like that. I believe it will be your most remarkable, most exciting and your most fulfilling, in Jesus name.

The Lord spoke to us in RAPHA INT'L MINISTRIES that this is a season to OCCUPY (Luke 19:13). To occupy is to busy oneself with, that is, to trade, or do business. It calls on us to get busy about the Father’s business, to employ all resources within our hearts and the ones in our hands for the glory of God. It is a call for us to take our place in His Kingdom, bringing the influence of the Kingdom to bear within our sphere of influence.

God never changes, yet He changes the times and the seasons (Dan. 2:21). He works with us based on times and seasons (Eccl. 3:1; Psa. 102:13).

I want you to note however, that just because it is a new year doesn't necessarily mean anything is going to change in your life. The calendar or clock doesn't have the power to change anything. If you were sick on 31^st Dec, you didn't get well because it was Jan. 1.

So, lest you get caught in the euphoria of celebrating the entry of a new year and forget how to get the benefit of this present season, I have written this article to you.

Zig Ziglar said, “One definition of insanity is to believe you can keep on doing the same thing while expecting different results.” So for some of us, there is a need to re-evaluate our lives so as to re-focus, re-strategize and re-direct our hearts for maximum effects.

Jesus said you cannot pour new wine into old wineskins, lest you burst the wineskin and lose the wine. The wineskin must become new (Luke 5:37-38). You must become a new wineskin to receive & retain the new thing God is doing this year.

Rom. 12:2 says, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

“Transformed” comes from the Greek word, Metamorphoo, meaning, change in form, a word from where we get ‘metamorphosis.’ This verse shows us that we can be transformed (changed) not because it is a new year, but because your mind is renewed, signifying a new you. You are not holding on to your old ways of unbelief, unforgiveness, bitterness, sinful lifestyle, etc. it is a new you in a new year. Things must change – your level of commitment, dedication, sacrifice, your attitude to God, your involvement in the service of God, must all reflect a positive change. Unless something changes in you, nothing changes around you. Things won’t change simply because you’ve entered a new year, or that you tag the year “your year of … whatever!”

To make the best of this year, I admonish you to change your ATTITUDE towards:

1(1)      GOD: Put God first, above everything else. Those that honour God, He will honour (1Sam.2:30). Therefore honour God with your substance (Matt. 6:33; Prov. 3:9,10). Give to God the first of your harvest this year (firstfruits). Be faithful with your tithes. Be generous with your offerings. Wake up each morning and begin with worship. Take time to pray (at least an hour a day), praying more for others than for yourself. Study the Word daily – at least a chapter a day.

2(2)      CHURCH: Be consistent in Fellowship (Heb. 10:25). Be faithful in your finances this year. Support every project being done in your church. Don’t default in your tithing. (The tithe is 10% of your income – anything that comes into your hand/pocket). This will ensure a continual flow of God’s blessings in your life (Mal. 3:8-12; Lev. 27:30; Heb. 7:7-8). Get involved in the service of God. The service of God is a covenant tool for blessing (Exo. 23:25-27). Be committed to your local church. Don’t just attend, be actively involved. (Heb. 10:25; 1 Cor. 15:58). Win souls for Christ this year. Be fruitful in the Kingdom (Prov. 11:30; Dan. 12:3; Mk. 16:15)

3(3)      YOUR PASTOR: Follow, support, honour & be a blessing to your Pastor this year – 1Cor. 11:1; 1Thess. 5:12,13; 1Tim. 5:17,18; Heb. 13:7,17; Gal. 6:6-9.

4(4)      MONEY: Be faithful with the resources God commits to you this year (Lk. 16:11). Learn how to make, manage & multiply money. Be generous. Block all leakages – no waste.

5(5)      PEOPLE: Life is all about people. Relationship is the currency of life. All you ever need is here on earth, and probably in somebody’s hand. People are channels. Decide to be a blessing to the people God brings your way. Don’t despise anybody. Help as many people as you can this year.

I believe this year to be your best so far in the name of Jesus. I see a new you in a new year, set for new things in a new fashion. They will see in you what has not been seen before. They will hear about you things not heard before. 

PLANNING YOUR WAY TO SUCCESS

Failing to plan is planning to fail. Benjamin Franklin

said, "by failing to prepare you are preparing to

fail".

Planning is the arrangement of facts to achieve your

set objectives. It is the process of deciding in detail how

to do something before you actually start to do it.

For every achievable destiny, planning is required. 

"The preparations of the heart belong to man, but the

answer of the tongue is from the LORD."

A man's heart plans his way, but the LORD directs his

steps." (Prov 16:1,9, NKJV)

Two things are noted here:

1) When the heart is prepared, God brings an answer.

But planning or preparation precedes the answer.

