22. DESPERATION
Remember blind Bartimaeus who, when he cried out, was told to be quiet, yet he cried out all the more? (Mark 10:46-48). He received his healing. The woman with the issue of blood pushed through in desperation to be healed. In fact, she risked her life, but she got what she was seeking (Mark 5:25-34). Jesus at first seemed unmoved by the pleas of the Canaanite woman to heal her daughter. The disciples tried to make her go away, but she persisted (Matt. 15:27). Jesus responded to her desperation and healed her daughter. When people cry out to God in spite of those who discourage them--when they press through the crowd, over the obstacles, and beyond their fears--God heals.
23. TO DESTROY THE DEVIL'S WORK
If God did miracles for no other reason than this one, it would be enough. He does miracles to destroy the devil's work! Think about that truth for a minute. Here's what the Bible says: "God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him" (Acts 10:38). Jesus went about doing good and healing people to set the oppressed free! "For this purpose the Son of God was manifested that He might destroy the works of the devil" (1 John 3:8).
In God's eyes, any sickness or disease is oppression and a work of the devil. This doesn't mean you are demon possessed if you are sick; rather, there is a demonic source behind the illness. The Enemy is at work to afflict and destroy people's bodies. We can resist sickness because Scripture tells us that every sickness and disease is of the devil. Rise up in God's righteous anger to destroy the Enemy's works--just as Jesus did.
24. THE NAME OF GOD
One of God's redemptive names is Jehovah Rapha--a Hebrew name that means "The Lord Heals." This word also means "physician" or "doctor." In Exodus 15:26, God said to His people: "I am the LORD who heals you." The word Rapha refers more to physical healing than inner healing, relational healing, or national healing. He is Jehovah the Great Physician. By definition, He heals and makes healthy. His wisdom and power over disease is far greater than that of an earthly doctor. Let's put our faith in Jehovah Rapha, our Healer.
25. COMMUNION
It is vital that we understand the power of communion in healing and miracles: "For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep" (1 Cor. 11:29, 30). When we understand that believers in every denominational stream are just as important to Christ's body as we are, then we become strong and healthy.
Revelation of the power of communion--the healing power in Christ's body, found in the atoning sacrifice--brings rivers of healing to the church. When we take communion, we see and know the healing that is found through His broken, beaten body. We understand the forgiveness of sin, and the sozo--the salvation, healing, and deliverance at the moment of salvation for the body, soul, and spirit.
We need the revelation in communion that He suffered for sickness and desires us to be forgiven and healed. Christ's body was broken for our spiritual wholeness as well as our physical wholeness. Partaking of communion in a worthy manner, with full revelation of the atoning sacrifice and of Christ's body, brings us God's revelatory power for life and healing.
26. GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT
God has given His children the gifts of the Spirit so that we can walk in the same power Jesus did. As the apostle Paul said about these gifts: "To another [is given] faith by the same spirit, to another gifts of healing by the same spirit, to another working of miracles" (1 Cor. 12: 9, 10). Why do healings happen today? That verse is clear--He heals through and because of the gifts of the Spirit.
27. THE NAME OF JESUS
Why did God heal the lame man at the Beautiful Gate? The answer is found in the apostle Peter's words: "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk" (Acts 3:6).
Clearly, healing happens because of the name of Jesus Christ. Peter confirmed the power of Jesus' name saying: "And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong" (Acts 3:16). The name Jesus comes from the Hebrew root, Yeshua, meaning, "Jehovah is salvation" (again pointing to sozo--see later), while the name Christ means "the Messiah" or "Anointed One," such as a priest or king. As the Christ, Jesus was anointed with the Holy Spirit to release healing power. Healing is in Jesus' name and He is still the same today; He has not changed His name. That wonderful name is the only reason we need for healing and miracles today.
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