2) When the plan is set, God grants the inspiration

and direction required in achieving the plan. Planning

precedes direction. You will receive the wisdom to

move step by step.

Many indolent people simply fold their arms waiting

for God to move. It’s like lame man at the pool of

Bethesda who sat down crippled for 38 years waiting

for somebody to push him into the water. (Jn.5:1-7).

Thank God for people that move us, but when there is

nobody around, my friend, move yourself. In fact,

don’t wait for anybody. E.W. Kenyon said, "What you do

for yourself counts far more than all that others have

done or could do for you". Sometimes you have to defy

all sorts of discouragement, and like David,

"encourage yourself in the Lord". (1Sam.30:6) 

Dr Mike Murdock said, "When your heart decides the

destination, your mind will design the map to reach

it".

Not having everything in place is not sufficient

enough to become an excuse. You don’t to have

everything in place before you launch out or even

begin to plan or prepare. Pastor Mary Yohanna says,

“Excuses are for those who are not determined.”

Eccle.11:4 (TLB) said ‘if you wait for perfect

conditions, you will never get anything done’.

A one-time British Prime Minister, Benjamin Disraeli

said, “The secret to success is for a man to be ready

for his time when it comes.”

I’ve heard of people who were trusting God for doors

to open for them, and when the doors opened, they

couldn’t enter because they were unprepared. Do you

remember the parable of the virgins, and how the five

foolish ones lost out because they were unprepared?

(Mt.25:1-13).

Whitney Young said, “It is better to be prepared and

not have an opportunity than to have one and not be

prepared.”

"The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but

victory rests with the LORD." (Prov 21:31,NIV)

It is true that the battle is not to the strong (Eccle

9:11), and that no one wins on account of the strength

of the horse (Psa.33:16,17), yet, to enjoy victory

from the Lord, it takes a prepared horse.

When you do what you can, God will do what you can’t.

God will do His part, but you’ve got to do your part.

"Any enterprise is built by wise planning, becomes

strong through common sense, and profits wonderfully

by keeping abreast of the facts". (Prov. 23:3-4, TLB)

Planning is using what you have to get what you want.

Thinking

Thinking is the principal tool for planning. Yet Henry

Ford said, “The most difficult job in the world is

thinking’”

Never confuse worrying with thinking. What is

thinking? It is the rational, analytical, intelligent

and logical reasoning. It is considering facts or

realities on ground to produce a desired result.

While worrying focuses on impossibilities, thinking

focuses on possibilities. Worrying sees ‘a brick

wall’. Thinking expects a way where there seems to be

no way.

A man once said that only 5% of the world populace

think. 15% think that they are thinking. 80% would

rather die than think. Why is thinking that much of a

problem? It is because many have not been trained to

make use of the resources that God has deposited

within them. They fold their arms and think they are

being spiritual by asserting ‘God will do it for me’.

Don’t try to use faith for something you can do.

Purpose

"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the

LORD's purpose that prevails." (Prov. 19:21,NIV)

This verse admonishes us to plan based on purpose. God

calls us to accomplish different things based on His purpose

for our lives. So you need to seek out God’s purpose for your

life and then begin to plan towards achieving that purpose.

Goal-setting

Goal-setting is an act of mental projection of things

you desire to achieve. It forms the framework for what

you desire to build.

The purpose of goals is to stop you from wandering

around achieving nothing. You will not be full of

activity yet lacking productivity; moving yet making no 

progress. 

Can you imagine a football competition without goal

posts on the pitch? How then will you determine the

winner?

Someone said, ‘your goals need to be S.M.A.R.T., an

acrostic meaning Specific, Measurable, Achievable,

Realistic and Time-related.

Take some time out and prayerfully set your goals for the year

and trust God to achieve them all in Jesus name. Be

free to share some of your goals with me so I can join

my faith with yours and pray in agreement for them to

come to pass (Try to limit your goals to not more than

seven for the sake of focus, concentration and

expectation). Then do like Jephtath: “Speak (repeat) all

these words before the Lord.” (Judg. 11:11)

I see you rising to the very top this year. I see you

celebrating every day of this year. I see you walking

in victory over every onslaught of the enemy. I see

you shining gloriously. In Jesus name!

YOU WILL OCCUPY!

MARRIAGE WITHOUT TEARS III WHY PEOPLE FAIL TO MARRY Marriage is a very fascinating subject, as it is the most intimate form of relationship between a man and a woman. It was ordained by God. Not going about it God's way is the source of the many hurts and frustration experienced today, "but from the beginning it was not so." (Matt.19:8). Though there is nothing wrong with being unmarried (as Jesus or Paul never married), you can if you desire to (1Cor. 7:2). And please realize that being unmarried is not a yoke or a curse. Mary and Martha (sisters of Lazarus) were friends with Jesus. There is no record He even prayed for them to get husbands. I pray these points will be of help as you set out on this voyage.  Why do people fail to marry?  1. They know what they want They have a goal in life and it's not worth compromising simply on the altar of marriage. It doesn't mean you are a bad person or 'unmarriable.' It's simply that you adhere to principles you're not willing to trade. If you just want to marry for marrying sake, you could get married tomorrow - to just anybody. But you know there are people you could never marry, even if they were the only person left unmarried on earth. 2. They don't know what they want Sometimes people find themselves pursuing fantasies and not the real thing. You hear someone saying, "I want to marry a Doctor."  Is it a husband you're marrying or a profession? Somebody attended her friend's wedding to a Military Officer and got fascinated with the crossing of swords and all the paraphernalia of the ceremony, and there and then vowed to marry a soldier, forgetting that all ceremony was for the wedding. A colorful wedding is not a guarantee for a colorful marriage. Don't overlook the character of a person and be carried away by their charisma. You want to marry a rich man? Is it money you're  looking for or a husband? You can make money on your own. In those days, marriage was more like a "workshop" where the man works and the woman shops, but things are fast changing. You also hear of people who want a spouse who will do this or that for them. A house help could fit that role. What do you consider? Shape? It changes with age and childbearing.  Fine face? What if an accident dents the face? And then, like a sister once quipped, "Na fine face we go chop?" 3. You never attract what you don't respect. Do you feel that women are like animals? Do you say that men are insensitive and heartless? All men are the same? (In my haste I said all men are liars - Psa. 116:11). That's why experience is not the best teacher.  That someone betrayed you is no indication everybody is a traitor. Stop being sarcastic, caustic, cynical and critical of people. 4. You are neither here nor there  Some profess propriety but practice profanity. As a child of God, you expect to marry a child of God (2Cor. 6:14-17; 1Cor. 5:10,11), but your dressing and behaviour only attracts unbelievers - who you can't marry, except you choose to court disaster. I tell our sisters, when you flaunt yourself around and expose your body, the brothers see a "sister Rahab." (Remember Rahab the harlot?). They'll see a sex toy, but not a wife. Some people have unrealistic expectations. They behave like sinners but expect to marry a saint. They don't rate themselves correctly. Water will always find its level. In life, you attract what you are, not what you want. Birds of a feather flock together. A pretending brother will always end up with a pretending sister. 5. Impatience. You're so much in a hurry to marry. That’s why the older you get, the more difficult it becomes to marry, not only because there are fewer singles around your age, but because you feel you don't have all the time to really get to know the person.  You commit to a relationship too early only to discover within weeks the person is not what you thought they were. Remember, all that glitters is not gold. "Whoever believes will not act hastily." (Isa. 28:16). That's why when you're too available you cheapen yourself and you keep being overlooked because people don't like desperados. It’s impatience that makes people to look for ‘finished product.’ No one is perfect; not even you. So why are you looking for a flawless person? Instead of looking for a ready-made material, work on what you have, aiming for the image you have in your mind of your spouse. See Eph. 5:21-33. 6. Unforgiveness. If you've been hurt in a previous relationship, and you refuse to release that hurt through forgiveness, you carry it with you.  You move into another relationship still bearing those hurts and the cycle of disappointment continues. And, hurt people hurt people. Sometimes, failed relationships are an indication that you've not mastered certain aspects of relationships. It's like a failed course in school. That someone left you could be because they don't belong in your life. They've moved on. Release them and move on too. It's not the end of life. The best is yet to come. 7.  Lack of understanding of God's will as it relates to marriage - Eph. 5:17 Some marry with no regard to whether it is God's will or not. Some others never marry because they're praying for God's will. They won't make a move because they're waiting for a revelation of God's will for them. God will not force on you someone you don't want. 1Cor. 7:39b, talking about a widow, says she is at liberty to marry WHOM SHE WILL; only in the Lord. 1Thessalonians 4:3-7 3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: 4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; 5 Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: 6 That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. 7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. Scriptural injunctions : 2Cor.6:14-17; 1Cor.5:10,11 "And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ’s] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always]." (Colossians 3:15, AMP) 8. Terrible attitude Some are so negative nobody wants to be around them. They are so gloomy and negative that anytime anyone comes around, he/she leaves with a heavy heart. The best restaurants in town don't advertise. People keep coming back because they were well treated. They enjoyed their time there. Some people have no control over their emotions, so they allow their moods to determine how they relate with people. Isn't it amazing that sometimes it's easier for widows (even with children) to marry than some singles? That's why some fail to marry in spite of their scintillating looks and quintessential beauty, because they lack inner beauty (1Pet. 3:3-6; Prov. 31:30).

 There could be other factors other than these. You can use your faith to believe God for a spouse. But don't target a particular person and try to claim such a person in prayer. No, that will be witchcraft in action. You can't use your faith over another person's will. If it is God's will that you be together, God will make a way for you two to connect - if you have someone in  mind. 

God will lead you aright in Jesus name.

Shalom!

10 Stupid Things Ministers Should Never Do

9:30AM EST 12/6/2012  J. LEE GRADY

(© Aleandr | Stock Free Images)

If you aspire to ministry, don’t be stupid. Decide now to avoid these obvious pitfalls.

I had the privilege of sharing a pulpit with Dr. Mary Ann Brown two times. She was bold, prophetic and painfully blunt. People who hate women preachers hated her even more because of her no-nonsense sermons—always delivered in her Texas twang. She would get her audience laughing and then skewer them with a hot blade of truth.

When this spiritual giant died last month at age 73, I remembered the last words she said to me when we were together at a conference in Chicago in 2011. After lamenting the fact that so many ministers in the United States were failing, Mary Ann locked eyes with me and said with stern, motherly authority: “Lee, please don’t ever get stupid.”

I knew exactly what she meant—and I’ve pondered her words often, especially since her death. I don’t want to be stupid; I want to finish well. So how can we avoid spiritual stupidity? We can start by avoiding these 10 mistakes that have become common in our movement during the past decade. If you are a minister, or if you aspire to be one, please decide now that you will never copy these behaviors.

1. Take illegal drugs. I know people who never got complete deliverance from their drug habit—and then when the pressures of ministry grew intense they turned to illegal substances to escape. That’s stupid! If you aren’t in control of your actions 100 percent of the time, you have no business in the ministry.

2. Reject accountability. The Lone Ranger may have been a great comic book hero, but isolation doesn’t work in real life. Lack of accountability is stupid! If you don’t answer to people smarter than you, you are an accident waiting to happen—and you’re going to hurt God’s people. You have no right to be in authority if you are not under authority.

3. Beat or abuse your wife. The Bible says in 1 Peter 3:7 that God will not listen to your prayers if you mistreat your wife. If you are an abuser (and even if you are a master at hiding your sin from others), the Lord will oppose you until you seek help.

4. Surround yourself with adoring fans. Years ago, fallen PTL founder Jim Bakker said his biggest mistake was planting “yes men” around him instead of people who had the guts to challenge his bad decisions. If you aren’t willing to invite input—including criticism—from your followers, you are a weak leader headed for disaster.

5. Fabricate spiritual gifts to impress others. In our movement there’s a lot of pressure to produce the sensational in order to keep people entertained. But if you stoop so low as to fake a healing, conjure up a false prophecy or push someone to the floor, the Holy Spirit will step aside and let you run the sideshow without His power. It’s stupid to mix strange fire and risk offending God!

6. Be lenient toward sexual sin. In our movement today we celebrate the grace message while frowning on anyone who dares to identify fornication, adultery, homosexuality or pornography as sins. If you are casual about sexual sin in your own life, or if you don’t require purity among those you lead, you are stupid.

7. Manipulate people during the offering time. Ministers often twist Scriptures and use hypnotic mind games to raise funds on Christian television. Nobody challenges their fraud, so it seems they get away with it. Be assured that these people will answer to God one day for their deception. You are stupid if you try these tactics in your church.

8. Refuse to share power. I meet many ministers who have been leading their churches or organizations for 30 years and yet have no succession plan in place. That is dumb! You are not going to live forever. Train the next generation now so they will be ready to lead in your place—and do it before you keel over from a heart attack!

9. Teach exotic doctrines rather than the core truths of the Bible. We charismatics tend to feed people a “flavor of the month” in order to satisfy the craving for angelic visitations, third-heaven visions, gold dust, gold teeth, manna, angel feathers, heavenly portals and indoor rain clouds. But history has proven that those who make spiritual manifestations a primary focus always get tricked into deception. We will be wise if we keep the main thing the main thing. Focus on Jesus!

10. Become an egomaniac. In the past 10 years some of America’s biggest religious stars have gone totally loony because of pride. They require private jets, body guards and personal chefs while maintaining a cold aloofness from the people they are called to serve. If you let Satan dupe you into becoming an arrogant ministry diva, you are stupid. Repent, get on the same level with the people, and start acting like Christ instead of a rock star.

In memory of my late friend Mary Ann Brown, I pass on her advice to you: “Please don’t ever get stupid.” Let’s grow up, reject foolishness and aim to finish well.

J. Lee Grady is the former editor of Charisma and the director of The Mordecai Project (themordecaiproject.org). You can follow him on Twitter at leegrady. His latest book is Fearless Daughters of the Bible.

10 More Stupid Things Ministers Should Never Do

5:00PM EST 12/13/2012  JENNIFER LECLAIRE

Lee Grady penned a no-nonsense article last week cleverly titled “10 Stupid Things Ministers Should Never Do.” The ministry of Dr. Mary Ann Brown left an impression on Lee, and in his article he recalled some of her sage advice, which was: “Lee, please don’t ever get stupid.”

I was talking to evangelist Steve Hill of Brownsville Revival on Friday evening and our conversation reminded me of Lee’s article. Steve told me he’s sadly watching pastors fall into a lukewarm theology. The next day Steve had a prophetic vision about an avalanche that could kill thousands that we shared with our readers.

There are indeed many dangers for last day ministers. Whether you are an apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor or teacher, there are temptations and pitfalls at every turn. There are fiery darts coming your way. It can be difficult to know whom to trust. But that doesn’t mean you need to get stupid.

So, if you are a minister, or if you aspire to be one, please decide now not to do the 10 stupid things Lee mentioned. And, for good measure, please decide now not to do the 10 more stupid things I’ve outlined below that, unfortunately, have also become common in our movement during the past decade.

1. Abuse the sheep. 

Always remember that church staff—and church volunteers—are serving God, not you. Spiritual abuse is a dirty little secret in the charismatic church that is seldom exposed because it would topple small and large man-made empires alike. If you aren’t willing to be the servant of all—if you think the sheep are there to serve you—please hang up your ministry aspirations before you hurt someone. We don’t need more spiritual abusers in the pulpit.

2. Water down the gospel. 

If you aren’t going to preach the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth—so help you God!—please don’t preach. Although there are many effective preaching styles, if you aren’t bold enough to preach the whole gospel—even the parts people don’t want to hear—then pray for boldness until you are.

3. Refuse to release people into ministry. 

God’s people don’t belong to you. You aren’t the one who called them, Jesus did. You aren’t the one who anointed them, the Holy Spirit did. If you feel threatened at the notion of your worship leader moving on—or your members attending a conference at another local church—your insecurities are perverting your leadership. Equip people for the work of the ministry and then let them fulfill their calling no matter where God leads them without cursing them on their way out the door.

4. Focus on gimmicks and programs rather than people. 

Seeker-friendly churches bring in bubble machines to attract the kids and A-to-Z programs to attract the adults. When the focus is on glitz, glare, glamour and gimmicks rather than meeting the true needs of people in the community, church can quickly become more like a Christian Club Med (or even a circus) than an expression of the kingdom of God. And that’s just dumb.

5. Ignore evangelism. 

Failing to pursue evangelistic endeavors has got to be the height of pastoral stupidity. Jesus gave us a Great Commission—and that means going beyond your many-walled church and into the surrounding community with the saving grace of Christ’s gospel. And refusing to have an altar call for salvations because you insist the lay people in your church should be getting them saved before bringing them to service is just plain stupid.

6. Refuse to network with other leaders. 

You may have accountability, but if you refuse to network with other pastors and leaders in your city then you are part of the division that’s running rampant in the church. Sitting on the wrong side of the unity table lacks common sense. Jesus wants us to be one as He and the Father are one. He didn’t make exceptions for denominational differences.

7. Failure to make prayer a priority. 

It amazes me to see how little prayer is going on many churches. Pastors who don’t make prayer a mandate in their church are shooting themselves in both feet and crippling their vision. And pastors who are too important to show up to the prayer meeting to join hands with the laity are sending signals that prayer is not their priority.

8. Overemphasizing spiritual warfare teaching. 

Spiritual warfare should be taught, but not at the expense of teaching the rest of the gospel. Pastors who focus too much on spiritual warfare are making unbalanced disciples that flow in suspicion rather than discernment and may all the while miss the devil’s work in their midst.

9. Quenching the Holy Spirit. 

For all the extremes out there with false prophecies, gold dust, gold teeth and angel feathers, quenching a genuine move of the Holy Spirit is stupid. Cutting the worship at three songs in order to rush to your memorized message when the Spirit of God is obviously doing a work is dumb. Put your pride down and let the Holy Spirit take control.

10. Burning out. 

The ministry brings pressures that can lead to divorce, emotional breakdowns and sin of all manner. Failure to take head to the warning signs of burnout is stupid and it can cost you your ministry.

At the end of the day, if you take on the David mentality you won’t get stupid. David said, “One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple. For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock” (Psalm 27:4-8). Pursuing intimacy with the Lord is the smartest thing you can do. Amen.

Jennifer LeClaire is news editor at Charisma. She is also the author of several books, including Did the Spirit of God Say That? You can email Jennifer at jennifer.leclaire@charismamedia.com or visit her website here. You can also join Jennifer on Facebook or follow her on Twitter.

Do you need healing?

Luke 9:11

And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing.

God has not changed. He is the same. The same God that healed in Christ is still going about doing good and healing all that are oppressed of the devil (Acts 10:38), because Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today and forever (Heb. 13:8).

God looks at the church today full of sick and afflicted folks and He wonders,

“Jeremiah 8:22

Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?”

As far as God is concerned, none of the inhabitants of Zion, none of His children should ever complain of sickness.

 Isaiah 33:24

And the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick: the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity.

In fact, God had to ask if ANY (that is by chance, if any) is sick, he should call for the elders, that is assuming he is a baby Christian who does not know his right in Christ:

James 5:14-15

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: 15And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

You don’t have to remain bound and afflicted. There is healing available for you. Look at the provision made for healing.

1)      Healing was provided in the atonement. He took our sicknesses. And if He took them, then we have nothing to carry. Drop that thing right now, in the name of Jesus.

Isaiah 53:4-6

Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. 6All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Matthew 8:16-17

16When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick: 17That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.

2)      He commissioned Ministers to provide healing for His people

Luke 9:1-2

Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. 2And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.

Mark 16:17-18

And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

1 Cor. 12:28

And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

3.      He has given us His name

John 14:13-14

And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

John 16:23-24

And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. 24Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

Philip. 2:9-10

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

We have the power of attorney to use His name against the forces of darkness, including sickness. That name is above every name, including cancer, HIV/AIDS, TB, Diabetes, Malaria or Typhoid fever, etc.

4.      He has sent His Word to us

Psalm 107:20

He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.

Proverbs 4:20-22

My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. 21Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. 22For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.

Luke 5:17

And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them.

5.         Healing is children’s bread

Luke 13:16

And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?

Matthew 15:22,26

And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.

But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs.

Friend, there is healing for everyone. You cannot be an exemption.

Acts 5:16

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.

Yet, beyond receiving your healing is the blessed fact that you can walk in divine health, never falling sick, like I have enjoyed for about 2 decades now.

3 John 1:2

Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

For more information and revelation on this subject, get my books:

THE HEALING COVENANT, THE HEALING POWER OF FORGIVENESS, RECEIVE YOUR MIRACLE and YOU SHALL NOT DIE, TERMINATING TERMINAL DISEASES, THE BATTLE IS THE LORD’S & DESTINED FOR THE THRONE.

Pastor Daniel Yohanna

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08077837847

RECEIVE YOUR HEALING

Let’s begin by examining these salient points.

·         Sickness is not the will of God

·         Sickness does not glorify God

·         Sickness is not from God

·         God wants you well

·         You can be healed

Nobody ever doubts God's ability to heal. Everyone believes that God can do all things, because with God, all things are possible. No problem is too big for God to deal with.

But then, we must understand that God cannot work without your co-operation. You have a free will. You can choose to receive what God is offering or you can reject it, either through your ignorance or disobedience.

Sometimes, we resign to fate with the notion, “The will of God be done,” thinking we are giving God the license to have His way in our lives.

If God could have His way without your permission, He would have compelled you to always do the right thing. But God is not a witch, and so wouldn't force you to do anything against your will.

The Bible is the Word of God. He expresses His mind and will in those words so you can have an opportunity to make the right choice, but He wouldn't force you.

In Deut. 30:19, God says, I have set before you life and death…therefore choose life…that you…may live.” You see, the choice is yours, whether to live or die. You will not die but live to declare the works of the Lord (Psa. 118:17).

Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil, which includes sickness.

“…For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” (1 John 3:8)

How do we know that sickness is the work of the devil? Acts 10:38 says Jesus went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the devil.

How then did Jesus deal with sickness? Again the Bible says in Matt. 8:17 that Jesus took our sicknesses and removed our diseases.

If this tract was taken from you, you couldn't have the paper in your hand. If Jesus took your sicknesses, and He did, then you are free. It’s no more on you.

No wonder 1 Pet. 2:24 says that you have been healed by His wounds. What wounds? Jesus bore that sickness that is afflicting you. He was wounded for our sins. He not only took our sins on the Cross, He took our sicknesses. Just as easy as it is for you to surrender your life to Jesus and be born again since He has carried and paid for your sins, you might as well reject and release that sickness because He took it on Him when He hung on the Cross. As far as God is concerned, you are healed already.

Are you saying Amen to this?

Think of it. If you were arraigned for a crime and were sentenced, though with an option of fine; now, if somebody paid that money, you wouldn't go to jail, or else that would be a miscarriage of justice. It would be what is referred to as  double jeopardy.

“But,” you may wonder, “If I am healed, how come I am still in pains?” Let's put it this way. If your account was credited and you didn't know, you would be running around begging, looking for money. You are rich but since you didn't know it, you were living in squalor. When you know the truth, you become free (John 8:32). Now you know the truth  you are healed.

Even if you cut off the head of a snake, the body would still be moving as if it’s still alive, yet it is dead.

If you cut off a leaf from off a plant, it would still be fresh, still looking as if it is alive. Yet the moment it was cut off, it died. It’s just a question of time and you will see it wilt.

It’s the same with sickness and infirmity. After your prayer, the sickness died. That you still feel pains or still look the same doesn’t mean you are not healed. Immediately you asked God to touch you, He did, in His faithfulness. It’s just a matter of time and the healing will manifest. It could happen in the nest second, or the next hour, or the next day. It doesn’t matter. The truth is that you are healed.

Jesus took your sicknesses. That pain is a lie of the devil. Receive your healing NOW, in the name of Jesus. YOU ARE FREE!

What then do you do between when you pray and when you see the answer? Just thank God. If you believe God heard you when you prayed or were prayed for, then thank God for the healing.

If you asked me for money and I told you I have sent it, you would thank me immediately, even without seeing the money. You don’t wait to see it before thanking me. If you take me for my word, and I said I had sent the money, you would be full of excitement even before seeing it. Your confidence is in my word.

God’s Word never fails. His Word is truth. No situation can invalidate His Word. He has spoken, and it is so.

YOU ARE HEALED!

For further enquiry, prayer or counseling, call 08077837847 

WHY CHRISTIANS ARE SICK

By Daniel Yohanna

If Jesus has carried our sickness (and He has), then why are people, especially believers, still sick?

It's like asking, if Jesus has carried the sin of the whole world (Jn. 1:29; Heb. 9:28; 1Pet. 2:24; 1Jn. 3:5), then why are people still dying and going to hell? It could be they never knew He took their sin away, so they could not receive His grace. It could also be that they do not believe He took their sin, so they could not receive forgiveness of sin.

                In the same vein, though Jesus Himself took our pains and carried our sicknesses, as written in Matt. 8:17, believers are still sick as a result of some or any of these factors. The same sacrifice that paid for the sin of the whole world also took care of our sicknesses. That’s why scripture says that “By His stripes, we were healed.” (1 Pet. 2:24). As far as God is concerned, you have been healed, because Jesus took that sickness on Him. I am totally convinced that God has made adequate provision for His people to live strong and healthy lives. In fact, He questions in Jeremiah 8:22 why His children are still sick in spite of the provision made.

Is there no balm in Gilead; Is there no physician there? Why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered? (Jer. 8:22).

While we may not with exactitude know why certain ones are sick, the following provide a pointer to why many believers are sick.

1.            Breaking Natural Laws

                Sometimes erroneously, we think that walking by faith is pretending something that exists doesn't, but that is presumption.

The laws of creation put in place by the creator are to help regulate the forces of nature, so they can be of benefit to us. Even in the Old Testament, some of the laws were dietary and sanitary laws that we will do well to heed to. You can't expose your body under the harmattan and not expect to catch a cold or pneumonia, or something. You can't go on eating anything and anyhow and expect to be healthy. Sometimes it is what you're eating that's actually eating you up. Take care of your body. Remember, it is the Temple of God. Don't defile it with smoke or alcohol. Don't live or eat in unhygienic environments. Wash your hands every time you use the toilet.

2.            Sin

                There is a close link between sin and sickness. That's why when the paralytic man that was carried by his four friends laid him before Jesus, the first thing Jesus did was to clear the hindrance to his healing by forgiving his sins. (Lk 5:18-25). The man that was healed at the Pool of Bethesda (Jn 5:1-14), was told by Jesus to “sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.” Two statements catch my attention here: no more and a worse thing. No more implies he had done it before, and a worse thing compares a present with a later experience. The man might have sinned before, and so was warned against sinning anymore. A sinful lifestyle can cause the believer to be sick.

3.            Bitterness & Unforgiveness

These are two deadly vices. Bitterness works like bile in a chicken, it poisons the whole meat. Bitterness destroys your system. So does unforgiveness. It hinders the power of God from flowing in one. Once there is the absence of love, the devil has room to manifest (1 Cor. 2:11). You will keep the devil out in Jesus name (Eph. 4:27). Release every trace of bitterness in your life (Heb. 12:15). Has anyone  hurt you lately? Forgive and forget.

A research revealed that over 80% of cancer patients have a problem with unforgiveness. You subject your body to lots of torment through unforgiveness. Release the person and get yourself released.

Do you know what happens to you when you start holding grudges against others? According to Kenneth Hagin, Jr, it’s the same thing that happens in the arteries of your heart when too much fat gets in. Fat starts collecting around the edges of the artery and restricting the flow of blood. Once it starts collecting, it builds up and builds up until no blood can flow at all. May be you never saw it in this light, but it is very true.

In the spiritual realm, unforgiveness builds up the same way. It starts collecting in the channel where the Spirit flows, and if you’re not careful, it will clog the channel. Before you know it, nothing is flowing at all. What a tragedy this will be. If nothing flows in your life, how will you survive?

Therefore, once you realize that things are not flowing in your life as they are supposed to, then you need to release all unforgiveness so the flow can start again.

Lack of walking in love and forgiveness is the main reason people’s faith doesn’t work. Unforgiveness is the main reason people fail to receive their healing.

4.            Lack of Discernment

For not discerning the Lord's body, many are sick (1Cor. 11:29-30). The Lord's body here is both symbolic and spiritual. The bread we break in communion is symbolic of His Body which was broken for us. An irreverent attitude in partaking of this brings God's judgement down on people. Secondly, we all make up the Body of Christ - His mystical body. Any divisive attitude in us as well, brings condemnation. We must preserve the unity of the body. Let's discern (understand) the Lord's body.

5.            Ignorance

                The Bible shows us that a reason why people are destroyed, either by sickness or by any other means is because of ignorance. Some have not heard the truth about healing. They do not know that their diseases have been laid on Jesus, and that by His stripes, they have been healed.

 “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…” (Hos. 4:6)

Let’s assume you were arraigned before a judge and were convicted of a crime, and were given a 5-year jail term with an option of a fine of 5000 naira. If I decided to pay the money on your behalf, would you still serve your sentence? No. My friend, Jesus has paid for your liberty. You are free.

In his book, Receive Miracle Healing, Dr. T. L. Osborn said, “People who pray and fail to receive the miracle from Christ that they desire, usually lack knowledge of what the Bible says about God's blessings. Without knowing these truths, the person in need has no basis for faith.”

When you do not know something belongs to you, it could never be claimed or appropriated by you. Dr. David Oyedepo says there is no mountain anywhere; every man's ignorance is his mountain. Without ignorance empowering the disease, no sickness can destroy the child of God.

John 8:32

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

6.            Unbelief

It is possible for someone to know that something is true, and yet refuse to be convinced about it. There are two sources of unbelief. One is ignorance. What you don't know, you can't believe. Because you still feel the pains, you think you're still sick, not realizing that healing takes place first in the spiritual realm before it manifests physically. The presence of pain or any physical evidence is no guarantee that you are sick.

                But a second source of unbelief is a kind of rebellion or stubbornness. It is an unpersuadable attitude. It is a result of sheer disobedience. You know it's true, but you refuse to yield to that truth. You know God heals, but you just can't be convinced to believe He'll heal you. You are just disobedient to the truth being presented to you.

7.            Wrong Thinking

                Some people attract sickness by their negative thinking pattern. They are constantly seeing themselves sick. They keep imagining themselves sick. They are full of fear. According to Dr. John G. Lake, “Fear causes your mind to become subjective. When you are full of fear, your pores will absorb everything around you. You are drawing into yourself what is around you. That is the way people absorb sickness.” Norman Vincent Pearle said, “If you fear something continuously you tend to create conditions in your mind propitious to the development of that which you fear. An atmosphere is encouraged in which it can take root and grow. You tend to draw it to yourself.”

Probably because of what they've been listening to, once they hear of an outbreak of an epidemic, they conclude that they must be victims, and it comes to pass. Yet the Bible says “a thousand shall fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you.” (Psa. 91:7).

8.            Negative Talking

Sickness talkers are sick people. Proverbs 6:2 says you are snared and taken by the words of your mouth. Isaiah 33:24 says the inhabitants of Zion will never say, “I am sick.” Why? Because “they are healed, by His stripes.” (1Pet 2:24). “Himself took our infirmities, and bore our sicknesses.” (Mt 8:17) Jesus said, “You shall have what you say.” (Mk 11:23) So, what have you been saying? If you keep talking sickness, that's exactly what you're going to have. “But,” you wonder, “What do I do when I feel sick?” You say what the Word says concerning healing. That you feel sick doesn't mean you are sick. Temptation is not sin until you fall into it. So also the symptom of a sickness is temptation to be sick. Don't establish that sickness with your words. A neuro-surgeon once revealed that the speech nerve in the brain controls all the other nerves in the body. When a man says, “I am sick,” a message is passed across all the other nerves: “Let's prepare to be sick.” Don't say what you see. Say what you believe. Say what you want to see. Smith Wigglesworth said, “I am not moved by what I see or hear. I am moved by what I believe.”

You then wonder, “Am I not supposed to say the truth about my condition?” But what is the truth? “Thy word is truth.” (Jn. 17:17). When you speak what the Word says, you are speaking the truth. You can’t keep on talking negatively and experience positive results in your life.

“Let the weak say, ‘I am strong.’” (Joel 3:10). And this is not suggesting you letting people know you are sick by saying, I am strong. It is believing that the Lord is the strength of your life, for His power is made perfect in your weakness (Psa. 27:1; 2 Cor. 12:9,10).